fig. 3 Turnera diffusa

Damiana

(Turnera diffusa)

Damiana is a sun-loving shrub of the Mexican and Central American deserts, its small toothed leaves carrying a warm, spicy-sweet aroma like figs and faded flowers. Long revered as an herb of pleasure and gentle uplift, it is prized for its mood-brightening, subtly euphoric character and its reputation as an aphrodisiac. A favorite in smoke blends and ceremonial teas, damiana brings a relaxed warmth and a soft, opening sense of well-being.

across time

Tradition & Ritual

The Maya and later the Aztec peoples drank damiana as a ceremonial aphrodisiac and a tonic for the spirit, weaving it into rituals of love and celebration. Spanish missionaries recorded its use among Indigenous communities of Baja California, where it was — and still is — brewed into festive drinks and sweet liqueurs shared at gatherings and rites of courtship.

what it offers

Scientific & Medicine

Damiana leaf contains aromatic oils, flavonoids, and bitter compounds traditionally valued as a mild relaxant, mood-lifter, and reproductive tonic. In a smoke blend it lends a smooth, warm, herbaceous sweetness and a gently relaxing, euphoric quality much loved by blenders. Brewed as tea it is fragrant and faintly bitter, long associated with easing tension and kindling a soft sensual warmth.

the old stories

Legends & Myths

Across Mexican folklore damiana is the herb of lovers — said to have flavored the world's first margarita in its native Baja, and long carried in the lore of curanderas as a plant that opens the heart and stirs desire. Old stories tell of it being shared between sweethearts to deepen affection and invite playful, amorous dreams beneath the desert moon.

from the bear

Bear Originals

Around the fire, damiana is my herb of choice when the mood calls for warmth and a little lightness of heart. I love it brewed into a slow evening tea or folded into a blend — it has a way of softening the shoulders and turning conversation gentle and golden.

Cautions & Contraindications

May lower blood sugar — use caution if diabetic. Best avoided in pregnancy. Large amounts have been reported to cause mild stomach upset.

fig. 3 Turnera diffusa

Botanical plate of Damiana (Turnera diffusa)

in the apothecary

Products w/ Damiana

OG Bear Blend Herbal Ceremonial Blend

Created over twenty years ago, the OG Ceremonial Blend is the foundation of Bear Blend. Ou...

$15.95

Kin Nik Nik Herbal Ceremonial Blend

The Kin Nik Nik blend is peaceful and cerebral, with a hint of lavender. Intended to help...

$15.95

Mintz Herbal Ceremonial Blend

Balancing herbs, mint, and flowers, the Mintz is a hefty and refreshing blend. This is a m...

$16.95

OG Bear Blend Rolliez

Created over twenty years ago, the OG Ceremonial Blend is the foundation of Bear Blend. Ou...

$22.95

Mintz Rolliez

Balancing herbs, mint, and flowers, the Mintz is a hefty and refreshing blend. This is a m...

$22.95

Kin Nik Nik Rolliez

The Kin Nik Nik blend is peaceful and cerebral, with a hint of lavender. Intended to help...

$22.95

Vizion Herbal Ceremonial Blend

Best known as our daytime blend, the Vizion Ceremonial Blend’s active herbs bring clarity...

$15.95

Dream Lodge Herbal Ceremonial Blend

Dream Lodge contains herbs such as wormwood and valerian to create calming and dream-enhan...

$15.95

Moon Herbal Ceremonial Blend

The Moon Ceremonial Blend is our most magical blend. With a medium effect, the Moon brings...

$15.95

Moon Rolliez

The Moon Ceremonial Blend is our most magical formulation, designed to bring balance and d...

$22.95

Dream Lodge Rolliez

Dream Lodge contains herbs such as wormwood and valerian to create calming and dream-enhan...

$22.95

OG Bear Blend Liquid Herbz (Vanilla)

Vanilla Flavored Liquid Each bottle comes with 30 milliliters of OG Liquid Herbz. Created...

$19.95

Mintz Liquid Herbz (Spearmint)

Spearmint Flavored Liquid Each bottle comes with 30 milliliters of Mintz Liquid Herbz. Bal...

$19.95

Kin Nik Nik Liquid Herbz (Cherry)

Cherry Flavored Liquid Each bottle comes with 30 milliliters of Kin Nik Nik Liquid Herbz....

$19.95

Dream Lodge Liquid Herbz (Coconut)

Coconut Flavored Liquid Herbz Each bottle comes with 30 milliliters of Dream Lodge Liquid...

$19.95

Moon Liquid Herbz (Berry)

Berry Blend Flavored Liquid Each bottle comes with 30 milliliters of Moon Liquid Herbz. Th...

$19.95

Kin Nik Nik Herbal Chew

The Kin Nik Nik blend is peaceful and cerebral, with a hint of lavender. Intended to help...

$11.95

Moon Herbal Chew

The Moon Ceremonial Blend is our most magical blend. With a medium effect, the Moon brings...

$11.95

Dream Lodge Herbal Chew

Dream Lodge is a powerful blend with hops and valerian. It is calming and dream enhancing...

$11.95

Original Bear Blend Herbal Chew

The OG Blend is our most floral and aromatic blend. It has a mild relaxing and soothing ef...

$11.95

Mintz Herbal Chew

The Mintz is a perfect balance of flowers, herbs and mint. It is mildly stimulating and op...

$11.95

Dream Lodge Herbal Cigarettes

Experience the familiar ritual of smoking, completely reimagined. Dream Lodge is one of ou...

$15.95

Moon Herbal Cigarettes

Experience the familiar ritual of smoking, completely reimagined. Moon is a soft, floral c...

$15.95

Original Herbal Cigarettes

Experience the familiar ritual of smoking, completely reimagined. Original is the floral,...

$15.95

Shaman Herbal Cigarettes

Each tin comes with 10 Shaman Cigarettes, which contains 30% hemp flower.Shaman is an arom...

$19.95

Damiana — Smokable Herbs

A warm, aromatic herb from the sun-drenched highlands of Mexico — Damiana has long been ch...

$9.95

Kin Nik Nik Herbal Cigarettes

Experience the familiar ritual of smoking, completely reimagined. Kin Nik Nik is a smooth,...

$15.95

Vizion Herbal Cigarettes

Experience the familiar ritual of smoking, completely reimagined. Vizion is our earthy, br...

$15.95

Mintz Herbal Cigarettes

Experience the familiar ritual of smoking, completely reimagined. Mintz is our crispest, c...

$15.95

Bear Blend Kin Nik Nik Herbal Diffuser — 2ml Disposable (Cherry)

A prefilled 2 mL disposable diffuser featuring the Kin Nik Nik blend — a smooth, aromatic...

$16.95

Bear Blend Original Herbal Diffuser — 2ml Disposable (Vanilla)

A prefilled 2 mL disposable diffuser featuring the Original blend — the blend that started...

$16.95

Bear Blend Dream Lodge Herbal Diffuser — 2ml Disposable (Coconut)

A prefilled 2 mL disposable diffuser featuring the Dream Lodge blend — a deep, calming eve...

$16.95

Bear Blend Mintz Herbal Diffuser — 2ml Disposable (Spearmint)

A prefilled 2 mL disposable diffuser featuring the Mintz blend — a cooling, refreshing ble...

$16.95

Bear Blend Moon Herbal Diffuser — 2ml Disposable (Berry)

A prefilled 2 mL disposable diffuser featuring the Moon blend — our most ceremonial blend,...

$16.95

Bear Blend Kin Nik Nik Herbal Diffuser Cartridge — 1ml (Cherry)

A 1 mL refillable 510-thread diffuser cartridge featuring the Kin Nik Nik blend — a smooth...

$11.95

Bear Blend Original Herbal Diffuser Cartridge — 1ml (Vanilla)

A 1 mL refillable 510-thread diffuser cartridge featuring the Original blend — the blend t...

$11.95

Bear Blend Dream Lodge Herbal Diffuser Cartridge — 1ml (Coconut)

A 1 mL refillable 510-thread diffuser cartridge featuring the Dream Lodge blend — a deep,...

$11.95

Bear Blend Mintz Herbal Diffuser Cartridge — 1ml (Spearmint)

A 1 mL refillable 510-thread diffuser cartridge featuring the Mintz blend — a cooling, ref...

$11.95

Bear Blend Moon Herbal Diffuser Cartridge — 1ml (Berry)

A 1 mL refillable 510-thread diffuser cartridge featuring the Moon blend — our most ceremo...

$11.95

Tube of Two Mintz Rolliez

Balancing herbs, mint, and flowers, the Mintz is a hefty and refreshing blend. This is a m...

$7.95

Tube of Two Dream Lodge Rolliez

Dream Lodge contains herbs such as wormwood and valerian to create calming and dream-enhan...

$7.95

Tube of Two Moon Rolliez

The Moon Ceremonial Blend is our most magical blend. With a medium effect, the Moon brings...

$7.95

Tube of Two Original Rolliez

Created over twenty years ago, the OG Ceremonial Blend is the foundation of Bear Blend. Ou...

$7.95

Tube of Two Kin Nik Nik Rolliez

The Kin Nik Nik blend is peaceful and cerebral, with a hint of lavender. Intended to help...

$7.95

Tube of Two Vizion Rolliez

Best known as our daytime blend, the Vizion Ceremonial Blend’s active herbs bring clarity...

$7.95