Postcard from Mexico: Damiana Liqueur - Herbal Aphrodisiac or Urban Legend? by Jill Dutton of Chilled Magazine

Ever wondered if a plant could enhance the romance in your life? In this "Postcard," we'll take you on a journey to unearth the enigmatic tale of the Damiana plant and its mythical spirit - Damiana Liqueur. As we traverse the rugged terrains of Baja California Sur, Mexico, where this shrub thrives, we'll hear the locals' intriguing anecdotes of love and well-being, all attributed to the sweet, herbal liqueur that has been a part of their lore for generations. Despite the lack of scientific evidence, the claims of its medicinal properties, from curing stress and insomnia to its most sensational claim of being an aphrodisiac, are too intriguing to be ignored.

In the latest segment of Postcards, we'll not only discover the mythical spirit but also experiment with creating a homemade Damiana tincture. You'll find out how to extract the essences from Damiana, so you can also delve into the world of herbal tinctures. The thrill of adventure, the mystery of an urban legend, and the allure of an aphrodisiac - this episode is set to transport you to the enchanting streets of La Paz, Mexico, right from the comfort of your home. So, put on your headphones, prepare your favorite cocktail, and join me as we unfold the mystique of Damiana Liqueur.

Read the original article: Is Damiana Liqueur an Herbal Aphrodisiac or Urban Legend? | Chilled Magazine

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Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:04

Welcome, fellow wanderers, to a delightful addition to the Global Journeys with Jill Dutton podcast introducing Postcards your passport to bite-sized travel tales. I'm Jill Dutton, your guide in this audio expedition, and I'm thrilled to embark on these journeys with you. In this new segment, postcards, we're flipping through the vibrant pages of travel, offering you quick glimpses into the captivating world that awaits beyond our doorsteps. These audio snapshots are designed to be your pocket-sized companions, perfect for those moments when you yearn for a touch of wanderlust but are short on time. While our traditional full-length episodes will continue to immerse you in the rich narratives of the individuals I've encountered during my travels, postcards steps into the spotlight as a frequent rendezvous with travel essentials brief, insightful and ready to transport you to far-flung corners of the globe. But further ado, welcome to this installment of Postcards. Postcard Mexico Damiana LeCour Herbal Aphrodisiac or Urban Legend by Jill Dutton of Chilled Magazine.

Speaker 1: 1:12

Before departing on a recent trip to La Paz, mexico, I heard about a mythical spirit called Damiana LeCour. Always interested in herbal remedies and tinctures, I was eager to taste and learn more about this LeCour made from the Damiana plant that grows well in Baja California Sur's desert climate. It's said that the Damiana plant has certain medicinal properties. Locals sip the LeCour either neat or mixed in cocktails to cure ailments such as stress, insomnia and aches and pains. But its most sensational claim is that this sweet herbal LeCour is an Aphrodisiac. I knew I wanted to taste it for myself.

Speaker 1: 1:50

Damiana is a small shrub that can be found in the rocky hillsides of Baja California, sur Mexico and other desert regions. In addition to its amour-enhancing benefits, the herb is said to improve digestion, treat constipation and create an overall sense of well-being. The Aphrodisiac aspects of the remedy are believed to come into play because the herb stimulates the intestinal tract, bringing oxygen to the genital area for both men and women. As there isn't any scientific data behind these benefits, mainly what you'll hear when you ask about the plant are tall tales of love found after ingesting the LeCour. According to Healthline, damiana is a low-growing plant with yellow flowers and fragrant leaves. In addition to Mexico, it's native to subtropical climates like southern Texas, central and South America and the Caribbean. Its medicinal uses predate written history. Healthline says that by the time the Spanish crossed the Atlantic, indigenous cultures had been using it for centuries as an Aphrodisiac and bladder tonic. Spanish missionaries noticed that native tribes would brew a Damiana tea with sugar to stimulate sexual performance. Although there aren't human studies, laboratory tests performed on rats showed increased sexual performance in both males and females, but in particular those with sexual dysfunction. Still, both sexes exhibited increased sexual activity. Although the Damiana plant is generally safe and non-toxic, like any herbal remedy, it shouldn't be consumed during pregnancy, while breastfeeding or by anyone with diabetes.

Speaker 1: 3:28

The Damiana plant creates a sweet, minty, woody LeCour. Locals like to sip it on the rocks, take it as a shot or in place of triple sec or simple syrup in a margarita. Many consider it the perfect secret ingredient to the drink and others profess that the original margarita was created using Damiana LeCour. You can purchase the LeCour straight, or some distillers are mixing the essence of Damiana with a tequila base for a more potent drink. As I have an interest in tinctures, I was excited to learn how to extract the essences from Damiana to create a homemade tincture. Simply fill a jar with the leaves of the herb, cover with a liter of vodka and let sit for at least 10 days. I like to give the jar a good shake each day and keep it out of direct sunlight. After a couple weeks, strain the mixture through a coffee filter to remove the plant pieces. You can use the tincture to make a cup of tea by placing one drop or full of the alcohol in a cup of hot water with honey. To make a LeCour, add the vodka to 500 ml of water, warm the infused water and add 1-2 cups of honey until dissolved, bottle the liquor to enjoy at your leisure. If you'd rather not go to the trouble to create the LeCour yourself, you can purchase a bottle at a liquor store or online.

Speaker 1: 4:44

Heading back to the States, after my visit to La Paz, I stopped at the airport liquor store to ask about Damiana LeCour. The gentleman quickly offered me a sample. I told him I'd heard stories about its potent aphrodisiac qualities and said it might not be the best drink to taste before boarding an airplane. He told me oh, drink it and find out. I'm single Now. That's a good salesman. He poured me a small shot of agaveiro, a blend of 100% agave reposado and anahejo chiles with added Damiana flower essence. It was sweet and woody, but I only took a small sip, still worried about the consequences. The gentleman allayed my fears and told me in confidence that it's really a myth. He said tradition has it that guests would give the bride and groom a bottle of Damiana LeCour as a wedding present to enhance their honeymoon and increase the odds of fertility. Whether it's based on lore or not, people who enjoy the LeCour believe in its benefits. Now distributed in the United States, you don't have to visit Mexico to sit on the beach and sip this sweet, mythical LeCour, but it might be worth a trip south of the border just for the experience.

Speaker 1: 5:51

Jill Dutton is the publisher of Evolving Magazine, the podcast host at Global Journeys with Jill Dutton and a freelance travel writer at GlobalJourneyswithjildedtoncom. Thank you for joining us on this episode of Global Journeys with Jill Dutton. Until next time, may your travels be filled with endless curiosity, open-hearted encounters and transformative adventures. Safe travels, fellow explorers, and keep wandering.