Our dinner haphazardly came together when we found out we lost my mom's phone on a bench right outside of a restaurant in the KC river market. We weren't planning on staying for a meal but when we walked inside to claim her phone, we saw they had an intimate patio setting. It was still just barely warm enough to sit comfortably outside so we snagged a table right beside a small fire. My eyes lit up upon seeing that the menu listed a mezcal margarita that was infused with an herbalist's handcrafted blend of Damiana liquor. I had tried Damiana enough times prior to this evening to have sparked a serious infatuation. We ordered some small plates to share; a cheese spread with fruit chutney and a thick balsamic glaze, along with a small bowl filled with peppers, nuts, and olives drizzled in warm oil (aka finger food). As I started sipping the margarita, it was pretty obvious to notice Damiana's effects (the tequila didn't hurt either!). The act of eating became so much damned fun! I love to eat with my hands whenever I can and it felt like Damiana had connected me even more so to this act. I also felt deeply, deeply relaxed and easily excitable at the same time (I later learned that Damiana is a stimulant and a relaxant. Herbalist, Jim McDonald compares this to how a massage is both stimulating and relaxing at once.) I took note of the way different elements weaved together that night, each contained a palpable pulse; the yin/yang effect of cold wind on my face and warmth radiating from the crackling fire felt delicious on my skin. Being surrounded by people at other tables really gladdened my mood, too.
That night lingered with me and I knew I wanted to align more with this beautiful plant. I researched Damian's materia medica as well as how other herbalists worked with Damiana. I ended up experimenting with several different recipes. I found a gorgeous smoke blend made with Damiana and made Rosemary Gladstar's Chocolate Love Liquor (delicious by the way and you can find her recipe below). I found out my favorite way to enjoy Damiana is simply preparing it as a tea. You can do this by taking a teaspoon of dried Damiana leaves and pour boiling water over. However, I would like to recommend a recipe that I made, it's a little more involved but totally worth it.
For the tea: Chop a couple of dates and blend them into whatever milk form you like, I used vanilla almond milk. Heat the milk over low heat and then pour this over a tsp of dried damiana leaves to infuse for a few minutes. I had a Damiana tincture on hand so I added half a dropperful into the tea and a bit of Rose infused honey.
While sipping this throughout the evening, I noticed again the gladdening effects it had on my heart and mood. It also brought warmth and relaxation to my pelvic area (hello, blood flow!), hence, one of the reasons you'll see herbalists call it an aphrodisiac. It's important to note that each herb will effect each person in a way that is unique to them.
I also started incorporating Damiana in my botanical facials at work. My grandma and I sewed eye pillows and stuffed them with cotton and a blend of delicate flowers and leaves from Damiana, Rose and Chamomile. I place this on client's eyes while their mask is on (currently a Dandelion, Cacao and Goats milk clay mask) with the intention to entice and relax clients into the present moment.
This is one of the greatest treasures that Damiana brings, relaxing and enjoying each aspect that is inside the present moment.
(If you have a free hour, I highly recommend Jim McDonald's discussion on aphrodisiacs as a resource. It's called the Energetics of Aphrodisiacs.)
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| Rosemary Gladstar's Chocolate Love Liquor Recipe
Here's the recipe for Rosemary's Love Liquor:
1 ounce damiana leaves (dried)
2 cups vodka or brandy (I used brandy)
1.5 cups spring water
1 cup honey
Vanilla extract
Rose Water
Chocolate syrup
Almond extract
1. Soak the damiana leaves in the vodka or brandy for 5 days. Strain; reserve the liquid in a bottle.
2. Soak the alcohol-drenched leaves in the spring water for 3 days. Strain and reserve the liquid.
3. Over low heat, gently warm the water extract and dissolve the honey in it. Remove the pan from the heat, then add the alcohol extract and stir well. Pour into a clean bottle and add a dash of vanilla and a touch of rose water for flavor. Let it mellow for 1 month or longer; it gets smoother with age.
4. To each cup of damiana liqueur, add 1/2 cup of chocolate syrup, 2 or 3 drops of almond extract and a touch more of rose water.
Enjoy!!
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