Chanana plant: what is it for, benefits, how to consume it and more!

Did you know that Chanana, an extremely fragrant plant, is a heritage and symbol of the capital Natal in Rio Grande do Norte? The title is due not only to the abundance of the flower in the streets of the city, but also to the landmark of Natal resistance.

According to the potiguar poet, Diógenes da Cunha Lima, the plant expresses the resilience and resistance of the city, which continues to exist and grow along with the nature that surrounds it. Endowed with unusual properties, Chanana, despite being simple, has been a holy medicine in folk medicine over the years.

Chanana carries powers capable of eliminating the side effects of chemotherapy, for example, and also acts in the prevention of tuberculosis. As food, the aromatic herb decorates dishes, seasons recipes and can replace green tea. Learn all about the Chanana plant in this article!

Famous for its medicinal, aphrodisiac and food properties, Chanana has been gaining ground in the daily routine of those who want to have exemplary health. The plant, in addition to preventing diseases, also helps to detoxify the body. Find out more about her below!

Turnera diffusa, Turnera subulata or Turnera aphrodisiaca, also popularly known as Chanana, Damiana, Albina, eleven-hours, Guarujá flower or Turnera, is an ornamental plant, which has edible and medicinal properties.

The genus name, Turnera, as well as the botanical family, Turneraceae, is a tribute to the Reverend William Turner, who, even though he was a supporter of the Lutheran Reformation, became a physician, physicist, zoologist, naturalist and herbalist, being considered the ” father of English botany”.

The plant originates from countries with hot climates and can be found spontaneously in Central and South America. It is also typical of coastal sandbanks and also grows in other places, such as Indonesia, Malaysia and the Pacific Islands. In Brazil, it is easily found in the northeast region, mainly in the capital of Rio Grande do Norte.

Known for its versatility and easy handling, Damiana, or Chanana, is great for beautifying gardens and planters. However, more than that, the plant has qualities that improve physical and mental health. It serves, especially, for the treatment of psychological illnesses, such as insomnia, depression and anxiety.

This aromatic shrub also boosts the immune system. The plant can also be used to prevent bacterial infections and those transmitted by microbes. It is considered one of the most important aphrodisiac flowers known today.

With an erect stem and well-defined branches, Chanana is a shrub that can reach one or two meters in height. Its flowers have rounded petals in white and yellow colors and have a soft and sweet aroma, which only open in the morning.

Its leaves, which are also aromatic, have a deep green color. Chanana is easily propagated by cuttings and is a hardy perennial that blooms all year round. Its handling, planting and propagation are easy, and the plant does not require much care, and can even be cultivated in flower pots.

Known for its medicinal and edible properties, Damiana is also excellent for decorating environments, whether indoors or outdoors. As PANC (Non-Conventional Edible Plants), all parts of the plant – flowers, leaves and roots – can be used in delicious and nutritious recipes.

From a medicinal point of view, Damiana relieves the side effects of the treatment of diseases such as cancer and HIV and acts as an ally in the prevention of infections in the urinary tract and gastrointestinal system. Also, it’s a great detox and helps increase libido.

Although there is still a need for further scientific studies, Chanana is already considered a super plant, capable of bringing numerous health benefits. See, below, all about the use of the plant and its medicinal properties!

If you want to spice up your relationship with your partner a little more, Damiana herb can be a good alternative. This is because the plant acts in the treatment of female and male sexual organs, avoiding infections and discomforts and increasing libido.

Proper use of Chanana can be an excellent sexual stimulant. According to experts, the plant has aphrodisiac properties, which contribute to better performance, both for men and women. They also stimulate sexual appetite and prolong the feeling of pleasure.

Chanana extract works better than corticosteroids in the treatment of asthma and bronchitis. This is because the use of the plant decreases the production of mucus by the body. With this, it reduces irritation in the airways and calms the disturbances.

Chanana has anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties that help clear the airways and lungs, reducing crises and minimizing their symptoms. The plant still has expectorant and antibiotic properties, which help in the elimination of phlegm.

Chanana has been, over several years, popularly used to treat gastric problems, such as gastritis, ulcers, heartburn and poor digestion, among others. This is because the use of the plant creates protection in the stomach wall, avoiding excess hydrochloric acid produced by the organ itself.

In this way, Chanana recovers and regenerates the stomach mucosa, minimizing the appearance of these diseases. The plant also acts to protect the liver, especially if it suffers from the action of medications such as paracetamol. Because it has antioxidant properties, it reduces the production of free radicals and prevents the accumulation of cholesterol.

Due to its ability to improve digestion and act directly on the digestive system, regulating the production of acids and enzymes, Chanana is also excellent in combating constipation. The plant has a laxative effect and regenerates the intestinal flora, preventing pathologies based on bacteria and micro-organisms.

So, if taken regularly, in tea or capsules, the plant prevents constipation and regulates the intestine. As a result, in addition to avoiding the discomfort caused by a trapped intestine, it also ends up helping to eliminate toxins from the body.

Although more common in women, urinary tract infections usually occur in the bladder and urethra. However, in more serious cases, it can reach the kidneys. The treatment with the plant can be done from the ingestion of teas or intimate baths with the infusion of the leaves of the herb.

Due to its antibacterial and astringent properties, the plant acts directly on the urinary system, eliminating impurities that can cause illness, while protecting the body.

The antimicrobial property of Chanana has the power to prevent the growth of microorganisms. Microbes are responsible for infections that affect, for example, the respiratory tract, the urinary system and the reproductive system.

Thus, its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial action also helps prevent sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea and syphilis. It also helps in the treatment of chlamydia and leprosy.

It is not new that popular medicine recognizes the benefits of Chanana to combat anxiety and depression. This is because the plant has antidepressant property, as it contains allelochemical substances.

For those who don’t know, allelochemical substances have anesthetic and calming effects, which help a lot in reducing the symptoms of mental and psychological illnesses, such as depression. In addition, the plant helps fight insomnia and restores emotional balance, minimizing anxiety.

Despite still lacking further pharmacological studies, Chanana has been used for decades, mainly in the north and northeast regions of the country, for the treatment of menstrual disorders, such as cramps and absence of menstruation (amenorrhea).

In addition to being analgesic, the plant acts on hormonal balance, providing regularization of menstrual flow. It is also preventive when it comes to abnormal uterine bleeding from ovulation disorders.

Due to its anti-hyperglycemic effect, Chanana is widely used in folk medicine to prevent blood sugar levels from being too high. In this way, it can be used to complement treatments for diabetes.

However, the studies carried out show contradictory results. Therefore, it is recommended that the doctor be consulted before starting treatment with the plant. It is also necessary to research whether the use of this tea is suitable for the glucose levels found in diabetic people. This can influence the amount of the plant to be ingested daily.

Damiana’s delicate white or yellow florets are excellent for use in salads. Its leaves and roots are sources of teas with diverse medicinal properties. Next, check out some tips to introduce this plant into your daily routine!

With a mild and sweet taste, Chanana flowers should be eaten raw. They are excellent in salads and for decorating drinks, for example. They can also be used as jelly or candied. The leaves, on the other hand, can be served cooked and are still very tasty in recipes for soufflés and sauces.

Dried and ground, the leaves are used in a spice known as oreganillo. As there are still not enough studies on the use of the leaves, blanching is recommended, that is, scalding the leaves in boiling water and then giving them a thermal shock with ice water before consumption.

Did you know that one of the most complete and efficient detox teas is made with Chanana leaves? Dried or fresh, the leaves of the plant are a great substitute for green tea.

Despite its proven effectiveness, tea consumption should be done under the supervision of a doctor or herbalist. Tea consumption should not exceed two cups a day, and the infusion should be renewed every 24 hours. Also, tea can be drunk cold or hot.

Chanana tea can be made from the leaves or roots of the plant. To make tea from the leaves, you will need:

– 1 liter of still mineral water or solarized water;
– Two fresh Chanana leaves;
– A bottle of…