A Touch Of Damiana - From Baja, With Love

I sat in the narrow-bodied plane next to my husband. His arm brushed mine, sending an unexpected shiver up my spine. Four days in Cabo San Lucas without the kids? The thought alone was an aphrodisiac.

In a few hours we'd be sipping margaritas on a bougainvillea-covered veranda, watching the Pacific Ocean mingle with the Sea of Cortez. I let my imagination run free.

After all, we'd decided to dedicate this vacation to testing the reputation of the Damiana plant - Baja's famed love potion.

I'd done some homework. Damiana is no "Spanish Fly." It's a mint-like plant that grows in the southern deserts of Baja California and is known scientificially as Turnera aphrodisiaca. A promising name.

The indigenous people of the region swore by its powers. Turn-of-the-century doctors claimed to have tested it and found it remarkable in curing impotence.

I decided I had to determine for myself whether Damiana was the real "Love Potion Number Nine." The natives apparently think so, as it's sold in Baja in the form of a sweet, yellow liqueur.

We bought our first bottle as soon as we arrived, at the airport liquor store. It was easy to spot on the shelves. It was shaped like a headless fertility goddess with large breasts resting on top of a gently rounded belly and wide hips.

Once at the hotel, I watched as my husband, Jay, firmly grasped the bodacious breasts and brought the bottle to his lips for a taste.

"How is it?" I asked cautiously, wondering how quickly the "testosterone-like" action was supposed to take effect.

"Sweeeeet," he said and kissed me passionately.

OK, I thought, we're off to a good start here.

Mapping out a research plan, I discovered how much Damiana is a much a part of the landscape of Los Cabos. Everyone sells one version or another.

Let's see. We'd start with Damiana margaritas at the pool bar, have Damiana coffee for our afternoon pick-me-up, try out the Damiana restaurant in San Jose del Cabo for dinner, do shots of Damiana before hitting the nightclubs . . . And for hikes to Lovers Beach, we'd pack a picnic: bread, a hunk of cheese and a bottle of Damiana.

The effect over four days was, well, intoxicating.

As to whether I can vouch for the aphrodisiac effect . . . I believe that's a matter that requires personal testing. I will say that it makes a darn good margarita.

And it suits Baja like a well-chosen totem, symbolic of fun and love, romance and mystery.

Lesley Marijke McCandless is a freelance writer who lives in Issaquah.