Can Ashwagandha Increase Testosterone?

Authored by

Dr Adam Williams

16 September 2022

Reviewed by

Samantha Burgess

Lead Healthcare Content Creator

What’s covered?

Can Ashwagandha Increase Testosterone?

ashwagandha can boost testosterone ashwagandha and testosterone

Ashwagandha is an adaptogen which can be used as a medicinal agent for some natural drugs. Ashwagandha root extract provides several medicinal uses because it is a physiological adaption agent in your body, allowing you to cope with pain and anxiety. A recent study demonstrates the effectiveness of this drug in the quality of infertile women receiving five grams daily for three months. Approximately 24% of men gain testosterone. The male hormone is known to contain testosterone. Immediately after puberty, testosterone production increases.

Ashwagandha supplement

It should come as no surprise that Ashwagandha is quickly becoming one of the most renowned herbal supplements worldwide, considering its incredible health advantages. The field of women's health is generally familiar with it. Still, its use has also shown numerous positive effects on men's health.

Ashwagandha has been utilised in Ayurvedic medicine for hundreds of years. It is widely recognised for the rejuvenating and adaptogenic effects that it possesses. Relieving stress, boosting energy and attention, and regulating hormones and the immune system are some benefits you can achieve with its use.

The meaning of Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha root can be viewed as a drug by the saranayana Sanskrit dictionary as it means "the path of essences." Ayurvedic medicine aims at increasing life expectancy and prolonging its lifespan. Withania somnifera is an ashwagandha species of Indian ginseng. It is an adaptogen, a family of medicinal plant types including herbs and roots popular for alternative medicines. It helps the body to adjust to and cope with any stressor, from physical to psychological. Other popular adaptogens are American and Siberian ginkgo, various species of bacteria, including cordyceps and Rhodiola rose.

A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study

The hormonal and vitality effects of Ashwagandha were studied. Over the course of the study, there were reports of improvements in weariness, energy, and sexual and psychological well-being; nevertheless, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups.

Is Testosterone Boosting Effective?

Ashwagandha is generally considered a natural testosterone booster. It has a role in helping the body deal with stress and anxiety. A recent clinical trial tested its effects on the quality of sperm tissue from infertile males with 5g daily sperm. The study found that Ashwagandha shows significant increases in semen quality and fertility in men by increasing testosterone.

Further, ashwagandha supplementation boosts both total muscle mass and strength. As a dietary supplement, men, especially overweight males and chronically stressed adults, can try this Withania somnifera supplementation for optimal testosterone levels, better sexual health and sperm quality. Ashwagandha extract can also improve physical and mental health by reducing stress and increasing cortisol levels.

Low Testosterone in Men

Ashwagandha is a popular herbal supplement among males. A recent report has suggested Ashwagandha can boost testosterone levels. Much research looked into whether Ashwagandha may help treat men with low testosterone levels or increased estrogen levels.

A recent study showed overweight men who were over 60 years and had mild fatigue experienced increased levels of testosterone and the hormone DHEA. Still, testosterone levels typically drop with advancing age; nevertheless, testosterone levels can be influenced at any age by life conditions, such as chronic stress.

Does Ashwagandha increase testosterone or estrogen?

In a crossover study examining the efficiency of Ashwagandha extracts, 40 to 70 men showed an 80% increase in testosterone—no wonder the herb Ashwagandha has a well-deserved distinction for boosting testosterone levels.

The reproductive hormone levels

By regulating reproductive hormone levels and oxidative in the seminal plasma of infertile men through the use of the Ashwagandha supplement, it improved the quality of the sperm.

Ashwagandha and chronically stressed humans

In today's modern society, it is not uncommon for people to experience high levels of stress, anxiety, and sleep disruptions. The adverse effects of stress, anxiety, and poor sleep quality can be seen in people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, and they serve as risk factors for several diseases. In recent years, there has been a significant rise in the consumption of herbs to mitigate the effects of these antecedents and outcomes. It is common practice in Ayurvedic medicine to use the adaptogenic herb ashwagandha to fight stress, lower stress levels, and improve overall health.

Several studies have shown that ashwagandha supplements may help relieve stress and anxiety in chronically stressed adults.

In a study with 58 participants, those who took ashwagandha extract at doses of either 250 or 600 milligrams for a period of eight weeks reported significantly lower levels of perceived stress as well as cortisol, the stress hormone, compared to those who took a placebo. The study was considered to be of moderate quality.

Moreover, the participants who took the ashwagandha supplements experienced significant improvements in sleep quality compared with the placebo group.

Ashwagandha and perimenopausal women

It was discovered to raise serum testosterone concentrations, reduce follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and boost luteinising hormone (LH) development in a study that aimed to determine the effectiveness and tolerability of an Ashwagandha root extract on sex hormones parameters in perimenopausal women. In studies involving women, Ashwagandha was beneficial for increasing sexual desire and reducing symptoms of sexual dysfunction.

Final words

Ashwagandha, also known as "Indian ginseng", is a popular adaptogen used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. Numerous tests have demonstrated its ability to reduce stress-related male fertility while increasing testosterone production. While these results are promising, users should not expect sudden dramatic changes in their hormone levels.

As one of the prevalent testosterone boosting supplements, it can improve your overall health and wellness; however, as reflected by increases in testosterone and improves luteinising hormone for the reproductive system. Research even indicates that this herb is effective at fighting erectile dysfunction and can promote male fertility. As always, more research will tell us more about Ashwagandha's true potential concerning male sexual function.

As always, before taking herbal supplements, it would be helpful to seek professional medical advice from a reliable healthcare provider for proper evaluation of stress-related parameters.

By doing this, you can maximise the health benefits of Ashwagandha and notice significant improvements in your overall health while avoiding the loss of muscle and bone mass.

To learn more about your testosterone levels and low testosterone treatment, view our information page here.