Ashwagandha for Testosterone: Does It Really Work?
Quick Summary: Research suggests ashwagandha may help boost testosterone levels in men. This review looked at multiple studies and found some evidence that ashwagandha root extracts can have a positive effect.
Ashwagandha and Testosterone: What the Research Says
This review looked at many studies to see if different herbs could raise testosterone in men. The good news? Ashwagandha, specifically root and root/leaf extracts, showed some promise! While not all studies agreed, several found that ashwagandha helped increase testosterone levels. Other herbs like fenugreek also showed positive effects.
Study Details
- Who was studied: Mostly young, healthy men. Some studies included men under 40.
- How long: The review looked at studies published between 2001 and 2019. The length of the individual studies varied.
- What they took: Men in the studies took ashwagandha root or root/leaf extracts. The exact dose and type of extract varied between studies.
What This Means For You
- Could help with low T: If you're a man concerned about low testosterone, ashwagandha might be worth discussing with your doctor.
- Not a magic bullet: The research is still early. Ashwagandha might not work for everyone, and more research is needed.
- Talk to your doctor: Always talk to your doctor before starting any new supplements, including ashwagandha. They can help you understand if it's right for you and how it might interact with any medications you're taking.
Study Limitations
- More research needed: The studies used different doses and types of ashwagandha, making it hard to say exactly how much to take.
- Mostly young men: Most of the research focused on young, healthy men. We don't know as much about how ashwagandha affects older men or men with health problems.
- Not a replacement for medical treatment: Ashwagandha is not a substitute for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) if your doctor has prescribed it.
Technical Analysis Details
Key Findings
This systematic review analyzed 32 randomized controlled trials (2001–2019) assessing single-herb effects on testosterone in men (≥18 years). Ashwagandha root/root-leaf extracts and fenugreek seed extracts were the only herbs demonstrating consistent positive effects on testosterone concentrations. Only 9 of 32 studies (28%) reported statistically significant testosterone increases, with just 6 studies (19%) rated low risk of bias. Evidence for ashwagandha derived from multiple trials, but conclusions were tempered by limited high-quality data, as most research involved young, nonclinical men (16 of 32 studies in men <40 years).
Study Design
The study was a systematic review of randomized controlled trials, registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020173623). It synthesized data from 32 trials across four databases (2001–2019), focusing on single-herb interventions in males ≥18 years. Primary outcomes included total/free testosterone and binding proteins. Sample demographics were skewed toward young, healthy men, with 50% of studies (16/32) exclusively enrolling participants under 40 years. Risk of bias assessment was conducted, but trial durations, exact participant counts per herb, and specific testosterone assays varied widely.
Dosage & Administration
Ashwagandha was administered as root or root/leaf extracts, but dosages and formulations were highly inconsistent across studies. The review noted significant heterogeneity in extract types (e.g., water vs. alcohol-based), daily doses, and treatment durations, preventing standardized recommendations. No specific optimal dose for ashwagandha was identified due to this variability.
Results & Efficacy
Nine studies (28%) showed statistically significant testosterone increases with herbal interventions, including ashwagandha. However, the review did not report pooled effect sizes, p-values, or confidence intervals for ashwagandha specifically. Positive outcomes were observed in multiple ashwagandha trials, but statistical significance (p<0.05) was inconsistently achieved across studies. No data on magnitude of change (e.g., ng/dL increases) or clinical relevance of testosterone elevations were synthesized.
Limitations
Critical limitations included sparse research for most herbs (only 32 studies for 13 herbs), small primary study sample sizes, and high heterogeneity in dosages, extracts, and participant demographics. Over half the evidence (16/32 studies) came from nonclinical, young men (<40 years), limiting applicability to aging or hypogonadal populations. Only 19% of studies (6/32) had low risk of bias, and publication bias was unaddressed. The review explicitly states that definitive efficacy/safety conclusions are premature.
Clinical Relevance
Ashwagandha shows preliminary promise for testosterone support but lacks robust evidence for clinical use in androgen deficiency. Benefits observed primarily in healthy young men may not translate to older or clinically hypogonadal populations. Supplement users should not view ashwagandha as a replacement for medically supervised testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Future research must prioritize large, long-term trials in diverse clinical populations with standardized extracts and dosing. Current data support cautious interest but not definitive therapeutic recommendations.
Original Study Reference
Examining the Effects of Herbs on Testosterone Concentrations in Men: A Systematic Review.
Source: PubMed
Published: 2021-06-01
📄 Read Full Study (PMID: 33150931)
