Does Ashwagandha Boost Testosterone Levels? Know Science

Ashwagandha is believed to increase testosterone in a significant way. It is a herbal extract whose association with health including testosterone goes back centuries which has made it an alternative medicine in various parts of the country. I’ve been reviewing testosterone boosters for a long time now and have seen ashwagandha as one of the active ingredients in most of the top testosterone boosters. So how does Ashwagandha boost testosterone and what is the actual science behind it? Or, could this simply be a marketing jig?

Let’s find out more.

What Is Ashwagandha And What Can It Do

Ashwagandha (or Withania somnifera), also popularly known as Winter Cherry, Indian Ginseng, etc. is a perennial herb that finds its roots in the Indian subcontinent. Its impeccable health benefits have made it a key ingredient in traditional treatments like Ayurvedic practices for centuries. It is in the later years that scientific research and clinical trials have led this herb to modern-day usage.

Ashwagandha is considered a one-herb cure-all in conventional treatments because it is believed to reduce stress, improve cognitive function, support immunity, boost energy, and vitality and regulate blood sugar levels. Commonly classified as an adaptogenic ingredient, its primary function is to reduce the stress hormone cortisol and its impact on the body and mind.

But that is not it, among many other health gains, Ashwagandha is also said to increase testosterone levels in men. This is the reason why it has attracted numerous supplement manufacturers- to reap its benefits today. It comes in various forms like powders, capsules, and even teas.

How Does Ashwagandha Increase Testosterone

I have been researching how Ashwagandha impacts the body and testosterone in different ways, given the hype it has received over the recent years, and found some interesting data showing a solid association of ashwagandha with testosterone.

Studies found that Ashwagandha has a significant effect on the Luteinizing Hormone (LH) produced in the pituitary gland. LH is a key factor responsible for triggering testosterone production and thus brings in various reproductive benefits in men. Higher levels of Luteinizing Hormone leads to more testosterone production which is important for men.

Ashwagandha is rich in antioxidants which shield the body from oxidative stress and degradation of cells in the body including testicles where testosterone production and synthesis take place. This in turn influences a healthy testosterone release.

It is important to note that researchers are still investigating Ashwagandha’s influence in association with testosterone. However, the related studies and data that I found while exploring this subject are actually substantial enough to establish the ingredient’s positive impact on testosterone.

Scientific Evidence On How Ashwagandha Increases Testosterone

As mentioned earlier, a lot more research is needed to understand the exact functional principle of ashwagandha in increasing testosterone. However, there are some concrete scientific data showing the different ways in which this ingredient might work:

I came across a study from 2019 conducted that showed ashwagandha supplementation was able to raise Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels by 18% along with a 14.7% greater increase in testosterone among the test subjects. This proves that this herb can bring promising results when treating testosterone deficiency.

Another experiment was conducted on 57 young men in the age group of 18 and 50 where the subjects were given ashwagandha extract twice a day for 8 weeks consistently. The study concluded that there was a prominent improvement in muscle gain and strength and even faster muscle tissue recovery. These aspects play a crucial role in testosterone synthesis.

The findings from another study are a piece of clear evidence that ashwagandha is an effective adaptogen and combats stress and anxiety which is important for improving testosterone production. Chronic stress or high levels of stress can inhibit testosterone synthesis by damaging the mitochondrial cells leading to a deficiency. Aside from this, this Ayurvedic herb is also found to support the biomarkers of testosterone by treating sexual functions and improving sexual performance and sperm health.

Now, while all the above data show that ashwagandha can have a promising impact on testosterone, you might be wondering how many doses of this ingredient will actually show the results. Most of the studies that I have gone through have used a dosage of 300 to 500 mg. Some of the top testosterone boosters like TestoPrime or Prime Male have similar concentrations as the clinical trials. But honestly, there is no official recommendation anywhere on how much ashwagandha exactly should be used so it is always better to consult a healthcare practitioner before using it.

Other Health Benefits Of Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is a multifaceted herb with a range of health benefits. Some of these may also directly or indirectly influence testosterone output. Below are some of the health gains that you can expect from this herb:

Conclusion

So the simple answer to the question- does ashwagandha raises testosterone is – yes it does. All the studies involved with ashwagandha’s relationship with testosterone indicate a positive association between the two. There also have been no reports of any adverse effect of this ingredient when taken as a supplement which is proof as to why it is given a crucial place in the traditional medicine world and is also considered of present-day therapeutic value. Ashwagandha has been a part of various testosterone boosters which have turned out to be highly effective and safe to consume.