Ashwagandha is an ancient medicinal herb that has been used for over 3,000 years in Indian Ayurvedic medicine. Modern research has shown that ashwagandha can help boost testosterone levels in men.
The active ingredients in ashwagandha, known as withanolides, are thought to boost testosterone production by:
- Increasing luteinizing hormone, which signals the testes to produce more testosterone
- Reducing the stress hormone cortisol, which can interfere with testosterone production
- Improving antioxidant levels, which support healthy testosterone synthesis
Numerous studies have demonstrated ashwagandha's testosterone-boosting effects. For example:
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study gave 57 young male subjects either a placebo or 300mg ashwagandha extract twice per day for 8 weeks. At the end of the study, the ashwagandha group had significantly greater increases in testosterone levels - on average over 15% more - compared to placebo.
Another 8-week study in 50 male subjects with infertility issues found that consuming 675mg of ashwagandha root extract per day led to improved semen quality parameters and a 10-22% increase in serum testosterone levels compared to placebo.
Based on the available research,
it typically takes about 4-8 weeks of daily ashwagandha supplementation for notable increases in testosterone levels. The boost in testosterone from ashwagandha tends to be moderate, with studies showing average increases of around 10-20%. However some men may experience more dramatic results.
For best results, it is recommended to take between 300-600mg of high quality ashwagandha extract standardized to at least 5% withanolides, once or twice per day.
Look for supplements made with KSM-66 or Sensoril patented ashwagandha root extracts, as these are backed by human clinical research. Take ashwagandha with food for optimal absorption.
Be patient, as it may take 6-8 weeks before the testosterone-enhancing benefits become apparent. But after this point, ashwagandha can help maintain healthy testosterone production over the long term with continued daily use.
Our hormone clinic, Hormone Health Institute, offers high quality KSM-66 Ashwagandha supplements that are proven to safely increase testosterone levels without side effects. Visit ]() to learn more or consult with one of our hormone specialists about optimizing your testosterone.
In summary,
research suggests ashwagandha can increase testosterone levels in men by approximately 10-22% on average, with effects becoming evident after about 4-8 weeks of consistent supplementation at the clinically studied dosages. Look for standardized root extracts backed by published human trials and be patient for best results.
