Males and females both require a certain level of testosterone to function properly. A deficiency of this hormone can result in sexual dysfunction and other maladies. Herbal extracts can increase your testosterone levels by directly supplementing the hormone, suppressing the metabolism of testosterone, or activating the pathways that create testosterone.
Velvet Antler
Velvet antler is an ancient Chinese herb that has recently become popular in the United States. The powder created from dried antlers can be taken in a pill form or in a beverage such as tea. Velvet antler is known for its ability to enhance sexual performance. A 2005 study by George Bubenik and colleagues noted that there are high concentrations of testosterone found in velvet antler, which when ingested can directly elevate your serum testosterone levels.
Eurycoma Longifolia Jack, or Tongkat
The herbal medicinal plant of South Asia Eurycoma Longifolia Jack, also known as Tongkat, has been used for sexual dysfunction and enhancement for centuries. The root of this plant has also been consumed as an aphrodisiac. In 2009, Zanoli et al. studied the effect of this herb in impotent rats to determine its mechanism, which appears to elevate testosterone levels when ingested.
Chrysin
Chrysin is a bioflavonoid, a small molecule compound which can be extracted from a variety of plants, and taken as a natural supplement. Body builders frequently use chrysin to boost their testosterone levels and enhance their muscle growth. According to Kuladip Jana's 2008 research, chrysin increases testosterone levels by activating the pathways in your body that create steroid hormones. Similarly, testosterone synthesis in the body is enhanced by chrysin.
Mucuna Pruriens
Mucuna Pruriens is an herbal extract from the stems and roots of the Ptychopetalum olacoides plant. South Americans in the Amazon region traditional use the herb to enhance your libido and sexual performance. Dr. Jacques Waynberg has written more than 24 books in French regarding sexual aphrodisiacs and mucuna pruriens. According to his research, this herb could be used to treat sexual impotence and erectile dysfunction as well.
Nettle Root
Testosterone is converted into its metabolite dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by an enzyme. Nettle root extracts inhibit this enzyme, which ultimately increases the levels of testosterone by preventing its normal breakdown. DHT is known to cause prostate enlargement and hair loss. Therefore, nettle root can also protect from the negative side effects of testosterone's metabolites such as prostate cancer as shown by Dr. Konrad in his 2000 clinical study.
References
- Bubenik GA, et al. "Testosterone and estradiol concentrations in serum, velvet skin, and growing antler bone of male white-tailed deer." J Exp Zool A Comp Exp Biol. 2005 Mar 1;303(3):186-92.
- Zanoli P, et al. "Influence of Eurycoma longifolia on the copulatory activity of sexually sluggish and impotent male rats." J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 Nov 12;126(2):308-13.
- Jana K,, et al. "Chrysin, a natural flavonoid enhances steroidogenesis and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein gene expression in mouse Leydig cells." J Endocrinol. 2008 May;197(2):315-23.
- Waynberg, J. "Editorial: 100 years of modern sexology" Sexuality and Disability. Volume 10, Number 3 / September, 1992.
- Konrad, L. "Antiproliferative effect on human prostate cancer cells by a stinging nettle root (Urtica dioica) extract." Planta Med. 2000 Feb;66(1):44-7.
