Bodybuilders and men with low testosterone levels frequently turn to medicinal herbs as a natural, legal, low-cost alternative to anabolic steroids. Unfortunately, no large-scale human studies have evaluated the overall safety or efficacy of these products. Most testosterone-enhancing herbs are supported only by anecdote, traditional use and limited animal studies; their potential long-term side-effects are not well understood. Consult your health care provider before using any medicinal herb, particularly if you have a medical condition.
Tribulus Terrestris
This popular North American herb has a long-standing history of use as an aphrodisiac and muscle enhancer. Health care providers have traditionally believed that tribulus works by elevating testosterone levels or reducing estrogen levels. While some animal studies appeared to support this hypothesis, recent studies have been less conclusive. A 2005 study published in the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" found that tribulus has no effect on testosterone levels in young men.
Tongkat Ali
Also known as longjack, tongkat ali is revered in its native Malaysia as a treatment for sexual problems and poor energy levels in middle-aged men. Animal tests, most of which were published in the medical journal "Phytomedicine," used rats and apes and offer preliminary support for the idea that tongkat ali can increase testosterone levels. Middle-aged rats given tongkat ali experience better energy levels and more sexual interest than those not exposed to the plant.
Safed Musli
This grain offers a high concentration of medicinal saponins, which can act as precursors to sex hormones like testosterone. In India, practitioners of Ayurveda recommend safed musli as a treatment for low testosterone levels, infertility and sexual impotence. No human studies have evaluated the efficacy of this traditional use.
