Testosterone plays an important role in human health and disease. It remains critical for physiology and behavior across the lifespan. Using synthetic forms of testosterone, such as anabolic steroids, can suppress natural testosterone production. This suppression allows estrogen to dominate creating feminine side effects like breast development. Nutritional supplements, especially herbal remedies, can restore natural testosterone. Yet, these herbs may cause adverse reactions. People should, therefore, consult a doctor before using them.
Transdermal Testosterone
Skin patches provide an easy way to enhance natural testosterone. This type of delivery method safely introduces bioidentical hormones into the bloodstream. A 2010 article in "Journal of the American Geriatric Society" looked at the effect of transdermal testosterone on aging men. Older adults often experience testosterone deficiencies, which place them at risk for muscle wasting and bone breaks. In the study, elderly men received either a testosterone patch or an inert patch for at least a year. The patch increased circulating levels of testosterone. It did not, however, push testosterone past levels normally present in the body. The latter finding is important because excess testosterone can cause side effects. Still, the long-term impact of testosterone patches remains unknown.
Hippophae Juice
Juice made from fruit of the seabuckthorn plant has become popular in Asian and European countries. This plant, Hippophae rhamnoides, plays an important role in Chinese traditional medicine as a digestive aid, healing agent and painkiller. The mechanisms behind these alleged effects remain unclear, but they may involve steroid hormones. A 2010 report in the "Chinese Journal of Applied Physiology" tested the impact of Hippophae juice. Rats given seabuckthorn juice for six weeks in addition to a training routine had greater levels of testosterone. These data suggest that eating Hippophae fruit may trigger testosterone release. Findings obtained in animals, however, may not apply to humans.
Pasak Bumi
Medieval healers used the Eurycoma longifolia plant, more commonly known as pasak bumi or tongkat ali, to treat reproductive disorders. This flowering plant may improve sexual health by affecting testosterone levels. A 2009 paper in the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" evaluated pasak bumi in impotent rodents. Rats received daily doses of the plant for six to 12 days. Eurycoma longifolia, relative to placebo, increased testosterone in all conditions. It also enhanced the sexual activity of the animals. While suggestive, scientists need to conduct similar tests in humans before doctors can recommend pasak bumi to patients.
Chinese Herbal Extract
Patients may achieve testosterone enhancement by combining treatments. Herbal extracts, for example, often contain several active ingredients. A 2008 experiment in the "Asian Journal of Andrology" investigated a traditional Chinese extract. This elixir contained wolfberry fruit, Korean Epimedium leaves, Indian Mulberry roots, Cinnamon bark and clove buds. Each of these herbs has a unique place in ancient medicine, but people usually take them to treat reproductive problems. In the study, impotent rats received either the elixer or a placebo for up to 10 days. The extract enhanced testosterone levels and improved measures of sexual health. Compounding extracts increases the risk of experiencing unwanted reactions. Thus, patients should carefully weight the benefits and risks of nutritional supplements.
References
- "Journal of the American Geriatrics Society"; Effects of Transdermal Testosterone on Bone and Muscle in Older Men with Low Bioavailable Testosterone Levels, Low Bone Mass, and Physical Frailty; Anne M. Kenny et al; June 2010
- "Chinese Journal of Applied Physiology"; Effects of Hippophae Juice on Free Radical Metabolism of Rat Skeletal Muscle and the Content of Hb, Ck, T in Blood; X.F. Qiao and H.Y. Pan; August 2010
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; Influence of Eurycoma longifolia on the Copulatory Activity of Sexually Sluggish and Impotent Male Rats; Paola Zanoli et al; Nov. 12, 2009
- "Asian Journal of Andrology"; Improved Sexual Behavior in Male Rats Treated With a Chinese Herbal Extract; Paola Zanoli et al; November 2008
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