Examine.com’s 2025 update notes modest enhancements in physical performance and testosterone. I was dealing with work stress and low energy, so I wondered if Ashwagandha could give me a natural lift. When I heard Ashwagandha could boost testosterone, I was intrigued—could this ancient herb really help with that? Everlywell offers health and wellness solutions including laboratory testing for wellness monitoring, informational and educational use. Measure 11 key biomarkers known to play important roles in women’s overall health Get insights on digestion, metabolism, brain health, and more—plus AI-powered diet and lifestyle recommendations tailored to you. Moreover, how quickly herbs influence testosterone concentrations in men needs to be elucidated. Using standardized, replicable herbal extracts or, where appropriate, reporting the concentration of the active ingredient, can ameliorate some of these problems since different parts of the plant (e.g., leaf, stem, or root), the time of the year the herbs are harvested, how they are stored, and how they are processed can all affect concentrations of active ingredients (89). The paucity of high-quality studies investigating the effects of herbs on testosterone production in men means further research is required. For example, the studies on ashwagandha used dosages ranging from 240 to 675 mg/d, with varying standardization and extraction processes and different sample types. If future, robustly-designed studies demonstrate consistent positive effects of some of these herbs on testosterone production, further research will also be required to elucidate their potential mechanisms of action. Low testosterone can contribute to a variety of issues. Testosterone is the main androgen hormone in the human body . Medically reviewed on February 15, 2022 by Jordan Stachel, M.S., RDN, CPT. Zinc deficiency has been linked to low testosterone levels. These are supplements that contain things like vitamins, minerals, and herbs that are meant to increase your body's natural production of testosterone. More than 33% of men over 45 may have lower than normal testosterone levels. Some older people on testosterone therapy could face increased cardiac risks. Want more information on male health? MensLine Australia is a telephone and online counselling service for men with emotional health and relationship concerns. Up to February 2024, the agency recorded seven reports where there was enough evidence to link ashwagandha to liver injury. In 2024, the TGA issued a warning that products containing ashwagandha have a "very rare" risk of causing liver injury. The men who received ashwagandha showed a greater increase in testosterone levels. Although the link between ashwagandha and testosterone needs further study, a few clinical studies have found that ashwagandha may increase testosterone. And if so, what dosage of ashwagandha should you take daily to improve testosterone levels? Several studies showed that a high-protein diet actually decreased testosterone levels. The best types of exercise to increase your testosterone levels are weightlifting and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Supplements aren't the only way to increase your testosterone levels naturally. However, a subsequent study showed that taking 3 grams of D-aspartic acid did not affect testosterone levels. Thankfully, ashwagandha is relatively well-tolerated by everyone and is considered safe for everyone. Ashwagandha is readily found in a variety of supplements in varying forms. Luteinizing hormone is made in the pituitary gland, and it supports the reproductive system. Therefore, it’s important to never self-diagnose low testosterone and instead seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional if you’re experiencing symptoms that may be related to low testosterone. Also, if you think you may have low testosterone, it’s best to speak with a qualified healthcare professional. In the study, 86 men with psychogenic ED received either ashwagandha or a placebo for 60 days. A study from 2002 looked at the effect that an ashwagandha extract had on male rats over a week. Scientific studies have been performed on the potential health benefits of ashwagandha. Efficacy and safety of ashwagandha root extract in insomnia and anxiety. By reducing cortisol, ashwagandha removes one of the hormonal drivers of stress-related weight gain and abdominal fat accumulation. On products listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (they will have an ‘AUST L’ on the label), the dose will equate to the amount of ashwagandha ‘extract’ in the ingredients. This suggested to the authors that ashwagandha has to be taken on an ongoing basis to sustain changes, or it needs to be taken for a longer duration than eight weeks for more lasting changes. So, in times of high or prolonged stress, testosterone production is suppressed because your body reckons there are more important things to take care of. "However, the effects are marginal, the sample sizes are small, and there are also studies reporting no significant benefit. Bloodwork (after consulting my doctor) showed a slight testosterone uptick—about 10%—matching the modest gains in studies. Its antioxidants also protect reproductive health, as seen in the 2025 sperm study. Ashwagandha lowers cortisol, which competes with testosterone production, per WebMD.
