Best Herbs for Boosting Testosterone Levels in 2024

Have low testosterone but not ready to opt for testosterone injections? Luckily, there are some herbs that can help. This in-depth guide outlines everything you need to know about the most effective testosterone booster herbs.

Testosterone is the key hormone behind men's physical and mental performance. Unfortunately, testosterone often goes down as men age. Poor diet, lack of sleep and exercise, and high stress levels also lower levels of testosterone.

While one of the potential treatment options for low testosterone is testosterone replacement therapy, there are other alternative options, such as herbs, spices, plants, or their extracts.

So, don't rush to pick up some steroids yet!

Read our articles to learn more about the strongest herbal medicines to boost testosterone naturally.

The Top Testosterone Booster Herbs

Help your body to increase production of testosterone with these all-natural test boosters that have scientific evidence behind their effects!

Ashwagandha (Indian Ginseng/Winter Cherry)

Ashwagandha root is a jack-of-all-trades in the world of supplements. Due to its wide range of health benefits, ashwagandha is used for different purposes, from stress reduction to sleep support. Ashwagandha also has positive effects on testosterone production.

Clinical trials have shown that ashwagandha supplementation can successfully increase the testosterone levels in overweight men by over 10%.⁽¹⁾

One of the great health benefits of ashwagandha extract is that it helps reduce stress.

Chronic stress can cause your cortisol levels to spike, which will lower your testosterone levels. This supplement will get you covered.

Pros:

• Reduces stress and improves sleep
• Boosts testosterone production
• Can increase sperm count and sperm motility, which improves fertility.

Cons:

• May lead to diarrhea and vomiting.
• Should not be taken continuously
• Should be taken with caution by people who have an overactive thyroid.

Maca Root (Peruvian Ginseng)

This root is a vital part of traditional medicine in Peru.

Despite popular claims, maca has not yet been shown to increase testosterone levels. However, it acts as a strong aphrodisiac, boosting sex drive and sexual function in both men and women.⁽²⁾

Maca increases sperm production. This often translates into increased testicle size in some men, which they falsely attribute to increased testosterone production.

Maca is also a great source of multiple vitamins and minerals.

Pros:

• Increase sexual desire
• Increases sperm count and promotes fertility
• Elevates mood
• Increases energy levels.

Cons:

• May interact with prescription medications
• Requires further clinical trials to confirm the testosterone-boosting effect.

Tribulus Terrestris (Devil's Weed/Goat's Head)

Tribulus terrestris is often found in popular test boosters, mostly because it helps with sexual function.

This herb can improve sperm count and boost libido. Smaller amounts are also helpful for lowering blood sugar levels.

Tribulus is likely to have an effect on testosterone levels in infertile men only.⁽³⁾ In women with low sex drive, Tribulus can increase free and total testosterone levels.⁽⁴⁾

Ensure you vet your Tribulus terrestris sellers because this herb is difficult to find in the US.

Pros:

• Improves libido
• Enhances physical performance and immune function.

Cons:

• Mixed evidence for its testosterone-boosting properties.
• Requires more human trials to study its health benefits.

Malaysian Ginseng

Malaysian Ginseng is also known as Tongkat Ali or Longjack.

If you're suffering from hypogonadism, then this herb is likely to help you boost your serum testosterone levels. One study has found that Tongkat Ali can increase free testosterone by up to 37%.⁽⁵⁾ The same study also showed a 16% decrease in cortisol levels, which supports the stress-lowering effect of Tongkat Ali.

It also gives you more energy and possibly increases muscle strength.

Tongkat Ali is rich in antioxidants, which makes it beneficial for many diseases that involve oxidative stress.

Pros:

• Can significantly increase free testosterone levels
• Increases energy levels
• A great remedy for chronic stress

Cons:

• Should be cycled to prevent negative side effects.

Yohimbe

Yohimbe is a POWERFUL supplement produced from an African tree's bark. It's well known for its ability to stimulate fat burning and aid in male sexual dysfunction.

It's an aphrodisiac, so it'll boost your sexual performance with regular use.

It helps deal with erectile dysfunction⁽⁶⁾ and is also good for increasing stamina and strength.

Yohimbine's ability to help men get an erection may be linked to slightly higher levels of free testosterone, but the evidence isn't very strong.

Pros:

• Enhances sexual desire
• Promotes blood flow
• Helps deal with erectile dysfunction
• Encourages fat burning

Cons:

• Side effects may include anxiety, nervousness, and an elevated heart rate.

Horny Goat Weed

If you suffer from weak erections, horny goat weed will likely help! You can think of the name as a preview of its effects.

It has been used in China for centuries to treat low libido, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, pain, and other conditions.

This strange-looking root has a secret ingredient called icariin.

This active ingredient works like popular erection pills by maintaining healthy blood flow. Icariin inhibits the activity of PDE5, which helps the blood fill the arteries in the penis and create an erection.

The data on activity of icariin is based on animal studies⁽⁷⁾ while human studies are lacking. The same study also showed the potential ability of horny goat weed to increase testosterone levels.

Pros:

• Helps treat erectile dysfunction
• Helps reduce fatigue and raise energy levels.

Cons:

• May interfere with medications prescribed for cardiovascular diseases.
• Human trials are required to determine the effectiveness.

Rhodiola Rosea (Arctic Root/Golden Root)

Rhodiola has a wide range of health benefits. It makes you resilient to stress and improves mental performance.⁽⁸⁾

Rhodiola has seen lots of use in colder European countries, mainly treating issues like depression.

Although the clinical studies done so far haven't shown that rhodiola increases testosterone, it can still help with many symptoms of low testosterone, like bad mood, mental fogginess, anxiety, and stress. Due to its effect on adrenal glands, rhodiola is perfect for making you resilient to daily stress.

Pros:

• Lowers fatigue and stress levels
• Can speed up response time during workouts

Cons:

• Side effects from long-term use are unknown.

Pine Bark Extract

Apart from smelling fresh, pine bark extract is also a potential testosterone-boosting ingredient.

The vitamins and antioxidants in this herb have various medicinal properties.

Its effectiveness is increased when combined with the amino acid L-arginine aspartate. One study using a combination of L-arginine and pycnogenol, a patented pine bark extract, found that 92.5% of the men experienced a normal erection after three months.⁽⁹⁾

If you're fighting erectile dysfunction, this tree extract improves blood flow, leading to stronger erections.

Pine bark extract isn't a common ingredient in dietary supplements, but you can usually find it on online marketplaces.

Pros:

• Reduces inflammation, which can support many medical conditions.
• Improves blood flow
• Helps reduce body fat

Cons:

• May interfere with anti-diabetes medications

Basella Alba (Malabar Spinach)

This herb is often used for fertility, along with Hibiscus macranthus. The extract of Basella alba almost doubled testosterone levels in rats after two months.⁽¹⁰⁾

What's more, the magnesium in these greens will further support optimal testosterone production.

You can get more of this vegetable here.

Pros:

• Full of antioxidants and minerals.
• Great for fiber and low in calories.
• Strong potential to increase testosterone

Cons:

• There have been no human trials to confirm its efficacy.

This list has many exotic-sounding ingredients, so you may wonder what this humble bulb offers.

Surprisingly, garlic helps boost sperm production and increase levels of testosterone, which may be due to its antioxidant properties.⁽¹¹⁾

Healthy sperm is important fertility and overall sexual health. Garlic also benefits other health conditions. It lowers blood pressure and improves blood lipids, which helps prevent heart disease. Garlic is also a strong immune booster and helps deal with respiratory infections.

Pros:

• Extremely easy to pick up and source: you can use it fresh or buy as a supplement
• Increase testosterone levels and sperm count
• Improves cardiovascular health
• Boosts immunity

Cons:

• Will cause bad breath when consumed fresh
• It can be toxic in high doses
• People with cardiovascular issues should talk to their doctor before using it.

Ginger

Ginger is an all-around remedy for many health issues. Although its testosterone-boosting effect has not yet been confirmed in human studies, many animal and experimental studies have proven ginger to be a strong testosterone booster.⁽¹²⁾

There are two main mechanisms by which ginger stimulates the production of the male sex hormone. First, ginger increases the production of luteinizing hormone, which stimulates the testes to release more testosterone. Second, ginger improves blood flow to the testes, which also triggers testosterone synthesis.

This spicy root will provide beneficial effects whether used fresh or dried.

You can get more ginger benefits by boiling some in your tea, or you could try taking supplements that contain ginger.

Pros:

• Naturally boosts testosterone production
• Has beneficial anti-inflammatory properties.

Cons:

• May lower blood sugar too much.
• It can cause heartburn in large doses.

Saw Palmetto

The very plant isn't the main interest here; it's its berries, which you can eat either raw or dried up for tea.

Saw palmetto is often used for treating symptoms of low testosterone, like hair loss and poor sexual health. Male baldness, thinning body hair, or even loss of body hair is often a signal of a testosterone deficiency. Saw palmetto mainly acts by blocking the conversion of testosterone to DHT.⁽¹³⁾

It's also the most popular remedy for dealing with excessive prostate growth, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Pros:

• Helps fix hair loss in men
• Reverses prostate enlargement and combats erectile dysfunction.

Cons:

• Requires further studies to prove its testosterone-boosting properties.

Black Pepper

Don't be surprised by the inclusion of this common spice. It's not ground up directly into herbal supplements!

Instead, it's just a piperine extract, which is a powerful antioxidant and the primary active compound in black pepper. Piperine is usually used to boost the absorption of other ingredients in testosterone boosters. However, it also has numerous health benefits, including blood sugar regulation, immune support, and the prevention of cancer.⁽¹⁴⁾

Pros:

• Enhances absorption of supplemental ingredients and drugs
• Can lower blood sugar levels
• Enhances immunity
• Fights infections

Cons:

• Eating too much may cause a burning sensation in the throat.
• Can increase the absorption of medications to dangerous levels.

How Do Testosterone Booster Herbs Work?

Low testosterone can be fixed with testosterone replacement therapy, or TRT. During TRT, your doctor will give you testosterone injections.

The herbs mentioned here act differently to boost testosterone levels. They contain ingredients that stimulate testosterone production either directly or indirectly by stimulating the pituitary gland first.

With consistent use, these herbs will start raising your testosterone levels naturally, helping you avoid synthetic testosterone injections. After a few weeks, you should see an improvement in your sexual drive and bedroom performance.

Take pine bark extract, for example. When paired with L-arginine, it will improve your erections and increase testosterone levels.

One way to ensure the long-lasting effect is by combining these testosterone-boosting herbs with a healthier lifestyle, which includes a balanced diet, sufficient sleep, and regular exercise.

Don't rely SOLELY on these herbs to raise your testosterone levels.

What Are the Benefits of Taking a Testosterone Booster Herb?

Your testosterone levels naturally go down as you age. Taking these herbs will turn the clock back and provide you with major health benefits.

Better Sexual Health

Those herbal ingredients are for you if you have trouble maintaining your bedroom performance.

Some of the herbs that we've mentioned are often used to treat erectile dysfunction, like pine bark extract, yohimbe, and horny goat weed.

One of the first indicators that your supplement is working is an improved libido, so expect to feel friskier after a few weeks.

Those herbal extracts also help with infertility by increasing sperm count and improving sperm health.

Greater Red Blood Cell Production

One thing that holds a lot of men back is their lowered energy levels and the amount of oxygen their body can utilize.

With a test-boosting herb, your body will begin to produce more red blood cells, letting you work out longer without interruption.

Improved Muscle Mass Gains

A common side effect of low testosterone is difficulty putting on muscle mass. The testosterone-boosting herbs can address this as well.

Thanks to these herbs, you can build muscle safely and faster than if you weren't using them. You will notice increased lean body mass due to increased muscle growth.

Better Performance

Herbs mentioned in this review aren't great just for improving sexual health. They can also improve your physical function and performance by increasing your energy levels and reducing recovery time.

Stronger immunity

Ashwagandha, garlic, ginger, and maca not only raise testosterone levels, but they also boost the immune system and help the human body fight infections.

Improved body composition

Many testosterone-boosting herbs also have fat-burning properties. They stimulate fat metabolism, which helps you decrease fat storage.

What Are the Side Effects of Taking a Testosterone Booster Herb?

The most severe side effect that you could experience is an allergic reaction. This can happen only if you have individual sensitivity to any of those herbs.

Some herbs may cause nausea, headaches, and dizziness. If you get any of these symptoms, consult your doctor before you continue using the supplement.

Increasing testosterone levels naturally should be done safely.

These herbs that boost testosterone are safe to use, both on their own and when mixed with other ingredients.

When taken as part of a testosterone-boosting supplement, they're often mixed with many other ingredients, like vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

Before you start boosting testosterone naturally, consult with your doctor on whether these herbs are safe for you.

How to Use Testosterone Booster Herbs?

They're commonly taken as powder, boiled in tea, or mixed into dietary supplements.

These herbal extracts are considered natural testosterone supplements. May of them come from Indian medicine, also known as Ayurvedic medicine, which has thousands of years of medicinal use.

If you're taking them as a supplement, check the product manufacturer's instructions for the recommended dosage. The effects of herbal ingredients on testosterone concentrations may vary depending on whether they just slow down the conversion of testosterone to other hormones or stimulate testosterone production directly.

What Is the Best Time of Day to Take a Testosterone Booster Herb?

Some herbs should be taken in the morning, while others are best in the evening. When taken before bed, do so on a full stomach.

A man's sexual development involves testosterone production, and your body produces the most testosterone while you're asleep.

Some bodybuilders believe that taking herbal supplements right before a workout will help them maximize their muscle mass gains.

This isn't true!

Most herbal ingredients don't work instantly, so taking them right before hitting the gym won't lead to an instant boost.

How to Choose the Right Testosterone Booster Herb?

While all the herbs we mentioned have positive effects on supporting healthy testosterone levels or sexual health in general, you can choose which would work best for your goals. Every herb will improve specific aspects of your well-being. They may be a great addition to your daily routine even if you don't have a testosterone deficiency.

If you have a confirmed testosterone deficiency, discuss with your doctor the possibility of using natural ways to increase testosterone, like the herbs mentioned in this review.

A physician can tell you whether it's safe for you to take test-boosting herbs like horny goat weed, tribulus, or tongkat ali, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions.

Furthermore, do prior research and read customer reviews on the products to ensure they are safe and effective.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Learn more about boosting testosterone with herbs here!

Conclusion

To safely boost your testosterone, you should look for supplements packed with potent testosterone herbs, including ashwagandha extract, maca root, Tribulus terrestris, and tongkat ali.

• Ashwagandha extract is great for reducing stress and boosting testosterone in men.
• Maca root is very nutritious and will improve your overall quality of life after a few weeks of use.
• Tribulus terrestris is great for treating infertility and can also help if your blood sugar is too high.

Rest assured that any of these herbs will help boost your testosterone and sexual health, and you will get the results you want.

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