Ashwagandha for Testosterone Male
Verdict: Published with Warning
Across 6 PubMed studies, the evidence for Ashwagandha in Testosterone Male grades Tier B — preliminary evidence. Effective, but with safety or population caveats.
B 🟡 B Preliminary Evidence Published with Warning
Why this grade7-layer evidence engine
⚖️
Scoring transparency
All scores computed by a 7-layer evidence engine — fully auditableRaw score 0.62
D
C
B
A
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← counter-evidence / ineffectiveeffective / strong evidence →
Final grade
B · Published with Warning
Confidence
87%
Highly consistent evidence
Evidence level
E2
Multiple high-quality MAs (≥2 independent, consistent)
▸View the full decision path (audit trail)
- compute_raw_score — 加權公式: L2×0.30 + L3×0.25 + L5×0.25 + L11×0.10 + L1×0.10 = 0.617
- tier_from_score — 依分數區間映射至 tier letter
- apply_hec_rules — 高品質 SR/MA 顯示 positive (2 篇 > 1 negative)
- tier_strict_requirement_check — Tier 條件達標，未降階
- detect_disputes — 偵測到 0 個 hard + 0 個 soft dispute
- decide_status — 依 tier + dispute 結果決定 status
PubMed studies (6)L2 · primary research & systematic reviews
Examining the Effects of Herbs on Testosterone Concentrations in Men: A Systematic Review
Finding: Of 32 studies on 13 herbs, only 9/32 showed statistically significant testosterone increases and just 6/32 were low risk of bias; ashwagandha was one of two herbs (with fenugreek) with positive signal, as 3 of 4 ashwagandha RCTs showed increases (Ambiye 2013 +17.3%, P<0.01; Wankhede 2015 P=0.004; Lopresti 2019 +16.6%) while one Lopresti arm was null.
View on PubMed Withania somnifera (Indian ginseng) in male infertility: An evidence-based systematic review and meta-analysis
Finding: Pooled (mostly observational) data showed improved sperm concentration (MD 13.57 million/ml; 95% CI 11.12-16.01; p<0.00001), motility (MD 8.50%; 95% CI 7.36-9.63; p<0.00001) and volume (MD 0.28 ml; p=0.0004), plus a ~17% rise in serum testosterone after 90 days, but authors conclude the 4 eligible studies (only 1 RCT) are 'too limited' for robust conclusions.
View on PubMed Effects of Ashwagandha on Reproductive Health: A Systematic Review of Sex-Specific Hormonal and Fertility Outcomes
Finding: This qualitative systematic review reports ashwagandha appears to favorably affect male reproductive hormones including testosterone but provides no pooled effect size, CI, or p-value, concluding it is only 'a promising natural adjunct... more study is needed to understand its long-term effects and dosing.'
View on PubMed A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study Examining the Hormonal and Vitality Effects of Ashwagandha in Aging, Overweight Males
Finding: Ashwagandha (Shoden, 21 mg withanolide glycosides/day, 8 weeks) produced a 14.7% greater rise in testosterone (p=0.010) and 18% greater rise in DHEA-S (p=0.005) vs placebo, but with NO significant between-group difference in cortisol, estradiol, fatigue, vigor, or sexual well-being.
View on PubMed Effect of standardized root extract of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on well-being and sexual performance in adult males: A randomized controlled trial
Finding: Ashwagandha root extract 300 mg twice daily for 8 weeks (n=25/arm) significantly improved subjective sexual well-being and raised serum testosterone by ~66 ng/dL vs placebo (p<0.0001), though testosterone was a secondary endpoint and authors received a clinical-consultation grant from the extract sponsor.
View on PubMed Withania somnifera and Trigonella foenum-graecum as ingredients of testosterone-boosting supplements: Possible clinical implications
Finding: This non-systematic narrative review selected ashwagandha and fenugreek as the two best-documented testosterone-raising herbs and states both 'significantly increase T levels in men' (ashwagandha via inhibiting cortisol/prolactin effects on the HPG axis), but reports no pooled estimate and cautions that small samples, dose/extract heterogeneity, and few trials limit firm conclusions.
View on PubMed Regulatory & authoritative positionsL4/L5 · FDA / EMA / NIH ODS / Cochrane / Mayo …
L4a US FDA
Cautious
WITHANIA SOMNIFERA ROOT source↗
L4d TW TFDA / 衛福部
Cautious
南非醉茄萃取物 source↗
L4e WHO
Neutral
WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants source↗
L5a NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
Cautious
ashwagandha extracts may lower stress, anxiety, and cortisol levels source↗
L5c Cleveland Clinic
Cautious
There is some limited evidence that suggests that taking ashwagandha for 2 to 4 months may increase testosterone levels and sperm quality. source↗