The Aphrodisiac Herb Ashwagandha

Newsletter #103

"In Ayurveda [a form of alternative medicine based on Indian techniques of natural healing], ashwagandha is a popular plant for promoting youthful energy, longevity, and overall well-being. It is also an excellent aphrodisiac herb that aids in the improvement and maintenance of normal sexual health." Health Science Reports Jul 2022

What is sexual health?

The World Health Organization defined sexual health as “a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well‐being concerning sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity.”

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word, which means "the scripture for longevity". It is an ancient system of traditional medicine practiced in India and other South Asian countries that dates back over 5000 years. It is a holistic treatment of disease through establishment of a balance between the mind, body, soul and intellect.

Ashwagandha Shown to Boost Testosterone

"In Ayurveda, ashwagandha is extremely popular for promoting youthful energy, longevity, and overall well-being, especially in men. In Sanskrit, ashwagandha is loosely translated to “like a horse,” which underscores the herb’s strength- and stamina-building powers."

"According to a new study in Health Science Reports, ashwagandha root extract (KSM-66) was shown to boost serum testosterone levels by 17 percent, compared to just 2 percent in the placebo group." Today's Practitioner Aug 2022

Effect of standardized root extract of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on well‐being and sexual performance in adult males

Scientists conducted an eight-week study (randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled) to investigate "the aphrodisiac property of an ashwagandha root extract in adult males."

The participants (with lower sexual desire) "were randomly allocated to take 300 mg of ashwagandha root extract or placebo capsules twice daily."

The findings of the researchers:
"These findings suggest that ashwagandha demonstrated a significant subjective perception of sexual well‐being and assisted in increasing serum testosterone levels in the participants."

What factors affect sexual drive?

Numerous reasons such as psychological, biological and social factors can impact sexual drive. "Anxiety and stress are the primary psychological factors that interfere with sexual arousal."

Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that helps the body adapt to and reduce stress.  Previous studies have shown that ashwagandha root extract is safe, tolerable, and efficacious in improving hormonal balance and reducing performance anxiety in men.

What are the benefits of optimal testosterone?

One of the normal components of normal sexual function is testosterone. Optimal testosterone levels improves:

• libido

•  psychological condition

• energy

• bone density

•  erectile function

• muscle strength

What is DISF-M?

DISF-M is a self-report questionnaire designed to assess sexual activity and quality of sexual function in males.

How ashwagandha root extract improves DISF-M score

"This clinical study clearly demonstrated that people who took the ashwagandha root extract had an 88.5% greater probability of improving the total DISF‐M sexual health function score. The ashwagandha root extract also increased their abilities to perform better in all the five DISF‐M domains, such as sexual cognition, sexual arousal, sexual behavior, orgasm, and sexual desire."

Conclusion of the researchers

"In conclusion, the findings of this study support ashwagandha root extract's aphrodisiac effect on sexual well‐being in adult men. The mechanism by which ashwagandha helps to improve male sexual health could be due to an increase in serum testosterone. Thus, the ashwagandha root extract may be utilized to aid in the enhancement of male sexual function." Health Science Reports Jul 2022

Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Improving Sexual Function in Women

The purpose of this randomized, double blind, and placebo-controlled study was to determine the safety and efficacy of a ashwagandha root extract for improving sexual function in healthy females.

What is FSD?

FSD stands for female sexual dysfunction and may include:

female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD)

 female orgasmic disorder (FOD)

 hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD)

“Some women may have combined genital and subjective arousal disorder or isolated genital sexual arousal disorder. These disorders result in reduced libido, dryness in vagina, reduced genital perception, reduced arousal, pain during intercourse, and problems to achieve orgasm and are majorly due to neurovascular, hormonal, or psychogenic manifestations."

As with men, "Testosterone levels in women tend to decrease with age, and reduced testosterone level may be associated with FSD."

In this study the female subjects (aged 21–50) consumed either ashwagandha root extract or placebo capsules of 300 mg twice daily for two months.

"Ashwagandha is shown in the literature to be an anxiolytic, antidepressant, and antistress adaptogen. It has been found effective in stress-induced sexual dysfunctions."

The researchers suggested that the ashwagandha root extract was useful in reducing female sexual dysfunction due to its role in reducing stress and increasing testosterone.

"Conclusion: The results suggest that ashwagandha root extract could be useful for the treatment of FSD. The lack of adverse effects suggests that the extract is safe to consume." BioMed Research International Oct 2015

[Author’s Note: Before taking this or any other herb or supplement first consult with your doctor or health care practitioner as there may be interactions with certain prescription drugs.]