Adaptogens for Men: Testosterone and Prostate Claims Checked
A claim check of ashwagandha, maca, tongkat ali and ginseng for men's testosterone, fertility, sexual function and prostate health, with the safety points sources document.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Natural products can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read who should be careful, by situation before you use anything on this page.
Safety first. NCCIH says that because ashwagandha may increase testosterone levels, people with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer should avoid it. [1] The US FDA warns that many "male enhancement" and "male energy" products are likely to contain dangerous hidden ingredients, even when they are sold as all-natural supplements. [2] Persistent low energy, low libido or urinary symptoms deserve a medical check, not a guess from a label. See men's health: when to get help.
The claims
Men's adaptogen products often promise higher testosterone, better sperm, stronger libido or a healthier prostate. "Adaptogen" is a contested term (see what are adaptogens), so this page looks at each plant and extract separately. Traditional use is separate from research: maca (Lepidium meyenii) has been cultivated and used by Andean people in Peru for over 1,300 years as food and medicine, but tradition is not proof. [3] Tongkat ali is Eurycoma longifolia, a different plant that is not related to maca or ashwagandha.What research shows
| Claim | What the source found | Evidence label |
|---|---|---|
| Ashwagandha raises testosterone | A systematic review of 32 trials of single herbs found 9 showed significant testosterone increases; ashwagandha root and root/leaf extracts and fenugreek seed extracts were the clearest, but only 6 trials had low risk of bias and 16 of the 32 enrolled men under 40. [4] A 2026 meta-analysis of 23 ashwagandha trials found testosterone rose in men. [5] NCCIH calls the evidence limited. [1] | Promising but limited (a marker, not a symptom) |
| Ashwagandha improves how men feel | In 57 overweight men aged 40-70, 8 weeks of one extract was linked to 14.7% greater testosterone increase than placebo, but no significant between-group differences in fatigue, vigor or sexual well-being. [6] A 2026 structured review said durable symptom benefit is less consistent and cannot be generalized across extracts. [7] | Mixed |
| Ashwagandha for male fertility | A review found only one randomized trial among four studies; the others were before-and-after observations, so the authors called the data promising but based on few studies. [8] | Insufficient evidence |
| Maca for sperm quality | Five randomized trials gave mixed results; the pooled analysis did not show higher sperm concentration than placebo. [9] | Insufficient evidence |
| Maca for late-onset hypogonadism symptoms | One 12-week trial in 80 men with normal testosterone and symptoms reported better symptom, erectile function and urinary symptom scores than placebo. [10] | Promising but limited (single trial) |
| Tongkat ali for sexual health | A review of 11 human studies found 7 favorable and 4 not; a meta-analysis of two trials (139 men) found no significant overall difference in erectile function, with benefit only in men with lower starting scores. [11] [12] | Mixed |
| Tongkat ali raises testosterone | In 32 healthy young men, 600 mg/day of an extract for two weeks was followed by higher testosterone than placebo. [13] | Promising but limited (short trial, hormone marker) |
| Any of these for an enlarged prostate | Proper evidence not found. We searched PubMed on 2026-10-23 for human trials of ashwagandha and prostate enlargement and found only rat studies of a different species, Withania coagulans. [14] The maca trial above reported one prostate symptom score as a secondary result. [10] | Preclinical only |
Ginseng: NCCIH says some research suggests oral Asian ginseng improves sexual function in people with erectile dysfunction, and one small study in men with enlarged prostate suggested some benefit. [15] The ginseng evidence for fatigue and other uses is on ginseng for energy, fatigue and cognition.
Frequently asked questions
Does ashwagandha increase testosterone?
In some trials, yes, as a blood marker, mostly with root or root/leaf extracts for 2-4 months. NCCIH calls the evidence limited. [4] [1]
Is tongkat ali proven for testosterone?
No. Short trials show changes in some groups, and a meta-analysis of erectile function found no clear overall difference. [13] [12]
Can adaptogens shrink an enlarged prostate?
Proper evidence not found in human trials we searched. Ask a clinician about urinary symptoms. [14]
Are "testosterone booster" pills safe?
The FDA warns that many male-enhancement products are likely to contain hidden drugs. [2] See testosterone boosters claim check.
Who should avoid ashwagandha?
NCCIH says people with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer should avoid it, and that it is not recommended before surgery or for people with autoimmune or thyroid disorders. [1]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Limits and uncertainty
A testosterone blood result is a biomarker. Raising a number in a young, healthy man is not the same as treating a medical problem, and the 2021 review warns that conclusions are limited by varied extracts, small samples and young participants. [4] The saw palmetto evidence for enlarged prostate is a separate topic (saw palmetto and prostate supplements); the 2026 structured review described its trials as largely negative. [7]
Safety and quality
- Ashwagandha: drowsiness, stomach upset, diarrhea and vomiting are possible and rare liver injury has been reported; possible interactions with diabetes and blood pressure medicines, immunosuppressants, sedatives, anticonvulsants and thyroid hormone medicines; not recommended before surgery. [1] See ashwagandha and testosterone, fertility and sexual health.
- Tongkat ali products: two studies of 100 products each sold in Malaysia found 36% (2004) and 26% (2006) above that country's mercury limit. [16] [17] These are older studies of one market, but they show why quality matters (quality testing).
- Ginseng: NCCIH lists insomnia as the most common side effect and notes possible blood-clotting and blood sugar effects. [15] LactMed also records gynecomastia and breast pain. [18]
- Fertility: if you are trying to conceive with a partner, ask a clinician before using a supplement. See male fertility.
- Sports testing: see adaptogens for athletes.
References
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Ashwagandha: Usefulness and Safety. Read 2026-10-23.
- US Food and Drug Administration. Sexual Enhancement and Energy Product Notifications. Read 2026-10-23.
- Is the hype around the reproductive health claims of maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) justified?. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 2018. PubMed 28811221. Read 2026-10-23.
- Examining the Effects of Herbs on Testosterone Concentrations in Men: A Systematic Review. Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.), 2021. PubMed 33150931. Read 2026-10-23.
- Hormonal Modulation with Withania somnifera: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized-controlled Trials. Planta medica, 2026. PubMed 41740946. Read 2026-10-23.
- A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study Examining the Hormonal and Vitality Effects of Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera) in Aging, Overweight Males. American journal of men's health, 2019. PubMed 30854916. Read 2026-10-23.
- Analysis of androgen modulation by natural products. Pharmacological research, 2026. PubMed 42575271. Read 2026-10-23.
- Withania somnifera (Indian ginseng) in male infertility: An evidence-based systematic review and meta-analysis. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 2018. PubMed 30466985. Read 2026-10-23.
- Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) on semen quality parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in pharmacology, 2022. PubMed 36110519. Read 2026-10-23.
- Efficacy and Safety of Maca (Lepidium meyenii) in Patients with Symptoms of Late-Onset Hypogonadism: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. The world journal of men's health, 2023. PubMed 36593713. Read 2026-10-23.
- Eurycoma Longifolia as a potential adoptogen of male sexual health: a systematic review on clinical studies. Chinese journal of natural medicines, 2017. PubMed 28259255. Read 2026-10-23.
- Efficacy of Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) on erectile function improvement: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Complementary therapies in medicine, 2015. PubMed 26365449. Read 2026-10-23.
- The effect of Eurycoma Longifolia on the regulation of reproductive hormones in young males. Andrologia, 2021. PubMed 33559971. Read 2026-10-23.
- Withania coagulans Extract Induces Cell Apoptosis and Inhibits COX-2 Expression in a Rat Model of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Nephro-urology monthly, 2016. PubMed 27878112. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Asian Ginseng: Usefulness and Safety. Read 2026-10-23.
- Determination of mercury by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometer in Tongkat Ali preparations obtained in Malaysia. International journal of toxicology, 2004. PubMed 15162849. Read 2026-10-23.
- Contamination of mercury in tongkat Ali hitam herbal preparations. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association, 2006. PubMed 16567029. Read 2026-10-23.
- Ginseng. LiverTox/LactMed (NIH), 2006. PubMed 30000873. Read 2026-10-23.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.