Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub with some medicinal properties. While some people may recommend it for erectile dysfunction, there is no current evidence to support this.
Anecdotal reports suggest the herb may help a person with erectile dysfunction (ED). People likely base this assumption on research that shows ashwagandha improves testosterone levels.
Keep reading to find out more about the effectiveness of ashwagandha for ED, as well as the potential benefits and risks of taking it.
Ashwagandha, also known as Withania somnifera or Indian ginseng, is a medicinal herb. It grows in India, the middle east, and certain parts of Africa.
The herb is becoming popular in the United States due to its potential health benefits, and as an ingredient in sports supplements to enhance endurance and fitness.
Erectile dysfunction is a condition where a person with a penis cannot get or maintain an erection to engage in sexual intercourse.
There are three main reasons for ED:
- Psychogenic: When the cause of ED is due to psychological reasons, such as anxiety, depression, guilt, or concerns regarding intimacy.
- Organic: Organic ED occurs due to physical problems relating to age or underlying health conditions.
- Mixed: This refers to ED due to a combination of psychogenic and organic factors.Anecdotal evidence suggests ashwagandha could help people with ED achieve and maintain an erection.However, there is currently no scientific research that demonstrates ashwagandha as a successful treatment for this condition.
In an older study of 95 males with psychogenic ED, some participants took ashwagandha root powder while others took a placebo. The researchers concluded there were no significant differences between the groups, meaning neither substance relieved ED.
The same research team repeated the study a few years later, only to find the same results.
As the same group performed these studies, more research is needed to definitively prove whether ashwagandha helps with ED.
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