Does Ashwagandha Increase Libido in Men?
Ashwagandha improved sexual-desire scores in several small, short-term trials in men, but the evidence does not establish a guaranteed libido benefit, an effective treatment for every cause of low desire, or long-term safety.
What evidence links ashwagandha with male libido?
Ashwagandha trials provide preliminary evidence of improved reported sexual desire with specific standardized root extracts, rather than proof that every supplement works.
A 2022 randomized trial enrolled 50 men with lower sexual desire. Participants received 300 mg root extract or placebo twice daily. The trial reported improvements in sexual-function scores after eight weeks. Its small sample and short follow-up limit the scope of the result. Chauhan and colleagues, 2022.
A separate 2025 randomized trial enrolled 100 men aged 30–50 and compared 300 mg root extract twice daily with placebo for eight weeks. Seven participants were lost to follow-up, leaving 93 in the efficacy analysis. Desire scores improved more with ashwagandha, including the Sexual Desire Inventory-2 and the desire domain of the International Index of Erectile Function. Mutha and colleagues, 2025.
What did the newer ashwagandha libido trial measure?
The 2026 ashwagandha trial measured reported sexual desire and other sexual-health outcomes over eight weeks in 76 men aged 30–50.
Participants received standardized root extract at 300 mg twice daily or placebo, with 38 men in each group. The published Sexual Desire Inventory-2 means were:
| Group | Baseline score | Week-eight score |
|---|---|---|
| Ashwagandha | 17.21 | 27.87 |
| Placebo | 17.24 | 13.63 |
The week-eight difference was 14.24 points, with a 95% confidence interval of 9.81–18.67. These are group questionnaire scores, rather than a percentage probability that one man will improve. Khanna and colleagues, 2026.
The authors identify a modest sample, short duration, unmeasured lifestyle factors, and partner-availability requirements as limitations. These factors restrict generalization to other men and longer treatment periods.
Does ashwagandha improve libido by lowering cortisol or raising testosterone?
Ashwagandha’s proposed effects on stress and hormones do not establish which mechanism caused an improvement in libido.
NCCIH reports evidence for some preparations in stress and insomnia and limited evidence for testosterone and sperm-quality changes over two to four months. Those outcomes are separate from desire. A lower stress score, a hormone measurement, or a semen result does not by itself prove a libido benefit. NCCIH: Ashwagandha.
The 2026 trial did not comprehensively measure the proposed biological pathways. It therefore does not prove that a cortisol change mediated the reported desire benefit. Read the separate guides to stress and libido and testosterone and libido when assessing those explanations.
Is there a proven ashwagandha dose for low libido?
Ashwagandha has no universally established dose for low libido; the 300 mg twice-daily schedule describes particular trials and extracts.
Do not treat trial dosing as a prescription. Root powder, root extracts, leaf-containing products, and multi-ingredient blends differ. A bottle’s milligram amount alone does not demonstrate that its preparation matches the studied product.
- Identify the botanical name, Withania somnifera.
- Check the plant part and extraction details.
- Record the amount per serving and additional ingredients.
- Review medications and existing conditions before use.
Eight-week results also do not establish an immediate effect or a guaranteed response by week eight.
What ashwagandha safety issues matter for men considering libido treatment?
Ashwagandha causes adverse effects and interacts with medications, so its possible libido benefits require a separate safety assessment.
NCCIH lists drowsiness, stomach upset, diarrhea, vomiting, and rare reports of liver injury. Long-term safety remains uncertain. People with thyroid or autoimmune disorders, upcoming surgery, or hormone-sensitive prostate cancer should avoid use or follow the specific clinical guidance for their condition. NCCIH safety guidance.
Potential interactions involve sedatives, thyroid hormones, anticonvulsants, immunosuppressants, and medicines for diabetes or high blood pressure. Discuss the product with a clinician or pharmacist. No adverse events reported in a short trial does not establish that rare reactions never occur.
What should men assess before using ashwagandha for libido?
Men should assess persistent or distressing low libido before choosing ashwagandha, because the supplement’s trial results do not identify an individual’s cause.
- Describe when sexual interest changed and how long the change has lasted.
- Separate desire from erection and orgasm difficulties.
- List medications, supplements, and recent dose changes.
- Describe mood, sleep, and relationship circumstances.
- Discuss the evidence and safety risks before deciding on treatment.
Use the low-libido guide to prepare the discussion. Ashwagandha’s research supports a qualified statement about short-term scores with studied extracts, rather than a universal libido cure.
