The Study
Efficacy and safety of eight-week therapy with Ashwagandha root extract in improvement of sexual health in healthy men: Findings of a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
This study is like a carefully controlled experiment where one group got the real supplement and another got a fake one. Because it was a well-designed experiment, we can be fairly confident that the supplement caused the improvements in sexual health. However, only 93 men completed the study, and the researchers only looked at those who finished, which can sometimes make the results seem better than they actually are. So, we need more studies to be really sure.
Analysis score
Maximum 90 for a randomized controlled trial.
Where the score came from
Scientists gave a group of men a natural herb called Ashwagandha (Indian ginseng) or a fake pill for 8 weeks to see if it helps with sex and sperm health.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 569 / 100
Quality score
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or control groups, minimizing bias. The gold standard for testing whether an intervention causes an effect.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1These are meaningful improvements for men with mild fertility or sexual issues, but the study was small and short.
- 2More research is needed to know if it works long-term.
- 3Men who took the herb had about 26% more semen, 48% more sperm, and 19% more normal-shaped sperm.
- 4They also felt more sexual desire and had better orgasms.
- 5No side effects were reported.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine
Year
2025
Authors
A. S. Mutha, S. A. Mutha, Anupama Hem Tejuja, A. Beldar, Alok M. Mulay, Deepak Langade
Related Content
Claims (6)
Taking KSM-66 ashwagandha root extract in gummy form for eight weeks does not cause significant adverse effects in most people.
A supplement called ashwagandha root extract, taken as 300 mg twice daily for 8 weeks, increases the number of satisfying sexual experiences and improves sexual desire scores in healthy men aged 30–50 with mild sexual dysfunction.
Taking 300 mg of Ashwagandha root extract twice daily for eight weeks significantly improves quality of life in healthy men aged 30-50 who have mild sexual dysfunction, based on self-reported questionnaires, compared to a placebo group.
In healthy men aged 30-50 with mild sexual dysfunction and low-normal sperm parameters, taking 300 mg of Ashwagandha root extract twice daily for 8 weeks increases semen volume by 25.6%, sperm count by 47.7%, and normal sperm morphology by 18.7%.
Taking 300 mg of Ashwagandha root extract twice daily for 8 weeks increases sexual desire and improves orgasmic function in healthy men aged 30-50 with mild erectile dysfunction, according to scores on the International Index of Erectile Function.
A study found that healthy men aged 30-50 who took 300 mg of ashwagandha root extract twice daily for 8 weeks did not report any side effects and their liver and kidney function tests remained normal compared to a placebo group. The supplement was well tolerated.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.