Herbs and Botanical Extracts are natural ways to boost low testosterone levels. Ginseng, yohimbe, saw palmetto, nettles, maca root, catauba and Tribulus terrestris are a few of the many herbal formulas used to boost testosterone, increase energy, stamina and endurance, boost a man's sexual desire and help temporarily increase levels of testosterone.
Many natural testosterone boosters are applauded by athletes, weightlifters and body builders for their ability to help build muscle, trim their waist, provide definition and burn excess fat. If you are getting on a testosterone program, then talk to your hormone doctor before beginning low t treatment if you are taking testosterone supplements as part of your health care regimen so he can properly incorporate them as part of your HRT program.
Testosterone Booster
Ginseng
Ginseng has been a component of Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Today, a host of healers in every culture use ginseng for various medicinal purposes. Commonly used to treat sexual problems, ginseng is known for its ability to boost energy, reduce stress and increase stamina. Several types of ginseng exist, all of which are widely used. American ginseng is grown in mountainous regions of the United States and cultivated on ginseng farms. Asian ginseng roots are dried and used in capsules, tablets teas and extracts. External preparations may also be used for topical treatments. The active chemical compounds present in the root are useful for increasing testosterone, endurance and treating conditions like erectile dysfunction and hepatitis C.
Testosterone Booster Yohimbe
Yohimbe is an herb derived from the bark of the yohimbe tree, native to western Africa. Used for sexual dysfunction, as an aphrodisiac and to increase testosterone, build muscle, ease anxiety and aid weight loss, the herb is available in tablets, pills and teas. Applied topically, yohimbe is anesthetic. When smoked, yohimbe produces hallucinogenic effects. Anxiety, high blood pressure, headache, insomnia and other complications may result from use.
Testosterone Booster Tribulus Terrestris
Tribulus terrestris is an ages-old remedy used in Ayurvedic medicine as an aphrodisiac and health tonic. Tribulus boosts testosterone levels by increasing the level of Luteinizing Hormones (LH) which stimulates testosterone production. European folk healers found the herb helpful for treating headaches, nervous disorders, constipation and sexual difficulties. In other cultures, the plant was used to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels and treat liver and cardiovascular conditions.
Today the plant is popular among athletes and bodybuilders for its ability to increase testosterone levels and build muscle. Also called caltrop, puncture vine, yellow vine and goat head, the plant grows in peculiar places like roadsides and uninhabited places. Its multiple stems produce prickly green crowns. The plant can be found in southern Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia and the United States.
Testosterone Booster Saw Palmetto, Stinging Nettles, Catauba, Ginger & Maca Root
A highly concentrated extract from the nettle root provides a unique mechanism for increasing levels of free testosterone. European research has identified constituents of the stinging nettle root that bind to SHBG in place of testosterone reducing SHBG's binding of free testosterone. Catauba from the Barzilian rainforest is a natural testosterone booster. Maca Root contains a chemical called p-methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate, which has testosterone boosting properties.
Ginger increases the level of testosterone and helps increase blood flow to all body parts, including the genitals. Epimedium or horny goat weed is used for treating fatigue and for boosting testosterone. Carao, a fruit from Costa Rica, a natural remedy for anemia also helps to increase testosterone levels. Cayenne Fruit helps burn fat and boost testosterone while stimulating blood flow by strengthening the heart, capillaries, and nerves.
Testosterone Booster L-Arginine Amino Acid
L-Arginine helps to increase testosterone and enhance nitric oxide synthesis fostering muscle growth and increasing blood flow to the erectile tissue in the penis by making blood vessels dilate or expand resulting in harder erections.
Zinc and Selenium help boost Testosterone
Reducing SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) to help Boost Testosterone. Many herbs boost testosterone, some stimulate the genitals through increased blood flow to the penis. Others reduce SHBG which binds up free testosterone or bioavailable testosterone in a man's body.
Some of the advantages of increasing free testosterone by lowering SHBG is that it will not cause any of the possible negative side effects of increasing total testosterone alone. A man will still have the same amount of total testosterone, only more of it will be available to his body.
Herb and supplements that actively reduce Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
can help improve mood, increase libido, reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, and help tone muscle.
One herb is Avena Sativa (Oat Straw Extract), which contains Avenacosides. Another is Urtica Dioica or Stinging Nettles which has been shown to reduce both SHBG and the female hormone prolactin. Muira Puama is an herb, Ptychopetalum native to the Amazon rainforest. The indigenous name for the genus is Muira Puama is "potency wood". A 1990 study conducted by Jacques Waynsberg at the Institute of Sexology in Paris, 62% of men who took muira puama extract noted an increase in sex drive and 51% of participants reported an increased ability to produce an erection.
Some herbs reduce prolactin and estrogen - both female hormones. The Mucuna Puriens herb, also known as velvet bean or cowitch increases l dopa to the brain which converts to dopamine and decreases the female hormone prolactin which can increase due to a decrease in testosterone levels.
Studies have shown that mucuna puriens leads to an increase in Luteinizing Hormone (LH), testosterone and a decrease in prolactin. For men, estrogen plays an important role in sperm production and bone maintenance, supports fatty and brain function. However, the amount of estrogen needed by men to support these important bodily functions is very small and men can build up excess estrogen in their systems for a couple of reasons.
One reason for excess estrogen is the enzyme aromatase found in tissues throughout the body will turn testosterone into estrogen. The
aromatase enzyme
is found in body fat and men with more fat will produce more aromatase enzyme and have higher estrogen levels. Men with higher estrogen levels will have
lower testosterone levels. Therefore, reducing the amount of body fat and estrogen is important to maintaining higher testosterone levels.
Freeing up bound testosterone by reducing SHBG
is very good as part of a holistic approach to helping boost free testosterone levels and can be used along with
Testosterone Replacement Therapy program
if your physician recommends this as part of the program.