Fadogia agrestis is a short bush plant from the Rubiaceae family that is native to Nigeria and found in Ghana and Sudan. It is traditionally used to reduce fever, as an aphrodisiac, and to treat erectile dysfunction.
What is Fadogia agrestis?
Fadogia agrestis is a short bush plant belonging to the Rubiaceae family. Although it is native to Nigeria, it can also be found as far west as Ghana and as far east as Sudan.[1] Traditionally, it is used as a febrifuge (i.e., to reduce fever), as an aphrodisiac, and to treat erectile dysfunction.[1][2]
What are Fadogia agrestis’ main benefits?
Fadogia agrestis is best known for its purported aphrodisiac effects. According to one rodent study, supplementation with Fadogia agrestis for 5 days led to remarkable increases in testosterone (2-fold with 18 mg/kg, 3-fold with 50 mg/kg, and 6-fold with 100 mg/kg) and enhanced libido.[2] Based on the magnitude of its benefit in rodents, it appears to be one of the more potent herbs for increasing both testosterone and libido, with the effect sizes being greater than those of Spilanthes acmella.[3][2] In another rodent study, supplementation with Fadogia agrestis increased testicular weight by 11–15%.[4]
Limited animal evidence supports the pro-erectile properties of this herb, but an associated increase in ejaculation latency (time to ejaculation) has also been noted. This is a fairly rare property among aphrodisiacs, as they usually reduce ejaculation latency.[2]
A single in vitro study isolated glycosides of Fadogia agrestis roots and found that some of them possessed inhibitory effects on certain parasites and bacteria, and displayed mild antimalarial activity.[5] Another in vitro study found that Fadogia agrestis displayed antispasmodic properties.[6]
What are Fadogia agrestis’ main drawbacks?
Although one rodent study noted fairly remarkable increases in testosterone over the course of five days with the use of Fadogia agrestis,[2] more and lengthier studies are required to investigate this effect, as there is also a possible cytotoxic effect that can manifest after around a month, which could interfere with the testosterone-boosting properties of the plant.[4] It’s worth noting that the potential cytotoxic effects of Fadogia agrestis may not be limited to the testicles, with more studies required to determine what exactly is occurring.
What are other names for Fadogia agrestis?
Note that Fadogia agrestis is also known as:
- bakin gagai
- black aphrodisiac
Dosage information
It is unclear whether or not consumption of Fadogia agrestis is safe at any dosage, so no dosage can be recommended.
Frequently asked questions
What is Fadogia agrestis?
Fadogia agrestis is a short bush plant belonging to the Rubiaceae family. Although it is native to Nigeria, it can also be found as far west as Ghana and as far east as Sudan.[1] Traditionally, it is used as a febrifuge (i.e., to reduce fever), as an aphrodisiac, and to treat erectile dysfunction.[1][2]
What are Fadogia agrestis’ main benefits?
Fadogia agrestis is primarily recognized for its aphrodisiac effects; it significantly increases testosterone levels and libido in rodent studies. Additionally, it has shown potential benefits such as increased testicular weight, proerectile properties, and mild antimicrobial and antimalarial activities in in vitro studies.
Fadogia agrestis is best known for its purported aphrodisiac effects. According to one rodent study, supplementation with Fadogia agrestis for 5 days led to remarkable increases in testosterone (2-fold with 18 mg/kg, 3-fold with 50 mg/kg, and 6-fold with 100 mg/kg) and enhanced libido.[2] Based on the magnitude of its benefit in rodents, it appears to be one of the more potent herbs for increasing both testosterone and libido, with the effect sizes being greater than those of Spilanthes acmella.[3][2] In another rodent study, supplementation with Fadogia agrestis increased testicular weight by 11–15%.[4]
Limited animal evidence supports the pro-erectile properties of this herb, but an associated increase in ejaculation latency (time to ejaculation) has also been noted. This is a fairly rare property among aphrodisiacs, as they usually reduce ejaculation latency.[2]
A single in vitro study isolated glycosides of Fadogia agrestis roots and found that some of them possessed inhibitory effects on certain parasites and bacteria, and displayed mild antimalarial activity.[5] Another in vitro study found that Fadogia agrestis displayed antispasmodic properties.[6]
What are Fadogia agrestis’ main drawbacks?
Fadogia agrestis may increase testosterone levels based on a rodent study, but more extensive research is needed to confirm this effect and investigate potential cytotoxicity that could arise after prolonged use. Additionally, the lack of human trials raises concerns about its safety for consumption.
Although one rodent study noted fairly remarkable increases in testosterone over the course of five days with the use of Fadogia agrestis,[2] more and lengthier studies are required to investigate this effect, as there is also a possible cytotoxic effect that can manifest after around a month, which could interfere with the testosterone-boosting properties of the plant.[4] It’s worth noting that the potential cytotoxic effects of Fadogia agrestis may not be limited to the testicles, with more studies required to determine what exactly is occurring.
How does Fadogia agrestis work?
The exact mechanisms of how Fadogia agrestis works are not well understood due to poorly characterized components. However, it is believed that the plant contains bioactive compounds such as monoterpene glycosides, alkaloids, and saponins.
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