Enhancing Sperm Production and Quality with Herbs
Enhancing Sperm Production and Quality with Herbs
There are many herbal supplements on the market that claim to increase sperm production and improve semen quality. The purported health benefits of many herbs have not been substantiated by actual research. However, some herbs have been put to the test in laboratory settings, and have demonstrated their ability to enhance sperm quality and production. The herbs that we will be discussing in the article are: Tongkat Ali (a.k.a. "Longjack" or Eurycoma longifolia), Mucuna pruriens, Ginseng, and Maca. Consult your physician before taking any supplements.
Tongkat Ali
Tongkat Ali is a flowering plant that is native to Southeast Asia. Although the plant is used for many medicinal purposes, it is most commonly used for its impact on sexual health and conduct. Tongkat Ali's strong reputation as a powerful aphrodisiac persuaded researchers to measure its effectiveness in a laboratory setting. In an experiment conducted on male rats, it was found that Tongkat Ali significantly increased sperm count (1). In the same study, the researchers also reported that the plasma testosterone level of Tongkat Ali extract-treated rats "was significantly increased when compared with that of the control [group] and infertile animals."(1) In a different study conducted on wild boars at the Institute of Animal Science in Prague, Tongkat Ali was found to have a significant effect on libido (+ 20%) and semen quality(2).
Mucuna pruriens
Mucuna pruriens (a.k.a. velvet bean) is a tropical legume that is native to parts of India and Africa. Human experiments have been conducted to test the efficacy of Mucuna pruriens in treating male infertility and semen quality. In 2009, researchers at the CSM Medical University in India conducted an experiment with 75 fertile men and 75 men undergoing infertility screening. Treatment with Mucuna pruriens was found to significantly increase levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone, dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline in infertile men, and the researchers concluded that, "Treatment with Mucuna pruriens regulates steroidogenesis [the process of steroid production] and improves semen quality in infertile men."(3)
Ginseng
Another popular herb that is used to improve male fertility is ginseng. Much research has been conducted to determine the effect of ginseng on spermatogenesis (sperm production). In one study conducted at College of Oriental Medicine in Korea, the effect of Korean ginseng on spermatogenesis in rat testes was evaluated. It was discovered that the ginseng-treated rats exhibited significantly increased sperm count and motility (sperm motility is the ability of sperm to move towards an egg) (4). Researchers stated that "Ginseng appears to induce spermatogenesis via CREM activation in rat testes." (4)
Maca
Maca is an herbaceous plant native to the high Andes of Peru and Bolivia. It is used as a vegetable and a medicinal herb. Maca has been confirmed in multiple studies to increase daily sperm production (5), and improve sperm quality (6). Clinical trials performed on men have also demonstrated that maca can significantly heighten libido following 8 to 12 weeks of supplementation (7).
Spartan Blend is an all-in-one dietary supplement for men containing a special blend of Tongkat Ali, Mucuna Pruriens, Panax Ginseng, Maca Root, Horny Goat Weed, Cnidium Monieri, Arginine, Tribulus Terrestris, Zinc (oxide) Niacin, Xanthoparmelia Scabrosa, Guarana Extract, DHEA, Eleutherococcus, Avena Sativa, Saw Palmetto, Rhodiola Rosea, Wild Yam, and Muira Puama.
References
Chan, KL; Low, BS; Teh, CH; Das, PK (2009). "The effect of Eurycoma longifolia on sperm quality of male rats." Natural product communications 4 (10): 13316. PMID 19911566.
Frydrychov S, Opletal L, Mackov K, Lustykov A, Rozkot M, Lipensk J. Effects of Herbal Preparation on Libido and Semen Quality in Boars. 2010. Department of Pig Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Prague, Czech Republic.
Shukla KK, Mahdi AA, Ahmad MK, Shankhwar SN, Rajender S, Jaiswar SP. Mucuna pruriens improves male fertility by its action on the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis. 2009. Department of Biochemistry, C.S.M. Medical University, Lucknow, India.
Park WS, Shin DY, Kim do R, Yang WM, Chang MS, Park SK. Korean ginseng induces spermatogenesis in rats through the activation of cAMP-responsive element modulator (CREM). 2007. Department of Pathology, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyungwon University, Seongnam, Korea.
Gonzales GF, Nieto J, Rubio J, Gasco M. Effect of Black maca (Lepidium meyenii) on one spermatogenic cycle in rats. 2006. Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
Gonzales GF, Cordova A, Gonzales C, Chung A, Vega K, Villena A. Lepidium meyenii (Maca) improved semen parameters in adult men. 2001. Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy and Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
Gonzales GF, Crdova A, Vega K, Chung A, Villena A, Gez C, Castillo S.. Effect of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men. 2002. Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
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