Ayurveda and Men’s Health: Herbs, Hormones, Ojas, and What Modern Science Confirms

Are men with low energy and libido truly suffering from low testosterone, or is something deeper driving the fatigue, burnout, emotional flatness, and reproductive challenges so many experience today? Ayurveda offers a surprisingly clear explanation—one modern research is finally beginning to validate. According to classical Ayurvedic texts, many symptoms blamed on hormones are actually signs of depleted ojas, the subtle essence that governs vitality, immunity, emotional resilience, and reproductive strength. And when ojas weakens, issues such as poor stamina, low libido, and reduced male fertility naturally follow. This connection becomes even more important when exploring therapies like safed musli, a renowned Ayurvedic herb for boosting reproductive energy, and understanding the broader, holistic principles at the heart of Ayurveda men’s health.

Modern men often assume their struggles come from hormonal decline, yet Ayurveda suggests the problem is not always low testosterone—it is low vitality at the deepest biological and energetic level. Ojas is the cornerstone of male strength, mental steadiness, confidence, and reproductive power. When it diminishes, the entire system feels the consequences. Unlike conventional clinical models that often reduce men’s health to numbers on a lab sheet, Ayurveda provides a multidimensional view—connecting digestion, stress load, sleep quality, lifestyle rhythm, and emotional stability to male vitality. This broader perspective doesn’t replace modern medicine; it enriches it, offering insights into why so many men feel exhausted even when their labs look “normal.”

Why Men Are Misdiagnosed: The Testosterone Trap

Today, many men report low libido, difficulty concentrating, irritability, reduced drive, and chronic exhaustion. These are quickly attributed to testosterone decline, often leading men toward hormone replacement therapy as a first-line solution. Yet clinical studies show that a large percentage of men labeled as “low T” actually fall within normal ranges. Their symptoms reflect metabolic strain, chronic stress, digestive weakness, poor sleep, or emotional overload—factors Ayurveda has emphasized for thousands of years.

In the Ayurvedic framework, these symptoms resemble ojas depletion far more than androgen deficiency. Ojas represents the final refinement of all bodily tissues, especially Shukra Dhatu, the reproductive tissue responsible for male vitality and fertility. When digestion is weak, stress is high, or lifestyle patterns are irregular, ojas cannot be adequately produced. The result is a body that feels drained, a mind that feels dull, and a reproductive system that cannot function optimally.

When men believe they have a hormonal disorder, they often pursue narrow solutions—injectable testosterone, stimulants, performance aids, or quick fixes that mask symptoms while allowing deeper imbalances to worsen. Ayurveda’s model offers a very different path: rebuild instead of replace, strengthen rather than stimulate, and restore balance instead of overriding the body’s natural systems.

Key Takeaways

• Ayurveda offers a holistic approach to men’s health, considering the entire body’s well-being.
• The concept of ojas is central to understanding male vitality and energy.
• Low ojas, rather than low testosterone, may be the underlying issue for many men.
• Ayurveda’s ancient wisdom can complement modern science in addressing men’s health.
• Understanding the connection between overall health and reproductive health is crucial.

The Ayurvedic View of Male Vitality: Ojas as the Core of Strength

In Ayurveda, everything begins with ojas. It is the substance that gives men their endurance, emotional courage, immune resilience, and reproductive power. Adequate ojas reflects a man who wakes with energy, performs with focus, and maintains consistent interest in intimacy without feeling overstimulated or depleted. High ojas shows up as clear skin, stable digestion, restful sleep, positive mood, and adaptable stress response.

Ojas is not a metaphor; it is a functional concept tied to modern physiology. Its descriptions closely resemble immune function, mitochondrial efficiency, hormonal balance, nervous system integrity, and metabolic health. When ojas is strong, testosterone tends to be stable, insulin sensitivity is better, mood is regulated, and reproductive capacity improves. When ojas declines, men quickly feel the difference.

Shukra Dhatu: The Refined Tissue That Defines Reproductive Health

One of Ayurveda’s most insightful teachings is that reproductive tissue is created last, after all other tissues have been nourished and strengthened. This means male fertility and sexual vitality rely on the quality of all the tissues that come before—plasma, blood, muscle, fat, bone, marrow—and on the digestive fire (agni) that transforms nutrients effectively.

Shukra Dhatu is considered the most refined and delicate of all tissues. It requires adequate nourishment and minimal stress to thrive. Overwork, excessive stimulation, emotional strain, poor diet, late nights, and chronic anxiety weaken it quickly. Modern medicine mirrors this understanding: chronic stress lowers sperm quality, poor sleep disrupts testosterone rhythms, and nutritional deficiencies reduce fertility.

In Ayurveda, ojas and Shukra Dhatu share a close relationship. When Shukra is healthy, ojas increases. When Shukra is depleted, ojas drops. This interplay explains why fertility challenges, low libido, emotional instability, and chronic fatigue often appear together—they stem from the same depleted source.

Why Ayurveda’s Framework Outperforms Symptom-Based Models

Western medicine excels at acute care, but chronic vitality disorders—burnout, mild hormonal imbalance, chronic stress, metabolic fatigue—often slip through the cracks. A man can have normal testosterone and still feel exhausted. He can have normal sperm count yet experience poor fertility outcomes because of oxidative stress, inflammation, or poor motility. He can have normal labs but feel emotionally flat, unmotivated, or depleted.

Ayurveda bridges these gaps by asking different questions:

• Is the man digesting food well or experiencing subtle inflammation?

• Is his nervous system overstimulated or undernourished?

• Is his metabolism firing or sluggish?

• Is he mentally resilient or exhausted by stress?

• Is he sleeping deeply enough to rebuild hormonal rhythm?

These are the questions that actually restore male vitality—not just “What is your testosterone number?”

This is also why Ayurvedic herbs like safed musli, ashwagandha, gokshura, kapikacchu, and shilajit have become central to men’s wellness research. They address root-level dysfunction—stress hormones, oxidative damage, poor microcirculation, weakened digestion—rather than simply forcing temporary hormonal spikes.

Low Ojas vs. Low Testosterone: The Key Distinction Men Must Understand

When men present with low drive, irritability, fatigue, reduced confidence, or emotional volatility, the automatic assumption is “low testosterone.” But Ayurveda insists on distinguishing between:

• True testosterone deficiency (rare, measurable, medical)

• Ojas depletion (common, lifestyle-driven, reversible)

A man with weak digestion, high stress, irregular sleep, digital overstimulation, and emotional burnout will have low ojas. Even if testosterone is normal, he will feel like it is low.

This is where Ayurveda’s framework becomes invaluable. It helps men avoid unnecessary medical interventions while giving them a reproducible path back to strength, clarity, and vitality through lifestyle, nourishment, digestion, herbs, and rhythm.

Testosterone Misconceptions, Science on Ojas, Physiology of Vitality, and Misdiagnosis in Men

One of the most pervasive myths in men’s health is the idea that declining vitality automatically equals low testosterone. Advertisements, clinic billboards, influencers, and even some medical providers reinforce the message that if a man feels tired, foggy, or uninterested in sex, the culprit must be hormonal decline. But research shows a far more nuanced reality. A significant percentage of men treated for “low testosterone” actually fall within normal biological ranges—and their symptoms reflect lifestyle depletion rather than endocrine dysfunction.

Ayurveda predicted this misunderstanding centuries ago. According to classical principles, most early-stage symptoms of fatigue, decreased motivation, and reduced libido are not hormonal failures; they are signs of ojas depletion. This distinction matters because mistaking low ojas for low testosterone leads countless men toward unnecessary hormone therapy while the real problem—stress overload, poor digestion, emotional exhaustion, or erratic lifestyle—remains untreated.

Testosterone declines naturally with age, but most men do not lose enough to explain the severity of symptoms they’re reporting in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. What they do lose is metabolic resilience. Digestion weakens. Stress accumulates. Sleep becomes fragmented. Stimulation increases. Nervous-system tone shifts from parasympathetic (rest-rebuild) to sympathetic (fight-flight). These patterns erode ojas long before measurable testosterone decreases appear.

Ayurveda’s brilliance lies in its ability to see what conventional blood tests miss: a man can maintain his hormone levels yet lose his vitality because his foundation—ojas—has been compromised.

Common Symptoms Mistaken for Low Testosterone (and Their Ayurvedic Explanation)

Fatigue, reduced libido, irritability, poor concentration, difficulty building muscle, decreased confidence, and emotional flatness are routinely labeled “low T symptoms.” But Ayurveda argues that these arise much earlier—long before testosterone drops—when digestive fire weakens, stress becomes chronic, and sleep loses stability.

• Fatigue often indicates low ojas caused by poor digestion, heavy foods, overstimulation, or emotional strain.

• Low libido may result from depleted Shukra Dhatu due to stress, excessive ejaculation, poor nourishment, or sleep disruption.

• Mood changes and irritability frequently arise from Vata imbalance triggered by overstimulation, digital excess, or irregular routines.

• Reduced drive and confidence reflect depleted mental ojas, showing the nervous system has lost its resilience.

These symptoms reflect a man whose body is trying to conserve energy—not one whose endocrine organs have failed.

This is why men often notice dramatic improvements in vitality simply by correcting sleep, strengthening digestion, balancing stress, and rebuilding ojas. Hormone levels remain unchanged; the system becomes more efficient.

Safed Musli: A Key Herb in the Ojas–Hormone Connection

Among Ayurvedic herbs known for supporting male vitality, safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum) holds a special place. It has been revered for centuries as a rasayana—a rejuvenative herb that enhances Shukra Dhatu, restores reproductive energy, and strengthens ojas.

Modern research now validates these traditional claims:

• Studies show safed musli improves sperm count, motility, and semen volume, key markers of male fertility.

• Its antioxidant profile protects reproductive tissues from oxidative stress—a major cause of fertility challenges.

• Safed musli supports natural testosterone rhythms without causing unnatural spikes or endocrine disruption.

• It enhances stamina, muscle recovery, and overall vitality—qualities Ayurveda directly attributes to restored ojas.

Safed musli is often combined with ashwagandha, gokshura, kapikacchu, or shilajit in formulations designed specifically for Ayurveda men’s health, because these herbs work synergistically to strengthen digestion, improve circulation, stabilize nervous-system tone, and rebuild reproductive tissue.

Safed musli is an excellent example of how Ayurveda identifies deep physiological relationships long before modern science catches up. It improves metrics men care about—testosterone function, fertility, stamina, sexual vitality—not by forcing hormones upward but by rebuilding the foundation that produces strong hormones in the first place.

Understanding the Relationship Between Ojas and Hormonal Balance

Ayurveda teaches that hormones are only as stable as the system producing them. Testosterone depends on adequate nourishment, restful sleep, low inflammation, and a healthy nervous system. All of these factors rely on strong ojas. When ojas weakens, hormonal rhythms destabilize. This is why men experiencing chronic stress, poor digestion, or sleep disruption often present with symptoms identical to low testosterone—even when their hormones are technically normal.

Science confirms this connection:

• Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which directly suppresses testosterone production.

• Sleep deprivation disrupts luteinizing hormone (LH), reducing testosterone output.

• Inflammation interferes with Leydig cell function, impairing hormonal synthesis.

• Poor digestion reduces nutrient availability, especially zinc, magnesium, B vitamins, and amino acids essential for steroid hormone production.

Ayurveda integrates all of these into a single concept: when the body’s metabolic and emotional systems lose harmony, ojas diminishes, and testosterone naturally falls out of balance.

One of Ayurveda’s great strengths is that it does not chase hormones; it restores the conditions that allow hormones to self-regulate.

When True Testosterone Deficiency Occurs vs. Ojas Depletion

It is important to distinguish genuine hormonal deficiency from lifestyle-driven depletion. Ayurveda never discourages proper medical evaluation; instead, it teaches men to interpret their results through a broader lens.

True testosterone deficiency is usually accompanied by:

• Persistent, clinically low testosterone on multiple morning lab draws

• Structural or functional issues in the testes or pituitary gland

• Symptoms severe enough to disrupt basic physiological function

This scenario is far less common than people assume.

Ojas depletion, however, is extremely common and presents with nearly identical symptoms:

• Chronic fatigue

• Low libido

• Poor recovery from exercise

• Mood instability

• Cognitive dullness

• Reduced motivation

Unlike true hormonal insufficiency, ojas depletion improves rapidly with dietary, lifestyle, and herbal interventions. Safed musli, ashwagandha, and shilajit are frequently used because they enhance ojas production while simultaneously supporting healthy testosterone metabolism.

Ayurveda does not guess—it observes patterns. And when those patterns suggest systemic depletion rather than endocrine disorder, the solution is to strengthen the root, not replace the branch.

The Science Behind Ojas: Modern Physiology Validates Ancient Knowledge

For centuries, skeptics dismissed ojas as a metaphorical or symbolic idea. Today, integrative researchers view it very differently. Ojas aligns closely with modern frameworks involving:

• Immune strength

• Hormonal balance

• Mitochondrial efficiency

• Nervous-system resilience

• Oxidative stress load

• Gut integrity and microbiome health

These systems create the physical sensation of vitality that Ayurveda attributes to ojas.

Researchers now correlate ojas-like qualities with measurable biomarkers:

Ojas may not appear on a lab test, but its effects show up everywhere.

Research on Stress Hormones and Their Impact on Male Health

The relationship between cortisol and testosterone is one of the clearest examples of Ayurveda’s predictive accuracy. Modern studies confirm that chronic stress suppresses male reproductive function by:

• Increasing inflammation

• Reducing sperm quality

• Lowering testosterone synthesis

• Disrupting sleep cycles

• Weakening digestive fire

• Dampening libido

In Ayurvedic terms, chronic stress burns ojas and destabilizes Vata, leading to a cascade of physical and emotional symptoms. Practices like meditation, breathwork, restorative yoga, and rhythmic lifestyle repair this damage and help restore fertile, stable hormonal rhythms.

Safed musli and ashwagandha, in particular, have been shown to reduce cortisol levels while simultaneously elevating or normalizing testosterone and improving semen parameters. This dual effect mirrors the Ayurvedic understanding: reduce the stress burden and ojas has the space to rebuild.

How to Rebuild Ojas, Strengthen Male Fertility, Boost Testosterone Naturally with Ayurveda

Ayurveda does not chase hormones. It strengthens the terrain that produces hormones. This is why many men who feel “low T” see their vitality rebound once they begin supporting ojas, digestion, sleep, and stress rhythms—even before they touch a single supplement. Testosterone operates within a system. When that system becomes erratic, depleted, or inflamed, hormones lose their power long before their numbers fall.

Rebuilding male vitality begins with restoring rhythm, the biological pattern that governs digestion, metabolism, sleep, and hormonal release. Ayurveda calls this dinacharya, and it remains one of the most practical tools modern men can use to reset their endocrine environment.

Daily routine may sound simplistic, but nothing restores ojas faster than regularity. Waking at the same time, eating at consistent hours, moving the body daily, and minimizing late-night stimulation provide the foundation for hormonal balance.

Just as importantly, diet must shift from quick, stimulating foods toward warm, nourishing meals that digest cleanly. Ayurveda places enormous emphasis on gut health because Shukra Dhatu—the reproductive tissue—depends entirely on proper digestion. When digestion weakens, toxins accumulate, inflammation rises, and hormonal communication falters. When digestion strengthens, vitality naturally returns.

Foundational Daily Practices for Supporting Hormonal Health

A man’s hormonal rhythm depends on two things: his nervous system and his digestive system. When either becomes unstable, the entire body compensates by reducing reproductive priorities. In practical terms, this feels like fatigue, low libido, and emotional dullness.

A few foundational practices help restore balance:

• Wake with the sun, strengthening circadian rhythm and supporting testosterone’s morning peak.

• Move the body daily, choosing a combination of strength training, yoga, and moderate cardio.

• Prioritize sleep, because nighttime is when ojas rebuilds and when testosterone pulses occur.

• Avoid heavy late-night meals, which interfere with metabolic repair and stress recovery.

• Reduce overstimulation, especially digital overload, which drains nervous-system reserves and weakens ojas.

These patterns do not replace medical care; they create the internal conditions where medicine, herbs, and supplements can work more effectively.

Ayurvedic Dietary Approaches That Enhance Male Vitality

Ayurvedic nutrition focuses on nourishment, digestion, and energy production—three pillars of healthy testosterone and fertility. Warm, freshly cooked meals enhance agni (digestive fire) and promote the formation of clean, high-quality tissues that eventually build Shukra Dhatu.

Foods supportive of male vitality include:

• Ghee, which stabilizes the nervous system and supports hormonal communication.

• Sesame seeds, a natural source of zinc and healthy fats.

• Pomegranate, rich in antioxidants that protect sperm and reproductive tissues.

• Dates and soaked almonds, known in Ayurveda as nourishing tonics for ojas.

• Warming spices such as ginger, cinnamon, cumin, and cardamom to improve circulation and digestion.

These foods do not artificially raise testosterone—they create the biological environment where testosterone functions well.

Exercises That Maximize Male Strength and Reproductive Energy

Movement plays a central role in Ayurveda’s approach to vitality. The body must circulate nutrients, blood, and prana (life force) to maintain strong reproductive function.

Ayurvedic guidance aligns with modern research:

• Strength training boosts testosterone, builds muscle, and enhances metabolism.

• Yoga increases parasympathetic tone, reduces cortisol, and improves blood flow to the pelvic and abdominal organs.

• Breathwork (pranayama) regulates the nervous system and enhances mental clarity.

Exercises like Surya Namaskar, squats, deadlifts, kapalabhati pranayama, and slow, controlled breathing practices form a powerful combination for male vitality.

The Five Major Ojas-Depleting Factors in Modern Life

Modern life is engineered to burn through ojas at unprecedented speed. Between digital stimulation, nonstop stress, inconsistent sleep, processed food, and lack of true rest, men lose vitality before they even realize something is wrong.

Ayurveda identifies several patterns that drain reproductive energy:

1. Chronic Stress

Persistent stress floods the body with cortisol, suppressing testosterone and impairing digestive fire. Ayurveda recognized long ago that emotional disturbance directly weakens reproductive tissue. Techniques such as meditation, yoga nidra, diaphragmatic breathing, and restorative practices help reverse this damage.

2. Irregular or Insufficient Sleep

Sleep is when the body rebuilds hormonal reserves, repairs tissues, and generates ojas. Men who sacrifice sleep for productivity, entertainment, or late-night scrolling experience rapid deterioration in vitality. Sleep restoration is often the single most important step for improving testosterone, libido, and fertility.

3. Digital Overstimulation

Screens overstimulate the nervous system and erode the mental reserves Ayurveda associates with ojas. Excess pornography consumption, in particular, disrupts dopamine regulation, weakens libido, and impairs emotional connection—an issue Ayurveda recognized through teachings on excessive stimulation and loss of Shukra.

4. Poor Digestion

Digestive weakness is one of the fastest routes to depleted ojas. When digestion suffers, nutrient absorption drops, inflammation rises, and metabolic efficiency declines. Ayurveda places digestion at the center of male vitality for good reason: without strong agni, Shukra Dhatu cannot be nourished.

5. Emotional Exhaustion and Mental Overload

Men often carry emotional burdens silently, which leads to a suppressed, exhausted nervous system. Ayurveda teaches that mental strain diminishes the subtle essence required for reproductive strength. Modern research now shows that emotional stress can lower sperm quality and impair hormonal signaling.

These factors often coexist, creating a multifaceted depletion that requires an equally holistic strategy.

Powerful Ayurvedic Herbs for Male Vitality and Their Scientific Backing

Ayurveda provides a wealth of herbs that support ojas, Shukra Dhatu, hormonal balance, and fertility. These herbs do not push hormones unnaturally; they strengthen the body’s inherent capacity to function well.

Ashwagandha

Research shows that ashwagandha reduces cortisol, improves testosterone levels, enhances muscle strength, and increases sperm quality. Ayurveda uses it as a rasayana for both ojas and reproductive energy.

Tribulus Terrestris

Traditionally known as gokshura, this herb supports libido, erectile function, and hormonal balance. Modern studies demonstrate improved erectile performance and enhanced reproductive markers.

Safed Musli

Safed musli remains one of the most celebrated herbs for male fertility and ojas. Its ability to boost semen quality, reduce oxidative stress, and support hormonal stability aligns perfectly with Ayurvedic teachings. Unlike synthetic testosterone boosters, safed musli works by nourishing the tissues that create hormonal vitality—not by artificially spiking numbers.

Shilajit, Gokshura, Kapikacchu

These herbs collectively improve energy, endurance, mood, reproductive strength, and tissue nourishment. Their adaptogenic and nutrient-dense qualities make them ideal for long-term vitality.

Rebuilding Ojas: A 30-Day Ayurvedic Protocol

A structured plan allows men to see noticeable improvements quickly. The following four-week rhythm mirrors classical Ayurvedic sequencing:

Days 1–7: Establish Rhythmic Routines

Focus on waking consistently, going to bed before 10:30 p.m., eating at regular times, and minimizing late-night stimulation. This stabilizes the nervous system and resets circadian hormones.

Then, Days 8–14: Improve Digestion

Shift toward warm, freshly cooked meals. Avoid cold and heavy foods. Use digestive spices. This week strengthens the metabolic processes necessary for producing high-quality Shukra Dhatu.

Next, Days 15–21: Add Vitality-Enhancing Herbs

Introduce ashwagandha, safed musli, shilajit, or a targeted Ayurvedic formulation. Combine this with pranayama to increase oxygenation and mental clarity.

Finally, Days 22–30: Consolidate Habits

Refine the practices that work best. Maintain routines, continue herbs, and adjust lifestyle habits to support long-term vitality.

This protocol not only improves reproductive energy; it enhances mood, confidence, digestion, sleep, and overall stability.

Ayurvedic Practices for Enhanced Male Fertility

Ayurveda treats fertility as a full-system expression of health. Rise in metabolism and digestion causes cellular stress to reduce. When cellular stress falls, ojas rises.  And when ojas rises, fertility improves.  This is the direct feedback loop.

A few targeted practices include:

• Yoga postures that increase pelvic circulation.

• Cooling breath techniques for men with Pitta-driven irritability or heat.

• Strength practices for men with Kapha sluggishness.

• Grounding routines for Vata-driven anxiety or overstimulation.

Diet also plays a central role. Foods like walnuts, dates, almond milk, ghee, saffron, and pomegranate support sperm health and ojas production.

Integrating Ayurveda with Modern Medicine

Ayurveda does not oppose modern medicine; it complements it. Men benefit most when they combine the diagnostic precision of modern labs with the systemic insight of Ayurveda.

Modern tests clarify whether testosterone is genuinely low. Ayurveda explains why symptoms appear even when hormone numbers look fine.

The most effective approach includes:

• Using modern labs to rule out pathological deficiency.

• Applying Ayurvedic principles to restore digestion, sleep, stress rhythms, and vitality.

• Incorporating herbs like safed musli and ashwagandha to nourish reproductive tissues.

• Following long-term lifestyle practices that continually rebuild ojas.

This integrated model gives men the best of both worlds: precision and depth.

Conclusion: The Sustainable Path to Male Vitality

Ayurveda offers men a way to reclaim strength from the inside out. Instead of reducing men’s health to testosterone numbers, it views vitality through the lens of nourishment, digestion, emotional resilience, and reproductive integrity. This framework aligns beautifully with modern science and explains why so many men feel burned out long before they show measurable hormonal decline.

Rebuilding ojas remains central to restoring energy, confidence, and male fertility. Herbs like safed musli, ashwagandha, and shilajit enhance this process naturally, without disrupting the body’s inherent hormonal intelligence. When combined with rhythmic lifestyle practices, improved digestion, and stress regulation, these tools form a comprehensive strategy for lifelong vitality.

Ayurveda’s wisdom is not mystical or outdated—it is a sophisticated model that modern research continues to validate. By embracing its principles, men gain access to a deeper form of health: one that strengthens the body, steadies the mind, and supports reproductive power through every stage of life.  Download the Ayurveda mobile app to begin correcting the digestion and metabolism that leads to improved ojas.

References:

1. Lopresti et al., 2019 – Ashwagandha and hormones in aging men

Lopresti, A. L., Smith, S. J., Malvi, H., & Kodgule, R. (2019). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study examining the hormonal and vitality effects of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in aging, overweight males. American Journal of Men’s Health, 13(2), 1–12.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1557988319835985

2. Ambiye et al., 2013 – Ashwagandha and spermatogenesis

Ambiye, V. R., Langade, D., Dongre, S., Aptikar, P., Kulkarni, M., & Dongre, A. (2013). Clinical evaluation of the spermatogenic activity of the root extract of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in oligospermic males: A pilot study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013, Article ID 571420.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/571420

3. Wankhede et al., 2015 – Ashwagandha, strength, T-levels in men

Wankhede, S., Langade, D., Joshi, K., Sinha, S. R., & Bhattacharyya, S. (2015). Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12(43).
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-015-0104-9

4. Kamenov et al., 2017 – Tribulus for erectile function

Kamenov, Z., Fileva, S., Kalinov, K., & Jannini, E. A. (2017). Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Tribulus terrestris in men with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Maturitas, 99, 20–26.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2017.02.003

5. Adaikan & Gauthaman, 2002 – Tribulus and androgenic activity (foundational research)

Adaikan, P. G., & Gauthaman, K. (2002). Proerectile pharmacological effects of Tribulus terrestris extract on rabbit corpus cavernosum. International Journal of Impotence Research, 14(6), 543–546.
https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900899

6. Gauthaman & Adaikan, 2008 – Tribulus and reproductive effects

Gauthaman, K., & Adaikan, P. G. (2008). The hormonal effects of Tribulus terrestris and its role in managing male sexual dysfunction. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 5(7), 1594–1600.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.00789.x