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Male fertility tea: Does it really work?

What is “male fertility tea”? There are several teas on the market that claim to improve male fertility and sperm health.

There’s a supplement, tea, or juice that you can take for just about anything nowadays, isn’t there? Some have been researched thoroughly and backed by science. In contrast, some make claims they can’t uphold.

If you read articles highlighting top fertility products for men, a male fertility tea is often featured. But do they really work? Let’s break down the science.

Male fertility tea benefits

What benefits do male fertility teas claim to have? Here are a few from some leading male fertility tea blends:

Fertility teas tend to be a blend of herbs, including vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients. Medicinal plants, herbs, and berries have been used for thousands of years to treat various ailments. In fact, the World Health Organization reports that 80% of the world’s population still uses traditional medicine, such as herbal medicines.

But do fertility teas really work? It comes down to the ingredients in the tea — and the research behind them.

 

Male fertility tea ingredients

For starters, if you are looking at a male fertility tea that doesn’t list the ingredients, take this as a warning sign. If you don’t know what’s in it, you can’t know if it will help or even be safe to take.

Every male fertility tea blend differs in its combination of herbs, but here are some of the most common ingredients and the evidence behind them:

Ashwagandha male fertility tea

Also known as Withania somnifera, Indian ginseng, poison gooseberry, or winter cherry.

A 2018 review published in the Journal of Reproductive Biomedicine Online looked at clinical studies of ashwagandha and male fertility. The review concluded that there is limited data, but that ashwagandha:

  • exhibits antioxidant properties
  • is associated with improved semen parameters
  • is associated with improved sex hormone levels.

However, the studies do not conclude what amount of ashwagandha is effective, safe, and non-toxic.

Saw palmetto male fertility tea

Also known as Serenoa repens, a type of palm tree that produces berries found in southwestern states such as Florida.

Small studies have suggested that saw palmetto might benefit prostate health. A 2019 study conducted on rats showed that saw palmetto might improve the semen parameters of rats with chronic prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate).

However, more extensive studies have not found saw palmetto to be beneficial to prostate health. Experts also highlight that saw palmetto could negatively affect sperm production and ejaculate volume. Clinicians think it may lower dihydrotestosterone levels, which are important for sperm production and ejaculation.

Muira puama bark male fertility tea

Comes from a plant native to Brazil.

Muira puama is thought to enhance smooth muscle relaxation and arterial dilation, supposedly helping with erectile dysfunction. ED, the inability to get or maintain an erection, isn’t directly related to male fertility, but can make getting a partner pregnant naturally more difficult.

A few small studies have looked at muira puama’s effect on sexual function, mainly in rats. However, a small clinical trial using Revactin, a supplement that contains muira puama and other ingredients, did show promising results in improving erectile function in men with age-related erectile dysfunction. Data is still limited, and there is not yet enough scientific information to determine an appropriate dose of muira puama.

Peppermint male fertility tea

Peppermint is probably an ingredient and flavor you are familiar with. It’s popular in herbal teas because it is caffeine-free and may soothe digestive issues.

There’s currently no evidence that peppermint tea directly impacts fertility. However, it can help some people unwind and relieve stress, and severe stress can impact male fertility. It’s also safe to drink and may be used to make fertility tea more pleasant in flavor.

Horny goat weed male fertility tea

Also known as epimedium.

Horny goat weed gets its name from a Chinese legend, in which a goat herder noticed increased sexual activity in his herd after they ate the plant’s leaves.

This plant contains a substance called icariin, which may block a protein linked with erectile dysfunction. It has shown some benefits for erectile dysfunction in small animal studies; for instance, a study done on rats in 2010 showed that extracts of horny goat weed induced improvements in erectile dysfunction. However, its potency is weak compared to more rigorously tested drugs like Viagra.

Other common ingredients in male fertility tea

  • Ginger
  • Ginseng
  • Maca root
  • Tribulus terrestris

These ingredients have mixed levels of evidence and effectiveness when it comes to male fertility. Learn more about male fertility supplements.

Bottom line: do male fertility teas really work?

As you can see by the common ingredients we have highlighted above, there is not much good evidence to support most of the ingredients found in male fertility tea — if not all. A lot of the herbs used have anecdotal evidence and are used in Chinese and ayurvedic medicine, but have no solid scientific backing, or robust evidence in humans.

It’s important to know that there’s no regulation of teas — or any supplements — in the United States. Therefore, claims can be false and misleading. 

As with any herbal product, you should always consult your health care provider before taking a male fertility tea, especially if you are on medication. Some herbs can interact with prescribed medications and supplements, and just because they’re herbal doesn’t mean they are safe.

How can I improve my fertility naturally?

If you want to take natural steps to improve your fertility, there are more proven ways to help.

Living a healthy lifestyle has been shown to help improve sperm parameters, so ensure that you:

You can also take an evidence-based male fertility supplement. A well-researched supplement can help fill in the gaps in your diet and lifestyle to support healthy sperm production, hormone health, and overall male fertility.


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