Evaluating Herbal Supplements in Erectile Dysfunction: A Scientific Perspective
Interest in herbal supplements that promise health benefits has risen sharply over the past decade, and this trend is also visible when it comes to erectile dysfunction (ED). Although standard therapies are effective for many men, an increasing number of people are seeking more natural or accessible alternatives. But how effective are popular herbal preparations really, and can they be considered a serious complementary therapy?
A new systematic review and meta-analysis offers new data. The authors of the study “Herbal Dietary Supplements for Erectile Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials” are Chao-Yen Ho, Chung-Hua Hsu, and Tsai-Ju Chien.
It is essential to investigate the safety and efficacy of herbal supplements
By analysing 14 randomized controlled trials involving a total of 1,227 men aged 35 to 65, researchers aimed to distinguish the true effects of herbal supplements from the rapidly growing market of promises and marketing claims. Participants were followed for one to six months, and the review covered the most studied plants, among them ginseng, saffron, Tribulus terrestris, and maca.
“In the US and some European countries, herbal supplements do not undergo the rigorous and robust testing for safety and effectiveness as do pharmaceutical medications that undergo FDA testing for use for specific indications, as claimed by the manufacturer, and claims regarding the effectiveness of herbal supplements may be exaggerated or false. As such, it is essential to investigate the safety and efficacy of herbal supplements given the abundance of herbal dietary supplements on the market,” the scientists wrote in the study.
Strongest evidence: saffron and ginseng
Of all the supplements analysed, two showed the most consistent positive effects.
Saffron, a spice known for its strong antioxidant properties, showed the ability to improve erectile function, orgasmic function, and intercourse satisfaction. In several studies, saffron outperformed placebo, with benefits observed even in cases of mild to moderate ED. Ginseng, perhaps the most recognizable herbal supplement globally, proved even more versatile: it improved erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, and overall satisfaction.
For other popular supplements, including Tribulus terrestris and maca, the results are not statistically significant, and the evidence is limited due to small, short-term studies and methodological variability. Further high-quality research is needed to draw reliable conclusions.
A large gap between marketing claims and science
While the results can be encouraging, an analysis of the wider supplement market reveals significant problems. Several independent investigations have shown a major disconnect between what consumers are promised and what evidence actually supports.
– The analysis of top-rated Amazon products showed that only 17% of human studies evaluated individual ingredients, and the reported benefits dropped dramatically (by up to 90%) after unreliable reviews were filtered out, raising concerns about false advertising.
– Italian research found that 80% of supplements contained ingredient amounts below the minimum effective dose. Only 8% of products had a formulation that could potentially work.
Findings like these highlight that consumers often rely on products lacking solid scientific support.
What does this mean for users?
Most products on the market do not reflect the actual doses or effects seen in clinical studies. In other words, while herbal supplements may appear to be safer or more natural solutions, consumers and clinicians should approach their use cautiously and with good information.
This latest review marks an important step forward in understanding herbal supplements for ED. The results are promising, but also cautionary. Although saffron and ginseng show benefits, most supplements remain surrounded by marketing fog.
Before herbal preparations can be recommended as routine therapy, larger, longer-term, and more rigorously designed studies are needed. Until then, herbal supplements remain potentially helpful, but not reliably proven, alternatives to conventional treatments.
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