Does Ashwagandha Make You Horny?

Oh, yeah. We’re going there. There being the bedroom or wherever else you do the no pants dance.

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If you’re like many people—up to 43% of women and 31% of men—you might find it challenging to get aroused every now and then. There is no shortage of ads for pharmaceutical solutions if you turn on the television, but some people might want a natural way to ensure they get turned on when the moment’s right.

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Ashwagandha has made a name for itself as an organic supplement to help combat feelings of stress and anxiety, but plenty of users find it also improves their sexual health. So, what’s the bottom line? Does ashwagandha make you horny? We’ll examine those claims so you can be a savvy and satisfied consumer.

What is Ashwagandha?

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Ashwagandha is shorthand for products made from the ashwagandha evergreen shrub found in parts of Africa, Asia, and Europe. The roots of the ashwagandha plant (Withania somnifera) contain the good stuff—beneficial effects like relaxation, cognitive boosts, and, yes, increased libido. Common ashwagandha plants include capsules, powder, teas, and gummies.

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t have much to say about the benefits of ashwagandha, but neither do a lot of doctors and health practitioners in the Western Hemisphere. Ashwagandha's use was mainly confined to India and surrounding areas for millennia until its use in the U.S. started ramping up a few decades ago. It’s primarily known as an adaptogen, which is a fairly broad term for any substance that helps people respond to physiological or mental stress.

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Withanolides are the ashwagandha compounds that appear to be most useful to humans. These compounds are steroids—not the ones that athletes can’t use, but the ones that help combat inflammation. 

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Scientists aren’t exactly sure how ashwagandha works, but its benefits have been widely reported among users. Ashwagandha also doesn’t appear to be habit-forming, unlike other natural substances.

The Big Question: Does Ashwagandha Make You Horny?

Yes, ashwagandha absolutely can make you horny or at least kick things up a notch (obligatory bam!) during sexy times. 

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A number of studies have concluded that ashwagandha is associated with increased testosterone and sexual satisfaction for men and people with penises. Similarly, many women and people with vaginas have reported improved sexual functioning and fertility after taking ashwagandha.

Does ashwagandha increase testosterone?

Studies in this arena are few and far between, but two have indicated that men experiencing fertility challenges saw increased testosterone levels after taking ashwagandha. 

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One study that consisted of 57 male participants, for instance, showed that testosterone levels measured in saliva increased by around 15% following eight weeks of ashwagandha use. Increases may be even higher among certain groups, such as people with fertility challenges related to decreased testosterone levels.

Ashwagandha and Libido: What Science Has to Say

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Libido is defined as the desire or passion for engaging in sexual activities. If you’re regularly horny, your libido is probably high or at least in the healthy range. However, getting the urge to have sex every once in a while may not always be a sign that your libido is healthy enough. 

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Having a good or healthy libido generally means that you have a sustained sex drive—your ability to get aroused doesn’t significantly drop off from one day (or week) to the next.

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Practicing generally healthy habits, such as exercising, eating right, and getting plenty of sleep, is crucial for libido. Ashwagandha, however, may also help. 

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Don’t just take our word for it: a 2015 study showed that ashwagandha root extract helped increase arousal and other important markers in the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) for females with various sexual challenges.

Ashwagandha Benefits for Men & People AMAB

So, what does ashwagandha do for men? Increased testosterone levels are one of the main sexual benefits for men or those assigned male at birth (AMAB). 

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Testosterone is an important hormone that helps with mood, sperm count, and sleep. Other studies have shown that ashwagandha may help with sperm motility—the ability for sperm to make their way to the egg (if that’s what you’re looking for).

Ashwagandha Benefits for Women & People AFAB

Women are more likely than men to experience sexual dysfunction or dissatisfaction; it would take a whole other blog post to explain and unpack the reasons. Fortunately, the ashwagandha benefits for females and those assigned female at birth (AFAB) are numerous and cover many facets of the sexual and reproductive systems. Studies have demonstrated ashwagandha’s potential for improving people’s FSFI questionnaire scores. 

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Many women and people AFAB reported that ashwagandha use led to better or more effective lubrication, sexual arousal, and orgasms. Ashwagandha may also be useful for increasing the chances of conception. There is some evidence that it may improve ovary health. 

Other Benefits of Ashwagandha

The benefits of ashwagandha are not limited to the sexual realm, but all-around health can translate into increased satisfaction (and more fun) in the bedroom. 

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The most prominent benefit of ashwagandha is, arguably, its ability to decrease stress and anxiety. Your mood gets compromised when you can’t focus on anything else. Your body also tends to respond negatively to increased cortisol levels.

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Increased stress is strongly correlated with sexual dysfunction. When you’re stressed, your sexual performance might suffer. When your sexual performance suffers, your stress might increase. That’s the classic vicious cycle. 

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Another important piece of the ashwagandha puzzle is sleep. The negative effects of sleep are too numerous to list here, but fatigue is certainly worth noting. Having the energy to satisfy your sexual desire is important, and it’s much harder without good sleep. Poor sleep can also increase stress. Newsflash: sleep is important!

Featured Ashwagandha Product Picks

So, we’ve convinced you to give ashwagandha a spin? Awesome news! Even better news is that we’ve got products you can evaluate (or even purchase!) right now.

1. Boner Bears - Bliss Bears Female Enhancement Gummies

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The first product in our roundup can increase libido, energy, and overall sexual performance for females or those AFAB. Boner Bears offers these gummies you can consume an hour before game time to give your sexual game a boost. Stress relief is just one of the fringe benefits of this product.

2. Boner Bears - Boner Bears Male Enhancement Gummies

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Don’t worry, guys—we’ve got something for you, too. These Boner Bears gummies work similarly to the product we just looked at. Expect increased energy for multiple rounds.

Shop Ashwagandha & Other Wellness Goodies at Green Dragon

Certain customs and social mores can create the impression that sexual health isn’t a priority. We think that’s dead wrong. Sexual satisfaction is important for heart, immune, and mental health. It can improve relationships with other people. Just as importantly, it can give you a sustained boost of self-esteem.

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We’re not saying that ashwagandha is a wonder drug, but we’re not not saying that, either. Unequivocally, we can say that it’s worth exploring ashwagandha if you want to increase your sexual satisfaction with your partners OR just yourself. Peruse the selection of Boner Bears ashwagandha products here and our wider store here.

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Have questions? We got answers. Get in touch with the team for a complimentary consultation so you can understand how our products can meet your wants and needs.