The most important medicinal plants affecting sperm and testosterone production: a systematic review

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #infertility #male #plants-medicinal #seeds

The most important medicinal plants affecting sperm and testosterone production: a systematic review

Boroujeni et al., 2022 | JBRA Assist Reprod | Systematic Review

Citation

Boroujeni Shakiba Nasiri, Malamiri Farid Ansari, ... Moudi Emadoddin. The most important medicinal plants affecting sperm and testosterone production: a systematic review. JBRA Assist Reprod. 2022-Aug-04;26(3):522-530. doi:10.5935/1518-0557.20210108

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Infertility, defined as the inability to conceive after one year of intercourse without the use of contraception, affects 15% of couples. Many factors, such as genitourinary tract infections, endocrine disorders, immunological factors and drug-related injuries, affect the male reproductive system and cause infertility. Due to men's fear of infertility, it is very important to pay attention to medicinal plants that are effective in male fertility. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the medicinal plants that affect sperm and testosterone production in men. METHODS: In this review, we used the following search terms, consisting of herbal medicine, traditional medicine, traditional therapies, sperm, testosterone, testicles and Iran were used to retrieve the relevant articles published in the journals indexed in the Information Sciences Institute, Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, PubMed Central and Scientific Information Databases. We searched and used papers published between 2000 and 2020. Then, we analyzed the eligible papers. We collected and analyzed 35 papers from the databases. We selected only the articles about herbs that affect sperm and testosterone production. RESULTS: Based on the results, herbs Apium graveolens, Cinnamomum camphora, Cornus mas, Satureja khuzestanica, Withania somnifera, Fumaria parviflora, zingiber officinale, cinnamomum zeylanicum and Phoenix dactylifera are used in the male reproductive system. CONCLUSIONS: Plants can probably be useful in increasing fertility due to their antioxidant power and low side effects.

Key Findings

Based on the results, herbs Apium graveolens, Cinnamomum camphora, Cornus mas, Satureja khuzestanica, Withania somnifera, Fumaria parviflora, zingiber officinale, cinnamomum zeylanicum and Phoenix dactylifera are used in the male reproductive system.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Infertility
  • Male
  • Plants, Medicinal
  • Seeds
  • Spermatozoa
  • Testosterone

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Vertical: ashwagandha

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09