What Is Fadogia Agrestis?
Fadogia agrestis is a plant native to Nigeria. The stem of this plant is used to make medicines. People also use this plant to treat ED (erectile dysfunction), increase sex drive, improve athletic performance, and support bodybuilding.
Fadogia agrestis was also used to treat malaria. However, it is most famous amongst athletes and bodybuilders as they used it as an alternative to anabolic steroids.
This is because this plant has been proven to enhance sexual behavior and increase the levels of the male hormone testosterone.
Not only this, but it also works to prevent the accumulation of excess fat in the body. It helps with one becoming fit by burning fat. It also contains some energy, and improves the immune system.
Fadogia agrestis has become quite popular in recent months. It has been discussed extensively by popular fitness and health bloggers, influencers, and podcasters.
6 Amazing Benefits of Fadogia Agrestis
Fadogia agrestis is a well-known plant due to its ability to increase the production of the male hormone testosterone and also enhance sex desire.
But this plant can provide a lot of other benefits as well due to the presence of antioxidants and some plant compounds in it.
Researchers who study herbal supplements like this one were aware of the fact that people living in the regions of Asia and Africa used this herb as an herbal remedy for different alignments.
Because those people did not have access to other synthetic medicines at that time, they used herbs like this for their medical conditions.
In the United States, the research on Fadogia agrestis was started in 2009. A study involving this herbal supplement has concluded its effectiveness in weight loss and on other medical conditions like hypertension, hair loss, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus type 2, and various heart diseases.
1. Antioxidant Properties:
Fadogia agrestis is a medicinal plant that is rich in antioxidants. These antioxidants can prevent the risk of various diseases as they fight off the free radicals in the body.
These free radicals are harmful substances that can damage healthy cells and cause oxidative stress.
In one study (Combasséré-Chérif, 2020), the extract of two medicinal plants, including Fadogia agrestis, was tested to check their biological activities.
The antioxidant activity of both of these plants was estimated. The results show that the extract of both of the plants contains some polyphenols. Moreover, this study also indicates the use of Fadogia agrestis in treating malaria.
2. Helps in Treating Anemia:
Anemia is a medical condition in which the patient doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to the tissues of the body.
An anemic patient has a low level of hemoglobin and feels weak and tired. This medical condition is becoming common day by day, especially in women and children.
Fadogia Agrestis is a medicinal plant that can help people suffering from this condition. This is because of a compound, chrysophanic acid, present within it. This compound can increase the number of red blood cells in people suffering from anemia.
3. Anti-Inflammatory Properties:
Fadogia agrestis is also very famous in medicine due to its anti-inflammatory properties. These properties of this plant have been shown to have positive effects on wound healing and treating diarrhea.
Studies have also shown that the anti-inflammatory properties of this plant can provide various health benefits, including reducing pain.
In one study (Olanrewaju, 2010), the extract from the plant’s bark was investigated by using it on rats.
In the study, the rats were divided into two groups; one group was given fadogia agrestis extract for several days, while the other did not.
The researchers found out that the group with the extract had more anti-inflammatory markers as compared to the control group.
These anti-inflammatory properties help this herb to block certain substances present within the body, which can cause inflammation.
Due to this property, fadogia agrestis is used for various conditions like fever, swelling, pain, arthritis, and also Alzheimer’s.
4. Contains Aphrodisiac Potentials:
Fadogia agrestis is a very famous herb due to its aphrodisiac properties. This makes it a good option for those looking to increase their stamina or sexual desire.
Moreover, the compounds present within this plant can even increase the level of testosterone.
One animal study (Yakubu, 2005) was held to evaluate the aphrodisiac potential of the stem extract in male rats.
The extract of the stem was screened and orally dosed to the male rats, and after 24 hours, their sexual behavior parameters and serum testosterone concentration were evaluated.
The researchers found out that extract of theFadogia agrestis stem increases the blood concentration of testosterone in the rats.
This may be the mechanism that is responsible for the aphrodisiac effect of this plant. Researchers declared that this herb can be used to modify the impaired sexual function in animals.
5. Reduce Risk of Diabetes and Heart Disease:
Including its aphrodisiac and antioxidant properties, Fadogia agrestis is also a good option for those suffering from diabetes.
This is because of the alkaloid known as yohimbine, which is present within Fadogia agrestis. Yohimbine is a powerful alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist that helps in controlling the blood sugar in people suffering from diabetes. This astringent also lowers the requirement of insulin for diabetic patients.
Yohimbine can also lower bad cholesterol levels, as it has the ability to stop the oxidation of LDL cholesterol and lower high blood pressure, major risk factors for heart disease.
The astringent in Fadogia agrestis also prevents plaque formation on the arteries’ walls, which can cause atherosclerosis, a condition in which the arteries become narrower and hardens.
This condition can further result in clogged arteries and also disturb the blood flow to cardiac tissues causing heart attack and brain stroke.
6. Improves Skin Health:
Fadogia agrestis is also used traditionally to treat certain skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema. According to an animal study published in “The Journal of Ethnopharmacology,” the extract of Fadogia agrestis was given to rats suffering from psoriasis.
The study found that Fadogia agrestis extract significantly reduced skin itching and inflammation in those rats.
This herb has also been used to heal wounds. And The wound-healing effect of this herb is due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This reduces swelling, pain, and inflammation and makes it heal faster.
How To Use Fadogia Agrestis?
Fadogia agrestis is typically taken as a supplement, especially by men, to increase the function of their sex organs.
This supplement was traditionally used as an aphrodisiac but has become more popular lately as a pure testosterone booster.
And now, Fadogia agrestis has been used as a popular ingredient in the Fitness and Supplement World and due to its ability to help treat erectile dysfunction, increase sex drive, boost libido, improve muscle building and athletic performance.
Recommended Dosage:
The dosage of Fadogia agrestis varies from person to person, depending upon the body weight. Most of the research on this supplement is done on rats, and uses up to 100mg/kg of Fadogia agrestis per day. But if it is translated to humans, the dosage will be changed.
Most of the muscle builders in the market with Fadogia agrestis seem to have the right dosage, which is typically 100 mg/kg of body weight per day. There is the following weight-based recommended dosages of Fadogia agrestis:
- For 150lb person: 550-1100 mg
- For 200lb person: 700-1450 mg
- For 250lb person: 900-1800 mg
The dosage of Fadogia agrestis also depends upon the purpose it is used for. But when it is used for testosterone-boosting purposes, the dose seems to be independent or between 18 mg to 100 mg.
Possible Side Effects and Precautions:
The toxicity of Fadogia agrestis is not elevated in the studies because, in most of the research studies involving this herb or its supplements, the published data exist for a very short period.
The researchers found high toxic levels in the extract and were not recommended for oral use. Not only this, but in some cases, Fadogia agrestis shows some side effects on animals, such as a decrease in appetite and sudden weight loss in all the animals, increased heart rate in rabbits and rats while they are under the effect, and low level of hemoglobin in rabbits.
The researcher also found out that this herb damaged the testicles of those animals even if the doses were as low as twenty milligrams. Fadogia agrestis has shown some other side effects if the dosage is not accurate:
- Kidney damage at higher dosage of Fadogia agrestis
- Liver and spleen damage of animals who fed a large amount of Fadogia agrestis
- High concentrations of this herb can also damage vocal cords and cause swelling
- Animals with higher doses of Fadogia agrestis have been seen to have high blood pressure and increased heart rate
- Pregnant women and thyroid gland patients should avoid using this herb because it contains some amount of mercury which can be harmful in such medical conditions.
Moreover, Fadogia agrestis supplements have not been approved by US Federal Drug Administration, which means this herb cannot be used alone as a treatment for any medical condition unless it is approved by FDA.
Researchers who have studied Fadogia agrestis also said that people who take herbal supplements like this one should be careful while taking other medication under the herb’s influence.
Bottom Line
Fadogia agrestis is a plant native to Nigeria. The stem of this plant is used to make medicines.
It is a well-known plant due to its ability to increase the production of the male hormone testosterone and also enhance sex desire.
But this plant can provide a lot of other benefits as well due to the presence of antioxidants and some plant compounds in it.
Not only this, but Fadogia agrestis also works as a natural supplement to prevent the accumulation of excess fat in the body and also makes the person fit by burning fat.
Including its aphrodisiac and antioxidant properties, this herb is also a good option for those suffering from diabetes. This is because of the alkaloid known as yohimbine present in it.
This alkaloid makes this herb a good option for a patient with high blood pressure, bad cholesterol levels, and also various heart diseases.
The dosage varies from person to person, depending upon the body weight. The recommended dosage is typically 100 mg/kg of body weight per day.
However, high dosage can cause some severe side effects. So, as always before taking any kind of herbal supplements, consult your doctor first.
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