Ashwagandha has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine, where it is commonly taken to support physical strength, stamina, and overall well-being. A 16-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined how a standardized ashwagandha extract affects fatigue, mood, and hormone levels in aging men with mild fatigue.
In this study, overweight men aged 40–70 years consumed either a placebo or a daily dose of ashwagandha extract providing 21 mg of withanolide glycosides for eight weeks, followed by a crossover period. Researchers tracked changes in fatigue, vigor, sexual and psychological well-being, and measured salivary hormone levels including DHEA-S and testosterone. While self-reported measures such as fatigue and vigor improved over time in both groups, these changes did not differ significantly between ashwagandha and placebo.
Hormone analysis showed clearer differences. Men taking ashwagandha experienced a greater increase in DHEA-S and testosterone compared with placebo, suggesting a supportive effect on age-related hormonal balance. No meaningful differences were seen in cortisol or estradiol levels, and the extract was well tolerated throughout the study.
Overall, this research suggests that standardized ashwagandha supplementation may support healthy testosterone and DHEA-S levels in aging men. Larger studies are still needed to confirm these effects and better understand how they translate into long-term physical and psychological outcomes.