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Stinging nettle root (Urtica dioica)

Stinging nettle root extract is used, alone or with saw palmetto, for urinary symptoms of benign prostatic enlargement.

Horny goat weed (Epimedium, icariin)

Horny goat weed (Epimedium species) contains icariin, which inhibits the enzyme PDE5 in laboratory studies, the same target as erectile-dysfunction medicines.

Tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia)

Tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia) is a Southeast Asian shrub whose root extract is marketed for male vitality¹.

Plant "anabolic" sterols (laxogenin, ecdysterone)

Laxogenin (5α-hydroxy-laxogenin) and ecdysteroids such as ecdysterone (20-hydroxyecdysone, from Ajuga turkestanica or Cyanotis) are plant sterols marketed as natural anabolic agents.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

Fenugreek seed extracts, rich in saponins, are marketed for male vitality and testosterone.

DIM (3,3'-diindolylmethane)

DIM (3,3'-diindolylmethane) forms from indole-3-carbinol in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and is marketed for oestrogen balance.

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) berry extract is used for urinary symptoms of benign prostatic enlargement; some extracts are licensed herbal medicines in Europe².

D-aspartic acid (DAA / NMDA)

D-aspartic acid is an amino acid involved in hormone release in the brain and testes, marketed as a "testosterone booster". N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) is a related compound.

Maca (Lepidium meyenii)

Maca is an Andean root vegetable sold as a powder or extract for energy and libido.

Coleus forskohlii (forskolin)

Coleus forskohlii root extract is standardised to forskolin, which raises the cell signalling molecule cAMP.

Piperine (black pepper extract, BioPerine®)

Piperine is the pungent alkaloid of black pepper, added to supplements as a "bioavailability enhancer".

Grape seed extract (OPC)

Grape seed extract is rich in oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), polyphenolic antioxidants.

Boron

Boron is a trace element found in fruit, vegetables and nuts. It is not established as essential for humans.

Vitamin E (α-tocopherol)

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant. EFSA set adequate intakes of 13 mg a day for men and 11 mg a day for women, as α-tocopherol³. Vitamin E TPGS is a water-soluble form used as an ingredient and absorption enhancer.

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)

Vitamin D is made in the skin in sunlight and is found in a few foods. It is needed for calcium absorption and bone health. EFSA set an adequate intake of 15 µg (600 IU) a day for adults⁴. 1 µg equals 40 IU.

Stinging nettle root (Urtica dioica)

A randomised controlled trial in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia assessed nettle root extract on clinical and biochemical parameters⁵.

Horny goat weed (Epimedium, icariin)

Evidence for benefits comes mainly from laboratory and animal studies; robust human trials are lacking.

Tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia)

A meta-analysis of clinical trials found that tongkat ali supplementation increased total testosterone in men, particularly in men with low testosterone, but concluded that more research is needed before clinical use¹.

Plant "anabolic" sterols (laxogenin, ecdysterone)

In a 12-week randomised double-blind training study, a commercial ecdysterone product gave no additional benefit over training alone, and its actual content differed markedly from the label⁶. In castrated rats, 5α-hydroxy-laxogenin showed neither androgenic nor anabolic effects⁷.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

A 2026 meta-analysis of randomised trials found a possible small effect on total testosterone, with very uncertain evidence and no stable benefit for free testosterone; it concluded that current evidence does not support testosterone-boosting claims⁸.

DIM (3,3'-diindolylmethane)

A study in premenopausal women examined whether DIM supplements favoured a benign oestrogen metabolism pathway and reduced body fat⁹. Evidence in men is lacking.

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)

A systematic review of recent clinical studies found improvements in prostate symptom scores in several trials, more consistently with hexane-extracted preparations, with variable effects on urinary flow².

D-aspartic acid (DAA / NMDA)

Systematic reviews found inconsistent effects of D-aspartic acid on testosterone, with no reliable increase in most trials in men¹⁰¹¹.

Maca (Lepidium meyenii)

A systematic review of animal and human studies found that maca compounds, mainly macamides, increased physical performance, with larger effects at higher doses¹².

Coleus forskohlii (forskolin)

A 2026 systematic review suggested that Coleus forskohlii extract may serve as a complementary therapy for obesity but found the evidence insufficient without high-quality, long-term trials¹³.

Piperine (black pepper extract, BioPerine®)

A 2026 review of 22 human pharmacokinetic studies found that reports of enhanced nutrient absorption come mainly from manufacturer-affiliated studies, and that independent trials did not confirm enhancement for curcumin or resveratrol at supplement doses¹⁴.

Grape seed extract (OPC)

A meta-analysis of 16 randomised controlled trials examined the effect of grape seed extract on blood pressure¹⁵.

Boron

A small study reported increased free testosterone after one week of boron supplementation¹⁶. Larger controlled trials are lacking.

Vitamin E (α-tocopherol)

The EU authorises the claim that vitamin E contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress¹⁷. Benefits of high-dose supplements beyond meeting needs are not established.

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)

Authorised EU claims include that vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal bones, muscle function and immune function¹⁷.

In the large VITAL trial, 2000 IU (50 µg) a day of vitamin D3 did not lower the incidence of invasive cancer or major cardiovascular events compared with placebo¹⁸. A meta-analysis found that vitamin D supplements did not prevent fractures or falls, or have clinically meaningful effects on bone density¹⁹.

Stinging nettle root (Urtica dioica)

Trials are few and small.

Horny goat weed (Epimedium, icariin)

Human evidence is limited.

Tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia)

The trials are small, often industry-funded and use different extracts¹.

Plant "anabolic" sterols (laxogenin, ecdysterone)

Label accuracy is poor and human trials are few⁶.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

The evidence is very uncertain⁸.

DIM (3,3'-diindolylmethane)

Human trials are few and small.

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)

Extracts, doses and study designs vary widely, limiting comparison². Results from licensed extracts do not apply to all supplements.

D-aspartic acid (DAA / NMDA)

Trials are small, short and heterogeneous¹⁰.

Maca (Lepidium meyenii)

Much of the evidence is from animal studies¹².

Coleus forskohlii (forskolin)

High-quality long-term trials are lacking¹³.

Piperine (black pepper extract, BioPerine®)

Piperine raises blood levels of other compounds mainly by inhibiting drug-metabolising enzymes (CYP3A4, CYP2C9) and P-glycoprotein, not by improving absorption¹⁴.

Grape seed extract (OPC)

Trials are small and use different extracts and doses¹⁵.

Boron

The evidence comes from very small studies¹⁶.

Vitamin E (α-tocopherol)

Most people in the EU meet their needs from food³.

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)

Benefits are clearest for correcting deficiency. Trials in people with adequate vitamin D status show little benefit for bone, cancer or heart outcomes¹⁸¹⁹.

• Do not exceed the recommended daily dose.
• Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
• Keep out of the reach of young children.

Stinging nettle root (Urtica dioica)

Generally well tolerated; urinary symptoms should be assessed by a doctor.

Horny goat weed (Epimedium, icariin)

Case reports describe toxicity with severe muscle spasms and raised creatine kinase²⁰, and new-onset psychosis in a person with Parkinson's disease²¹.

Tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia)

Generally well tolerated in short trials; long-term safety is not established. People with hormone-sensitive conditions should ask a doctor first.

Plant "anabolic" sterols (laxogenin, ecdysterone)

Human safety data are limited.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

Generally well tolerated; it may lower blood sugar and can cause digestive upset. Avoid in pregnancy.

DIM (3,3'-diindolylmethane)

DIM can affect hormone metabolism; people with hormone-sensitive conditions or taking hormonal medicines should ask a doctor first.

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)

Generally well tolerated. Urinary symptoms should be assessed by a doctor before self-treatment to rule out other causes.

D-aspartic acid (DAA / NMDA)

Generally well tolerated in short trials; NMDA itself is a neuroactive research chemical with no human safety data.

Maca (Lepidium meyenii)

Generally regarded as safe as a food.

Coleus forskohlii (forskolin)

It may lower blood pressure and interact with blood-pressure and blood-thinning medicines.

Piperine (black pepper extract, BioPerine®)

Because it inhibits drug-metabolising enzymes, piperine can raise blood levels of prescription medicines, including drugs with a narrow therapeutic index. People taking medication should ask a pharmacist first¹⁴.

Grape seed extract (OPC)

Generally well tolerated; it may add to the effect of blood-thinning medicines.

Boron

EFSA set a tolerable upper intake level of 10 mg of boron a day for adults²².

Vitamin E (α-tocopherol)

The EU Scientific Committee on Food set a tolerable upper intake level of 300 mg a day for adults²². High doses may increase bleeding risk in people taking anticoagulants.

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)

EFSA set a tolerable upper intake level of 100 µg (4000 IU) a day for adults, based on persistent hypercalciuria (excess calcium in the urine) as an early sign of excess vitamin D²³. Long-term intakes above this level can raise blood calcium and harm the kidneys. High-dose products should only be used on medical advice.

Sold as a food supplement. No health claims are made for this product.

Stinging nettle root (Urtica dioica)

No health claim for this ingredient is authorised in the EU¹⁷; it is sold under national food-supplement rules²⁴.

Horny goat weed (Epimedium, icariin)

No health claim for this ingredient is authorised in the EU¹⁷; it is sold under national food-supplement rules²⁴.

Tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia)

No health claim for this ingredient is authorised in the EU¹⁷; botanical ingredients are sold under national food-supplement rules²⁴.

Plant "anabolic" sterols (laxogenin, ecdysterone)

These plant sterols are not authorised novel foods in the EU²⁵. Ecdysterone is on the World Anti-Doping Agency monitoring programme²⁶.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

No health claim for this ingredient is authorised in the EU¹⁷; botanical ingredients are sold under national food-supplement rules²⁴.

DIM (3,3'-diindolylmethane)

No health claim for this ingredient is authorised in the EU¹⁷; it is sold under national food-supplement rules²⁴.

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)

Some saw palmetto extracts are authorised as traditional or well-established herbal medicines; as a food supplement ingredient no health claim is authorised²⁷¹⁷.

D-aspartic acid (DAA / NMDA)

No health claim is authorised¹⁷. NMDA is not an authorised food ingredient in the EU²⁵.

Maca (Lepidium meyenii)

No health claim for this ingredient is authorised in the EU¹⁷; it is sold under national food-supplement rules²⁴.

Coleus forskohlii (forskolin)

No health claim for this ingredient is authorised in the EU¹⁷; it is sold under national food-supplement rules²⁴.

Piperine (black pepper extract, BioPerine®)

No health claim for this ingredient is authorised in the EU¹⁷; botanical ingredients are sold under national food-supplement rules²⁴.

Grape seed extract (OPC)

No health claim for this ingredient is authorised in the EU¹⁷; it is sold under national food-supplement rules²⁴.

Boron

Boron is permitted as a mineral in EU food supplements²⁴. No health claim for boron is authorised¹⁷.

Vitamin E (α-tocopherol)

It is a permitted nutrient in EU food supplements²⁴; authorised claims may only be used in their approved wording and when the product is at least a source of the nutrient¹⁷.

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)

It is a permitted nutrient in EU food supplements²⁴; authorised claims may only be used in their approved wording and when the product is at least a source of the nutrient¹⁷.