Fadogia Agrestis

Other Names:

Black aphrodisiac, Bakin gagai, Vangueria agrestis (latin name)

Nutrition:

Fadogia agrestis is a shrub with small cream coloured flowers that is native to West and Central Africa and belongs to the Rubiaceae family. This plant contains valuable bioactive phytochemicals such as alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids and glycosides that contribute to its ability to provide various health benefits.

Health Benefits:

Boost Testosterone

Research has found evidence that fadogia agrestis may be able to boost testosterone levels. One study found that following an oral dose of fadogia agrestis male rats had increased blood testosterone concentration. It is suggested that fadogia can increase the body's production of luteinizing hormone, which in turn stimulates the testes to produce more testosterone. Fadogia agrestis is also widely thought to have powerful aphrodisiac effects, and this may be linked to heightened testosterone concentrations following consuming the plant.

Enhance Athletic Performance

The flavonoid content of fadogia agrestis may provide benefits for athletic performance and enhance stamina. Substantial research has shown that flavonoids are linked to improved athletic performance and can support anti-inflammation activity which may improve recovery following exercise.

Antioxidant protection

Flavonoids are shown to provide protection from harmful free radicals, reducing oxidative stress that can damage cells. This is key to maintaining good health as oxidative stress has been linked to aging and the development of numerous chronic diseases including cancer, cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative diseases.

History:

Fadogia agrestis has a long history of use in traditional African medicine due to its various believed health benefits such as supporting male reproductive health and libido, increasing energy and supporting vitality. This plant was also traditionally used to treat general ailments such as fever, stomach aches, and rheumatism and has been claimed to have anti-malarial properties.

Typical use:

The modern use of fadogia agrestis is largely for supplements in capsule, powder, or standardised extract form. Such supplements are often aimed at supporting male sexual health and testosterone production, and are also frequently utilized by athletes and bodybuilders to enhance their athletic performance.