Fadogia agrestis is an African shrub sold as a natural testosterone supplement, but there are no published human trials showing that it works or that it is safe. The only research comes from rat studies, mostly by one university group, and those studies found signs of harm to the testes, liver and kidneys at the doses tested. On that evidence, we do not recommend it, and if you are thinking about taking it, talk to your GP first.
Fadogia agrestis vs tongkat ali vs ashwagandha
| Fadogia agrestis | Tongkat ali | Ashwagandha | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | African shrub; the stem is used in traditional medicine | Root of a Southeast Asian tree | Root of a shrub used in Ayurvedic medicine |
| Human trials | None published that we could find | A handful of small randomised trials | Several small trials, mainly for stress and sleep |
| Testosterone evidence | Rats only | Small rise versus placebo, mainly in men who started low | Modest rise versus placebo in two small trials |
| Main safety flag | Rat studies found signs of harm to the testes, liver and kidneys | Trials are few, small and short | TGA alerts about rare liver injury |
| Our view | Not recommended | A possible option after a GP check | Reasonable for stress and sleep, not a testosterone fix |
Fadogia is often sold next to tongkat ali and ashwagandha, or mixed with them, so it helps to compare the evidence side by side.
What is Fadogia agrestis?
Fadogia agrestis is a small shrub from Africa. Its stem has been used in local traditional medicine, and in recent years it became popular online as a herb for testosterone, libido and athletic performance. Most of that interest came from social media and podcasts rather than from new research.
In supplement form it is sold as capsules, often as a concentrated extract. Products sold in Australia, including the ones on our shelves, commonly contain 300 to 750 mg of extract per capsule, and some are labelled as 10:1 or 30:1 concentrates. None of these doses has been tested in people.
What the research on Fadogia agrestis shows
Every study we could find on Fadogia and male hormones was done in rats, and most come from the same research group in Nigeria. The key ones:
- 2005, testosterone and mating behaviour: rats given a water extract of the stem at 18, 50 or 100 mg per kg of body weight for five days showed more mating behaviour and higher blood testosterone (Yakubu and colleagues, 2005).
- 2008, testicular function: when rats got the same doses every day for 28 days, markers of testicular function changed at all three doses. The authors said the changes indicated adverse effects on the testes. When the extract was stopped, only the lowest dose had recovered after 10 days (Yakubu and colleagues, 2008).
- 2009, liver and kidneys: the same 28-day doses produced signs of damage to the cell membranes of liver and kidney cells in rats (Yakubu and colleagues, 2009).
Rat results often do not carry over to people, in either direction. The rats were given a simple water extract of the stem, which is not the same as the concentrated capsules sold today, so nobody knows how the doses compare. As of October 2026 we could not find a single published human trial of Fadogia agrestis for testosterone, strength or safety.
Is Fadogia agrestis safe?
The honest answer is that no one knows. There is no human safety data, the animal data give reasons for caution, and there is no tested safe dose. That is why we do not recommend it.
- Trying for a baby: because the rat studies point to effects on the testes, avoid Fadogia if you and your partner are trying to conceive.
- Liver or kidney problems: skip it, given the rat findings on liver and kidney cells.
- Stacked formulas: Fadogia is often mixed with tongkat ali, black pepper extract and other herbs, which adds more unknowns.
- Medicines and medical conditions: talk to your GP or pharmacist before taking any herbal product if you take regular medication or have a medical condition.
This matches the wider picture. Healthy Male, the Australian men's health organisation, reviewed the research on testosterone-boosting supplements and concluded they are likely to be unhelpful. It also notes that symptoms of low testosterone overlap with many other health problems, so the cause is best worked out with a health professional.
Why we stock it but do not recommend it
Supps247 stocks a few Fadogia agrestis products because customers ask for them by name. Selling a product is not the same as recommending it, and on the current evidence we would rather tell you plainly that it is unproven in people.
If you already take a Fadogia product, do not go over the label dose, do not combine two products that both contain it, and stop and see your GP if you notice anything unusual. Better still, talk to your GP before you start.
What to do instead
If you are worried about low energy, libido or testosterone, start with your GP. A blood test and a check-up can rule out other causes, and they cost far less than months of supplements.
If you still want a herbal option, these have at least some human research, although it is small:
- Tongkat ali: a 2022 review of small randomised trials found a modest rise in total testosterone with tongkat ali compared with placebo, clearest in men whose levels started low. The trials were few and varied. This is research, not a fix for low testosterone, which needs a diagnosis and care from your doctor. Beast Labs Nutrition Tongkat Ali 500mg is one of our best sellers in the last six months, with 500 mg of 200:1 extract per capsule, at $69.95 or about $1.17 a serve. Legit Tongkat Ali is another option at $69.95. Read our full tongkat ali guide first.
- Ashwagandha: small trials suggest it may help with stress and sleep, with a modest rise in testosterone in two small studies. The TGA has warned about rare liver injury, so skip it if you have liver problems. Beast Labs Nutrition Ashwagandha 600mg is $59.95. See our best ashwagandha in Australia guide.
Browse our herbal supplements for more, and read the label of anything you buy.
Our verdict
Fadogia agrestis is popular, but popularity is not evidence. There are no published human trials, and the rat studies that exist found signs of harm to the testes, liver and kidneys. We do not recommend it. If you are concerned about your energy, libido or testosterone, see your GP for a check-up first. If you still want a herbal product after that, choose one with at least some human research, such as tongkat ali. For a wider look at this category, read do testosterone boosters work?
Shop the products in this guide
Beast Labs Tongkat Ali 500mg 60 capsules$69.95
Legit Tongkat Ali 60 capsules$69.95
Beast Labs Ashwagandha 600mg 60 capsules$59.95
Browse our herbal supplements.
FAQs
Does Fadogia agrestis raise testosterone in humans?
No one knows, because it has not been tested in people. The only evidence for higher testosterone comes from a 2005 study in rats given a water extract of the stem for five days. Results in rats often do not carry over to humans, and later rat studies at the same doses found signs of harm to testicular function. If you think your testosterone is low, see your GP for a blood test.
Is Fadogia agrestis bad for your testicles?
It may be, based on animal research. In a 2008 study, rats given Fadogia stem extract every day for 28 days showed changes in markers of testicular function at all three doses tested, and the authors described these as adverse effects. Only the lowest dose had recovered 10 days after stopping. There is no human data either way, so avoid it, especially if you are trying for a baby.
How much Fadogia agrestis is safe to take?
There is no known safe dose, because no human safety studies have been published. The rat studies used 18 to 100 mg per kg of body weight of a simple water extract, which is not comparable with the concentrated capsules sold today. Products commonly contain 300 to 750 mg of extract per capsule. If you choose to take it anyway, never exceed the label dose and talk to your GP first.
What are the side effects of Fadogia agrestis?
Side effects in people are unknown, because no human studies have been published. In rats given a stem extract every day for 28 days, researchers found changes suggesting harm to testicular function, plus signs of damage to liver and kidney cells. Animal results do not always apply to humans, but they are a good reason for caution. If you take it and notice anything unusual, stop and see your GP.
Is tongkat ali better than Fadogia agrestis?
Tongkat ali at least has human research. A 2022 review of small randomised trials found a modest rise in total testosterone compared with placebo, mainly in men whose levels started low. The trials were few, varied and often industry funded. Fadogia agrestis has no published human trials at all. Neither replaces a check-up with your GP if you think your testosterone is low.
Sources: Yakubu et al. 2005, Fadogia agrestis in male rats, Asian Journal of Andrology; Yakubu et al. 2008, testicular function in rats, Journal of Ethnopharmacology; Yakubu et al. 2009, liver and kidney cells in rats, Human and Experimental Toxicology; Healthy Male: Do testosterone boosting supplements work?; Leisegang et al. 2022, tongkat ali meta-analysis, Medicina; TGA safety alert: herbal preparations containing Withania somnifera (ashwagandha), July 2026; product labels and brand nutrition panels, checked October 2026.
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Prices and stock were checked on 29 October 2026 and can change at any time. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant or take regular medication, check with your doctor first.
