Turkesterone is a plant ecdysteroid that became popular online as a "natural anabolic", but the human evidence is thin. One 2019 study found a related compound, ecdysterone, improved muscle gains in young men over 10 weeks, but few trials have tested turkesterone itself. If you try it, choose a product that states how much turkesterone it contains, and keep your expectations modest.
What is turkesterone?
Turkesterone is an ecdysteroid found in the plant Ajuga turkestanica. Ecdysteroids are compounds plants and insects make. They are structurally different from human steroid hormones and do not act on the body's androgen receptors in the same way.
What does the research show?
- Ecdysterone (a related compound): in a 2019 study by Isenmann and colleagues, young men who took ecdysterone during a 10-week training program gained more muscle mass than those taking a placebo. The results led the World Anti-Doping Agency to add ecdysterone to its monitoring program.
- Turkesterone itself: published human trials are scarce, so claims about strength or muscle gains are mostly drawn from animal studies, cell studies and the ecdysterone research.
- Hormones: there is no good evidence that turkesterone raises testosterone in people.
How to read a turkesterone label
Many labels list a large amount of Ajuga turkestanica extract but not how much turkesterone it contains. Look for a standardisation percentage, which tells you the actual turkesterone dose.
| Product | Per serve | Turkesterone stated? | Price | Cost per serve |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Killer Labz Killer Turk | 1,000 mg Ajuga extract + 100 mg Rhaponticum extract + 30 mg Decasorb (2 capsules) | No percentage stated | $89.95 | $3.00 (30 serves) |
| Beast Labs Turkesterone 600 mg | 600 mg Ajuga extract standardised to 10% (1 capsule) | Yes: 60 mg | $89.95 | $0.75 (120 serves) |
Killer Turk review
Killer Turk combines 1,000 mg of Ajuga turkestanica extract with 100 mg of Rhaponticum carthamoides extract, which contains 20-hydroxyecdysone (another name for ecdysterone), plus Killer Labz's Decasorb absorption blend. The plus side is that it pairs two ecdysteroid sources, including the one that has been studied in people. The drawback is that the label does not say what percentage of the extract is turkesterone, so you cannot compare the dose with other products.
If you want a known dose, Beast Labs Turkesterone 600 mg states 60 mg of turkesterone per capsule and costs about 75 cents a day.
Safety and sport
- Long-term safety data in people is limited. Avoid it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and speak to your doctor if you take medication.
- Ecdysterone is on WADA's monitoring program. If you are drug tested, check the current WADA list and talk to your sport's anti-doping officer.
Our verdict
Turkesterone is interesting but unproven. If you try it, pick a product that states its turkesterone dose, give it a set trial with consistent training and diet, and judge it on your own results. For what reliably builds muscle, put creatine and enough protein first. See our testosterone booster guide.
Shop the products in this guide
Killer Labz Killer Turk
Beast Labs Turkesterone 600 mgBrowse the turkesterone range.
FAQs
Does turkesterone work?
The evidence is limited. A 2019 study of a related compound, ecdysterone, showed extra muscle gains in young men over 10 weeks of training, but few human trials have tested turkesterone itself. Any effect is likely to be modest.
Does turkesterone raise testosterone?
There is no good evidence that it does. Turkesterone is an ecdysteroid, not a testosterone booster, and does not work like human steroid hormones.
How much turkesterone should I take?
There is no established dose. Follow your product's label. Products that state a standardisation, such as Beast Labs' 600 mg capsule at 10% (60 mg turkesterone), let you know exactly what you are taking.
Is turkesterone banned in sport?
Ecdysterone is on the World Anti-Doping Agency's monitoring program. Rules change, so tested athletes should check the current WADA list and speak to their anti-doping officer before use.
Sources: Isenmann and colleagues (2019), ecdysterone supplementation in men; Sport Integrity Australia supplement survey; product labels and brand nutrition panels, checked October 2026.
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Prices and stock were checked on 22 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.
