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Bulbine natalensis

Bulbine Natalensis is a traditionally used aphrodisiac and Testosterone Booster in South and South-Eastern Africa; in rat studies, it appears to both be quite potent in increasing testosterone but also appears to damage organ function in a similar manner to a steroid cycle.

Our evidence-based analysis on bulbine natalensis features 9 unique references to scientific papers.

Kamal Patel
Research analysis led by and reviewed by the Examine team.
Last Updated:

Summary of Bulbine natalensis

Primary information, health benefits, side effects, usage, and other important details

Bulbine Natalensis is an herb from Southern and South Eastern Africa that has traditionally been used as an aphrodisiac as well as some other beneficial properties. Due to its influences on cognition and sexuality, it is currently being investigated for its effects on testosterone.

Three separate rat studies looking at serum testosterone levels note significant increases in circulating testosterone, and one study noted a decrease in estrogen levels as well. That being said, adverse effects have been reported on both the liver and kidneys with the exact same dosages seen to increase testosterone.

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How to Take

Recommended dosage, active amounts, other details

Rat studies investigating how bulbine natalensis interacts with testosterone note that 50mg/kg (of a 10:1 extraction) appear to be the optimal dosage, and based on Body Surface Area Conversions,[1] this correlates into an estimated human dose of 8mg/kg or:

  • 550mg for a 150lb person

  • 730mg for a 200lb person

  • 900mg for a 250lb person

These doses are currently only estimates, but they are within the range seen in the only industry funded trial on bulbine natalensis at this moment in time (which used 650mg).[2] Doses would be 10-fold higher if the raw plant is used without any particular extraction.

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Human Effect Matrix

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The Human Effect Matrix summarizes human studies to tell you what effects Bulbine natalensis has on your body, how much evidence there is, and how strong these effects are.

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Grade Level of Evidence
Robust research conducted with repeated double-blind clinical trials
Multiple studies where at least two are double-blind and placebo controlled
Single double-blind study or multiple cohort studies
Uncontrolled or observational studies only
Level of Evidence
? The amount of high quality evidence. The more evidence, the more we can trust the results.
Outcome Magnitude of effect
? The direction and size of the supplement's impact on each outcome. Some supplements can have an increasing effect, others have a decreasing effect, and others have no effect.
Consistency of research results
? Scientific research does not always agree. HIGH or VERY HIGH means that most of the scientific research agrees.
Notes
grade-d
Creatinine
- - See study
grade-d
Liver Enzymes
- - See study

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Things to Note

Is a Form Of

Primary Function:

Other Functions:

Also Known As

ibhucu, rooiwortel, ingcelwane

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Click here to see all 9 references.

This page is regularly updated, to include the most recently available clinical trial evidence.

Each member of our research team is required to have no conflicts of interest, including with supplement manufacturers, food companies, and industry funders. The team includes nutrition researchers, registered dietitians, physicians, and pharmacists. We have a strict editorial process.

This page features 9 references. All factual claims are followed by specifically-applicable references. Click here to see the full set of research information and references for Bulbine natalensis.

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