A traditional Thai tonic marketed to raise testosterone, but human proof is essentially absent and high animal doses lowered it. The strongest signal is for firmer erections, from one small study clouded by hidden prescription-drug contamination. The main danger is adulteration, which can dangerously lower blood pressure alongside heart medicines. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Total testosterone | ~500–900 ng/dL | Defines whether a deficit exists and whether the herb changes it |
| Free testosterone | ~15–25 pg/mL (upper half) | The bioavailable fraction most tied to symptoms |
| Luteinizing hormone (LH) | ~2–8 IU/L | Pituitary signal to make testosterone; helps locate cause of low levels |
| Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) | ~1.5–8 IU/L | Distinguishes testicular vs. pituitary causes |
| Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) | ~20–40 nmol/L | Determines how much testosterone is free vs. bound |
| Estradiol | ~20–30 pg/mL | Herb's isoflavones act on estrogen pathways; watch for imbalance |
| ALT / AST | ALT <25 U/L; AST <25 U/L | Detects the liver stress flagged in animal studies |
| Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) | ~40–100 U/L | Rose at high doses in animals; liver/bone marker |
| Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) | <1.0–1.5 ng/mL | Prudent given androgenic marketing and prostate sensitivity |
| Hematocrit (within CBC) | ~40–48% | High-dose animal data altered blood counts; androgens can thicken blood |
Cadence: Baseline before starting; repeat hormone and liver panels at 6–8 weeks and 12 weeks, then discontinue if no objective benefit