Evidence supporting the use of: Cnidium
For the body system: Male Reproductive System

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Table of Contents

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Cnidium (Cnidium monnieri) is primarily used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to support male reproductive health, particularly for issues related to sexual function such as impotence and low libido. The seeds, known as "She Chuang Zi," have a long history of use as an herbal aphrodisiac and are thought to "tonify" kidney yang, which is associated with sexual vitality in TCM theory. Historical texts describe its use for increasing libido, improving erectile function, and addressing male infertility.

Scientific studies on cnidium’s effects on the male reproductive system are limited, but some preclinical research suggests that its active compounds, such as osthole, may enhance nitric oxide production and improve blood flow, potentially aiding erectile function. However, most evidence comes from animal studies or in vitro experiments, not robust human clinical trials. Thus, while traditional use is well documented and there is some preliminary pharmacological support, high-quality scientific validation in humans is lacking.

Overall, cnidium’s use for male reproductive health is primarily justified by tradition, with a moderate level of supporting evidence from laboratory research but insufficient human data to rate it higher.

More about Cnidium
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ashwagandha
aspartic acid
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caterpillar mushroom
catuaba
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Cnidium
cordyceps
cowage seed
Crinum latifolium
cruciferous
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Curculigo orchioides
Cyanotis arachnoides
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d-alpha tocopherol
D-Aspartic Acid
damiana
date
deer velvet
DHEA
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dodder
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elk antler
equol (proprietary)
Euryale seed
Eurycoma Longifolia
eurycomanone
Fadogia agrestis
fatty acids
fenugreek
fish
fo-ti
folate
folic acid
furostanols
garden cress
ginseng
Ginsenosides
gokhru
herbal blend (proprietary)
horny goat weed
Hygrophila
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Indian sarsparilla
Jatropha macrantha
Kigelia africana
Kokilaksha
L-arginine
L-citrulline
Leptadenia
lingzhi
lipids
Loranthus
lycopene
maca
macaenes
macamides
magnesium
maral root
Massularia acuminata
Melatonin
Montanoa tomentosa
Muira puama
Nettle
Nigella seed
Nymphaea caerulea
Orchis latifolia
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parsley
Pedalium
pomegranate
protein
Protodioscin
pumpkin
pygeum
Rehmannia
rehmannia glutinosa
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royal jelly
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saffron
saw palmetto
selenium
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sesame
Shataverins
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smilax
suma
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trace minerals
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Products containing Cnidium

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.