Evidence supporting the use of: Dodder
For the body system: Male Reproductive System
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Dodder (Cuscuta species) has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda, as an herb supporting the male reproductive system. In TCM, dodder seed (known as Tu Si Zi) is often used to "tonify the kidney yang," which is believed to support male fertility, libido, and overall reproductive health. It is commonly found in herbal formulas aimed at treating conditions such as impotence, premature ejaculation, and infertility. The traditional rationale for its use is based on centuries of empirical practice rather than rigorous scientific validation.
Scientific studies are relatively limited, but some preclinical research suggests that dodder seed extracts may have androgenic or spermatogenic effects. For example, several animal studies indicate that dodder seed extracts can increase sperm count, improve sperm motility, and elevate testosterone levels in rodents. However, robust human clinical trials are lacking, and the mechanisms of action remain unclear. Therefore, while there is some preliminary scientific support, the body of evidence is not strong enough to be conclusive. As such, the primary justification for using dodder to support the male reproductive system remains rooted in tradition, with moderate scientific support.
Other ingredients that support Male Reproductive System
amino acidsashwagandha
aspartic acid
beta-sitosterol
sesame
boron
broccoli
caterpillar mushroom
cordyceps
cowage seed
d-alpha tocopherol
damiana
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DIM (diindolylmethane)
fenugreek
folate
ginseng
gokhru
L-arginine
L-citrulline
lycopene
maca
magnesium
Melatonin
Muira puama
Nettle
parsley
pomegranate
protein
pumpkin
pygeum
rehmannia glutinosa
saffron
saw palmetto
selenium
black ginger
Tongkat ali
tribulus
velvet bean
vitamin B
vitamin D
vitamin E
Zinc
suma
anise
smilax
Caesalpinia crista
lingzhi
cistanche
dodder
royal jelly
equol (proprietary)
trace minerals
barrenwort
wheat germ
herbal blend (proprietary)
Yohimbe
antler
Angelica
Alchornea
avocado
Abuta
Allium tuberosum
anti-aromatase
animal protein
black seed
Butea monosperma
black galingale
Beef liver
Bulbine natalensis
Brazil nut
ba ji tian
Butea superba
bee products
Borassus aethiopum
Curculigo orchioides
Chinese mountain ant
Cucurbita
Cnidium
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cynomorium
Chinese fleeceflower
Chinese pond turtle
Chlorophytum
cruciferous
Cyanotis vaga
catuaba
Crinum latifolium
Cyanotis arachnoides
DHEA
D-Aspartic Acid
deer velvet
date
eurycomanone
egg
Euryale seed
elk antler
Eurycoma Longifolia
folic acid
fo-ti
furostanols
fish
fatty acids
Fadogia agrestis
Ginsenosides
garden cress
Hygrophila
horny goat weed
Indian sarsparilla
icariin
Jatropha macrantha
Kigelia africana
Kokilaksha
Leptadenia
Loranthus
lipids
macamides
maral root
Massularia acuminata
Montanoa tomentosa
macaenes
Nigella seed
Nymphaea caerulea
Orchis latifolia
Osthole
Protodioscin
Pedalium
Rehmannia
Rhaponticum
Selenocysteine
Selenomethionine
Safed musli
Semecarpus anacardium
Shataverins
Shilajit
Trichilia catigua
Tribuloside
Tiger Nut
Tribulus Terrestris
Withanolides
Walnut
Yohimbine
Other body systems supported by dodder
BladderFemale Reproductive System
Kidneys
Liver
Male Reproductive System
Reproductive System