Does Ayurvedic treatment work for erectile dysfunction? No Ayurvedic herb has been shown in a sound trial to treat it. The one randomised trial of ashwagandha in men with ED found it no better than placebo, the two trials of gokshura disagree, and shilajit, safed musli and kaunch have been tested on testosterone, sperm or animals rather than on erections. Some Ayurvedic products have also been found to contain lead and mercury.
What is Ayurvedic treatment for ED?
Ayurvedic medicines are "a type of complementary medicine (sometimes known as 'traditional medicine') originating from India" (TGA). Its branch for sexual problems, vajikarana, pairs body cleansing, diet and conduct with individually chosen herbal and "herbo-mineral" mixes; a review of it notes a "lack of scientific studies" (Dalal et al., 2013). It is often sold as natural and holistic, but an AUST L number on the pack does not mean it has been shown to work: listed medicines "are not individually evaluated by the TGA for quality, safety and efficacy before they are supplied", and their claims may rest on "evidence of a history of traditional use" (TGA — Listed medicines).
Which herbs are used, and what did trials find?
Each has a long history of use and little evidence in men with ED.
| Herb | What it is | Best evidence in men |
|---|---|---|
| ashwagandha | Root of Withania somnifera | No better than placebo in 86 men with ED of psychological origin: scores improved 12.6% on the herb and 19.1% on placebo (Mamidi and Thakar, 2011). Trials in healthy men without ED reported better desire and satisfaction scores (Mutha et al., 2025; Khanna et al., 2026). |
| gokshura | Tribulus terrestris (Sudheendran et al.) | Better than placebo in 180 men with mild to moderate ED over 12 weeks (Kamenov et al., 2017); no better than placebo, and no change in testosterone, in 30 men over 30 days (Santos et al., 2014). |
| shilajit | "A complex mineral-organic resin derived from rocks" (Rizun et al., 2026) | Raised testosterone in healthy men aged 45 to 55 over 90 days (Pandit et al., 2016); no trial in men with ED found*. |
| safed musli | Root of Chlorophytum borivilianum | Semen and testosterone improved in healthy men aged 20 to 40 over 12 weeks; erections were not measured (Rath and Panja, 2013). The sexual-behaviour studies were in rats (Kenjale et al., 2008). |
| kaunch | Seed of Mucuna pruriens, "a natural source of levodopa" (Dhanasekaran et al., 2025) | Sperm count and motility improved in infertile men, with no placebo group (Ahmad et al., 2008); effects on sexual activity seen in rodents only. |
| ashvattha | Ficus religiosa | "Encouraging results" against placebo in a trial of 44 men with ED (Virani et al., 2010). |
* None turned up in a PubMed search on 26 September 2026.
A rise in testosterone or sperm count in healthy men is not a treatment for erection problems. Multi-herb formulas have produced promising but "very preliminary" results (Borrelli et al., 2018), and levodopa, the compound in kaunch, is a prescription-only ingredient in Australia (TGA).
Is Ayurvedic treatment safe?
Not automatically, because some formulas contain metals on purpose. The traditional practice of rasa shastra combines herbs with metals, minerals and gems; in a US study, one in five of 193 Ayurvedic medicines bought online contained detectable lead, mercury or arsenic (Saper et al., JAMA 2008). In Australia the TGA warned about Penisole capsules, labelled to contain a mix of lead, tin and zinc, and found to hold high levels of lead: taking them "could result in lead poisoning, a serious condition that can cause long-term health effects, including organ damage and death" (TGA, 2022). It still receives reports of lead poisoning linked to unregistered Ayurvedic medicines, and state testing has found lead, mercury and arsenic in several (TGA, 2025). Check for an AUST L or AUST R number; if you have taken a product like these, see your doctor or call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.
Is there an Ayurvedic Viagra?
No. A product sold as one either has no medicine's effect or may secretly contain a medicine: TGA testing of sex products sold as supplements or natural formulas has found undeclared sildenafil, tadalafil and dapoxetine — see the TGA's hidden-drug warnings. What Ayurveda offers men who ejaculate too soon is covered in Ayurvedic medicine for ED and premature ejaculation.
What works better than Ayurvedic herbs?
Changes with trial evidence behind them: weight loss, physical exercises such as pelvic-floor training, and stopping smoking — see natural remedies for erectile dysfunction. Erection problems can be an early sign of heart disease (healthdirect), so they are worth a GP visit before any herbal course.
The short answer
Ayurvedic herbs for erectile dysfunction are traditional, not proven: ashwagandha failed its one trial in men with ED, gokshura's trials disagree, and the rest have been tested on hormones, sperm or animals. Some Ayurvedic products contain lead or mercury. Every natural option is ranked by evidence in natural alternatives to Viagra.
