Supplement
Dactylorhiza hatagirea is a Himalayan orchid whose tuberous root has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine as a tonic, known as Salabmisri. People mostly look at it as a traditional aphrodisiac, and two rodent studies found extract increased mounting and other sexual behavior in male rats. The evidence is very limited: this is animal work only, it did not beat other Ayurvedic herbs, and its effects on testosterone were small.
- Updated
- How we grade
- Best evidence
- Grade D
- Conditions studied
- 0
- Outcomes
- 2
- Graded outcomes
- 0002
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
General
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Libido & Sexual Function In two rodent studies, Dactylorhiza hatagirea extract increased mounting frequency and sexual behavior parameters in rats, consistent with its traditional Ayurvedic use as an aphrodisiac (Salabmisri). However, effects did not outperform other Ayurvedic herbs, and no mechanism has been established. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | ||||
| Testosterone A single animal study suggested modest testosterone-boosting effects in rats following administration of Dactylorhiza hatagirea extract. The mechanism is unknown and the effect size was small compared to better-studied testosterone-supporting herbs. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect |
Key findings
- Libido & Sexual FunctionImproves (the measure goes up)
- TestosteroneImproves (the measure goes up)