Is Butea Superba the Ultimate Male Elixir or Some Overhyped Herb?

Have you been experiencing some sort of—how do we put it?—“issues” in the bedroom?

Maybe you feel frustrated because you just can’t “get into it”, or because the action between the sheets just doesn’t feel as exciting as it once was. Or maybe you’ve recently started ”feeling old” even though you’re in your twenties or thirties.

The bad news is that the pesky things described above are often a matter of hormonal imbalance in men. The good news, on the other hand, is that in most cases they don’t require any form of heavy treatment.

In fact, sometimes the right herb is just enough to fix everything.

Meet Butea Superba

The alternative approach we’re going to share today has been practiced in Thailand for centuries already, and now we have some scientific evidence confirming its effectiveness.

Butea Superba or Red Kwao Krua (not to be confused with Butea Monosperma or White Kwao Krua) is an androgenic herb originating in Thailand. It is widely used as an aphrodisiac and to reverse erectile dysfunction. The herb is popular amongst Thailand’s male populace for its presumed effects on aging and sexual drive.

Butea Superba has a rather unusual composition. It contains both phytoandrogens and phytoestrogens (plant male and female hormones, respectively), but it also has anti-estrogenic compounds, which perhaps act to even out the estrogenic properties of the plant.

Long story short, it helps to restore hormonal balance in men and alleviates testosterone decline.

Of course, Butea is NOT some sort of magic plant that will cure all your problems overnight (herbs don’t work this way), especially if the issue is serious or long-lasting. Phytotherapy works slowly and steadily, so some people may need weeks or even months to see results.

An Elixir of Manliness?

A man’s testosterone levels are at its peak during the early to mid twenties and slowly decline as a natural part of aging—at a rate of 0.4–2% per year after a man hits his 30. Remember that testosterone is the hormone that’s responsible for most male characteristics such as body hair, a deep voice, greater muscle mass, and sexual drive.

Low testosterone can also stem from hormonal disorders, obesity, injury to the testicles, infection, and even lack of sleep. When testosterone levels are low, it can be difficult to gain and maintain muscle, get through a workout, and remain at optimal sexual performance.

What Butea Superba does to alleviate this process is that it increases DHT, as shown by several studies. DHT or dihydrotestosterone, is a powerful metabolite of testosterone that’s responsible for most of its effects such as increasing libido, reversing erectile dysfunction, boosting strength, and promoting that alpha-male feeling.

Looking into the Science

While there aren’t too many studies to support the relationship between Butea Superba and increased testosterone, the few that exist show promising and interesting results.

In a human study conducted in 2012 by the Mahidol Nutrition Society at the Mahidol University in Thailand, researchers found that taking the herb regularly leads to a marked increase in DHT levels. Stopping intake for only a week already caused drops in both DHT levels and libido. While the study involved only one subject, it highlights the herb’s potential in boosting testosterone.

In another human study, testosterone levels increased by a whopping 11% in male subjects with erectile dysfunction. This was after taking 1,000mg of Butea Superba per day for three months.

There’s also a case study involving a 35-year-old man who was diagnosed with hyperandrogenemia (excessive androgen levels) and reported having an unusually high sexual drive. According to the results of his lab test, the man’s DHT level was 1512pg/ml—and just to be clear, that’s really high (the normal range is 112-955 pg/ml).

It turns out that the man had been taking Red Kwao for a few weeks to prevent hair loss, to which the medical experts pointed as the source of his increased androgenicity. The man was then advised to stop using the herb, and a week after, both his DHT levels and sexual drive were back to normal.

One of the strong active compounds found in Butea Superba is cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor, which supports the activation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)—a secondary messenger between hormones and cells. The plant works similarly to Forskolin, another herb that boosts cAMP and thereby also raises testosterone and stimulates the androgen receptors.

Any Other Health Benefits?

While the herb’s manliness-boosting effects are quite impressive, it wouldn’t be as popular if it didn’t have other perks to offer. And yes, Butea Superba does have important benefits beyond enhancing your sex life. Here’s a closer look at some:

Increases Energy

In addition to its benefits on male sexual performance, Butea Superba also gives men increased energy, strength, and muscle tone, as well as faster recovery. This is due to the abundance of phytoandrogens within the plant.

Improves Heart Health

While scientific evidence is lacking, individuals who take Butea Superba generally have more balanced cholesterol and hormone levels. This is perhaps due to the herb’s flavonoid and phytonutrient content, which have direct effects on the cardiovascular function. For instance, one of Butea’s antioxidants is (-)-epicatechin, a substance that increases nitric oxide (NO) synthesis. NO is the body’s universal vasodilator (it widens the blood vessels), meaning that it helps in preventing

Combats Inflammation

Butea Superba contains many organic substances and compounds with powerful anti-inflammatory properties, making it an ideal remedy for various inflammatory conditions and chronic diseases such as arthritis, hemorrhoids, and gout. We recommend combining it with Berberine for best anti-inflammatory effects based on our personal experience.

Potent Antidepressant Effects

A study that examined the effects of Butea Superba in mice subjected to chronic stress found that the herb can improve stress-induced depression-like symptoms by increasing the levels of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and stimulating neurogenesis in the brain.

Improves Bone Density

Those who consume Butea Superba show a significant increase in bone mineral density and bone strength, mainly thanks to the increase in testosterone levels. This effect can also be attributed to the herb boosting effect on the nutrient uptake in the gut. As such, Butea can be quite beneficial for people suffering from degenerative bone diseases like osteoporosis.

Fights Hair Loss

Butea Superba has also been traditionally used as a hair regrowth and strengthening agent in Thailand. Like saw palmetto, it stimulates certain processes in men to end the long-standing problem of hair loss and thinning. Modern studies suggest that this is thanks to the compound known as procyanidin B2, an antioxidant found in Butea Superba, apples, grapes, and other fruits as well.

May Help Treat Cancer

A compound known as procyanidin B5 has been reported to have anti-tumor properties. The herb inhibits certain enzymatic reactions in the body, thereby preventing cancerous cells from multiplying.

What’s the Right Dose?

Butea Superba is not widely sold and there are no established guidelines on dosing. However, based on its traditional use in Thailand, the herb is often taken in amounts ranging from 100 to 250 mg.

Knowing the Risks Involved

Butea Superba has no known allergenic tendency and doesn’t cause serious side effects, but there are not enough studies about these things to know for certain. So, just to be sure, consult your doctor before incorporating this potent supplement into your health regimen—especially if you’re currently taking medications.

The Bottom Line: Should You Take Butea Superba?

All in all, Butea Superba is an all-natural herbal supplement that can make you feel manlier—or at least help you with that. Although evidence in support of its potency and safety is still somewhat limited, those who’ve been taking the herb for quite some time can vouch for its effectiveness.

Traditionally in Thailand Butea Superba is often used in combination with another native aphrodisiac called Black Ginger, that is even more potent in the blood flow aspect of sexual function. In combination with the androgenic effects of Butea Superba it is an excellent combo that we highly recommend.

Since there are no significant risks involved, it’s safe to say that you can at least try the stuff and see how it works for you. No, it won’t be a full transformation after a dose or two—but at least you’ll be on the right track to improvement, according to science.