Written by Ben Bunting: BA, PGCert. (Sport & Exercise Nutrition) // British Army Physical Training Instructor // S&C Coach.

--

Quick Bite:

You may have come across this extract when looking for a natural testosterone booster product.

This spiked my interest and therefore I decided to look into the available evidence online to see whether or not it is overliable and safe ingredient to use.

I found that there are no human studies and very few animal studies that's what suggest that this is a reliable and safe testosterone boosting supplement ingredient.

Caesalpinia Benthamiana is an exotic plant found across various tropical regions, has long enthralled botanists and nature enthusiasts with its exquisite beauty.

As part of its sustainable nature and capacity to draw pollinators, Caesalpinia Benthamiana plays an essential role in ecological balance. Nectar-rich flowers attract insects that promote biodiversity while contributing to overall ecosystem health. 

Renowned for its vibrant flowers and unique foliage, Caesalpinia Benthamiana has long been revered for its ornamental value.

With stunning blooms ranging from fiery red to sunny yellow hues, the Fireweed plant is a sought-after feature in gardens and landscapes around the world.

But its true glory lies within its supposed medicinal benefits; from leaves to bark it apparently offers multiple healing properties.

Scientific studies have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial qualities of Caesalpinia Benthamiana plants; making it an invaluable component in traditional medicines, but the question is how beneficial it is for humans.

What is Caesalpinia benthamiana?

Caesalpinia benthamiana is an African tropical plant used as an antimalarial in Guinean traditional medicine.

Claimed Medicinal uses

Caesalpinia benthamiana (Mezoneuron benthamianum) is an ascending tropical climbing plant native to Africa with deep purple stems and leaflets with elliptical edges, used medicinally.

Guinean traditional medicine prescribes decoctions made from its roots, bark and leaves as medicine against various illnesses ranging from snakebites to depression and anxiety - as well as drinking decoctions of its roots, bark and leaves to treat urethral discharge.

In Senegal an infusion of roots is taken in bathing against general malaise while an infusion made from roots is used against general malaise while liquid made from roots is used against general malaise.

In Nigerian and Cote d'Ivoire while decoctions made from its stems may also serve as masticators aphrodisiac properties and used as medicine against general malaise; finally Ghana uses it as an aphrodisiac to cure diseases that would otherwise come up.

Caesalpinia Contains Phytochemicals

This powerful insecticidal agent acts as an insecticidal, antifungal and anthelmintic while possessing numerous phytochemicals including Gallic acid derivatives flavonoids flavonoids phenols and anthraquinones.

C. benthamiana leaves extracted with 70% EtOH were found to contain abundant antioxidants with high free radical scavenging activity, along with flavonoids, terpenoids and saponins that contribute to its antimalarial properties.

Furthermore, its leaf extract also contained iridoids (javanicosides A and B), possibly responsible for its antimalarial action; their presence supported ethnopharmacological use of Mezoneuron benthamianum as an antimalarial.

Root extract of Caesalpinia was proven effective against P. falciparum parasites and revealed other active compounds such as Gallic acid derivatives, anthraquinones and saponins that make its root aqueous extract highly effective against inflammation, diarrheal symptoms and infection.

In vitro studies show that an aqueous root extract of Caesalpinia Benthamiana inhibits fungi and parasite growth while increasing endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase expression, potentially leading to increased blood flow and reduced inflammation, while having aphrodisiac effects in male rats.

It May Increase Nitric Oxide

Caesalpinia benthamiana roots were evaluated for vasorelaxant properties using an aqueous extract of its roots, and found to have significant effects on endothelial isoform of nitric oxide synthase activity in precontracted rat aortic rings pretreated with phenylephrine, strong ROS-scavenging activity, as well as enhanced mRNA expression of eNOS and stimulation of cell-free and cellular systems respectively.

Alexis Zamble and colleagues discovered in 2008 that Caesalpinia benthamiana roots contain vaso-relaxing properties and stimulate nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression, while their extract also contains numerous phenolic compounds believed to possess vasoactive activities.

Its vasorelaxant properties may be due to high levels of phenolic compounds present within these extracts as well as its ability to induce NO production within vascular beds.

Caesalpinia is used to Improve Libido

Roots from this plant are widely used in alcoholic beverages and as an aphrodisiac to help men overcome impotence.

A macerate made from leafy twigs may also help, while those suffering from venereal diseases often receive a decoction made from its root as prescribed treatment; furthermore, drinking root decoction also treats urethral discharges, skin diseases and wounds. However, there is very little scientific evidence that it is effective.

Does Caesalpinia Benthamiana Increase Testosterone?

Although research on this herb has not yet been completed, it is believed to be a powerful aphrodisiac that may also increase levels of Nitric Oxide production.

However, there are no human studies available, so all we have got to go on are studies on animals.

The study published in November 2022 looked at the toxicity of the plant extract to see how it's affected the reproductive system in rats.

It was found that the plant extract had a negative effect on the reproduction productive function with prolonged use and it may not be an ideal supplement to use for men who wish to reproduce and have a family of their own.

A further study published in April of 2021 show that the extract did increase sexual behaviour and did improve testosterone levels however once again this was a study on that and not humans and therefore cannot be considered reliable or other gold standard.

Hydroethanolic root-bark extracts of C. benthamiana, Sphenocentrum jollyanum, and Paullinia pinnata were tested for their ability to combat testicular testosterone decline in rats in a recent study.

The results demonstrated that all three plants' extracts were effective at protecting testosterone levels but its success depended upon concentration, duration and treatment duration - the ethyl acetate fraction from C. benthamiana being the most successful at doing this job.

Funnily enough all online websites that suggest this plant extract increases testosterone for people are not reputable sources and would gain money from suggesting and implying that this plant extract does increase testosterone.

Unfortunately there are some testosterone boosters that do include this ingredient but there is no strong gold standard evidence suggesting that it is effective and safe in human-beings.

Therefore avoid any products that do include this as there may be a toxicity issue.

Precautions

The earlier mentioned 2022 study did warn males from using it as it may damage their chances of reproducing. 

Conclusion

Okay, well, even though there are some testosterone boosters supplements that contain this plant extract and there is quite a bit of folklore and mythology surrounding its usefulness to improve libido and testosterone levels there's nothing available that proves this extract can safely and reliably increase natural testosterone levels in human subjects.

The only studies that are available include animals and not people. One study even suggests that men do not use it as it could potentially harm their fertility status.

As such we would recommend that you do not use this extract or use any products that's included.