Moderate evidencePhysical performance

Black Ginger (Kaempferia parviflora)

A Thai rhizome rich in methoxyflavones, sold for stamina and fat loss. The body-composition evidence is the stronger half; the exercise performance data are genuinely mixed.

Evidence last reviewed: August 2026

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What the science says

Reduction in body fat Moderate evidence
Two 12-week randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in overweight adults reported reductions in body fat, including visceral fat, with a standardised polymethoxyflavone extract. The changes were small, both trials were conducted with manufacturer involvement, and neither was large.
Physical performance and stamina Limited evidence
Results conflict. A randomised trial in soccer players found improvements in some fitness measures after several weeks of supplementation, but an earlier placebo-controlled study found no effect of acute ingestion on sprint or endurance performance. The pattern suggests any benefit is small and does not come from a single dose.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseBody-composition trials used about 100 mg per day of a standardised extract for 12 weeks. Performance studies have used single or short-term doses in the range of roughly 90–180 mg. A dedicated safety trial evaluated daily consumption over 12 weeks.

SafetyWell tolerated in 12-week trials, with no consistent changes in liver or kidney markers. Methoxyflavones show PDE5-inhibiting and vasodilatory activity in laboratory work, so caution is warranted for anyone taking nitrates or erectile dysfunction drugs, or with low blood pressure. Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding, where there are no data.

Scientific references

Polymethoxyflavone purified from Kaempferia parviflora reduces visceral fat in Japanese overweight individuals: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Yoshino S, Tagawa T, Awa R, Ogasawara J, Kuwahara H, Fukuhara I — Food Funct, 2021
Kaempferia parviflora Extract (SIRTMAX®) reduces body fat in adults who are overweight: a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Sung HK, Kim J, Oh D, Eun SW, Tatsuzaki J, Shin SM, Jeong SH — Front Nutr, 2025
No effect of acute ingestion of Thai ginseng (Kaempferia parviflora) on sprint and endurance exercise performance in humans
Wasuntarawat C, Pengnet S, Walaikavinan N, Kamkaew N, Bualoang T, Toskulkao C, McConell G — J Sports Sci, 2010

Where to buy

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