Limited evidenceMen's health

Butea Superba

A Thai tuber root traditionally used for male sexual function. One small clinical trial from 2003 reported improvement in erectile function, and it has never been convincingly replicated.

Evidence last reviewed: August 2026

What the science says

Erectile function Limited evidence
A single small randomised trial in Thai men with erectile dysfunction reported that 1 g/day for three months improved self-rated erectile performance compared with placebo. It is one modest study by one research group, published in 2003, and no larger independent replication has appeared since.
Effects seen only in animals Limited evidence
Improved penile erection has been shown in diabetic rats, and isolated Butea isoflavones alter the reproductive organs of male mice. Animal findings of this kind frequently fail to carry over to humans.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseThe clinical trial used 1 g/day of dried root powder. Commercial capsules usually supply 250–500 mg once or twice daily, which is a label dose rather than a studied one.

SafetyHuman safety data are essentially limited to the one three-month trial. Isolated cases of raised liver enzymes and androgenic side effects have been reported with Thai root preparations, and product identity is a real problem because Butea superba is often confused or adulterated with Pueraria mirifica. Not for women, adolescents, or men with hormone-sensitive conditions.

Scientific references

Clinical trial of Butea superba, an alternative herbal treatment for erectile dysfunction
Cherdshewasart W, Nimsakul N — Asian J Androl, 2003
Butea superba (Roxb.) improves penile erection in diabetic rats
Tocharus C, Sooksaen P, Shimbhu D — Andrologia, 2012

Where to buy

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