The use of Butea superba (Roxb.) compared to sildenafil for treating erectile dysfunction

What is Butea Superba?

Butea superba (Red Kwao Krua) is a vining shrub native to Thailand, traditionally used to support male sexual health and vitality.

The Study: Clinical Trial Overview

• Design: 3-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
• Participants: Thai men aged 30–70 with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction
• Dosage: 250 mg Butea superba capsules, taken twice daily for the first 4 days, then four capsules per day for the remaining period
• Evaluation: International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) questionnaire and sexual activity records

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19624593/

Key Findings

1. Erectile Improvement
   Participants showed significant improvements in 4 out of 5 IIEF-5 items, including confidence and erection frequency.
   82.4% of men taking Butea superba reported noticeable improvement.
2. Safety
   No adverse changes were found in blood tests, liver or kidney function, or testosterone levels throughout the 3-month trial.
3. Placebo Group Dropouts
   All participants in the placebo group dropped out before study completion, suggesting no placebo effect was observed.

Important Notes

Another study comparing Butea superba to sildenafil found inconsistent results, potentially due to contamination with chemical PDE-5 inhibitors in some supplement batches. This highlights the importance of choosing high-quality, verified products.

Animal studies also showed that high doses may disrupt hormones or alter blood chemistry, although such effects were not observed at normal human doses in the clinical trial.

Practical Summary

• Dosage used in study: Approximately 1 g per day (250 mg capsules, up to 4 per day)
• Reported benefits: Around 80% saw improvements in erectile function
• Safety: Well-tolerated over 3 months, but ensure quality-tested products

Safety Tips

• Choose supplements tested for purity to avoid contamination
• Follow studied dosage guidelines (do not exceed ~1 g/day)
• Consult your doctor before use, especially if you take medications or have hormone-sensitive conditions

This clinical trial suggests Butea superba may improve erectile function safely when used at studied doses. However, product quality is critical, and further large-scale studies would strengthen current evidence.

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