The first reference to this particular medicinal plant that grows in tropical climates is referenced in 1214 A.D. Physicians during this period of time were using Aframomum melegueta for various medical purposes. It was referred to by numerous names through the ages, including African pepper and Grains of Paradise.
The first official scientific reference to this plant was published in 1904 when it was referred to as Guinea grains and also Alligator pepper.
As with many testosterone boosting ingredients, there is only limited research that has recently begun to be published on the effectiveness of Aframomum melegueta on testosterone levels. These particular research studies that we found regarding Aframomum melegueta were all conducted on Wistar rats, rather than human subjects.
Study #1:
The first research study we looked at was conducted in 2013 by Akpanabiatu, Ekpo, et al. at the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Uyo, in Nigeria. They were looking at the acute toxicity and biochemical impact of Aframomum melegueta seed oil on male Wistar albino rats.
It was not noted how large the sample size of test subject rats were, but the test groups (not the control group) received 27.39, 54.77, and 82.16 mg/kg body weight of the extract for 7 days.
The researchers found a significant increase in testosterone levels for all test groups, compared to the control group.
Study #2:
The second research study we looked at was conducted by Mbongue, Kamtchouing, and Dimo at the Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plant Studies, Yaounde, Cameroon in 2012 and they were trying to determine the impact of Aframomum melegueta on reproductive function of mature male rats. They used Wistar rats and provided them an aqueous extract of dry seeds from Aframomum melegueta.
They found up to a 300% increase in testosterone levels in serum (blood samples). They also noted an increase in testosterone levels in the testes directly. They did not note any significant difference in testosterone levels based on dosages.
Study #3:
The final research study we found that was conducted on Aframomum melegueta and associated directly with testosterone levels was conducted in 2002 by Kamtchouing, Mbongue, Dimo, et al. at the Laboratory of Animal Physiology at the University of Yaounde, Cameroon. These researchers were not directly looking at testosterone levels, but rather sexual behavior of male rats after taking Aframomum melegueta.
The test subject rats were given an aqueous extract of Aframomum melegueta at 150 mg/kg body weight.
The researchers found a significant increase in penile erection indices as well as frequencies of intromission and ejaculation. This could directly be linked to an increase in testosterone levels in the body.