Our last update featured a study that showed the exclusive consumption of Black Tea in mice raised testosterone by 34.4% and reduced DHT by 72%. Propecia also lowers DHT by 71% and raises testosterone by a mere 10%. The following study corroborates this prior study and showed that Black Tea orally consumed raised testosterone and increased mating activity within 3 hrs at all dose concentrations Had this study evaluated serum DHT levels, it no doubt would have found them to be markedly reduced in the Black Tea group. Unlike Propecia, there were no problematic side effects, ie impaired libido, gynocomastia, possible psychiatric/neurologic consequences.

      Unlike DHT and Androstenedione, Testosterone itself is not problematic for those with MPB. In fact, those with MPB have been found to have lower levels of testosterone. In men, testosterone declines relative to estrogen and DHT with age and predisposes to increased hair loss and prostate problems. Propecia, and Black Tea (merely consumed as a beverage), both lower DHT by 72 % in mice. Propecia can cause a host of side effects and averages about $65.00 a month. Black Tea Extract, in addition to increasing testosterone, provides a plethora of anti-aging/ health benefits that extend well beyond the treatment of hair loss. 

J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Aug 13;118(3):373-7. Epub 2008 May 4.

Effect of black tea brew of Camellia sinensis on sexual competence of male rats.
Ratnasooriya WD, Fernando TS

Department of Zoology, University of Colombo, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka. wdr@zoology.cmb.ac.lk

AIM: In Sri Lankan traditional medicine black tea brew (BTB) of Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze (Theaceae) is claimed to have male stimulant activity. As this claim is not scientifically tested and proven, this study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of BTB on male sexual competence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Different doses of BTB made from Sri Lankan high grown dust grade no 1 tea (84, 167 and 501 mg/ml) or water were orally administered to separate groups of rats (n=9 per group) and 3h later their sexual behaviour were monitored (for 15 min) using receptive females. RESULTS: The overall results showed that BTB possesses marked aphrodisiac activity (in terms of prolongation of latency of ejaculation shortening of mount- and intromission latencies and elevation of serum testosterone level).The aphrodisiac action had a rapid onset and appears to be mediated via inhibition of anxiety and elevation of serum testosterone level. Further, this aphrodisiac action was not associated with impairment of other parameters like libido, motivation, arousal, vigour. BTB was also nontoxic (in terms of overt signs, liver and renal toxicity). CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that BTB can function as a quick acting, safe, oral aphrodisiac which may also be useful in certain forms of sexual inadequacies such as premature ejaculation and impaired libido and other functions.