Thai black ginger (Krachai Dam): the "Thai ginseng" for men, explained

Ask an older Thai man which herb is best for men, and one of the first answers will be krachai dam (Thai black ginger), an herb nicknamed "Thai ginseng" that has been steeped in traditional Thai tonics for generations.

The good news: black ginger is no longer just folklore. Researchers in Thailand and abroad have now studied it in people. Here is what they found, in plain language.

The 30-second summary

• Black ginger is a Thai herb from the ginger family with a deep purple rhizome
• Its key compounds are methoxyflavones, especially 5,7-DMF
• Human studies found positive results for male sexual performance, fitness and metabolism
• Modern men’s formulas often pair it with other ingredients that work in different ways

What is Thai black ginger?

Krachai dam (Kaempferia parviflora) belongs to the same family as ginger and galangal, and grows mostly in northern and north-eastern Thailand, in provinces such as Loei and Phetchabun.

The easiest way to recognise it: cut the rhizome open and the inside is deep purple, almost black, unlike the yellow fingerroot used in Thai cooking. Traditionally, the darker the colour, the better the quality.

In Thai traditional medicine it has long been used to restore energy and vitality, which is why it earned the name "Thai ginseng".

How does black ginger work?

The secret is a group of compounds called methoxyflavones, concentrated in the purple rhizome. The most studied one is 5,7-dimethoxyflavone (5,7-DMF).

Put simply, there are three main effects:

1. Blood flow. Lab studies found black ginger compounds moderately inhibit the PDE5 enzyme, the enzyme that makes blood vessels tighten again. If blood vessels are pipes, black ginger helps "keep the tap from closing too soon".
2. Physical fitness. Several human studies found improvements in grip strength and physical performance.
3. Metabolism. A Japanese study found it activates "brown fat", the type of fat that burns energy to make heat.

What do human studies say?

1. Sexual performance in older men

A 2012 Thai study (Wannanon et al.) gave 45 healthy older men either a placebo or 25 mg or 90 mg of black ginger extract a day for 2 months. The black ginger groups showed better sexual response than placebo. Interestingly, hormone levels did not change, which suggests black ginger does not work by altering hormones.

A 2018 pilot study in men aged 50–68 with mild problems found their sexual function (IIEF) scores improved after 30 days, although it had no placebo group.

2. Fitness and strength

A 2012 study (Wattanathorn et al.) gave 45 older adults black ginger for 8 weeks and found improvements in some measures of physical fitness, along with lower oxidative stress. In a 12-week study of football players, grip strength increased from week 4.

3. Energy expenditure

Matsushita and colleagues (Japan, 2015) found that a single dose of black ginger extract raised energy expenditure in healthy men, peaking within the first hour, most clearly in men with active brown fat. Placebo had no effect.

To be straight with you: most black ginger studies are small, so the results are "promising signals" that need more research, not a miracle. Still, that is more evidence than many herbs on the market have.

Why do men’s formulas pair black ginger with other ingredients?

A man’s body doesn’t rely on a single system: fitness, blood flow and energy all work together. That is why modern men’s formulas pair black ginger with ingredients that work in different ways, such as:

• L-Arginine, the amino acid the body uses to make nitric oxide, which helps blood vessels relax (read more: L-Arginine explained)
• Zinc, which contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood
• Korean ginseng and cordyceps, Asian herbs for vitality
• Black pepper extract, commonly used to support absorption of other ingredients

Nicky9 Men: black ginger in a 10-ingredient men’s formula

If you don’t want to boil black ginger yourself or juggle several bottles, Nicky9 Men (Nicky Pimpz 9) puts it all in one capsule.

Per capsule	Amount
L-Arginine	100 mg
Oyster extract	100 mg
African mango seed extract	75 mg
Korean ginseng extract	50 mg
Cordyceps extract	50 mg
Zinc bisglycinate	35 mg
Garlic extract	25 mg
Black ginger extract	25 mg
Black pepper extract	20 mg
Alpha-lipoic acid	20 mg

Why men choose Nicky9 Men

• ✅ Black ginger extract, not just ground rhizome powder
• ✅ Pocket-sized and discreet: 2 capsules in a small box that fits in a wallet
• ✅ Easy to use: 1 capsule about 15 minutes before activity
• ✅ Thai FDA registered: No. 74-2-05260-5-0012
• ✅ 10 ingredients in one capsule: no need to buy several bottles

👉 See details and order Nicky9 Men

How to choose a good black ginger product

1. Check for a Thai FDA number. The label should carry a 13-digit food registration number you can verify on the Thai FDA website.
2. Choose an extract over plain powder. Most human studies used extracts, which contain more of the active compounds.
3. Look at the rest of the formula. Pairing it with ingredients that work in different ways usually covers men’s needs better.
4. Follow the label. More is not better.

Cautions

A 2017 systematic review found no serious side effects of black ginger in human studies, but take care if you:

• Take blood pressure medication, nitrates or PDE5 inhibitors: talk to a doctor first, as the effects may add up and lower blood pressure too far
• Have heart, liver or kidney disease: check with a doctor before taking any supplement
• Are pregnant, breastfeeding, or a child: there is not enough safety data

Black ginger FAQ

What is the difference between black ginger and fingerroot?

They are different plants. Yellow fingerroot (krachai) is a cooking ingredient in Thai curries, while black ginger has a deep purple rhizome and is used mainly as a tonic herb.

Does black ginger affect hormones?

In the 2012 study of 45 older men, hormone levels did not change significantly.

How long should I take black ginger?

Most fitness and performance studies looked at 4–12 weeks of daily use. For a finished product, follow the label.

Can I take black ginger with L-arginine?

Yes. It is a popular pairing in men’s formulas because they work through different mechanisms, as in Nicky9 Men.

The bottom line

Black ginger is a Thai herb every man should know: from our fathers’ folk wisdom to human studies showing benefits for performance, fitness and metabolism. To get the most from it, pick a formula that pairs it with L-arginine, zinc and other herbs, like Nicky9 Men, and back it up with good sleep, exercise and a balanced diet.

References

1. Wannanon P, et al. Efficacy assessment of Kaempferia parviflora for the management of erectile dysfunction. OnLine J Biol Sci. 2012;12(4):149–155.
2. Open-label study of Kaempferia parviflora for erectile function in men aged 50–68. J Integr Med. 2018. (Trial registration NCT03389867)
3. Wattanathorn J, et al. Positive modulation effect of 8-week consumption of Kaempferia parviflora on health-related physical fitness and oxidative status in healthy elderly volunteers. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012.
4. Matsushita M, et al. Kaempferia parviflora extract increases whole-body energy expenditure in humans: roles of brown adipose tissue. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol. 2015;61(1):79–83.
5. PDE5 inhibitory activity of Kaempferia parviflora extracts and 7-methoxyflavones. J Ethnopharmacol. 2011.
6. Saokaew S, et al. Clinical effects of Krachaidum (Kaempferia parviflora): a systematic review. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017.

Dietary supplement — not intended to prevent or treat any disease. Eat a varied, balanced diet from all 5 food groups. This article is for education only and is not medical advice.