7 POWERFUL Chinese Herbs for Muscle Growth And Strength

By Alex Assoune Jul 16, 2025

Building muscle mass has traditionally relied on resistance training, proper nutrition, and adequate recovery. However, in recent years, there’s been a growing interest in natural supplements, particularly traditional Chinese herbs, to enhance muscle growth and athletic performance. These herbs have been used for centuries to strengthen the body, increase vitality, and balance energy—principles deeply rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

But can these ancient remedies support modern muscle-building goals? This article explores the best Chinese herbs for muscle growth, the science behind how they work, and how they can be safely integrated into a fitness routine.

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How Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Approaches Muscle Growth

In TCM, muscle growth isn’t just about lifting heavier weights—it’s about balancing Qi (vital energy), strengthening the Kidneys and Liver, improving blood circulation, and nourishing essence (Jing), which is believed to be the foundational life energy tied to physical strength and endurance.

TCM uses herbs to:

Replenish Qi and Blood for energy and tissue repair
Strengthen Kidney Yang to enhance vitality and muscle tone
Improve Liver function to support tendon and ligament health
Promote recovery and reduce inflammation

Let’s dive into the most respected Chinese herbs for muscle growth and the evidence supporting their use.

1. Cordyceps (Dong Chong Xia Cao, 冬虫夏草)

Key Benefits: Increases ATP production, boosts endurance, supports recovery.

Cordyceps is a parasitic fungus revered in Chinese medicine for its ability to enhance stamina and strength. Traditionally used to support lung and kidney function, modern studies show it can improve aerobic capacity, mitochondrial function, and testosterone levels—all important for muscle growth.

Scientific Insight:

A 2016 study in the Journal of Dietary Supplements found Cordyceps improved exercise performance and oxygen utilization in healthy adults.
It increases the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of the cell, which is vital for sustained workouts and recovery.

How to Use: Cordyceps can be taken as a capsule, powder, or tea, ideally before workouts to boost energy and stamina.

2. He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti, 何首乌)

Key Benefits: Rejuvenates energy, supports testosterone, promotes longevity.

He Shou Wu is one of the most well-known herbs in TCM for rejuvenation and anti-aging. It supports Kidney Jing, which is linked to hormonal health and physical vitality, making it helpful for building lean muscle mass.

Scientific Insight:

Animal studies suggest it helps regulate testosterone and promotes protein synthesis.
Contains zinc and other minerals essential for hormone production and tissue repair.

How to Use: Traditionally prepared (steamed with black beans) and taken as tea, capsules, or powder. Best used consistently for long-term results.

3. Deer Antler Velvet (Lu Rong, 鹿茸)

Key Benefits: Boosts IGF-1, supports joint health, enhances recovery.

Deer antler velvet is a prized tonic in Chinese medicine known for restoring yang energy and promoting growth and regeneration. It contains insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a hormone that plays a key role in muscle development and repair.

Scientific Insight:

Studies show IGF-1 stimulates muscle protein synthesis and enhances recovery.
It also contains collagen, amino acids, and minerals that support joint and connective tissue health.

How to Use: Available as powder, capsules, or tincture. Often cycled due to its hormonal effects.

4. Panax Ginseng (Ren Shen, 人参)

Key Benefits: Enhances physical performance, reduces fatigue, supports hormone balance.

Ginseng is considered a supreme adaptogen that strengthens Qi, improves energy, and enhances resistance to physical stress. It helps regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, improving overall stamina and resilience.

Scientific Insight:

A meta-analysis in the Journal of Ginseng Research (2018) found Panax ginseng significantly improved physical performance and fatigue resistance.
It may help increase testosterone levels and boost nitric oxide production, which improves blood flow to muscles.

How to Use: Best taken in the morning or pre-workout as a tea or extract.

5. Epimedium (Yin Yang Huo, 淫羊藿 / Horny Goat Weed)

Key Benefits: Increases testosterone, supports libido, boosts energy.

This herb is commonly used to tonify Kidney Yang and improve sexual vitality, but it also has benefits for athletic performance and muscle mass. The active compound, icariin, may mimic the effects of testosterone and support muscle hypertrophy.

Scientific Insight:

Icariin has been shown to stimulate muscle cell growth in vitro.
Animal studies suggest it enhances bone density and lean mass while reducing fat.

How to Use: Typically taken in capsule form or as a tea. Avoid high doses, as it can be overstimulating.

6. Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis, 当归)

Key Benefits: Nourishes blood, improves circulation, supports muscle repair.

Dang Gui is traditionally used for blood tonification and hormone regulation. In TCM, good blood flow is essential for delivering nutrients to tissues and facilitating recovery.

Scientific Insight:

Contains ferulic acid, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Supports estrogen balance, which plays a role in muscle repair for both men and women.

How to Use: Often used in combination with other herbs in teas or traditional formulas.

7. Goji Berries (Gou Qi Zi, 枸杞子)

Key Benefits: Antioxidant-rich, supports endurance, protects muscles from damage.

These small red berries are packed with antioxidants, amino acids, and polysaccharides, which support immunity, endurance, and recovery. In TCM, goji berries strengthen Liver and Kidney function—both essential to muscle development.

Scientific Insight:

A 2015 study found goji supplementation improved exercise performance and antioxidant capacity in athletes.
Rich in L-arginine and zinc, which help with hormonal support and nitric oxide production.

How to Use: Eat dried berries as a snack, add to smoothies, or brew as tea.

Combining Chinese Herbs for Synergy

Many of these herbs are even more effective when used in customized combinations. TCM practitioners often use herbal formulas tailored to an individual’s constitution. Some examples include:

Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill): Supports overall strength and stamina.
You Gui Wan: Tonifies yang energy for male vitality and recovery.
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang: Strengthens Qi and supports endurance.

Combining herbs can balance their effects—tonifying one system while supporting another—making them safer and more effective in the long term.

How to Use Chinese Herbs for Muscle Growth Safely

While these herbs are natural, they are also powerful medicinal substances. Here’s how to use them wisely:

1. Consult a TCM Practitioner

Personal constitution, digestion, and energy levels all affect which herbs are right for you. A trained practitioner can create a formula tailored to your body’s needs.

2. Start Slow

Begin with a low dose and monitor your body’s response. Some herbs may cause overstimulation, digestive upset, or interfere with medications.

3. Cycle Your Herbs

Some herbs (like deer antler velvet or horny goat weed) may affect hormones. To avoid dependency or desensitization, use them in cycles (e.g., 4 weeks on, 2 weeks off).

4. Support With Nutrition and Training

Herbs are not a replacement for proper diet or exercise. They work best as supportive tools in a comprehensive fitness program.

Final Thoughts: Can Chinese Herbs Really Boost Muscle Growth?

Yes—but with balance and intention. Chinese herbs don’t work like anabolic steroids or synthetic pre-workouts. Instead, they support the foundations of health—energy, hormone balance, circulation, and recovery—making them ideal for athletes seeking sustainable muscle growth.

By incorporating herbs like cordyceps, ginseng, deer antler velvet, and he shou wu, you can align with both ancient healing wisdom and modern fitness science. These herbs won’t give you overnight gains—but they can support long-term strength, resilience, and recovery in a natural and holistic way.

Summary Table: Top Chinese Herbs for Muscle Growth

Herb	Main Benefit	Best Time to Use
Cordyceps	Boosts endurance and ATP	Pre-workout
He Shou Wu	Supports testosterone and recovery	Daily (long-term use)
Deer Antler Velvet	Contains IGF-1 for muscle repair	Cyclical use
Panax Ginseng	Increases stamina, balances hormones	Morning or pre-workout
Epimedium	Boosts testosterone, builds lean mass	Morning, cycled use
Dang Gui	Improves blood circulation, aids recovery	Post-workout or evening
Goji Berries	Antioxidant, supports endurance	Snack, tea, or daily use

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About the Author: Alex Assoune

Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.

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