The testosterone found in athlete Oscar Pistorius' home was a herbal remedy and was not banned, his advocate Barry Roux told the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.

"It is a herbal remedy," Roux said.

"It is not a steroid and it's not a banned substance."

Police investigating officer Hilton Botha had testified that investigators found a box of the male hormone testosterone and hypodermic needles in a box under a television set in Pistorius' house.

Pistorius is accused of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in the early hours on Thursday.

Roux said the police should have asked a pharmacist to test the substance as soon as possible.

"It's been gathered and they are doing tests," said Botha, who was being cross-examined by Roux.

Botha's testimony forms part of the State's opposition to an application for bail by Pistorius.

Pistorius has not formally pleaded yet, but has denied the murder allegation in an affidavit, which was read to the court on Tuesday.