Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia)

What is it?

Tongkat Ali, also known as Eurycoma longifolia or "Malaysian ginseng," is a medicinal herb native to Southeast Asia. It has been traditionally used in Malaysian, Indonesian, and Thai medicine for its potential to enhance male fertility, boost libido, increase energy levels, and improve overall health.

How does it work for medicinal purposes?

Tongkat Ali works by enhancing the body's production of testosterone, which can improve sexual health, physical performance, and overall well-being. It contains compounds that promote the release of free testosterone, reduce cortisol levels (a stress hormone), and support muscle growth and recovery. Tongkat Ali also exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, contributing to its overall health benefits.

What are the active ingredients that are important for its medicinal properties?

The primary active ingredients in Tongkat Ali include:

• Quassinoids: Such as eurycomanone, eurycomanol, and eurycomalactone, which contribute to its testosterone-boosting and anti-inflammatory effects.
• Alkaloids: Provide various health benefits, including improved libido and sexual function.
• Flavonoids: Act as antioxidants, protecting cells from oxidative damage.
• Glycosaponins: Support overall health and wellness.

What forms does it come in?

• Root extract powder
• Capsules or tablets
• Tinctures and liquid extracts
• Tea (from dried root)

What if I have an imbalance or deficiency?

Tongkat Ali can help address hormonal imbalances related to low testosterone levels, which can affect sexual health, energy levels, and muscle mass. Including Tongkat Ali in your regimen can support overall vitality, improve physical performance, and enhance well-being.

When was it first used for medicinal purposes?

Tongkat Ali has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries in traditional Southeast Asian medicine. It has been traditionally employed to enhance male fertility, increase libido, and boost energy levels.

What does Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) help with?

Tongkat Ali is a small tree from Southeast Asia. Its bitter root has long been used in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand as a male tonic. People take it for energy, sex drive and stress.

• Feeling stressed and worn down
  Good evidence — human trials in stressed adults that measured the stress hormone cortisol. In clinical trials with stressed adults, people who took Tongkat Ali had lower cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone the body makes under stress. Those users also reported less tension, anger and confusion.
  Evidence grade B · Traditional tier T2
• Low sex drive
  Good evidence — clinical trials in both men and women reporting on desire. This is one of its oldest uses, and trials back it up. People in these studies reported more desire after several weeks of steady use. Researchers tie the change to hormones and lower stress, not to a stimulant kick.
  Evidence grade B · Traditional tier T2
• Low testosterone in men
  Good evidence — human studies in men with low-normal levels. Studies looked at men whose levels were low-normal from age, stress or lifestyle. Testosterone readings went up in these men. Part of the shift came from freeing testosterone that was bound and not active, and part from lower stress hormones.
  Evidence grade B · Traditional tier T2
• The slow drop in hormones with age (andropause)
  Good evidence — clinical studies in aging men. Testosterone falls slowly as men get older. In studies of aging men, levels moved back toward the range seen in younger men. Those men also reported better energy, mood and sex life.
  Evidence grade B · Traditional tier T2
• Sperm count and quality
  Early evidence — several clinical studies in men with fertility worries. Several studies in men with fertility problems measured sperm before and after. Sperm count, movement and shape all looked better. Researchers think this follows from its effects on testosterone and from antioxidant action in the testes.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T2
• Strength and workout results
  Early evidence — trials in recreationally active men, with modest results. Trials gave Tongkat Ali to active men who were also lifting weights. The men gained a little more strength and lost a little more fat. The gains were modest, and the weight training was part of the picture.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T2
• Anxiety and low mood
  Early evidence — mood scores taken inside stress-focused trials, not mood trials of their own. In the stress trials, people filled out mood questionnaires. After a few weeks they reported less tension and a steadier mood. Mood was a side measure in this work, not the main target.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T2
• Trouble getting an erection
  Long traditional use · not yet tested in trials — reasoning from its hormone and stress effects, with no trial on erections on file. Tongkat Ali is not a drug for erection problems. The thinking is that men whose trouble comes from stress or low hormones might notice a change. That idea rests on how it acts elsewhere in the body, not on erection trials.
  Evidence grade insufficient · Traditional tier T2
• Day-to-day energy and drive
  Long traditional use · not yet tested in trials — tradition and user reports only. Tongkat Ali has a long name as a vitality tonic. Many users say they feel more get-up-and-go. That claim comes from tradition and reports, not from trials that measured energy itself.
  Evidence grade insufficient · Traditional tier T2

What Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) has not been shown to do

• It has not been shown to work like an erection drug in men whose problems come from blood vessel disease.
• Studies have not shown it pushes testosterone above the normal range; the work in aging men looked at moving low levels back toward normal.
• It has not been shown to act fast like caffeine, since trial users noticed changes over weeks.
• Fertility studies counted sperm and watched how they moved, so a better chance of a pregnancy has not been shown.
• In the strength trials it was paired with weight training, so it has not been shown to build muscle on its own.
• Its wider name as a general energy tonic has not been tested in trials that measured energy directly.

How to read this:

Each use above carries its own grade. A means steady results from randomised human trials. B means at least one good human trial. C means small or early human work. D means the human evidence is weak or clashes. Insufficient means no human study at all. Note that our file does not list the size, dose or journal for these trials, so we do not state them. This page reports what studies found. It lists options, not advice, and it is not a plan for your own care. Talk with a clinician who knows your history before you start.

Which conditions and symptoms does it help prevent?

Tongkat Ali can help prevent:

1. Age-Related Testosterone Decline (Men): Supports healthy testosterone levels, preventing age-related hormonal decline.
2. Chronic Fatigue (Both): Boosts energy and reduces fatigue, preventing chronic low energy.
3. Stress-Related Health Issues (Both): Reduces cortisol levels, preventing stress-related conditions.
4. Muscle Loss (Men): Supports muscle maintenance and growth, preventing sarcopenia.
5. Weight Gain (Both): Improves metabolism, preventing excessive weight gain.
6. Bone Density Loss (Women): Supports bone health, preventing osteoporosis.
7. Cognitive Decline (Both): Enhances cognitive function, preventing age-related cognitive decline.
8. Sexual Dysfunction (Men): Maintains healthy libido and sexual function, preventing sexual health issues.
9. Infertility (Men): Improves sperm health, preventing male infertility.
10. Cardiovascular Issues (Both): Supports overall health, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Which foods are rich in it?

Tongkat Ali itself is not found in foods and is primarily consumed as an herbal supplement. However, maintaining a diet rich in nutrients that support hormonal balance and overall health can complement the effects of Tongkat Ali. Such foods include:

• Lean proteins (e.g., chicken, fish)
• Leafy greens (e.g., spinach, kale)
• Nuts and seeds
• Whole grains
• Fruits and vegetables

What are possible side effects?

Tongkat Ali is generally safe for most people, but possible side effects include:

• Common (10-30%): Mild gastrointestinal issues (e.g., stomach upset, nausea)
• Less Common (1-10%): Restlessness or insomnia (due to increased energy levels)
• Rare (<1%): Allergic reactions (e.g., rash, itching)

What’s the recommended daily dose?

The recommended daily dose of Tongkat Ali varies depending on the form and individual health needs, but a common dose is:

• Capsules or tablets: 200-400 mg of standardized extract per day
• Root extract powder: 1-2 grams per day
• Tincture: Follow the dosage instructions on the product label, typically 1-2 ml taken 1-2 times daily

How many days does it take to work?

Some benefits of Tongkat Ali, such as improved energy levels and reduced stress, can be noticeable within a few days to weeks. Long-term benefits, such as increased muscle mass and enhanced sexual health, may take several weeks to months of regular use to become apparent.

What time of day is best to take it?

Tongkat Ali can be taken at any time of day. It is often recommended to take it in the morning or early afternoon to avoid potential restlessness or insomnia at night due to increased energy levels.

Is it best to take it with or without food?

Tongkat Ali can be taken with or without food. Taking it with meals may help minimize any potential gastrointestinal discomfort. For optimal absorption and efficacy, follow the instructions provided on the product label.