Traditional medicinal remedies that are still used today have withstood the test of time, helping people treat various ailments for hundreds to thousands of years.
Even with the birth and now breadth of modern medicine, people all over the world still turn to herbal remedies or traditional medicine treatments to alleviate certain symptoms and improve their health.
For example, ginger is used to treat nausea and indigestion and chamomile is used to relax and soothe the body.
Another popular herbal remedy still readily used to treat several different ailments is Tongkat Ali. This herbal supplement is touted to provide a variety of benefits, such as decreasing body fat and boosting male fertility.
But, what exactly is Tongkat Ali? What are its benefits? And more importantly, does it work, and is it safe?
In this guide, we will cover all the need to know information about the health benefits of Tongka Ali and how to use it.
In this guide, we will cover:
- What Is Tongkat Ali?
- How Does Tongkat Ali Work?
- 6 Potential Tongkat Ali Benefits
- Should You Take Tongkat Ali Supplements?
- Supplement Product Recommendations
Lets dive in!
What Is Tongkat Ali?
If youre not well versed in the rich world of traditional medicinal remedies, Tongka Ali might be completely foreign to you.
Tongkat Ali, also called longjack or Malaysian Ginseng, refers to an herbal supplement derived from the roots of Eurycoma longifolia, which is a green shrub tree native to Southeast Asia.
This herbal remedy has been used in traditional medicinal remedies in Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and other Southeast Asian countries for centuries.
In modern use, supplements containing Tongkat Ali are typically taken to increase libido, energy, athletic performance, and body composition (reducing body fat and increasing muscle mass), and reduce stress and anxiety.
While it was historically taken as a drink concoction, these days, it is usually taken in pill or capsule form using an extract from the parent shrub.
Note that although many people mistakenly call this herbal remedy tonga ali, tongat ali, tonkat ali, or tomkat ali, the most widely accepted spelling for this herb is Tongkat Ali.
How Does Tongkat Ali Work?
Like other herbal supplements and extracts used to confer various health benefits, the benefits of Tongkat Ali are thought to be due to the physiological effects of certain compounds present in the plant.
For example, it is rich in antioxidantsspecifically flavonoids and alkaloidswhich are compounds that can reduce cellular damage and inflammation by scavenging or deactivating the deleterious effects of free radicals.
According to research, the bioactive compounds of this herbal supplement are found in the stems, leaves, roots, and bark. The roots seem to be particularly high in bioactive compounds such as quassinoids, alkaloids, squalene derivatives, and bioactive steroids.
These compounds are thought to provide various health benefits in the human body.
6 Potential Tongkat Ali Benefits
As with most herbal remedies, theres not an extensive body of evidence decisively demonstrating evidence regarding the health benefits of Tongkat Ali.
However, there are some studies, as well of centuries of anecdotal evidence, suggesting the following potential health benefits of Tongkat Ali:
#1: May Boost Testosterone Levels
One of the primary uses is to boost testosterone production, improve male fertility, and treat erectile dysfunction.
Low testosterone is associated with low libido, fat gain, erectile dysfunction, and infertility in men.
A review of studies investigating the benefits of Tongkat Ali found that supplementation may improve male sexual performance and function in numerous ways.
It has been found to increase testosterone production as well as semen volumes, sperm count, sperm viability, and sperm motility.
For example, one study with 75 male partners with infertility issues demonstrated that taking 200 mg of Tongkat Ali extract per day for three months significantly improved sperm concentration and motility.
Moreover, another study lasting the same duration found that the same dosage increased sperm volume by an average of 18% and increased sperm motility by an average of 44%.
A study with 76 older men with low testosterone levels found that taking 200 mg of the extract per day for one month caused a significant increase in testosterone levels.
In fact, by the end of the one-month course of supplementation, 90.8% of participants had normal testosterone values.
#2: May Improve Sexual Performance
Perhaps due to this physiological improvements, Tongkat Ali has also been found to improve erectile dysfunction and sexual performance, and increase libido.
Animal studies suggest that the sexual benefits of this supplement seem to be a product of the fact that the herbal extract seems to increase testosterone and dopamine.
#3: May Reduce Stress
One of the traditional and current uses is to reduce stress and anxiety.
One study found that supplementing with 200 mg Tongkat Ali supplements per day for four weeks improves stress hormone profile and boosts moodHeres How Daylight Savings Affects Your Health, Mood And Performance.
Subjects had a significant reduction in tension (11%), anger (12%), and confusion (15%).
Its supplementation also reduced cortisol exposure levels by 16% and increased testosterone by 37%.
Another longer-term study looked at the combined effects of Tongkat Ali supplementation and multivitamins on numerous emotional health parameters.
After 12 weeks, subjects supplementing with Tongkat Ali and multivitamins experienced significant improvements in emotional health scores, emotional well-being, social functioning, and energy.
Blood sugar levels also improved.
Another study from 2018 looked at the combined effects of E. longifolia and multivitamins in moderately stressed but otherwise healthy participants.
The participants reported enhanced vigor and emotional well-being. Glucose concentrations also decreased, which may also have contributed to the participants well-being.
#4: May Help Fight Cancer
There is some evidence to suggest that Tongkat Ali may help fight tumorous cancer cells.
For example, a small laboratory study demonstrated the anti-cancer effects of the quassinoids compounds in Tongkat Ali against human prostate cancer cells.
Another small laboratory study found that the bioactive compounds in Tongkat Ali are toxic to cervical and lung cancer cells.
However, users should be cautious taking Tongkat Ali if they have prostate cancer or are at a high risk for prostate cancer because testosterone supplementation is contraindicated as per the Endocrine Societys practice guidelines.
#5: May Improve Athletic Performance
There is also some evidence to suggest that Tongkat Ali can improve athletic performance and be useful as an ergogenic aid, largely due to its ability to increase testosterone levels.
For example, a small study investigating the ergogenic benefits of Tongkat Ali in physically active older men (aged 57-72 years old) found that supplementation with 400 mg of the extract per day for five weeks increased muscular strength and testosterone levels.
#6: May Improve Body Composition
There is limited evidence to suggest that Tongkat Ali supplementation may increase lean muscle mass and support fat loss, perhaps by boosting testosterone levels and energy.
Should You Take Tongkat Ali Supplements?
Its a good idea to consult your physician before starting any supplement. With that said, most studies and literature reviews that Tongkat Ali seems safe with doses up to 400 mg per day, though most studies suggest that 200-300 mg per day should be effective.
People suffering from stress, low energy, low libido, low testosterone, erectile dysfunction, or other similar conditions might want to consider taking this supplement, of course, again with the caveat that its important to speak with your healthcare provider first.
Herbal supplements can interact with other medications, and may be contraindicated with certain health conditions.
If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, Tongkat Ali may not be safe for you.
Supplement Product Recommendations
There are a large variety of Tongkat Ali supplements available for consumer purchase these days. However, its important to look at the product label to ensure you are buying a safe supplement sourced from high-quality ingredients with no fillers or added chemicals and compounds.
For example, some of these supplements targeted to improve male sexual performance include other herbal extracts, which may or may not be safe or effective.
Note that most Tongkat Ali supplements are significantly higher doses than those used in studies. However, research indicates that up to 1,200 mg per day may be safe, though this dosage has not been used in much clinical research.
You can always take half the recommended dosage on the product label. For example, if two capsules contain 1,000 mg, take only one capsule a day. Again, it’s always important to speak with your healthcare provider for best practices.
Here are a few supplements that are recommended:
Double Wood Supplements Tongkat Ali Extract
Micro Ingredients Tongkat Ali Extract 200:1 Concentrate Longjack Powder
VH Nutrition Tongkat Ali for Men 200:1 Eurycoma longifolia Extract
Have you tried this supplement and had great results? Let us know your experience.
