TONGKAT ALI (EURYCOMA)
What Is TONGKAT ALI (EURYCOMA)?
Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia Jack), also known as Malaysian ginseng or Long Jack, is a flowering tree native to Southeast Asia whose root extract has been traditionally used for various conditions including erectile dysfunction, fatigue, and low testosterone. The herb contains active compounds including quassinoids, particularly eurycomanone, that are believed to work by lowering sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), thereby increasing free testosterone levels, and potentially modulating cortisol levels. It is primarily marketed as a testosterone booster and aphrodisiac, though research shows mixed results with more consistent benefits in men with low baseline testosterone.
TONGKAT ALI (EURYCOMA) Research & Studies
01 A 6-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial to evaluate the effect of Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali) and concurrent training on erectile function and testosterone levels in androgen deficiency of aging males (ADAM) ▸
A 6-month study on 45 men with androgen deficiency found that Tongkat Ali supplementation, particularly when combined with concurrent training, showed potential improvements in erectile function and testosterone levels compared to placebo.
View Study (PubMed)02 Standardised water-soluble extract of Eurycoma longifolia, Tongkat ali, as testosterone booster for managing men with late-onset hypogonadism ▸
Treatment of 76 late-onset hypogonadism patients with 200mg daily of standardized Tongkat Ali extract for one month significantly improved Ageing Males' Symptoms scores and increased serum testosterone concentrations, with 90.8% achieving normal testosterone levels post-treatment.
View Study (PubMed)03 Effect of Tongkat Ali on stress hormones and psychological mood state in moderately stressed subjects ▸
A 4-week study of 63 moderately stressed subjects found that daily Tongkat Ali supplementation significantly reduced cortisol exposure by 16%, increased testosterone status by 37%, and improved mood markers including tension, anger, and confusion.
View Study (PubMed)04 Tongkat Ali as a potential herbal supplement for physically active male and female seniors--a pilot study ▸
A 5-week study of 25 physically active seniors (57-72 years) using 400mg daily Tongkat Ali showed improvements in testosterone, muscle force, and various biochemical parameters, with effects more pronounced in males than females.
View Study (PubMed)05 Do testosterone boosters really increase serum total testosterone? A systematic review ▸
A comprehensive systematic review examining testosterone boosters over two decades found limited and inconsistent evidence for significant testosterone increases from most supplements marketed as testosterone boosters, with efficacy varying significantly by population studied.
View Study (PubMed)06 Review on a Traditional Herbal Medicine, Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali): Its Traditional Uses, Chemistry, Evidence-Based Pharmacology and Toxicology ▸
A comprehensive review documenting Tongkat Ali's traditional uses for aphrodisiac effects, malaria, and various ailments, along with its chemistry (quassinoids as active compounds) and evidence-based pharmacological effects including potential testosterone enhancement and antimalarial properties.
View Study (PubMed)07 A Rare Case of Tongkat Ali-Induced Liver Injury: A Case Report ▸
Case report of a 47-year-old male who developed acute liver injury with elevated liver enzymes and jaundice shortly after starting Tongkat Ali supplementation, which resolved upon discontinuation, highlighting potential hepatotoxicity risks.
View Study (PubMed)08 Tongkat Ali-Induced Atrial Flutter: A Probable Case ▸
First documented case of a 71-year-old man developing new-onset atrial flutter after initiating Tongkat Ali supplementation, suggesting potential cardiovascular risks that warrant further investigation.
View Study (PubMed)09 Evaluation of Acute 13-Week Subchronic Toxicity and Genotoxicity of the Powdered Root of Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia Jack) ▸
Toxicity studies showed no mutagenicity or clastogenicity, with acute oral LD50 exceeding 6g/kg body weight, and 13-week subchronic exposure showing no adverse effects, though beneficial reductions in cholesterol and liver enzymes were observed, particularly in males.
View Study (PubMed)10 Safety of Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali) root extract as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 ▸
EFSA panel review found positive genotoxicity results in vitro chromosome aberration tests at high doses (2000mg/kg), leading to concerns about safety for use as a novel food supplement in the EU at proposed doses of 200mg/day.
View Study (PubMed)TONGKAT ALI (EURYCOMA) User Reviews & Experiences
*Based on large scale analysis of publicly available user experiences
User experiences with Tongkat Ali are genuinely divided, with some reporting modest improvements in libido, mood, and testosterone levels, while many others find it ineffective or overpriced compared to expectations. Concerns about quality control, proper dosing, and emerging reports of side effects including liver injury and cardiac issues contribute to cautious skepticism in the community.
TONGKAT ALI (EURYCOMA) Benefits, Dosage & Side Effects
- Modest Testosterone Increase: Users with clinically low testosterone report more noticeable benefits, with blood work sometimes showing 100-200 ng/dl increases, though many with normal baseline levels report minimal changes
- Libido and Mood Enhancement: Moderate improvements in sex drive and reduced stress/anxiety reported by some users, though effects described as mild rather than dramatic
- Energy and Motivation: Some users report feeling more motivated and experiencing better workout performance, though difficult to separate from placebo effects
- SHBG Reduction: Primary mechanism appears to be lowering sex hormone-binding globulin, which may only benefit those with already elevated SHBG levels
- Population Dependent: Research and user reports consistently show better results in men with late-onset hypogonadism or low baseline testosterone, while healthy young men see minimal to no benefits
- Overhyped Marketing: Strong consensus that most commercial testosterone boosters containing Tongkat Ali are overpriced proprietary blends with inadequate dosing of active ingredients
- Not a Substitute for TRT: Users emphasize that no supplement, including Tongkat Ali, can match the effectiveness of actual testosterone replacement therapy for those with clinical hypogonadism
- Quality Matters Significantly: Extract standardization (10% eurycomanone) and ratio (200:1) vary widely between brands, with users reporting Nootropics Depot as a more reliable source despite lower extract ratios
- Standard Dose: Most research uses 200-400mg daily of standardized extract, with 200mg being the most common recommendation for general use
- Cycling Recommended: Users suggest taking breaks (2 days off per week or cycling on/off monthly) to maintain effectiveness and avoid tolerance
- Extract Confusion: Significant confusion exists between 200:1 extracts at 1000mg versus 10% standardized extracts at 100-200mg, with standardization percentage being more reliable than ratio claims
- Timing: Generally recommended to take in the morning or early afternoon rather than evening to avoid potential sleep disruption
- Liver Toxicity: Multiple case reports of elevated liver enzymes and clinical liver injury in bodybuilders and supplement users, particularly with prolonged use or high doses
- Cardiovascular Effects: Emerging reports of atrial flutter and increased heart rate, with warnings for those with pre-existing cardiac conditions
- Hormonal Imbalance: Some users report gynecomastia concerns and hormonal fluctuations, though mechanism unclear; may relate to estrogen metabolism or impurities in low-quality products
- Gastrointestinal Issues: Nausea reported by some users, particularly when taken on an empty stomach or at higher doses
- EU Restrictions: Tongkat Ali is not authorized for sale as a supplement in the EU due to EFSA safety concerns regarding genotoxicity at high doses, making it difficult to obtain legally in European countries
- Variable Product Quality: Significant quality control issues in the supplement market, with many products containing inadequate amounts of active compounds or using inferior extraction methods
- Proprietary Blends Warning: Users strongly advise against expensive proprietary blend products from supplement stores like Nutrishop, recommending instead to purchase individual ingredients from reputable sources like Nootropics Depot or buying standardized extracts directly
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