Eurycoma longifolia better known as Tongkat Ali or Longjack is a herb native to Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. The roots of this herb have been used for centuries in traditional medicine for sexual dysfunction, aging, malaria, cancer, diabetes, anxiety, aches, constipation, exercise recovery, fever, increased energy, increased strength, leukemia, osteoporosis, stress, syphilis, and glandular swelling(1).
Presently, it has been popularized in its use as a natural aphrodisiac, to enhance male sexual performance and treat male infertility, erectile dysfunction, and low testosterone(2).
Now, let's take a look at the research on Tongkat Ali that may prove its benefits!
Aphrodisiac
Researchers in Malaysia studied the initiation of sexual performance in inexperienced male rats with doses of 200mg, 400mg, and 800mg per kg of body weight of the herb twice daily in comparison with a testosterone control group. Although less than that of testosterone, mounting, intromission, and ejaculation increased presenting evidence in its use as an aphrodisiac(3). A later study using the same dose in both castrated and uncastrated male rats observed the effects on the levator ani muscle which forms the pelvis floor. This produced a significant increase in the size of the muscle, illustrating the androgenic effects of the plant(4).
Subsequently, another study using the same dose and time frame evaluated the sexual arousal in sexually sluggish old male rats by monitoring their act of yawning or stretching due to the action considered as an ancestral remnant promoting sexual arousal. The results showed that yawning and stretching increased significantly, again, providing evidence of its use as an aphrodisiac(5).
Likewise, 500mg per kg body weight was given to rats that did not engage in sexual intercourse. Researchers used a copulation cage to determine the rats' willingness to overcome obstructions to copulate. Results found that hesitation time decreased as well as the percentage of male rats choosing to engage in sexual intercourse increased significantly compared to the control group(6). It was also found that in a dose-dependent manner, an increase in penile reflexes and erections occurred(7).
More importantly, in a self-report survey in humans, when given a water extract of Tongkat Ali in 300mg per kg body weight per day for 12 weeks, overall physical and erectile functioning increased, as well as libido which increased by 14%(8).
Fertility
A study in humans investigated a water-soluble extract of the root, which is thought to enhance male fertility with regard to higher semen volume, sperm concentration, and sperm motility. 350 patients were given 200mg of the extract daily, with 75 patients completing a three months cycle. A follow-up on their semen analyses illustrated significant improvements in all semen parameters, including sperm quality. Best of all, 11 patients spontaneously got their partners pregnant(9)!
Moreover, 109 men between the ages of 30 and 55 years old, took 300mg of the herb per day for 12 weeks. The men had an average increase in sperm motility by 44.4% and semen volume by 18.2% compared to the placebo group(8).
Correspondingly, 42 male rats were divided into low-dose(200mg per kg body weight) and high-dose (800mg per kg body weight) groups for 14 days to investigate the in vivo effects of Tongkat Ali on functional sperm parameters through the assessment of sperm concentration, motility, velocity, and vitality. All components increased in accordance with the dose(10). Another 14-day study determined the effects of the herb on sperm count in estrogen-treated male rats to determine if there was a reverse in the inhibitory effects of estrogen on spermatogenesis. Rats that were treated with Tongkat Ali exhibited a significantly higher sperm count(11) thus potentially reversing the effects of estrogen.
Testosterone
Now the most important part, testosterone!
The same study with 42 male rats found a 30.2% increase in testosterone concentration(10). The same 14-day study also determined that due to the heightened testicular function and excessive estrogen-inhibiting effects, Tongkat Ali can be used as a supplement for treating testosterone deficiency or excess estrogen(11).
Above all, a recent study with 109 male subjects between the ages of 50-70 was given either 100mg or 200mg per kg body weight per day of an aqueous root extract of Tongkat Ali for 12 weeks to compare with a placebo group. There was a significant increase in the total testosterone levels in both the 100mg and 200mg groups compared to the placebo group(12).
Do we recommend Tongkat Ali?
All in all, due to recent studies in humans, we can conclude that Tongkat Ali is a natural male enhancement that boosts testosterone, improves fertility in men, and improves overall erectile functioning. Thus, if you have low testosterone or are older in age and want to try a natural testosterone-boosting supplement before going on testosterone or hormone replacement therapy, then this is the supplement to try! We would also recommend this product for enhancements in sexual well-being.
Anecdotally, we have tried Tongkat Ali at a dose of 400mg per day for 2 months. We noticed an increase in strength and improvements in body composition. We also noticed a slight increase in our free testosterone levels, although these improvements may be attributed to the increase in calorie intake as we tried this whilst on a slight bulk. We will test this supplement again in the summer when we are in a calorie deficit and may have a slight decrease in testosterone levels because of this.
Furthermore, as an aphrodisiac, Tongkat Ali most definitely gives you that extra kick in the sheets!
Safe Dosage
There is no standard recommended dose of Tongkat Ali, but most supplements typically contain 200mg to 400mg of standardized extract per capsule. Studies have also used doses ranging from 200mg to 800mg per day, with no known side effects.
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Also, all content contained within this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute the advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified medical professional. Before taking Tongkat Ali, you should talk to your healthcare provider, especially if you have any medical conditions or are taking any medications. Your healthcare provider can help you determine a safe and effective dose for your individual needs.
Reference
(1) Rehman, Shaheed Ur et al. “Review on a Traditional Herbal Medicine, Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali): Its Traditional Uses, Chemistry, Evidence-Based Pharmacology and Toxicology.” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 21,3 331. 10 Mar. 2016, doi:10.3390/molecules21030331. [PubMed]
(2) Tambi, M I B M et al. “Standardized water-soluble extract of Eurycoma longifolia, Tongkat Ali, as testosterone booster for managing men with late-onset hypogonadism?” Andrologiavol. 44 Suppl 1 (2012): 226-30. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0272.2011.01168.x. [PubMed]
(3) Ang, H H et al. “Effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali) on the initiation of sexual performance of inexperienced castrated male rats.” Experimental animals vol. 49,1 (2000): 35-8. doi:10.1538/expanim.49.35. [PubMed]
(4) Ang, H H, and H S Cheang. “Effects of Eurycoma longifolia jack on laevator ani muscle in both uncastrated and testosterone-stimulated castrated intact male rats.” Archives of pharmacal research vol. 24,5 (2001): 437-40. doi:10.1007/BF02975191. [PubMed]
(5) Ang, H H et al. “Sexual arousal in sexually sluggish old male rats after oral administration of Eurycoma longifolia Jack.” Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology vol. 15,3-4 (2004): 303-9. doi:10.1515/jbcpp.2004.15.3-4.303. [PubMed]
(6) Ang, H H, and T H Ngai. “Aphrodisiac evaluation in non-copulator male rats after chronic administration of Eurycoma longifolia Jack.” Fundamental & clinical pharmacology vol. 15,4 (2001): 265-8. doi:10.1046/j.1472-8206.2001.00038.x. [PubMed]
(7) Ang, H H et al. "Evaluation of the potency activity of aphrodisiac in Eurycoma Longifolia Jack." Phytotherapy research vol. 15,5 (2001): 435-436. doi:10.1002/ptr.968. [Link]
(8) Ismail, Shaiful Bahari et al. “Randomized Clinical Trial on the Use of PHYSTA Freeze-Dried Water Extract of Eurycoma longifolia for the Improvement of Quality of Life and Sexual Well-Being in Men.” Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM vol. 2012 (2012): 429268. doi:10.1155/2012/429268. [PubMed]
(9) Tambi, Mohd Ismail Bin Mohd, and M Kamarul Imran. “Eurycoma longifolia Jack in managing idiopathic male infertility.” Asian journal of andrology vol. 12,3 (2010): 376-80. doi:10.1038/aja.2010.7. [PubMed]
(10) Solomon, M C et al. “In vivo effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali) extract on reproductive functions in the rat.” Andrologia vol. 46,4 (2014): 339-48. doi:10.1111/and.12082. [PubMed]
(11) Wahab, Norhazlina Abdul et al. “The effect of eurycoma longifolia Jack on spermatogenesis in estrogen-treated rats.” Clinics (Sao Paulo, Brazil) vol. 65,1 (2010): 93-8. doi:10.1590/S1807-59322010000100014. [PubMed]
(12) Chinnappan, Sasikala M et al. “Effect of Eurycoma longifolia standardised aqueous root extract-Physta® on testosterone levels and quality of life in ageing male subjects: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre study.” Food & nutrition research vol. 65 10.29219/fnr.v65.5647. 19 May. 2021, doi:10.29219/fnr.v65.5647. [PubMed]
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