0
4.6
144
Tongkat ali benefits include its use for erectile dysfunction (ED), building muscle and reducing body fat.
This supplement is thought to increase the body’s testosterone levels, raise the metabolic rate and improve blood circulation and energy levels.
Tongkat ali is sourced from the root and bark of the shrub Eurycoma longifolia, which is native to Southeast Asia.
It is traditionally used for malaria, fever, bone pain, cough, diarrhea and dysentery. Other conditions for which tongkat ali is used include headache, high blood pressure, jaundice, syphilis, ulcers and tuberculosis.
Aphro- disiac
Testo- sterone
Muscle Mass- Aphrodisiac & male sexual enhancer
- Increases testosterone & sperm motility
- Improves muscle mass, strength & mood
Top Tongkat Ali Products* ❯Tongkat Ali Benefits
Many of the benefits linked to Tongkat Ali root extract are said to come from the improved testosterone production that this herb supports, particularly in men with low testosterone levels or among stressed individuals.
Increased testosterone may help decrease the risk of developing depression and Alzheimer’s disease.
This supplement is often used by bodybuilders to help build muscle and to strengthen the heart and bones. Tongkat ali is also claimed to increase the libido (interest in sex). Preliminary studies indicate it may also increase fertility.
Constituents of tongkat ali are being studied in the treatment of cancer. The alkaloids and quassinoids found in Eurycoma longifolia have been observed to inhibit the growth of cancer cells in breast and lung cancers.
This supplement is available in powder, capsules and liquid tincture forms. Tongkat Ali is an ingredient in Alicafe and Superpower brand coffees sold in Asian markets.
What is Tongkat Ali Used For?
Tongkat ali is widely used in Southeast Asia for erectile dysfunction and to increase libido and energy. Eurycoma longifolia is so popular in Malaysia that it is classified as a protected species. Some animal studies seem to support tongkat ali’s traditional use as an aphrodisiac. [1]
Additionally, the study titled Eurycoma longifolia Jack in managing idiopathic male infertility published in the Asian Journal of Andrology in May 2010 showed this supplement significantly improved sperm quality in participants.
Today, people also use this supplement for athletic performance and bodybuilding, and a growing body of scientific literature is emerging on the supplement’s physical effects. Anecdotal reports of benefits like improved endurance and muscle mass may be due to an increase in the levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is a common form of energy.
A study called The Ergogenic Effects of Eurycoma Longifolia Jack: A Pilot Study published in the The British Journal of Sport Medicine in 2002 showed a five percent average muscle growth increase and 1.8 cm increase in the study group’s arm circumference.
The study’s researchers concluded that water soluble extract of Eurycoma Longifolia or Long Jack increased fat-free mass, reduced body fat and increased muscle strength and size.
The researchers hypothesized that these properties may have an ergogenic (enhancing physical performance) effect. Tongkat Ali’s anabolic effects helps increase athletic performance without the use of anabolic steroids.
Anabolism is a metabolic process in which complex molecules are synthesized from simpler ones using stored energy, resulting in muscle growth and a reduction of body fat.
Ongoing Research into Tongkat Ali Effects
Research into the possible therapeutic effects and benefits of tongkat ali is not limited to athletic performance.
In laboratory studies, the constituents of Eurycoma longifolia Jack have been observed to exhibit cytotoxic effects (actions toxic to cells) against cancer cells.
In the 2004 study, Cytotoxic and Antimalarial Constituents from the Roots of Eurycoma longifolia published in Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, researchers observed that constituents of tongkat ali exhibited strong cytotoxicity toward human lung cancer (A-549) cell lines, and toward human breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines.
Constituents were also observed to display potent anti-malarial activity against the resistant Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite that causes malaria in humans.
Components of tongkat ali may also act as an anti-schistosomal, (an agent that is destructive to schistosomes, parasitic blood flukes). Tongkat ali is traditionally used for its anti-malarial, aphrodisiac, anti-diabetic, antimicrobial and anti-pyretic benefits. These functions have also been observed in laboratory experiment.
This supplement is also used as an anxiolytic (relieves anxiety) and general mood enhancer. The study Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia Jack): A review on its ethnobotany and pharmacological importance published October 2010 discusses some of the supplement’s additional therapeutic effects.
Contraindications
The most common reported side effect of tongkat ali supplementation is insomnia. This may be alleviated by taking a smaller dose to begin with and working up to the suggested dosage, which may allow the body time to adjust. Taking the supplement earlier in the day has also been reported to help reduce sleep disturbances.
Other reported side effects include irritability, restlessness, impatience and being easily angered.
It is not known whether tongkat ali can be safely taken during pregnancy or while breastfeeding: it is not advised to use this supplement during these periods. This supplement should not be taken by anyone being treated for breast or prostate cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, or sleep apnea.
Additionally, it should not be used by anyone taking immunosuppressant medications or by people with impaired immune systems. Tongkat ali has been observed to affect blood sugar levels and should be used with caution by diabetics.
Tongkat ali benefits are well established for its use as an erectile dysfunction remedy, which has been confirmed through scientific studies. It also has uses for building muscle and improving athletic performance without the use of anabolic steroids. Further research is being done on its role in the treatment of cancer.
As with all supplements, be sure to speak with your doctor before taking tongkat ali to make sure it is right for you.
- Ang HH, Cheang HS. Effects of Eurycoma longifolia jack on laevator ani muscle in both uncastrated and testosterone-stimulated castrated intact male rats. Arch Pharm Res. 2001 Oct;24(5):437-40.
- Kuo PC, Damu AG, Lee KH, Wu TS. Cytotoxic and antimalarial constituents from the roots of Eurycoma longifolia. Bioorg Med Chem. 2004 Feb 1;12(3):537-44.
- Bhat R, Karim AA. Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia Jack): a review on its ethnobotany and pharmacological importance. Fitoterapia. 2010 Oct;81(7):669-79.
Article last updated on: April 8th, 2018 by Nootriment