Tongkat ali dosages depend on the potency of the product used as well as the purpose for which it is being taken.
There are no universal production standards for tongkat ali, so strength and dosages may vary according to brand and manufacturer.
In general, users often cycle this supplement for best results, such as a seven-day-on and four-day-off cycle or a ten-day-on and five-day-off cycle.
This supplement is sourced from the root and bark of Eurycoma longifolia, an evergreen shrub native to Southeast Asia. It is widely used for erectile dysfunction and to increase libido and energy. It is also used for bodybuilding because it is claimed to increase muscle mass and enhance athletic performance.
In supplement form, tongkat ali is available as a powder, capsule and liquid tincture. This supplement is often extracted with water and an extraction of one part Eurycoma to 200 parts water produces a dark brown decoction.
This decoction is sometimes used as an ingredient in coffee blends, such as Alicafe and Superpower brands sold online and in Asian markets.



- Aphrodisiac & male sexual enhancer
- Increases testosterone & sperm motility
- Improves muscle mass, strength & mood
Tongkat Ali Dosages
It is generally best to follow the Tongkat Ali dosing guidelines provided by the manufacturer for the specific product you are using. There is significant variety of products and concentrations available.
You should speak to your doctor to determine the best dosage for your needs. In general, many recommend building up to the recommended dosage to help reduce the risk of side effects.
The most common side effect of tongkat ali supplementation is insomnia or other sleep disturbances. Some find taking the supplement earlier in the day helps avoid the onset of these sleep difficulties.
1000 mg per day of 1:50 strength tongkat ali has been taken. If taking a 1:200 strength supplement, a 600 mg dosage has been used. Smaller doses of 25 mg to 200 mg a day are generally not thought sufficient to achieve any noticeable results.
For a 1:50 extract of tongkat ali, the standard dose for men ranges from 1.6 g (1600 mg) to 3.2 g (3200 mg) per day. For weight-lifting athletes, tongkat ali is sometimes taken two or even four times a day. The second day’s dose could be one half of standard dosages.
Dosages for women are generally thought to be about half of the dosages for men.
Using Tongkat Ali Supplements
It is also important to source this supplement from a reputable supplier. In some cases, high levels of lead and mercury have been found in tongkat ali products. Additionally, some adulterated products were found to contain prescription drugs or other herbs.
When buysing tongkat ali products, look for information on the concentration of quassinoids the product contains. Quassinoids are the active ingredient in E. longifolia.
An electronic taste sensor can be used to detect the concentration of quassinoids in a product and this measure is used to verify the presence of tongkat ali.
Quassinoids can also be recognized by their bitter flavour. For instance, quassin is often thought to possess one of the bitterest flavours in nature.
Tongkat Ali Dosage Cycles
There are a number of different diets used to support cycles of tongkat ali supplementation. These diets are popular among bodybuilders taking Tongkat Ali as part of a muscle building or “bulking” cycle.
This supplement is also sometimes used for weight loss or “cutting” cycles.
On-Cycle Diet: Some suggest more protein should be consumed while taking tongkat ali if it is being used for building muscle as part of a weight-training program.
A diet containing up between 40-60 g of protein per day is thought to support muscle production.
Nuts are also recommended to help decrease constipation from eating a protein-rich diet. Nuts will also help support weight training because they contain some of the carbohydrates necessary for body-building.
Whey protein shakes can also be used to boost protein consumption for vegetarians. Some suggest avoiding carbohydrate-rich foods while supplementing with tongkat ali. It is sometimes considered useful to keep the consumption of fruits and vegetables low during on-cycles.
Off-Cycle Diet: In order to avoid overall nutritional imbalance, protein intake can be reduced during the off-cycle with consumed protein coming mainly from fish.
Broccoli, cauliflower, and soy-based foods, as well as garlic, are useful off-cycle foods. Whole-grain breads are also recommended to prepare the body for the next on-cycle.
Using Tongkat Ali Safely
The best way to use this supplement safely is to adhere to recommended tongkat ali dosages. Overuse of this supplement may increase the risk of negative effects.
Reported side effects of tongkat ali supplementation include insomnia, anxiety and restlessness. It remains unknown if this supplement is safe for use during pregnancy or while breast feeding and supplementation should be avoided during these times.
This supplement should not be taken by those undergoing treatment for breast cancer, prostate cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease or sleep apnea.
Tongkat ali is not suitable for individuals with an impaired immune system or those taking immunosuppressant medications. It may lower blood sugar and should be used with caution by those who are diabetic. This supplement may also cause individuals to become easily angered.
Tongkat ali should not be combined with saw palmetto or pygeum, or the medication finasteride (Proscar/propecia) because these compounds are thought to block the supplement’s effect.
Additionally, tongkat ali should not be taken in combination with medications for sexual dysfunction. Some suggest avoiding excessive chocolate and coffee consumption while taking tongkat ali as an aphrodisiac. In rare instances, reactions to seafood have been noted during supplementation.
Conclusions
Tongkat ali dosages recommendations are sourced from manufacturer’s suggestions, bodybuilding resources and clinical trial results.
This supplement has a long history of use in Southeast Asia for erectile dysfunction, low libido and treating fevers. It is currently being used by Asian athletes for athletic performance. This supplement has been observed to exhibit an anabolic action.
Be sure to speak with your doctor before taking tongkat ali to establish a safe dosage and to make sure the supplement is right for you.
- Tambi MI, Imran MK. Eurycoma longifolia Jack in managing idiopathic male infertility. Asian J Androl. 2010 May;12(3):376-80.
- Tzar M, Hamidah Y, Hartini M, and etal. The Antibacterial or Antifungal Effects of Eurycoma longifolia Root Extract. The Internet Journal of Herbal and Plant Medicine 2011;1(1)
- Bhat R, Karim AA. Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia Jack): a review on its ethnobotany and pharmacological importance. Fitoterapia. 2010 Oct;81(7):669-79.
- 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.
Article last updated on: April 6th, 2018 by Nootriment
4 Comments
Great information, thank you!
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Excellent article and info. I didn’t know that saw palmetto had a potential to interfere with Tongkat. I have used both and have been ok. I think saw palmetto could interfere sure to androgen blocking , yet could also assist in conversion to testosterone. Overall for me excellent, and libido up muscle mass up.
Thanks Ronald! Glad we could provide you with valuable information :)