Tongkat Ali Additional Information
Tongkat Ali, also known as Eurycoma Longifolia or Malaysian ginseng, is a flowering plant that is commonly found in the Malaysian rainforest and South East Asia. (1) An extract of the root of the plant have been used in traditional medicines of South Eastern Asian countries as an aphrodisiac and to ameliorate dysentery and diarrhea. (2) As the extract is from the root of the plant, the entirety of the plant needs to be uprooted when harvested.
In modern times, Tongkat Ali extract has become popular as an aphrodisiac, pro-erectile agent, to boost sexual performance, and to improve energy levels and sports performance. (3) These benefits of Tongkat have earned it the nickname “Malaysia’s home-grown Viagra”. In the United States, Tongkat Ali extract has a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status. (4)
Tongkat Ali Benefits
Tongkat Ali’s main benefit is to improve male sexual health. (3,5,6,15,16) Tongkat may increase levels of testosterone which improves libido and sexual performance while increasing erectile hardness and duration. Sexual performance may also be improved for men who have pre-mature ejaculation by delaying ejaculation. (7)
Through similar mechanisms, Tongkat may increase fertility of men by increasing sperm count. (8) An increase in testosterone may also be responsible for Tongkat’s ability to improve bone health. The biological components of Tongkat, specifically quassinoids, reduce cortisol levels which may reduce stress and tension. (11,13)
Tongkat Ali has additional benefits that will be discussed further under “Tongkat Ali Research” that include:
- Enhancement in muscle strength (19)
- Promotion of weight loss (15)
- Inhibits parasites (20,21)
How to Use Tongkat Ali
Tongkat Ali is an extract and is found as a capsule, powder, or in liquid form for supplementation. In traditional uses, the root of the plant can be boiled in water and drank as a tonic. Boiling Tongkat root is not recommended as it can be difficult to determine the dosage.
The recommended form of supplementation is with a capsule as the root has a highly bitter taste. (14) Tongkat can be taken with or without food. Because the dosage can vary based on the potency of the extract its recommended to follow the dosing instructions given on the bottle.
Tongkat Ali Safety and Side Effects
Tongkat is reported to be a very safe supplement. The LD50 has been found to be greater than 5,000mg/kg in rats. (23) A dose of 1,200mg/kg on rats, roughly 1,200mg daily for humans, was associated with some pathological changes to the liver.
There are drug interactions to be aware of with Tongkat supplementation. As it reduces the absorption of beta blockers, these drugs should not be taken together.
The most commonly reported side effects of Tongkat Ali are insomnia, restlessness, irritability, or anxiety. These side effects have been reported very infrequently and usually occur at higher doses. (4)
How Tongkat Ali Works
Tongkat Ali is able to improve libido and erections by maintaining levels of testosterone in males. (3) Tongkat Ali doesn’t synthesize testosterone, rather it increases the release rate of free testosterone from the sex-hormone-binding-globulin. (5) Additionally, Tongkat maintains levels of testosterone by blocking aromatase. (6) Aromatase is the enzyme responsible for the biosynthesis of estrogen. Specifically, aromatase is responsible for the aromatization of testosterone into estrogen. By blocking this enzyme, Tongkat is able to maintain a higher level of testosterone.
Suppressing estrogen may increase spermatogenesis to increase sperm count. (8) One study found that chronic administration of Tongkat has led to it being found in the testes of rats, suggesting it can reach them to create an accumulation of sperm. (9)
One of the alkaloids that makes up Tongkat, 9-hydroxycanthin-6-one (9-HC-6-one) is associated with pro-erectile properties and delays in ejaculation. (7) 9-HC-6-one antagonizes calcium-evoked contraction through voltage dependent channels to induce corporal relaxation to delay ejaculation. 9-HC-6-one works as a pro-erectile by precluding a nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate-dependent pathway. 9-HC-6-one blocks cell surface and internal calcium channels with a higher potency for internal calcium release.
Tongkat increases the activity of Alkaline phosphatase (ALP). (10) ALP is an enzyme that plays an integral role in bone and skeleton development.
One of the components of Tongkat is quassinoids. (11) Quassinoids are a biologically potent compounds that have several health benefits. One of the ways quassinoids works is by reducing the amount of stomach acid which helps to prevent ulcers. (12)
Tongkat supplementation reduced cortisol levels in one study. (13) A reduction in cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone, led to a reduction in tension, anger, and confusion.
Tongkat Ali Research
Increase in Libido (15)
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted on 109 male volunteers aged between 30 and 55. The men received either 300mg of water extract on Tongkat or a placebo. Libido was measured by short-form health survey (SF-36) and by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF).
The group administered Tongkat saw significant improvements in both measurements of libido. The Physical Functioning section of SF-36 increased from baseline to the end of the survey whereas the placebo group did not (.028 compared to .006). The IIEF showed significantly higher scores for the Tongkat group compared to that of the placebo group with a sexual libido increase of 14%.
Increase in Erectile Hardness and Duration (16)
A study was conducted utilizing freeze-dried Tongkat Ali to determine its effect on sexual performance. Men aged 40 to 65 years were screened for 12 weeks and the results were measured via validated questionnaires that include Intercourse Attempt Diary, Erectile Hardness Scale, and a Sexual Intercourse Assessment (SIA).
The men administered Tongkat saw significant improvements in all three areas compared to the placebo group. On the erection hardness scale, measured 1 through 4, the Tongkat group averaged a score of 3.54 compared to 2.87 for the placebo group after 12 weeks of supplementation. On the SIA, measured 0 for no or 1 for yes, the Tongkat group averaged a score of 1 compared to .97 for the placebo group for the “Were you able to achieve at least some erection?” question. For the “Did your erection last long enough for you to have successful intercourse question?” question, the Tongkat group averaged a score of .89 compared to .60 for the placebo group after 12 weeks of supplementation. For the satisfaction question, the Tongkat group averaged a .70 compared to a .35 for the placebo group.
Improvement in Fertility (15)
Within the study that examined Tongkat’s impact on libido, a smaller group comparison was conducted on Seminal Fluid Analysis (SFA). 36 of the original 109 volunteers were looked at for seminal fluid volume and seminal fluid motility.
From the beginning of the study until week 12, the Tongkat group went from 2.54mL to 3.00mL of average seminal fluid. There was no change in the group that received the placebo. For seminal fluid motility, the Tongkat group increased from 33.8% to 48.8% whereas the placebo group showed no significant increase.
Increase in Testosterone (17)
As Tongkat’s mechanism on testosterone levels is more of a normalizing effect, a study was conducted on sexually sluggish rats to see if Tongkat could normalize their levels of testosterone. These rats were administered Tongkat for 6 days at a dose of 500mg/kg. Testosterone serum levels were measured prior to and after supplementation.
Tongkat supplementation appeared to increase testosterone more than 50% in rats. The rats went from 2ng/mL of testosterone to 3ng/mL. In addition to the increase in serum testosterone, these rats also saw an increase in mounting and ejaculating frequency, speaking to Tongkat’s mechanism to increase libido.
Reduction in Stress (18)
The open-field elevated maze test is a laboratory test where there are two enclosed arms and two open arms that make a plus (+) shape. It is commonly used for anxiolytic and anxiogenic testing on animals due to a fear of the open arms. This test was used with mice who were administered Tongkat to determine it anxiolytic effectiveness.
Mice who were administered Tongkat significantly increased the number of times they crossed between the two areas, the number of entries into the open area, and the time spent in the open arms compared to the control mice. These same mice saw a decrease in immobility and fecal pellets (signs of stress).
Enhancement in Muscle Strength (19)
A study on elderly individuals was conducted to observe Tongkat as an ergogenic supplement. 13 males and 12 females all between the ages of 57 and 72 were administered 400mg of Tongkat daily for five weeks. Viewing Tongkat as stabilizing agent for testosterone, it was hypothesized that supplementation could improve muscle strength in this age group.
A handgrip test was used to measure muscle strength. Supplementation of Tongkat significantly increased free testosterone concentrations in both genders. This subsequently led to an increase in muscular force demonstrating the ergogenic benefit of Tongkat.
Promotion of Weight Loss (15)
In the same comprehensive study that examined Tongkat’s impact on libido and fertility, there was also an observation on the effect of weight loss. 49 of the placebo and 48 of the Tongkat volunteers underwent Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan to observe fat mass ratio. A reducing trend was noticed in overweight volunteers who were administered Tongkat compared to the placebo.
Inhibits Parasites (20,21)
Supplementation with Tongkat Ali inhibited the growth of Blastocystis, one of the most common human parasites in the world and the most common in the United States. Blastocystis effects the gastrointestinal tracts and may lead to diarrhea, constipation, nausea, and bloating with symptoms occurring in up to 80% of infected individuals.
Tongkat has also shown to inhibit Toxoplasma gondii, an infectious disease that causes toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis may cause months of flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, tender lymph nodes, or even seizures.
Tongkat Ali FAQ
Why shouldn’t I drink Tongkat Ali as coffee?
As a beverage, it is difficult to get an exact dosage as you can’t be certain how much of the product is being brewed. Additionally, Tongkat as a coffee product has shown to increase blood pressure in women and fetal discomfort. (25)
What part of the herb is used when creating supplements?
The primary benefits of Tongkat Ali come from the root of the plant although there have been some additional benefits associated with the stem.
Can women use Tongkat Ali?
While most of the benefits of Tongkat Ali are associated with male libido, women can benefit from its anxiolytic, weight loss, or muscle enhancement benefits.
Cited Sources
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