Tongkat ali supplements can help with things like libido, mood and hormone balance, but research is still ongoing.
Tongkat ali is a herbal remedy that has long been used in the traditional medicine of Southeast Asia. People often use it to treat fever, erection problems, and bacterial infections.
Research shows that tongkat ali can increase male fertility, reduce stress and even improve muscle-to-fat ratio. But to be certain of these results, more research is needed.
It is important to know that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) warned in 2021 that tongkat ali can cause DNA damage at high doses.
So there is plenty of reason to delve deeper into the Tongkat ali phenomenon.
What is Tongkat Ali?
Tongkat ali, also known as longjack, is an herbal supplement that comes from the roots of the shrub with the Latin name Eurycoma longifolia.
People use it in traditional medicine, especially in countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, China and Vietnam. There it is used against malaria, infections, fever, male infertility and erection problems.
The power of tongkat ali is probably due to the mix of different active substances from the plant. It contains flavonoids, alkaloids and other substances, including antioxidants that help against cell damage caused by free radicals.
People usually take tongkat ali in the form of capsules containing an extract of the herb.
What does Tongkat ali do?
Not enough research has been done on many of the claimed health benefits of tongkat ali, but some studies suggest it may help with male infertility, improve mood and increase muscle mass.
People use Tongkat Ali for:
- More sex drive
- Increase in testosterone
- Reduction of stress
- Controlling anxiety
- Improving body composition: more muscle, less fat
- Treatment of sexual problems
- Combating malaria
- Reduction of fever
- Regulation of diabetes
- Approach to jaundice
- Prevention of osteoporosis
Testosterone and fertility with Tongkat ali
It is established that Tongkat ali can increase testosterone levels in men with low levels of this sex hormone. This is well documented.
Low testosterone levels can be caused by several reasons, including old age, chemotherapy, radiation, certain medications, injury or infection to the testicles, and certain diseases such as alcoholism and obstructive sleep apnea.
Problems that can arise from low testosterone include reduced libido, erectile dysfunction and sometimes even infertility. Since tongkat ali can increase testosterone, it could help treat these problems.
A one-month study of 76 older men with low testosterone levels found that taking 200 mg of Tongkat ali extract daily significantly increased its levels to normal levels in more than 90% of participants.
Also, studies in both animals and humans show that Tongkat ali can stimulate sexual arousal and improve erectile dysfunction in men. It can even improve sperm motility and concentration, which is beneficial for fertility.
A study involving 75 men who were partners of infertile couples showed that taking 200 mg of Tongkat ali extract daily significantly improved sperm concentration and motility after 3 months.
Can reduce stress
Tongkat ali can lower the stress hormones in your body, reduce anxiety and improve your mood.
A 1999 study was the first to look at the possible role of this drug in the treatment of mood problems. It found that tongkat ali extract had similar effects to a commonly used anti-anxiety drug in mice, which has also been observed in humans.
A one-month study of 63 adults with moderate stress showed that daily intake of 200 mg of tongkat ali extract reduced salivary cortisol levels by 16% compared to a placebo. Participants also reported significantly less stress, anger and tension after using tongkat ali. But, as always, more research is needed to confirm these results.
Can improve the muscle/fat ratio
Tongkat ali is often praised for improving athletic performance and increasing muscle mass.
This is due to the presence of quassinoids, such as eurycomaoside, eurycolactone and eurycomanone, which can help your body use energy more efficiently, reduce fatigue and improve endurance.
A short 5-week study involving 14 men participating in a strength training program showed that those who took 100 mg of tongkat ali extract daily had a significantly greater increase in lean body mass than those who received a placebo. They also lost more fat than participants in the placebo group.
Another 5-week study with 25 active older adults found that daily supplementation with 400 mg of tongkat ali extract significantly increased muscle strength compared to a placebo.
But research among cyclists found that a drink containing tongkat ali during exercise did not improve performance or strength any more than plain water. This could be due to the small number of subjects.
Side effects of Tongkat ali
According to a 2021 report from the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA), a high dose (2000 mg/kg body weight) of the water-based extract of dried ground tongkat ali can lead to DNA damage to stomach and duodenal tissue.
Because tongkat ali can cause DNA damage, the EFSA panel concluded that the safety of its use has not been established. It is important to note that the dose that led to DNA damage was extremely high. For someone weighing 70 kg, this would mean they would have to take 140 grams of tongkat ali extract, more than 400 times the normal dosage.
The limited studies on the use of tongkat ali in humans have not reported any side effects to date. A 2016 review of toxicology studies in mice showed no changes in liver or kidney function at doses up to 200 mg/kg body weight for the alcoholic extract and 300 mg/kg for the water-based extract.
However, the lethal oral dose for mice ranged from 1500-2000 mg/kg for the alcoholic extract and more than 3000 mg/kg for the water-based extract.
A 2012 study of 109 men between the ages of 30 and 55 suggested that taking 300 mg of tongkat ali extract daily for 12 weeks was safe, comparable to a placebo.
Importantly, no long-term studies have been conducted, so the safety of long-term use is unclear.
An older study from 2006 found that 26% of 100 tongkat ali supplements from Malaysia examined had mercury levels higher than the recommended limit. Mercury ingestion can lead to poisoning, with symptoms such as mood swings, memory problems and motor problems.
In addition, the effects of tongkat ali on children, pregnant and lactating women have not been studied, so its use by them is strongly discouraged.
Sources:
- EFSA - Safety of Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali) root extract as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283
- PubMed - Review on a Traditional Herbal Medicine, Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali): Its Traditional Uses, Chemistry, Evidence-Based Pharmacology and Toxicology
- PubMed - Effect of Tongkat Ali on stress hormones and psychological mood state in moderately stressed subjects