Tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia), also known as longjack or Malaysian ginseng (not related to Panax ginseng), is an herb from Southeast Asia. The extract from the plant's roots has traditionally been used to increase testosterone levels in men, although it has also been suggested to reduce blood pressure, fever and fatigue.
The main bioactive constituents in tongkat ali are the quassinoid compounds (eurycomanone and eurycomanol), eurycolactones, canthin-6-one metabolites, eurylene and teurilene (derivatives of squalene), and eurypeptides.
What are the main benefits of tongkat ali?
Tongkat ali has been studied primarily for its use as an aphrodisiac (stimulating sexual desires). However, the mechanisms by which tongkat ali may have aphrodisiac effects are not well understood, and most research has been conducted in animals.
Supplementation can increase total testosterone in healthy and hypogonadal men, improve erectile function and relieve symptoms of erectile dysfunction, increase fertility, and improve sexual function and well-being [1][2][3]. One study found evidence of an anxiolytic (anxiety and stress-reducing) effect of tongkat ali [4]. It should be noted that the evidence for these outcomes is somewhat limited given the lack of published randomized controlled trials in humans.
How does tongkat ali work?
The effects of tongkat ali on male sexual enhancement are mainly attributed to eurycomanone, which has steroidogenic activity. Eurycomanone appears to have anti-estrogenic effects. It inhibits the aromatase enzyme and prevents the conversion of testosterone to estrogen in the Leydig cells of the testicles, the main site of sperm production in men.
At higher doses, eurycomanone can inhibit phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity, resulting in an accumulation of cyclic AMP, an increase in cholesterol transport and increased production of pregnenolone, a precursor for testosterone biosynthesis [5]. Furthermore, activation of the CYP17a enzyme by eurycomanone increased the production of testosterone precursors DHEA and androstenedione [6]. Tongkat ali can increase sperm production by increasing the production of the gonadotropic hormones luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which increase testosterone and sperm production in the testicles, respectively [7].
What else is tongkat ali called?
- Eurycoma longifolia
- Malaysian ginseng
- Longjack (English)
- Longjax
- Bidara laut (Indonesia)
- Cay Ba Binh (Vietnam)
- Hau Phat (Vietnam)
- Bba Binh (Vietnam)
- Pasak Bumi (Indonesia)
- Langir Siam (Bahrain)
- Piak (Thailand)
- Tung Saw (Thailand)
- Babi Kurus (Japan)
- Penawar Pahit (Malayalam)
- Bedara Mere
- ^ Leisegang K, Finelli R, Sikka SC, Panner Selvam MK (Jack) Improves Serum Total Testosterone in Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials. Medicina (Kaunas). (2022-Aug-04)
- ^ Kotirum S, Ismail SB, Chaiyakunapruk N Efficacy of Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) on erectile function improvement: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Complement Ther Med. (2015-Oct)
- ^ Thu HE, Mohamed IN, Hussain Z, Jayusman PA, Shuid AN Eurycoma Longifolia as a potential adopter of male sexual health: a systematic review on clinical studies. Chin J Nat Med. (2017-Jan)
- ^ Talbott SM, Talbott JA, George A, Pugh M Effect of Tongkat Ali on stress hormones and psychological mood state in moderately stressed subjects. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. (2013-May-26)
- ^ Low BS, Choi SB, Abdul Wahab H, Das PK, Chan KL Eurycomanone, the major quassinoid in Eurycoma longifolia root extract increases spermatogenesis by inhibiting the activity of phosphodiesterase and aromatase in steroidogenesis. J Ethnopharmacol. (2013-Aug-26)
- ^ Tambi Nutrients and botanicals for optimizing men's health. Examining the evidence for Eurycoma longifolia Jack, the Malaysian Ginseng in men's health Asian Journal of Andrology. (2009-01-01)
- ^ Low BS, Das PK, Chan KL Standardized quassinoid-rich Eurycoma longifolia extract improved spermatogenesis and fertility in male rats via the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. J Ethnopharmacol. (2013-Feb-13)