Tongkat Ali
Tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia) is studied for testosterone, stress, and male sexual health. Evidence quality varies.
Overview
What is tongkat ali?
Tongkat ali, also known as longjack or Eurycoma longifolia, is an herb taken to treat low testosterone and improve sexual function.
Whilst the evidence suggests that tongkat ali may improve testosterone levels and sexual wellbeing in men with low testosterone, there is less evidence for its other effects.
Dosage
An effective daily dose ranges from 100 mg to 600 mg.
The dosages used in studies fall somewhere in the middle, at around 100-300 mg per day with benefits for sexual health and immunity seen at these doses.
Higher dosages used in young men do appear to cause a dose-dependent increase in testosterone levels but optimal dosages are unknown. Higher dosages carry an increased risk of gastrointestinal discomfort.
Effect graph
Effect heatmap
SupplementDEX Database
7 conditions for rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.
Database Snapshot
Most tongkat ali research is concentrated in a handful of conditions.
- Athletic performance accounts for 5 of 17 studies (29%).
- Low testosterone accounts for 5 of 17 studies (29%).
- Erectile dysfunction (ED) accounts for 2 of 17 studies (12%).
- Sparse coverage remains for Erectile dysfunction (ED), Hormonal health, Immunity.
Dietary Sources
Dietary sources
Tongkat ali is most easily acquired through supplementation.
Safety
Earlier studies have found high levels of mercury and lead in tongkat ali supplements which are sourced from Malaysia.
A 2004 study found that only 64% of products containing tongkat ali had levels of mercury within permissible limits.
A 2003 study found that 8% of products containing tongkat ali had excessive lead content.
This concern is not limited to tongkat ali alone as herbal supplements in general, carry an increased risk of heavy metal contamination.
Tongkat ali may decrease the effectiveness of propranolol.
Frequently Asked Questions
Takeaway
Tongkat ali is a herb from South East Asia that has been used to improve male fertility, testosterone and sexual wellbeing.
There appears to be a beneficial effect for testosterone that increases with dosage, but higher dosages may cause nausea.
However, research is still preliminary and higher quality studies are required.
References
Sources14 references
SupplementDEX uses only high-quality sources to determine supplement effectiveness.
SupplementDEX Database · Libido
1 reference1.SupplementDEX Database: Libido — Randomized Clinical Trial on the Use of PHYSTA Freeze-Dried Water Extract of Eurycoma longifolia for the Improvement of Quality of Life and Sexual Well-Being in Men2012
A 12-wk manufacturer-funded study was conducted with 109 men aged 30-55 given 300 mg tongkat ali daily. There was a notable improvement in semen volume (+18.2%) and libido (+14%) at the end of 12 weeks. Greater improvements were seen in those with lower baseline levels, and reductions in fat mass were found in those with BMI above 25 but the study was funded by Biotropics – a tongkat ali manufacturer.
SupplementDEX Database · Low testosterone
5 references2.SupplementDEX Database: Low testosterone — Eurycoma longifolia (Jack) Improves Serum Total Testosterone in Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials2022
A meta-analysis of 9 RCTs found Eurycoma longifolia significantly increased total testosterone (SMD 1.35), with greater effects in hypogonadal men.
3.SupplementDEX Database: Low testosterone — The effect of Eurycoma Longifolia on the regulation of reproductive hormones in young males2021
An RCT of 32 healthy young men found that 600 mg/day Eurycoma longifolia for 2 weeks significantly increased testosterone, free testosterone, and estradiol versus placebo.
4.SupplementDEX Database: Low testosterone — Effect of Eurycoma longifolia standardised aqueous root extract-Physta® on testosterone levels and quality of life in ageing male subjects: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre study2021
A multicentre randomized double-blind trial showing that Physta® Eurycoma longifolia extract increased testosterone and improved quality-of-life metrics in ageing men. A study examined 105 male subjects aged 50-70 years with a testosterone level of less than 300 ng/dL and normal BMI taking a proprietary freeze-dried water extract of tongkat ali (Physta). Participants were given daily either 100 mg tongkat ali, 200 mg tongkat ali or placebo. Researchers found a significant increase in serum total testosterone after two weeks from the 200 mg group, and a large reduction in cortisol in the 200 mg group of roughly double the reduction in the 100 mg group. Whilst both groups experienced an increase in muscle strength, greater gains were seen with the 200 mg dose.
5.SupplementDEX Database: Low testosterone — Exercise associated or not to the intake of Eurycoma longifolia improves strength and cardiorespiratory fitness in men with androgen deficiency2021
An RCT of 45 men with androgen deficiency found that 6 months of concurrent training plus Eurycoma longifolia improved knee strength and reduced ADAM symptom scores versus control.
6.SupplementDEX Database: Low testosterone — Standardised water-soluble extract of Eurycoma longifolia, Tongkat ali, as testosterone booster for managing men with late-onset hypogonadism?2012
A non-placebo controlled study found that 200 mg tongkat ali increased testosterone by 46% in patients with clinical late-onset hypogonadism after 1 month. Late-onset hypogonadism may clinically present as fatigue, lethargy, decreased sense of well-being, reduced physical and mental activity, diminished libido, increased sweating, depressive mood, mild anemia, erectile dysfunction, reduced bone mass, reduced muscle mass or osteoporosis. Low testosterone levels of less than 200 ng/dL suggest hypogonadism.
SupplementDEX Database · Athletic performance
3 references7.SupplementDEX Database: Athletic performance — Effects of Eurycoma Longifolia Jack Supplementation Combined with Resistance Training on Isokinetic Muscular Strength and Power, Anaerobic Power, and Urinary Testosterone: Epitestosterone Ratio in Young Males2019
A study examining the effects of tongkat ali in 40 young males found that in subjects undergoing concurrent resistance training, taking 200 mg daily for 8 weeks lead to improved peak power output but not average power. Participants were assigned to one of four groups: - Control - Tongkat ali - Weight training - Tongkat ali + Weight training Tongkat ali taken alone and without resistance training did not lead to significant improvements in average or peak power in knee flexion and extension exercise.
8.SupplementDEX Database: Athletic performance — Supplementation of Eurycoma longifolia Jack Extract for 6 Weeks Does Not Affect Urinary Testosterone: Epitestosterone Ratio, Liver and Renal Functions in Male Recreational Athletes2014
A manufacturer study examining the effects of tongkat ali (Physta) on urinary testosterone: epitestosterone ratio (T:E ratio) found that supplementation at 400 mg/day for 6 weeks is unlikely to breach doping policies. There was no change in T:E ratio or markers of liver enzymes. However, further studies are required using varied doses and time periods to ensure safe guidelines. This study was supported by Biotropics Malaysia Berhad, a proprietary herbal extract manufacturer.
9.Effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack Supplementation on Recreational Athletes’ Endurance Running Capacity and Physiological Responses in the Heat. See external sourceExternal source
10.SupplementDEX Database: Erectile dysfunction (ED) — Efficacy of Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) on erectile function improvement: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials2015
A meta-analysis of 2 RCTs (139 participants) found Tongkat Ali may improve erectile function, with greater benefit in men with lower baseline IIEF-5 scores.
11.SupplementDEX Database: Erectile dysfunction (ED) — Effects of a Proprietary Freeze-Dried Water Extract of Eurycoma longifolia (Physta) and Polygonum minus on Sexual Performance and Well-Being in Men: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study2014
An RCT of men aged 40–65 found that 12 weeks of Physta Eurycoma longifolia plus Polygonum minus significantly improved sexual performance and well-being versus placebo.
SupplementDEX Database · Hormonal health
1 reference12.SupplementDEX Database: Hormonal health — Tongkat Ali as a potential herbal supplement for physically active male and female seniors--a pilot study2014
A pilot study indicating that Tongkat Ali supplementation improved strength, vitality, and certain well-being measures in physically active older adults of both sexes. A study of physically active seniors found that tongkat ali significantly increased total testosterone, free testosterone and muscular force in men and women at 400 mg/day after 5 weeks.
SupplementDEX Database · Stress
1 reference13.SupplementDEX Database: Stress — Effect of Tongkat Ali on stress hormones and psychological mood state in moderately stressed subjects2013
An RCT of 63 moderately stressed adults found that 200 mg/day Tongkat Ali for 4 weeks reduced cortisol 16%, increased testosterone 37%, and improved tension, anger, and confusion versus placebo.
SupplementDEX Database · Immunity
1 reference14.SupplementDEX Database: Immunity — Immunomodulation in Middle-Aged Humans Via the Ingestion of Physta® Standardized Root Water Extract of Eurycoma longifolia Jack--A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Study2016
An RCT of 126 middle-aged adults found that 200 mg/day Physta Eurycoma longifolia for 4 weeks significantly improved immunological vigor scores and CD4+ T cell counts versus placebo.