Tongkat Ali: Uses, Benefits, Dosage, Risks, And More
Tongkat Ali has several purposes in traditional folk medicine, despite being well recognized as an aphrodisiac. Tongkat Ali is also known as Eurycoma longifolia.
It is a flowering shrub native to Southeast Asia which is high in phytochemicals, such as flavonoids, quassinoids, alkaloids, and bioactive steroids.
The root, bark, fruit, and leaves of the shrub are used in traditional medicine to cure a variety of diseases.
The majority of the bioactive chemicals are found in the shrub’s roots. Coffee drinks, teas, dietary supplements, and energy drinks include Tongkat Ali.
Tongkat Ali is also often known as Ali’s umbrella, Jack, and Longjack.
The benefits of Tongkat Ali might enable your body to work better, with more power and energy, depending on your health goals.
Although Tongkat Ali is more beneficial to men compared to women, it is excellent for both genders for hormonal balance and in competitive sports.
You might acquire an advantage by gaining an advantage to reduce worry or tension or to nourish your body.
In this article, we will be looking at what Tongkat Ali is, its benefits, side effects, dosage, and a lot more.
Tongkat Ali means “Ali’s walking stick,” which alludes to the plant’s sexual powers.
Some speculate that the “stick” alludes to the plant’s twisted, long roots, which are gathered by some cultures for medicinal purposes.
It is one of the world’s fastest-growing herbs, drawing researchers and scientists from every part of the world.
It is a powerful herbal medicine that has been scientifically and clinically proven after years of testing and study.
Eurycoma Longifolia and Long Jack are two names for Tongkat Ali. It has been used for millennia as a traditional Southeast Asian herb.
Tongkat Ali has been used to treat bacterial infections, fevers, and erectile dysfunction among many things, because of its significant health advantages.
It is a Southeast Asian shrub with flowers. It contains phytochemicals, such as flavonoids, quassinoids, alkaloids, and bioactive steroids in abundance.
In traditional folk medicine, it is an aphrodisiac that has a variety of different uses.
Tongkat Ali Benefits
Tongkat Ali might be beneficial to your health in some situations. The parts that follow will go through some of these circumstances in further depth.
Let’s have a look at some of the benefits of Tongkat Ali in males and females.
Tongkat Ali Benefits For Male
Here are some of the benefits of Tongkat Ali for males:
- May Help With Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is one of the concerning issues for men in today’s world. But tongkat ali being a natural ingredient, may help in this issue. This is because, erectile dysfunction supplements sometimes contain Tongkat Ali as it could benefit in increasing testosterone production.
Due to this property, studies say that it might aid in muscular growth, increase libido, and improve sperm quality and motility.
Testosterone and different male hormones are known to fall as men age, which results in andropause or also known as male menopause.
Symptoms include mental dullness, a decrease in libido, a lack of energy, and an increase in body fat.
By promoting normal sperm quality, Tongkat Ali’s hormonal aid might help in enhancing male fertility.
- Sexual And Fertility Performance
According to some studies, E. longifolia might improve sexual performance and male fertility.
According to a 2016 review, human and animal studies suggest that the beneficial effects might include:
- Increased sperm motility and sperm viability. They are two terms used to describe the motility and viability of sperm.
- Increased volume of sperm and sperm count.
- Improved erectile function and sexual performance.
- Testosterone production has increased.
According to a report published in 2019, the aphrodisiac effects of E. longifolia might be due to an increase in dopamine in the brain and an increase in testosterone levels.
- Cancer
In E. longifolia, scientists are identifying and discovering new quassinoids which could aid in the fight against cancer.
The chemicals are harmful to cervical and lung cancer cells, according to laboratory tests in test tubes.
In a 2018 review, 16 compounds isolated from various parts of the E. longifolia plant were found to have promising anticancer properties.
Quassinoids from E. longifolia were found to be effective against human prostate cancer cells in another lab study.
The Endocrine Society advises against utilizing the plant to treat prostate cancer, therefore it is not recommended for this condition.
- Help With Ergogenics
Ergogenic aids are sometimes used by athletes for improving their performance.
According to one 2016 review, E. longifolia could act as an ergogenic aid by increasing testosterone levels and reducing stress.
The researchers concluded that supplementing with E. longifolia for a long time at high doses might help with endurance performance.
A pilot study conducted in 2014, following a 6-week supplementation with E. longifolia extract, found increased testosterone and muscle strength in physically active people aged 58-73 years.
Tongkat Ali Benefits For Female
Here are some of the benefits of Tongkat Ali for females:
- Stress
Stress hormones were measured in 65 participants who took a placebo or Tongkat Ali extract for four weeks in a study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.
People who took the extract showed significant reductions in disorientation, hostility, and tension according to the researchers.
Stress hormone cortisol levels dropped, whereas testosterone levels rose.
They concluded that Tongkat Ali could help with modern-day fitness training, chronic stress, and sleep deprivation.
Another 2018 study looked at the effects of multivitamins and E. longifolia in people who were moderately stressed but healthy.
The participants said they felt more happier and energized.
Glucose levels dropped as well, which might have contributed to the individuals’ happiness.
- Effective As Antimicrobial And Anti-Inflammatory
According to research, E. longifolia is effective against bacteria, such as Salmonella typhi and E. coli.
Extracts of the plant showed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in test tubes.
- Potential To Improve Body Composition
Tongkat Ali is often touted as a supplement that improves muscle mass and athletic performance.
This is because of the presence of quassinoids, such as eurycomanone, Eurycoma side, and euro lactone.
They might enhance endurance, help your body utilize energy more efficiently, and reduce fatigue, according to studies.
To put it another way, the supplement might be used as an ergogenic aid. It is a drug that improves body composition and physical performance.
- Bone Health
The effects of E. longifolia on osteoporosis in animals were studied in a 2019 review.
E. longifolia appeared to be less effective compared to traditional herbs, according to the study.
Although according to the review, there is hope for its application in preventing bone loss.
Tongkat Ali For Testosterone
Supplementation with a proprietary Tongkat Ali sustained testosterone levels in young and healthy male volunteers.
According to a study recently published, 30 males received either placebo or 500 mg/day of Tongkat Ali for two weeks in a matched-pair, placebo-controlled, and double-blind research.
On day one, blood samples were taken before the intervention, and on day fourteen, blood samples were taken after the intervention.
Subjects were asked to fast for ten hours before each lab visit. They abstained from sexual activity, performance-enhancing substances, alcohol, and high-intensity exercise.
Tongkat Ali is utilized as an adaptogen for energy and vitality. It is also used for testosterone enhancement.
While the exact mechanism of Tongkat Ali root extract is unknown, it is thought to aid in the restoration of normal testosterone levels.
It is done by enhancing the release of free testosterone from the sex hormone-binding globulin, which is a bonding hormone.
Tongkat Ali has several advantages that are linked to higher physical power and vigor, as well as a higher testosterone level.
Tongkat Ali Side Effects
Although Tongkat Ali has been used in traditional folk medicine for generations, nothing is known about the potential adverse effects of supplementing with it.
People with a compromised immune system, and those using blood pressure or hypoglycemia medications, should avoid Tongkat Ali pills.
This herbal supplement should also be avoided by children along with breastfeeding or pregnant women.
People at risk of prostate cancer, breast cancer, hormone-sensitive malignancies, or a history of renal illness or heart disease might have an unpleasant reaction to Tongkat Ali as it raises testosterone levels.
Consult your primary care provider for advice before adding any dietary supplement to your normal regimen.
Tongkat Ali Dosage
In one study, mercury levels in 150 Tongkat Ali supplements were found to be higher than the recommended limit in 28% of the samples.
Mercury poisoning, which is characterized by motor skill issues, mood swings, and memory impairments, could be caused by consuming too much mercury.
Furthermore, no studies have been done on the effects of Tongkat Ali on breastfeeding or pregnant women or children.
Therefore, it is unclear whether the treatment is safe for these people.
The general Tongkat Ali dosage guidance is for those who want to improve their overall health without focusing on specific improvements.
For healthy persons over the age of 19, the recommended daily dosage of Tongkat Ali is between 130 mg and 180 mg per day.
The maximum daily dose is 300 mg. It could be taken daily, either after or before a meal.
It might be ingested every week with intervals in between.
Conclusion
Tongkat Ali appears to be a viable treatment for a variety of ailments. According to some studies, it could help with stress, male fertility, and sexual performance.
It could also potentially be used as an ergogenic aid. In test tubes, E. longifolia is effective against cancer in some lab studies.
However, evidence suggests that it should be avoided by persons who have specific cancers.
People with particular health conditions and those who are taking certain drugs might face some safety concerns.
Therefore, before using any herbal supplements, a person should consult with their doctor.