Last updated on May 6th, 2023 at 12:11 pm
If you’re looking for a natural way to improve your physical performance and overall well-being, Tongkat Ali may be worth considering. Whether you’re a bodybuilder looking to gain an edge in the gym, or simply want to spice things up in the bedroom, this herbal extract may be all that you need to take your health to the next level.
What Is Tongkat Ali and How Does It Work?
Tongkat Ali is an herb that is popular as an aphrodisiac and is colloquially referred to, with names like Malaysian Ginseng or Long Jack. It is the root of the herb Eurycoma longifolia which is native to Southeast Asia and has been a part of traditional and folk medicine of many SE Asian countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, for centuries, to promote good health and long life as the term Tongkat in Malay actually means ‘The walking Staff’, so just like the walking staff keeps you stable and supports you Tongkat Ali acts as your inner body’s stabilizer.
This shrub tree and its roots are used to promote better and increased sperm production, higher libido, better free testosterone levels, manage erectile dysfunction, and increase muscle strength.
Tongkat Ali is claimed to promote homeostasis and thus is classified as an adaptogenic substance by herbalists.
One interesting fact about Tongkat Ali is that along with its testosterone and general health-related benefits, it has also been used as an antimalarial remedy.
Tongkat Ali Active compounds
Tongkat Ali has many active constituents which either work together or in isolation in our body and promote better health. As it is increasing in its popularity more research is being done and we are getting to know more qualities of this natural aphrodisiac with amazing health benefits.
Many research studies have shown the main active compounds in Tongkat Ali are quassinoids, which are:
- Eurycomanone, 13,21
- Dihydroeurycomanone
- 13α(21)-epoxyeurycomanone
- 14,15β- dihydroxyklaineanone
- Eurycomalactone, and
- Longilactone
- Dehydrolongilactone,
- 11-dehydroklaineanone
- Eurycomanol
- Qualene derivatives
- Biphenylneolignans
- Triterpenes
- Canthine-6-one and beta-carboline alkaloids
- Polysaccharides and Glycosaponins,
- Diterpenoids.
Out of these quassinoids, eurycomanone is the most abundant quassinoid found in Tongkat Ali supplements. This is a highly sought-after quassinoid for its known health benefits ranging from muscle strength recovery to better testosterone and general health.
Tongkat Ali and Testosterone
Tongkat Ali has been traditionally used not only to promote better health but also as a testosterone booster and is often also called homegrown Viagra in SE Asian nations as more eyes and more research is being done on this herb’s ability to promote higher libido and help with erectile dysfunction and recently after Andrew Huberman’s appearance on Joe Rogan’s Podcast health and fitness enthusiasts have also started to look into the possible benefits of Tongkat Ali in their health and how they can use it to keep an optimum level of testosterone in their body.
The active compound of Tongkat Ali which promotes the production of testosterone in the human body is called Eurycomanone.
The pituitary gland in our brain controls the production of testosterone in our body by controlling the hypothalamus which sends signals to Leydig cells ( most of which are present in testes) to start the production of testosterone, which eventually is synthesized into an enzyme called Estradiol. When this enzyme reaches a certain level in our body the Leydig cells slow down the production of testosterone.
This process is altered when we introduce Tongkat Ali which has Eurycomanone. As it stops Estradiol from binding with receptors which would send the signal to the Leydig cells to slow down the production of testosterone, and this results in the continued production of testosterone as long as you keep taking Tongkat Ali. So this is beneficial for someone with historically low testosterone.
Benefits of Tongkat Ali
Tongkat Ali promotes homeostasis and has been used traditionally for its several health benefits. Mainly its testosterone-boosting effects have wider health benefits as testosterone is needed for our body to maintain its muscles, bones, and good mental health. Tongkat Ali thus has several benefits some of which are:
- Optimum testosterone levels
- A better libido and high fertility
- It increases bone mass and the production of bones
- Lowers cortisol levels
- Better Mood
- Better blood circulation
Men over 30 experience a decrease in their overall testosterone levels and as we know testosterone is not just needed for male sexual health but for our overall health it’s necessary to maintain a testosterone level above 300 ng/dl. Such men would not only benefit from Tongkat Ali in bed but they would see an increase in their energy levels and their physiological health would also improve.
How long before Tongkat Ali starts to work
Tongkat Ali is an age-old traditional medicine with known benefits and is generally safe to consume in moderate amounts, and in recent times it has been extensively researched.
Several pieces of research have shown that Tongkat Ali does increase testosterone levels in healthy subjects.
One of those studies demonstrates a 37% increase in testosterone levels after they took
Tongkat Ali daily for 12 weeks. Within 4 weeks the participants experienced an increase of 28% in free testosterone levels with a daily dosage of 200 mg.
Another study with a higher dosage ( 400 mg ) found that the participants not only had an increase in free and total testosterone levels but also experienced an increase in muscle mass, quick workout recovery, and overall increased strength.
Tongkat Ali is rich in quassinoids which help in the production of luteinizing hormone which promotes the production of testosterone. Quassinoids present in Tongkat Ali, also regulate sex-hormone-binding-globulin and promote higher free testosterone.
Tongkat Ali is shown to reduce cortisol levels. When we have stressed our cortisol levels increase and cortisol is known as a testosterone killer, Tongkat Ali brings down cortisol levels.
Tongkat Ali starts working in a couple of weeks on a moderate dose and increases testosterone levels significantly, many reports feeling the difference in the first week itself however such differences vary widely.
Tongkat Ali Dosage
Several studies have indicated that a safe dose of Tongkat Ali is between 50-400 mg per day. Anything above that should not be taken without proper consultation with your nutritionist.
Make sure to drink plenty of water while taking Tongkat Ali to avoid experiencing side effects, which are rare.
Allow your body to get used to it and start with a low dose of Tongkat Ali and then slowly increase the amount over several days.
Tongkat Ali Side Effects
Tongkat Ali is a herbal supplement so it does not have many adverse effects when taken in moderation however you might experience the:
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Increased heart rate
- Dizziness
- Restlessness
As your body gets used to it these side effects should go away, in case these persist or are severe stop taking the herb and consult your doctor.
Takeaways
Tongkat Ali is an herb popular in many SE Asian countries for their testosterone-increasing properties. The quassinoids present in it are shown to increase the production of testosterone by not allowing Estradiol to trigger the slowing down of testosterone production. This helps in higher free testosterone which results in several health benefits including high stamina, increased fertility, and muscle strength.
