If you've been exploring the world of natural supplements, you've come across Tongkat Ali. It's gaining popularity for its believed health-boosting properties. But before you dive in, you might be wondering: Does Tongkat Ali actually work? Well, that's what we're here to uncover! Tongkat Ali, also known as Malaysian Ginseng, has a long history of traditional use for various health concerns. But now, scientists are studying it to see if it really does have all the benefits people talk about. We're going to take a closer look at what researchers have found out so far. By the end of our journey together, we'll have a better understanding of whether Tongkat Ali supplements are worth trying.
Dr. Ayesha Tufail
Certified Medical Doctor, Researcher and Top-Rated Medical Writer on Upwork. Dr. Ayesha Tufail has more than 10 years of experience working as a General Practitioner. Her areas of research include Stem Cell Therapy, Herbal Health Supplements & Adult ADHD.
You can get in touch with Dr. Ayesha via her LinkedIn account linked at the end of this page.
Scientific Research Supporting Tongkat Ali Health Benefits:
Tongkat Ali, also known as Eurycoma longifolia, has been scientifically studied and has numerous health benefits.
According to a 2016 study published in the Journal Molecules, Tongkat Ali is one of the most beneficial and safe traditional herbal medicines, having the following benefits:
1. Research indicates its efficacy in enhancing male fertility by increasing semen volume, sperm count, motility, and testosterone levels.
2. Tongkat Ali demonstrates noteworthy antimalarial characteristics against strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Furthermore, it demonstrates cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects on multiple cancer cell lines, suggesting its potential as an anticancer agent.
3. Tongkat Ali displays antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, along with anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiolytic properties.
4. The study highlights its antidiabetic effects through blood glucose reduction and enhanced insulin sensitivity, as well as its preventive role in osteoporosis, particularly in men, by counteracting oxidative stress and promoting bone health.
5. Studies suggest that Tongkat Ali is generally safe within therapeutic doses, benefiting sperm health and reproductive function in animals. However, caution is advised for those with diabetes, weakened immune systems, or allergies, and pregnant/lactating women should avoid it due to limited safety data. Tongkat Ali should be used with caution, taking into account individual health conditions and medications.
These findings highlight Tongkat Ali as a versatile medicinal plant with a wide range of therapeutic applications, from fertility enhancement to cancer treatment and beyond; however, more research is needed to fully understand its mechanisms and clinical implications.
Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction:
A scientific study published by the Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines in 2017 revealed the promising efficacy of Tongkat Ali in treating erectile dysfunction in sexually sluggish males by improving penile erection, erectile hardness and sexual performance. Following are the findings of the scientific study:
The research study focused on the effects of Eurycoma longifolia or Tongkat Ali, on male sexual health, excluding studies published before 2000 and prioritizing human clinical trials. Seven trials were eligible for inclusion, primarily conducted in Malaysia, USA, China, and South Africa, with sample sizes ranging from 13 to 350 subjects. These trials aimed to assess Tongkat Ali’s therapeutic potential in treating male sexual disorders, including erectile dysfunction, male infertility, and low sexual libido, often evaluating parameters such as penile erection, sexual satisfaction, and testosterone levels.
Results indicated significant improvements in erectile dysfunction symptoms, semen parameters, sexual libido, and testosterone levels with Tongkat Ali supplementation. The mechanism behind Tongkat Ali's effects on male sexual health involves potential actions on testosterone levels, penile muscle tone, and sperm quality.
Treatment for Sexual Disorders:
Refer to the schematic illustration showing the effect of Tongkat Ali in improving male sexual disorders [2]
Overall, as demonstrated by recent human clinical trials, the research indicates that Tongkat Ali has promising therapeutic effects in treating a variety of male sexual disorders.
A research study published in the Journal Wiley in 2014 investigated the effects of Tongkat Ali extract on elderly individuals looking to boost their physical performance. Thirteen active older men and 12 active older women, aged 57 to 72, took 400 mg of Tongkat Ali extract daily for 5 weeks. The study found that both men and women experienced increases in testosterone levels and muscle strength after the treatment. This suggests that Tongkat Ali could be a helpful supplement for older adults looking to improve their physical performance and strength.
A study published in Taylor & Francis in 2022 investigated the effects of supplementation with Tongkat Ali root extract, commonly known as Long Jack or Malaysian Ginseng, on stress hormones and mood states in 63 subjects over 4 weeks. Participants were screened for moderate stress and randomly assigned to receive either Tongkat Ali or a placebo.
The results showed significant improvements in mood parameters such as tension, anger, and confusion in the TA group compared to the placebo.
Additionally, Tongkat Ali supplementation led to a reduction in cortisol levels and an increase in testosterone levels, indicating an improved stress hormone profile. These findings suggest that daily supplementation with tongkat ali root extract may be an effective strategy for mitigating the negative effects of modern chronic stress, including day-to-day stress, dieting, sleep deprivation, and exercise training.
Daily supplementation (200 mg/day for 4 weeks) with Tongkat Ali resulted in significant improvements compared to placebo (PL) for indices of Tension (−11%), Anger (−12%), and Confusion (−15%) in moderately stressed adults [4]
A study conducted on rats in 2017 looked at how Eurycoma longifolia or Tongkat Ali, affects bone cells, aiming to see if it could be helpful for treating bone problems in men. They used special cells in the lab to see what happens when Tongkat Ali extract is added. They found that Tongkat Ali, especially at a dose of 25 µg/mL, made the bone cells grow better and become stronger compared to cells without Tongkat Ali. It also helped in making the bone cells harder. Compared to testosterone, Tongkat Ali worked even better at making the bone cells grow and become stronger. This suggests that Tingkat Ali could be a good natural option for treating bone issues like osteoporosis in men.
Treatment with Tongkat Ali increases the proliferation of bone cells [5]
Final Thoughts:
In conclusion, scientific research has shown that Tongkat Ali, also known as Malaysian Ginseng, offers a range of health benefits, including improving fertility, combating cancer cells, boosting immunity, and enhancing sexual health. Studies have also highlighted its potential for reducing stress, increasing testosterone levels, and improving mood. Moreover, Tongkat Ali has been found to aid in physical performance and bone health, making it a versatile herbal supplement. Considering its promising therapeutic effects backed by scientific evidence, Tongkat Ali could be a valuable addition to one's health regimen.
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Reference:
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Rehman, S. U., Choe, K., & Yoo, H. H. (2016). Review on a Traditional Herbal Medicine, Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali): Its Traditional Uses, Chemistry, Evidence-Based Pharmacology and Toxicology. Molecules, 21(3), 331. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules21030331
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Thu, H. E., Mohamed, I. N., Hussain, Z., Jayusman, P. A., & Shuid, A. N. (2016). Eurycoma Longifolia as a potential adoptogen of male sexual health: A systematic review on clinical studies. Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines, 15(1), 71-80. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1875-5364(17)30010-9
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Henkel, R. R., Wang, R., Bassett, S. H., Chen, T., Liu, N., Zhu, Y., & Tambi, M. I. (2014). Tongkat Ali as a potential herbal supplement for physically active male and female seniors—A pilot study. Phytotherapy Research, 28(4), 544-550.
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Shawn M Talbott, Julie A Talbott, Annie George & Mike Pugh (2013) Effect of Tongkat Ali on stress hormones and psychological mood state in moderately stressed subjects, Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 10:1, DOI: 10.1186/1550-2783-10-28
- Thu, H. E., Mohamed, I. N., Hussain, Z., & Shuid, A. N. (2017). Eurycoma longifolia as a potential alternative to testosterone for the treatment of osteoporosis: Exploring time-mannered proliferative, differentiative and morphogenic modulation in osteoblasts. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 195, 143-158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.10.085