Tongkat ali has been used as a medicinal aphrodisiac for centuries by people in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. Early stages of laboratory testing have shown that it can increase levels of testosterone, augment sexual desire and improve energy levels in animals. Tongkat ali is typically used by males looking to enhance sexual and athletic endurance.
Related Names
In the Dietary Supplements Labels Database, part of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, tongkat ali is also known by the following names: radix eurycoma longifolia; longjack extract complex; longjax; eurycoma longifolia Jack; and pasak bumi. The names used to identify this testosterone-boosting herb vary depending on geographic location.
Derived From
Tongkat ali is derived from a tree native to Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. The root from the tongkat ali tree is processed into a powder or liquid extract. While many herbal product manufactures may claim that one is more potent than another, Ray Sahelia, M.D., an expert in natural medicine and founder of a comprehensive website about dietary supplements and natural healing, indicates that both are equally effective.
Uses
Tongkat ali, identified as the "herbal Viagra," is believed to increase levels of testosterone in males. Testosterone is a hormone produced in the testes that is responsible for sexual characteristics and the growth of male sex organs. Testosterone also controls sexual desire, fertility and mood.
Bodybuilding.com, an online journal and retailer for body builders, advises its readers that tongkat ali may increase athletic endurance by boosting energy levels. Further, early research shows that rats dosed with compounds from this herb significantly increased certain muscle systems and body weight.
Scientific Evidence
In 2009, researchers from the Universiti Sains Malaysia, led by K.L. Chan, studied the effects of tongkat ali on male laboratory rats. After 30 days of oral treatment, the rats showed increased sperm count and higher levels of testosterone. These results lead researchers to believe that tongkat ali may be suitable for managing infertility in human males, although more research is needed.
A study published in the Saudi Medical Journal in 2007 by lead researcher A.E. Farouk found that tongkat ali could also potentially have antibacterial properties.
Safety
Tongkat ali may cause insomnia, anxiety, aggression and agitation. While the herb is used to boost sexual desire, taking tongkat ali for several days may cause sleep deprivation resulting in low sex drive. The herb may also increase body temperature, making vigorous activity, especially in warm environments, uncomfortable. Women or children should not use this supplement.
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