Tongkat Ali, also known as Eurycoma longifolia, has become increasingly popular as a natural supplement in the UK that is consumed by men and women as part of their daily diet.
Tongkat Ali is currently not listed in the banned list of ingredients in the UK. However, many consumers in Great Britain are uncertain of its legality, safety and whether they can buy, sell, consume or import.
Let’s explore its legal status in the UK based on official guidelines from regulatory bodies like the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
UK-based Natural Foundation (NF) Supplements was currently in a hot soup after UK authorities issued a ban on their Tongkat Ali products. They were contacted by the UK Government to stop selling Tongkat Ali products and soon NF uploaded a petition on Change.org to stop the government to ban Tongkat Ali products.
Reddit users were quick to speculate the ban of NF Tongkat Ali Supplements in the UK was due to impurities, adulterants or illegal substances (eg: illegal steroids) that may artificially boost testosterone or libido.
The ban may be the first legal action as UK authorities including MHRA are clamping down dubious Tongkat Ali suppliers, sellers, manufacturers and companies that operate in the United Kingdom.
Our observation of the consumer landscape in Great Britain in 2025 showed that Tongkat Ali is still being sold and used widely by sports communities and athletes. The good news is Tongkat Ali is not banned and you can still legally buy it from various brands.
Ollie from Birmingham was still glad that he could still purchase Tongkat Ali in the UK after using it for more than 2 years. “I mainly took it as a sports supplement to enhance my running performance, which helps to reduce my muscle fatigue and increase my stamina” he said.
“I am glad that MHRA has not issued any official statement or ban on Tongkat Ali”, adding that Tongkat Ali should not be banned as it contains similar adaptogenic and anabolic properties like Ashwagandha.
According to UK health coaches, there is no reason why consumers should worry about buying Tongkat Ali as it is legal to consume Tongkat Ali as it is not part of MHRA’s list of banned herbal ingredients.
In addition, British athletes may use Tongkat Ali as it is not listed under banned substances published by the UK Anti-Doping (UKDA) agency.
“I have been buying Tongkat Ali directly from Malaysia for years without any custom or clearance issues” said Tommy from Essex, who competes in marathons and trail runs.
A quick look at the UK landscape showed that there are plenty of Tongkat Ali sellers such as AKARALI, British Supplements, Supplement Place and Applied Nutrition continue to sell Tongkat Ali supplements.
To our surprise, none of these companies are banned from selling Tongkat Ali in the UK, offering options to buy Tongkat Ali directly from Indonesian or Malaysian sellers.
At the point of writing, MHRA and FSA are kept mum on the Tongkat Ali ban on UK re-sellers. However, MHRA is enforcing legal actions on UK manufacturers that sell Tongkat Ali with strong medical claims (even if it was through social media like TikTok).
Considering Tongkat Ali was first discovered by British William Jack in 1820, and British consumers may have used it as a tonic herbal drink or supplement in the UK for centuries, legal experts argue that further liberalisation of herbs is badly needed due to growing research studies and benefits of Tongkat Ali.
Tongkat Ali is not banned in the UK, but it exists in a regulatory grey area, depending on how it is marketed. The MHRA governs products sold with medicinal claims (eg: to cure diseases, boost testosterone, libido) – that can be found on the product labels or boxes. The UK health authorities enforce stern actions against Tongkat Ali brands that contain illegal substances (eg: anabolic steroids, stimulants, slidenafil, tadalafil).
The use of Tongkat Ali in the UK spans more than 200 years after its first documented discovery as a medicinal herb by British botanist (surgeon) Sir William Jack technically means that has exceeded 30 years of use under the EU law, which was once adopted by the UK authorities.
Despite being a plant-based food ingredient – under UK law, products (including Tongkat Ali, Ashwagandha, Maca, Fadogia) marketed as remedies for specific medical conditions—like low testosterone—must be classified as either medicinal or herbal remedies.
The MHRA’s Traditional Herbal Registration (THR) scheme was established as a pathway for products such as food supplements that are deemed safe for use based on traditional medicinal practices.
Here are two types of categories (i.e personal use or commercial use) to check whether you require approval if you are buying Tongkat Ali in the UK.
Category 1: For personal consumption (applicable to both buying in the UK or importing it outside the UK):
Purchase For Personal Use in the UK (For Personal Consumption)
| Legal Status
|
Tongkat Ali Capsules | · Not Banned · No Approval Required |
Tongkat Ali Powder | · Not Banned · No Approval Required |
Tongkat Ali Coffee | · Not Banned · No Approval Required |
Tongkat Ali Tea | · Not Banned · No Approval Required |
Category 2: For UK companies and individual resellers residing in the UK
Sales and Commercial Use in the UK (For Resellers & Companies)
| Legal Status
|
Tongkat Ali Capsules | Not Banned and But Require Approval |
Tongkat Ali Powder | Not Banned and But Require Approval |
Tongkat Ali Coffee | Not Banned and But Require Approval |
Tongkat Ali Tea | Not Banned and But Require Approval |
However, as of this writing, no Tongkat Ali products have been licensed under the THR scheme, nor approved for sale on Amazon UK. However, it is being widely used as a sports supplement by recreational and pro athletes, including in marathon events in the UK.
In fact, Tongkat Ali has grown as a popular sports supplement in Great Britain to elevate sports performance for runners only recently. “Thanks to Dr. Andrew Huberman, Tongkat Ali is now back in the spotlight amongst young edgy folks seeking higher testosterone and vitality”, said Oliver Witham from London.
“There are far more benefits of taking Tongkat Ali and there should be no reason to impose a restriction or outright ban on this herb” said a spokesperson of a London-based running community.
UK’s largest running community RunThrough has announced its partnership with global Tongkat Ali brand AKARALI at the recent Battersea Running Festival – which was a historic milestone, paving its way into the trusted mainstream sports supplement market.
45-year-old Merinda Welsch said that “Well-informed British consumers now know that buying Tongkat Ali in the UK is 100% legal and safe” and she added higher quality Tongkat Ali supplements with standardized hot water extract are often produced outside of Great Britain and imported into the UK, making it the best choice for discerning customers.
However UK-based companies selling Tongkat Ali could face more challenges in 2025 as the health authorities and food safety agencies are ramping up enforcement. According to Section 12 of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, unlicensed herbal products marketed for medicinal purposes could lead to enforcement action.
However, Tongkat Ali is commonly viewed and classified as a plant-based herb that is commonly used as an ingredient in food and beverages, dating back for centuries (even in the UK). And ultimately, this falls under the category of food supplement, and not as a medicinal drug to treat any diseases.
Therefore, any Tongkat Ali product sold in the United Kingdom with therapeutic (or medical/health) claims without MHRA’s approval is considered an unlicensed medicinal product and is not legally allowed to be sold in the UK. However, it is still legal for you to purchase from a company outside of the UK or import it directly into Great Britain, as long as it is for personal use.
It may be illegal for UK-based companies to sell Tongkat Ali in the UK including Amazon UK and other UK marketplaces, but it is legal for users to purchase, import or consume Tongkat Ali in the United Kingdom. To be safe, many British consumers are buying Tongkat Ali directly from Malaysia or Indonesia as the preferred option.
It is legal to purchase imported Tongkat Ali supplements, extract, coffee or capsules in the UK for personal use (i.e consumption) as MHRA or FSA have not issued any ban on Tongkat Ali products, powder, raw slices or supplements. In addition, you won’t be fined or jailed if you are caught buying or consuming Tongkat Ali supplements, powder extracts or Tongkat Ali-infused products under the UK Law.
Going deep into the subject, solicitors argue if Tongkat Ali is sold simply as a food supplement, it may bypass these licensing requirements by MHRA, provided it doesn’t make any health claims that would classify it as medicinal.
Furthermore, most British herbal experts and nutritionists categorize Tongkat Ali as “food” given it is plant-based and historically found in food or drinks, whilst MHRA categorizes Tongkat Ali as “novel food”. Therefore, many oppose to the idea of Tongkat Ali ban, or enforcement actions by MHRA on NF Supplement Tongkat Ali.
“Banning a natural plant-based Tongkat Ali is akin to banning other vegan products. It does not make sense given that ultra-processed food (UPF) has significantly higher risks to health” said 42 year old Alexander Goodman from Southampton.
While MHRA and FSA have not issued any ban on Tongkat Ali products from their official websites, you can still buy imported Tongkat Ali supplements, capsules or even powder extract without restrictions as long as you comply to custom and FSA regulations.
When importing Tongkat Ali from overseas, you must consider customs regulations to ensure the product adheres to UK laws.
The FSA regulates the safety of herbal supplements, categorizing them as food supplements if they do not claim to treat or prevent diseases.
According to UK Food Safety Laws, all imported food supplements must meet specific safety and labeling standards, including ingredient transparency and permissible levels of active compounds.
Consumers importing Tongkat Ali for personal use are generally not prohibited, but customs may inspect the products to ensure compliance with UK laws. If the product does not comply—such as making medicinal claims or containing unsafe levels of active ingredients—it could be seized by customs.
Under the General Food Law Regulation (EC) 178/2002, the FSA advises that imported products must be safe for human consumption, and food businesses are responsible for ensuring this.
Find out if Tongkat Ali is banned by the UK Armed Forces with our free guide.
As Tongkat Ali is not under MHRA’s banned list of substances or herbal ingredients, UK consumers can legally import Tongkat Ali for personal use.
If you plan to import Tongkat Ali in bulk or for commercial reasons, you may be taxed by UK Customs. The UK Customs have not issued any directive, or restrictions on Tongkat Ali (Longjack), whether it is in capsule, powder, raw slices or other form.
To avoid complications at the border, please ensure the Tongkat Ali product you bought comply to the following:
You may bring Tongkat Ali into the UK or through UK Customs (if you are buying Tongkat Ali outside the UK) without any problems. That includes importing it for personal use.
However, please ensure you purchase reputable Tongkat Ali products that are 3rd party lab tested by reputable labs such as EUROFINS.
3rd party lab-tested Tongkat Ali supplements (that come with a Certificate of Analysis) reduce the risks of custom checks in the UK, assuming you are buying it outside the United Kingdom.
Products that fail to meet these requirements could be stopped by customs officials and may lead to confiscation or other enforcement actions. This explains why certain Tongkat Ali products are detained by UK customs, while 99% of imported Tongkat Ali passes the custom without any issues.
As with any herbal supplement, safety is a priority for UK regulators.
The FSA requires that food supplements sold in the UK be safe for consumption, properly labeled, and free from harmful substances. Given Tongkat Ali’s growing popularity, some products imported from non-EU countries may not meet the UK’s rigorous safety standards. The FSA’s Guidance on Herbal Supplements recommends checking that supplements are tested by third-party labs and are free from contaminants like heavy metals and pesticides.
Before purchasing, ensure the product has been sourced from a reputable supplier and adheres to UK labeling standards. A reputable Tongkat Ali supplement should provide:
The Food Information to Consumers Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 mandates that food supplements, including herbal products, provide accurate nutritional and ingredient information.
Related Article: 3rd Party Lab Tested Tongkat Ali
Yes, at the time of writing, you can still buy Tongkat Ali in the UK or import it into the UK without legal consequences, restrictions, fines or imprisonment.
However, it is critical to choose Tongkat Ali products that comply with UK regulations. Tongkat Ali sold as food supplements are permissible as long as they do not make medicinal claims and meet FSA safety standards.
Sellers marketing Tongkat Ali as a testosterone booster or cure for specific health conditions without proper authorization from the MHRA risk enforcement actions. Therefore avoid buying fake or white-label Tongkat Ali supplements that are sold on eBay, Amazon and other sites.
Consumers should always check whether the product they intend to buy complies with both MHRA and FSA guidelines, especially when purchasing from overseas sellers.
Related Article: Clinically Tested Tongkat Ali
UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) publishes a list of prohibited substances but Tongkat Ali is not in the banned list.
Therefore, the use of Tongkat Ali as a herbal supplement by athletes may be still allowed as long as it does not contain non-approved substances, anabolic agents, peptide hormones, stimulants and other prohibited ingredients in the UK Anti-Doping list.
The UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) 2024 Prohibited List includes updates of prohibited substances, anabolic agents and stimulats in various categories:
Warning: Pro athletes using Tongkat Ali supplements in the UK should exercise caution when buying from private white labels, especially from unknown or less reputable Tongkat Ali brands – that are known to add stimulants, adulterants any other anabolic agents in small quantities.
Always purchase 3rd party lab tested Tongkat Ali by independent laboratories such as EUROFINS for the highest purity and safety.
While Tongkat Ali is not banned in the UK, its regulatory status depends on how it is marketed, or whether it contains illegal substances (eg: steroids, synthetic drugs, sildenafil, tadalafil).
For personal use, you can legally buy and import Tongkat Ali from countries such as Malaysia or Indonesia, but be aware of MHRA and FSA guidelines regarding safety, labeling, and claims. Stick to reputable Tongkat Ali brands in the UK, and ensure the product is marketed as a food supplement rather than a medicinal product to avoid regulatory issues.
For the most current regulations, always refer to official resources like the MHRA and FSA websites, which provide detailed guidelines on medicinal herbs and food supplements.
References:
MHRA – Traditional Herbal Registration Scheme:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-traditional-herbal-registration-thr
FSA – Guidance on Food Supplements:
https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/food-supplements
Human Medicines Regulations 2012:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/1916/contents/made
General Food Law Regulation (EC) 178/2002:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2002/178/contents
Alex Kua leads AKARALI’s Global Partnership Community to help athletes, sports communities, and thousand of others optimize their well-being through evidence-based research that enables them to make better informed decisions. His legal and business consulting background underpins the rigorous data-driven approach in his writing – from hours of interviews, real-world performance data, and firsthand experiences of real people – offering actionable insights that connects clinical research, emerging health trends, and real-world applications. He is also an experienced researcher in herbal nutrition, with years of deep technical knowledge on Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia), including quality standards, industry benchmarks, lab tests, clinical trials, and the use of natural herbs by collaborating with top scientists, herbal experts, and nutritionists. As part of the core team behind AKARALI’s knowledge portal, he empowers people worldwide to access the benefits of high-quality herbal nutrition in a way that is effective, sustainable, and safe. He is also an avid runner, with regular participation in local sports communities and running events.
Our articles are third party reviewed by our panel of experts and medical advisors to ensure the facts are accurate and credible. These are validated against multiple source references which include but not limited to research studies, peer-reviewed journals, pre-clinical studies, clinical tests and other credible publications.
Our panel of medical advisors and experts are highly experienced in their individual fields. However, they do not provide any medical advice or recommendations arising from content published in this article.
Disclaimer:
The content published on this website is for educational purposes and should not be viewed, read, or seen as a prescription or constitute any form of medical advice. We recommend you consult your nearest GP or doctors before consuming Tongkat Ali or any products which contain Tongkat Ali. For further information, kindly refer to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for more information.
