Last Updated : 12th June 2025
Authentic Tongkat Ali is increasingly rare in the US and even harder to spot the differences when it is sold in capsules or powder extract. Unless you purchase from a reputable brand or manufacturer, chances are it is not a genuine Tongkat Ali.
Experts believe there are ways to spot a real Tongkat Ali from taste or even from its colour. To avoid buying a fake Tongkat Ali, this article shares how to spot authentic Tongkat Ali when buying supplements in the US, UK, Canada and Australia.
Tongkat Ali (or Eurycoma Longifolia) is known as ‘Pasak Bumi’ (Indonesia), Cay Ba Binh (Vietnam), Pin Yin: 东革阿里 or Dōng gé āllǐ (China), ‘Longjack’ (United States) or even ‘Malaysian Ginseng’, but these name does not reflect the level of authenticity that consumer will get.
Therefore buying a Longjack supplement does not guarantee that you are getting a more authentic Tongkat Ali, if it is 3rd party lab tested.
Authentic Tongkat Ali roots often contain superior bioactive properties, compounds and ingredients that are beneficial to health.
Pure authentic Tongkat Ali supplements often contain root powder extracts that are not adulterated or diluted by fillers, binders, food agents or preservatives, which may alter its bioactive properties.
Industry observers found that many American and British consumers are consuming 200:1 Tongkat Ali extract that may have lower potency than advertised, making it less authentic and pure compared to standardized Tongkat Ali supplements. This could be a nightmare for consumers looking for high quality Tongkat Ali.
Now lets review the authentic Tongkat Ali based on feedback from consumers and our technical assessment on Pasak Bumi Authentic Tongkat Ali.
In its original form, an authentic Tongkat Ali refers to the plant, root or bark used for traditional medicines or a herbal tonic drink, often by the indigenous people (Orang Asli from Malaysia). This tradition continues into modern times enabled by world-class herbal extraction technologies and governed by quality manufacturing standards and 3rd party safety tests.
You can tell if you are buying a pure original yellow Tongkat Ali from its colour – bright pastel yellow with a hint of dark golden shades as the roots get older (often from mature plants that are 5 to 10 years old).
Many experts believe that handpicked mature Tongkat Ali roots are the most authentic, although sourcing from the wild is proven to be time-consuming. But there are companies such as AKARALI that spend decades of dedication to harvest pure authentic mature Tongkat Ali roots.
“Wild naturally grown Tongkat Ali costs more to harvest, but it is as real, authentic and original as you can get if you want the best” said Shahid Shayaa, CEO & Founder of AKARALI.
Meanwhile research scientists from the Forest Research Malaysian Institute (FRIM) said real Tongkat Ali roots are often more bitter than the barks, and mature Tongkat Ali roots from 5 year-old plants taste super bitter, with an unpleasant aftertaste that stays in your mouth.
What makes Tongkat Ali "real" starts from sourcing quality roots and ensuring it is not diluted, altered or engineered with additives, organic fillers or synthetic food agents during the extraction process.
In reality, you can source or buy authentic Tongkat Ali roots in countries such as Malaysia, but it is impossible to find original Tongkat Ali supplements in stores in Amazon US, or UK these days. The probability of finding the real stuff in any supplement store (after being processed and exported in powder form) is very low.
Rapid growth and lack of quality control by white-label resellers have eroded consumer trust. With rampant use of preservatives and fillers, you cannot tell whether the Tongkat Ali is real of fake.
What is more interesting is that the 200:1 Tongkat Ali extracts sold in the US, UK and Europe are always thought to be authentic and pure. But behind the marketing genius of the unregulated herbal industry, the level of authenticity can only be verified from its percentage of bioactive ingredients (i.e eurycomanone, eurypeptides, glycosaponin, polysaccharides and other traces of minerals).
Most often than not, here is what we found.
Our analysis revealed that at least 90% of the Tongkat Ali supplements sold on Amazon, iHerb and eBay are deemed less authentic due to the low bioactive ingredients from low quality roots and poor extraction methods.
“Popular US-made Tongkat Ali brands such Solaray, Nootropics Depot and MaxMale use Tongkat Ali extracts filled with maltodextrin that alters the purity, potency and efficacy” said an industry insider from California who declined to be named.
As a result, many American consumers are victims when buying popular Tongkat Ali supplements that are made-in-US due to lack of awareness of how the industry operates.
“Solaray Tongkat Ali contains 0.12% eurycomanone, which is less than 6x than premium authentic Tongkat Ali products” says Head of R&D Lab of Biotropics, Jean, who tested more than 50 Tongkat Ali extracts in the last 5 years.
If you are not getting any measurable results from your blood work or testosterone test reports from taking Tongkat Ali, chances are you have bought Tongkat Ali that is not deemed authentic, clean or pure.
From the legendary American herbal medicine guru Chris Kilham to renowned MIT scientists, top Australian herbalists and British functional health coaches, many have ventured into the wild rainforests of Malaysia to search the real Tongkat Ali.
Handpicked mature Tongkat Ali roots are seen as a gem amongst herbal purists and health coaches due to their purity and zero damage to the natural ecosystem.
This is the reason why AKARALI is among the most authentic pure Tongkat Ali that is highly sought after by affluent and discerning health-conscious customers in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia. Their genuine approach to helping local indigenous to harvest quality Tongkat Ali plants in remote rainforests has proven to attract health wellness enthusiasts. Its carefully handpicked roots coupled with continuous lab tests, research, product development, and education set AKARALI apart from the rest as the number one authentic Tongkat Ali brand in the world.
The best way is to obtain a copy of the Certificate of Analysis (COA) report from the Tongkat Ali brand or company. The COA lab report should display the percentage levels of eurycomanone, eurypeptides and glycosaponin. A higher bioactive content indicates you are buying authentic Tongkat Ali extract. Tongkat Ali brands which do not display their COA report on their website are shady, absolutely dodgy and may not be selling real stuff.
Another common way is to ensure that the extract is 3rd party lab tested, or used in clinical trials. You can request for a copy of a 3rd party lab report to ensure you are buying real authentic Tongkat Ali that are not adulterated, or free from synthetic additives, drugs or steroids.
There are many cases of shady Tongkat Ali brands citing health benefits (eg: testosterone boost or libido boost) from borrowed clinical trials without performing their own efficacy or potency tests from their own published studies (or clinical trials). And these are signs that you are not buying an authentic Tongkat Ali product.
There are many ways to assess the level of authenticity when buying Tongkat Ali. With our checklist, you can spot if the Tongkat Ali is real (or fake) as long as you conduct your own due diligence based on all of the criteria stated below:
Most Tongkat Ali products are generally GMP-certified but premium authentic Tongkat Ali extracts often adhere to the Tongkat Ali industry standards such as the MS2409, or approved for export by the Ministry of Health, or by the relevant health authorities.
USFDA-approved certificate may not guarantee the level of authenticity of any Tongkat Ali products, but you can still use 3rd party lab reports as a preliminary quality check if required.
Authentic Tongkat Ali using hot water extraction method mimics the century-old traditional boiling method, which was practiced by the indigenous people. This form of extraction is often cleaner, more pure and contains fewer contaminants compared to the ethanol-based extraction method.
Heavy metal lab tests by in-house and 3rd parties may position the product as “more authentic or real”, although some of these tests are mainly regulatory or safety compliance, and may not reflect the authenticity of Tongkat Ali.
In its original natural form, fresh or raw unprocessed yelllow Tongkat Ali roots (Eurycoma Longifolia) has a strong light-yellow with undertones of light brown or a golden tint depending on the age of the plant.
Supplements containing real or authentic Tongkat Ali powder extract may exhibit changes in colour – typically turning from yellow to dark brown when exposed to high temperatures and humidity for a prolonged period. This is a strong indication that the Tongkat Ali root extract is organic, pure, and natural.
On the other hand, white Tongkat Ali powder extract is reported to be less pure as it may contain high amounts of fillers, or maltodextrin – which is known to be in the form of white powder added as fillers in capsules.
So, the best way to find out if you are buying an authentic Tongkat Ali is to first check the colour of the Tongkat Ali in the capsule. If your visual inspection revealed a pale yellowish-to-white, it means the Tongkat Ali has additives, maltodextrin or fillers made from rice, corn, wheat or potato.
You can tell if Tongkat Ali is real or not by its taste. Tongkat Ali’s taste is often used as a non-scientific but pragmatic measure to assess the level of authenticity, often indicated by the level of bitterness.
For reference, the default taste profile for common Tongkat Ali species (i.e yellow, red or black) is bitter, although there will a hint of saltiness or umami if the Tongkat Ali is grown at swampy areas near coastal areas.
Potent or more mature Tongkat Ali roots may taste bitterly unpleasant, often described as harsh with an occasional drying or puckering sensation in the mouth. Standardized Tongkat Ali root extract powder is often more bitter than generic 200:1 extract, and the bitter unpleasant taste may go away after 5-10 minutes.
Genuine Tongkat Ali reviews help you to assess the authenticity. Consumer reviews, recommendations, or even long-term reviews of Tongkat Ali can be used as an indicator in your assessment.
Authentic Tongkat Ali products conduct real-world performance tests outside the clinical lab environment by testing it on endurance athletes, inactive adults and others with complex real-world conditions and variables. This ensures a better feedback loop from authentic honest reviews.
Tongkat Ali Quality Processes and Standards are an important part to ensure the authenticity can be retained
The reality is, that bio-active compounds for any genuine unadulterated herbal products differ largely on the extraction technology which gives the bitter taste profile, colour, texture and efficacy. At times, the level of bitterness is often associated with authentic Tongkat Ali extract, but that is not the final indicator (marker) that defines the level of potency or authenticity.
The types of extraction technology, and the types of solvent used to extract the bioactive compounds from Tongkat Ali are equally important to differentiate whether it is a “real” or “fake” extract – often found in China and Indonesia.
The extraction method tells more stories behind any authentic Tongkat Ali products.
Authentic Tongkat Ali brands such as AKARALI™ use US-patented hot water extraction technology known as Physta® which is reported to best the purest and cleanest Tongkat Ali you could buy in the UK. The purity of its single-origin raw Tongkat Ali roots is a game changer and makes it truly special amongst top-ranking authentic Tongkat Ali in the US.
Purchasing an authentic Tongkat Ali product benefits your health greatly and leaves you peace of mind.
In the case of Solaray Tongkat Ali and Momentous Tongkat Ali, the level of authenticity, purity and potency are big question marks. At the same time, Sumatra Pasak Bumi and the rest of the US-made Tongkat Ali brands are riding on the hype of using 200:1 extract as a marketing gimmick to convince customers on the level of potency.
The truth is, Tongkat Ali’s true potency marker is measured by:
For consumers seeking authentic products, it is important to search for reputable Tongkat Ali brands that genuinely source their extract from 100% Tongkat Ali roots. That is the reason why building strong working relationships with Tongkat Ali suppliers / indigenous people directly at source is crucial to ensure a consistent supply of quality harvests.
Most US-based Tongkat Ali brands are unable to control the raw supply and quality of Tongkat Ali extracts, which makes it challenging for consumers to buy pure authentic Tongkat Ali in the US.
Our review of quality authentic Tongkat Ali brands showed that few brands use pure unadulterated Tongkat Ali extracts – and mostly are sourced from Malaysia’s manufacturers and suppliers. On the other hand, Indonesian Tongkat Ali found in Momentous Tongkat Ali and Solaray contains the least purity as it is filled with rice fillers, food agents (eg: corn starch), or food additives such as maltodextrin.
Chromatography tests are one of the ways to measure the level of authenticity of Tongkat Ali. Read more about the test here.
Comparing Indonesian Pasak Bumi Tongkat Ali and Malaysian-sourced Tongkat Ali products provides a good example how we can objectively assess or identify the level of authenticity based on key parameters.
AKARALI™ | Pasak Bumi | |
 |
| |
Manufacturer Ownership | Government of Malaysia | Private |
Chromatography Test | Yes | Unknown |
GMP Certified | Yes | Unknown |
Halal Certified | Yes | Unknown |
Trademark Registered | Yes | Unknown |
Standardized Extract | Yes | Unknown |
Freeze-Dried Extraction Technology Physta® | Yes | Unknown |
Potency Level | High | Low |
Ministry of Health (MOH) Certified | Yes | Unknown |
Origin | Malaysia | Indonesia |
Capsules | 30 | 100 |
Price | USD 36.90 | USD 119 |
A pure authentic Tongkat Ali, when processed using hot water extract, is often rich in bio-active compounds which is great news if you are seeking to optimize your health benefits (eg: testosterone, libido or mood improvements).
The good news is, a good way to know if you are buying a real or original Tongkat Ali supplement is by obtaining a copy of the COA or lab report that shows the level of bioactive compounds such as eurycomanone, glyosaponin, polysaccharide and total protein.
Most high-quality authentic Tongkat Ali extracts meet or exceed the minimum bioactive threshold standards defined by the Malaysian Tongkat Ali standards, MS2409 – an internationally recognized Tongkat Ali industry standard that most manufacturers refer to in the US and UK.
If you are unable to procure any lab kit or fail to obtain a copy of the Certificate of Analysis (COA) report from your Tongkat Ali company, you can perform this simple test at home to verify the authenticity of Tongkat Ali. At a very basic level, you can tell if you are buying a real Tongkat Ali product or not.
Here are some quick steps:
Real Tongkat Ali roots made from premium hot water standardized extracts are highly soluble in water, which helps faster absorption, making it safe on the liver and kidneys, even at high doses.
Experts believe premium authentic Tongkat Ali brands use standardized hot water extracts that delivers the highest level of potency that your body requires at optimal dosage, typically between 200mg to 400mg per capsule. This guarantees optimal benefits if you seek real and immediate benefits.
Reviewed and tested amongst the top-tier premium Tongkat Ali in the US and UK, AKARALI offers pure authentic Tongkat Ali extract sourced from handpicked mature roots that are clinically tested to perform better with higher efficacy.
If you live in the US, UK or Europe, you may buy authentic real Tongkat Ali supplements at AKARALI’s global Tongkat Ali store – a reputable shop with fast worldwide delivery in 3 to 5 working days.
You may also buy authentic Tongkat Ali on Amazon via AKARALI’s official store which offers speedy delivery to US customers, making it the largest and most reputable Tongkat Ali shop in the US.
And those who want the highest purity and all-natural organic Tongkat Ali, you can buy raw Tongkat Ali roots in thin slices directly from reputable manufacturers and suppliers in Malaysia or Indonesia at low prices, typically below $50 per 1kg.
Real authentic Tongkat Ali is defined by three major components; i.e quality of Tongkat plants, quality extraction that forms the ingredient and scientific studies to validate its extraction/ingredient. So if you are buying one, always look out for these three major elements.
While Momentous Tongkat Ali, Nootropics Depot, Solaray Tongkat Ali and Sumatra Pasak Bumi are US best-selling Tongkat Ali brands, these are deemed less authentic and consumers need to be aware of their impurities, potency, efficacy and potential side effects.
Single-origin Tongkat Ali supplements such as AKARALI are deemed the most authentic, and rare and their products come at premium prices. Ultimately, the artisan authentic Tongkat Ali brand performs better due to its quality harvesting techniques that are proven to produce higher potency backed by 26 clinical human tests and clinical trials.
The authenticity of Indonesian Tongkat Ali is often a big question mark as the country does not have any form of national standardization of its Tongkat Ali products to begin with.
Indonesian-owned Tongkat Ali brands such as Sumatra Pasak Bumi are often deemed less authentic by clinical scientists and herbalists as most contain eurycomanone content of less than 0.5%
Indonesian Tongkat Ali often consists of a mix of Yellow, Black and Red Tongkat Ali found in its extract although you may still find yellow Tongkat Ali (i.e Eurycoma Longifolia) from reputable suppliers. In the case of Indonesian Pasak Bumi Tongkat Ali and the highly-sought after Huberman Momentous Tongkat Ali, we found no clinical studies, lab tests, or even references made on its extract. This raises concern about the authenticity of its Tongkat Ali extract and its claimed benefits.
As Malaysian Tongkat Ali is mostly preferred by discerning consumers in the UK, US, Canada and Europe, there are 5 reasons why Malaysian Tongkat Ali is considered the most authentic by herbalists and functional health coaches compared to Indonesian Tongkat Ali.
Naressa Khan contributes regularly on AKARALI. As a writer and journalist, Naressa is all about creating, deconstructing, and reassembling meanings through words. With this approach always in mind, she eagerly explores the nuances in life via the aspects of lifestyle, culture, travel, health, and wellness.
Disclaimer: Content published in this article is not intended to provide any form of recommendations, directly or indirectly to purchase or consume herbal supplements, drugs, medications, alternative remedies and practices or any brands mentioned in this article. By reading this, the sole responsibility and decision lies on the reader to make an informed decision based on publicly available information published on the internet. Any herbal supplements can be used as a health supplement, dietary plan or to treat illnesses. However, we encourage you to consult your nearest doctor before making any purchase from this website or any other websites or social platforms after reading this article. We do not hold any responsibility or accountability for any products purchased from this website or any third-party websites that are linked to this articles, sales channels or social platforms
