Buying Cheap Tongkat Ali: Is it Worth it? Find Out the Truth

Consumers are spoilt for choices when buying Tongkat Ali. There are those who seek premium quality Tongkat Ali, often sold at premium prices to justify its wide range of scientifically proven health benefits.

And there are bargain hunters who love to buy Tongkat Ali at incredibly low prices. You can buy cheap Tongkat Ali in the US with made-in-China extracts, but most are not clinically tested on humans.

Now is buying cheap Tongkat Ali worth your money?

In this article we shall share a list of top Tongkat Ali at bargain prices before we deep-dive into the reasons behind these low prices and whether should you even consider buying one.

Let’s find out.

Overview

Cheap Tongkat Ali supplements such as Nutricost, Solaray Tongkat Ali, and Nature Supplements are sold at prices below the average price of USD 20 per bottle.

These offer unbeatable value for first-time Tongkat Ali users and those on a tight budget. Here are the top affordable Tongkat Ali supplements that you can buy in 2023.

Cheap Tongkat Ali supplements below USD 20

Brand

Price (USD)

VIP Supplements Boost Your Energy Supplement – LONGJACK Size UP

19.99

Sport Supplements Bodybuilding Pills

19.97

Health Solution Tongkat ali l-arginine – TONGKAT ALI Root Extract 100: 1

19.97

Health Solution Prime Longjack Testosterone Booster

19.96

Wonderland Herbs TONGKAT ALI Pure Root 50:1

19.95

PRIVATE LABEL nutrition EPIMEDIUM for Men – Energy Complex

19.95

Sport Supplements TONGKAT ALI Mens Premium Com TONGKAT ALI Premium Complex for Men plex

19.95

VIP Supplements Boost Tongkat ali Maximum Strength – X-TEND Energy Complex,

19.95

PRIVATE LABEL nutrition LONGJACK Premium Complex

19.88

VIP Supplements tongkat ali Horny Goat Weed

18.95

Nature Supplements TONGKAT ALI Premium Complex for Men

17.95

HS Prime tribulus terrestris Extract for Men – TONGKAT ALI LONGJACK

17.95

VIP Supplements GET Hard Pills, maca Extract, tongkat ali

17.95

Sport Supplements tongkat ali Capsules for Men

16.97

Natural Complex for Women – Female Energy Pills

16.95

Natural Balance Long Jack PowerMax 200

15.99

Nutricost LongJack (Eurycoma Longifolia) 100:1

15.95

Siberian Green Rasputin Herbs with Horny Goat Weed Maca Root Tongkat Ali Complex

15.95

Nutricost Tongkat Ali 500mg

13.95

Related Article: If you are looking for premium products, check out top best-selling Tongkat Ali supplements that are worth spending your money on at unbeatable value prices.

The Truth Behind Low Tongkat Ali Prices

Whilst you may be tempted to buy one, there are reasons behind the unbelievably low prices.

The truth is, that most of the ridiculously cheap Tongkat Ali supplements are often a result of a low-cost strategy and possibly dirty tactics by manufacturers.

Tongkat Ali supplements sold at low prices may forgo quality and less potency due to mass-production techniques to increase profit margins substantially.

Here is a quick assessment when comparing cheap Tongkat Ali vs. premium Tongkat Ali (using proprietary hot water standardized extract).

Bioactive Ingredients: Cheap vs. Premium Tongkat Ali
 
Cheap Tongkat Ali Bioactive Specification

Extraction method: Ethanol-based extract

  • < 0.8% Eurycomanone
  • <10% Eurypeptides
  • <20% Total Glycosaponin
  • <10% Total Protein
  • <20%% Total Polysaccharides

 

Premium Tongkat Ali Bioactive Specification

Extraction method: Hot water standardized extract

  • 1.5%-3% Eurycomanone
  • 20% – 22% Eurypeptides
  • 40% – 48% Total Glycosaponin
  • 20% – 22% Total Protein
  • 25% – 30% Total Polysaccharides

Cheap low-quality Tongkat Ali supplements often lead to unfavorable customer feedback, with many reported zero or minimal health gains; largely from placebo.

If you accidentally bought one and did not work, you may find these tips useful to gain the best results when taking Tongkat Ali.

Here are some facts and truth behind cheap Tongkat Ali products.

1. Raw Tongkat Ali roots are the cheapest

The cheapest raw Tongkat Ali roots are priced between USD 5 – 10  per kilogram and this is by far the cheapest Tongkat Ali you can buy.

The reason behind ridiculously cheap prices is that unprocessed raw Tongkat Ali root contains the lowest bioactive ingredients that may not deliver useful gains (efficacy) to health.

In short, raw Tongkat Ali roots have less value compared to the final Tongkat Ali extract.

Manufacturers purchase cheap Tongkat Ali roots directly from the suppliers who are predominantly indigenous people living in the remote rainforests of Malaysia, or at the border of Kalimantan area in Indonesia.

Dirty tactics to keep Tongkat Ali prices low
  • Cheap Tongkat Ali roots are mixed with barks, stems and other parts, which are less potent when subjected to the extraction process.
  • Cheap Tongkat Ali dried roots are mixed with Yellow Tongkat Ali, Red Tongkat Ali, or even Black Tongkat Ali. A dangerous mix of Black Tongkat Ali with high metal toxicity can damage your health.
  • Cheap Tongkat Ali roots are mixed with unknown plants, which look similar.
Facts on cheap Tongkat Ali sold in the USA
  1. Most US-based manufacturers source their cheap raw Tongkat Ali roots from Indonesia due to cheap labour (with an average monthly income of USD 140).
  2. Consumer should know that Tongkat Ali that grows near the coal mines in Indonesia contain higher mercury than the maximum allowable limit by USFDA of 1 ppm.
  3. Studies have reported that high mercury pollution in Indonesia due to rampant mining activities has tremendous impact to the quality of the natural ecosystem and agriculture activities.

An Indonesian worker paid below minimum wage to process the raw Tongkat Ali roots in the Kalimantan area, before exporting them illegally to China for extraction by US-based manufacturers.

There are many ways to shortchange consumers into buying cheap but low-quality Tongkat Ali supplements.

Here are some dirty tactics deployed by US-based manufacturers and it can happen to you when buying cheap Tongkat Ali supplements on Amazon.

Note: Inconsistent quality often comes with minimal health benefits should you buy a cheap Tongkat Ali from China or Indonesia. Counterfeits and fake Tongkat Ali are often sold on Amazon with no regulation by USFDA.

2. Cheap Tongkat Ali extract is mostly from China

Most US-made Tongkat Ali brands import their Tongkat Ali extracts from China. And Chinese companies usually source their raw Tongkat Ali materials from Indonesia at incredibly low prices.

Priced at USD 21 per bottle, Doublewood Tongkat Ali (120 capsules) is one of the cheapest Tongkat Ali you can buy on Amazon. Doublewood claims that the Tongkat Ali extract was manufactured in China, which raises doubts amongst consumers seeking quality clinically tested supplements.

At the ridiculously low production cost to produce Tongkat Ali extract in China, are you getting the best quality Tongkat Ali extract that can benefit your health?

Here are some facts that you should know.

Facts: Cheap China-produced Tongkat Ali extract in the USA

  • China does not have the expertise to produce high-quality Tongkat Ali extract as Tongkat Ali is not native to China.
  • Most Chinese companies import cheap Tongkat Ali raw roots from Indonesia and illegally from Malaysia too.
  • Tongkat Ali is banned by the Chinese Government. This is to protect competition from China’s own home-grown
  • Most Chinese companies produce fake claims eurycomanone up to 10%
  • Most Chinese companies export Tongkat Ali extract to the US and sold at cheap prices.
  • Most Chinese companies mix bark, roots and other unknown plant into the Tongkat Ali extract to lower the production cost.
  • Chinese companies are known to deploy child labour and underwaged workers at their factories.

There are many China’s factories that produce low quality Tongkat Ali, with claims of producing 10-20% eurycomanone. Here is one example:

This factory in China at an undisclosed location was reported to have illegally imported 50 tonnes of Tongkat Ali from Malaysia despite being banned by the Chinese Government.

Many consumers have avoided China-made Tongkat Ali extract due to its lack of quality, unverified potency, and lack of safety standards.  

The best Tongkat Ali extracts are sourced from Malaysia at value prices due to many reasons, notably from decades of public-sector driven investment in Tongkat Ali research by various authorities such as the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), Khazanah Nasional (a multibillion dollar sovereign wealth fund) and others.

3. Most cheap Tongkat Ali products are not clinically tested

Most cheap Tongkat Ali products manufactured in China are often not clinically tested. Although most Tongkat Ali brands sold on Amazon are lab-tested for safety, most are not clinically tested for efficacy or potency.

Now why does this matter?

Difference between clinically tested vs. lab tested

  • Lab-tested: tests that are often carried out to verify Tongkat Ali’s bioactive ingredients, which includes toxicity and microbial tests. This test is cheap and test result is often published in the Certificate of Analysis (COA).
  • Clinically tested: tests that are performed to investigate the health response or effect of Tongkat Ali, usually conducted by scientists and researchers that involve in-vitro or human test subjects. Often carried out in a placebo-controlled group setting to validate its findings and test results.

Most consumer prefer buying clinically tested Tongkat Ali, which is not cheap. According to American Botanical Council, there are 170 research studies on Tongkat Ali published to date.

Tongkat ali has become popular in the past decade, in part due to the growing body of scientific research on this interesting medicinal plant

However, the reality is that most Tongkat Ali brands often cannot afford to conduct research studies, clinical trials or human tests to prove its Tongkat Ali formulation and responses to human health.

This is because Tongkat Ali clinical trials are capital intensive activities involving large-scale investment and long-term commitment by companies.

Buying Tips: Cheap clinically tested quality Tongkat Ali 
  • Priced as low as USD 0.89 per capsule, few established Tongkat Ali brands such as Physta® Tongkat Ali extract are clinically tested and attracted more than 50 research studies on Physta® since the last decade.

  • It may not be extremely cheap, but certainly, a premium Tongkat Ali product can be relatively affordable given the price of USD 29 per bottle vis-a-vis the superior health benefits it delivers. And it has attracted many Tongkat Ali lovers who are seeking to make that switch into quality Tongkat Ali supplements.

  • Physta® formulated AKARALI products are backed by more than 26 clinical trials and research studies; giving you much-needed confidence.  

    Clinical trials are regarded as the gold standard in the pharmaceutical industry to ensure consistent health benefits, gains, and safety are adhered to.

4. Cheap Tongkat Ali products does not deliver health benefits

In reality, most consumers reported zero health gains, with no noticeable or significant benefits from cheap Tongkat Ali supplements due to low potency and efficacy.

Some even reported no increase in testosterone or libido even after consuming 1,500 mg or even higher dose of Tongkat Ali.

Finest Tongkat Ali products such as AKARALI contain proprietary extraction technology that delivers the highest bioactive ingredients (i.e ~1.5% eurycomanone, ~20% eurypeptides, ~40% glycosaponin, ~30% polysacharide) that your body needs to achieve your health goals.

The truth is, cheap Tongkat Ali products often come with a much lower potency that may not elicit any response or positive effects on health.

In fact, cheap Tongkat Ali products may not contain 100% root extract and that explains lower eurycomanone, eurypeptides and other bioactive ingredients.

Here is what we know

  • Higher potency delivers a higher response, or effect to your body, benefiting key hormones such as testosterone and cortisol and other parts of your health functions.
  • Cheap Tongkat Ali products are not manufactured to the gold standard of any herbal extraction method, i.e a standardized extract
  • Cheap Tongkat Ali products contain less than 1% eurycomanone, often from less mature Tongkat Ali roots that are illegally harvested by unethical suppliers looking for shortcuts to meet the global consumer demand.

FAQ: User Guide

Find out more insights when shopping for cheap or low-priced Tongkat Ali supplements.

Where can I buy cheap Tongkat Ali?

Amazon and eBay offer Tongkat Ali supplements at low prices between USD 15- USD20 for 30 to 60 capsules. Most of supplements sold on Amazon use cheap non-standardized Tongkat Ali extract and users are cautioned to check the manufacturer’s lab reports and the extraction protocols.

Is Alibaba the best place to buy cheap Tongkat Ali?

Yes, Alibaba is the cheapest eCommerce marketplace to buy cheap but low-quality Tongkat Ali extract or capsules, priced as low as USD 100 for 1 kg of generic extract. However, the quality is heavily compromised as it may not be lab tested, nor clinically tested to work on humans.

Should I buy Tongkat Ali from Alibaba?

You should avoid buying Tongkat Ali from Alibaba as it contains fake and low-quality Tongkat Ali extracts that are made in China. Whilst most low-priced Tongkat Ali extracts are lab tested, most are not clinically tested on humans and failed to comply to the Malaysian Tongkat Ali Standards, MS2409.

Related Article: Tongkat Ali Standards MS2409

Where can I buy cheap Tongkat Ali in the US?

Solaray, Nutricost, Natural Balance and Doublewood Tongkat Ali are one of the cheapest Tongkat Ali on Amazon US, at incredibly low prices between USD 15 to 20, which come with lower potency compared to premium Tongkat Ali brands such as AKARALI.

What are the downsides of buying cheap Tongkat Ali?

The potential downside of buying cheap Tongkat Ali supplements is the risks of side effects from low-quality extracts that are not thoroughly lab tested. Some cheap Indonesian Tongkat Ali contain adulterants or contaminants that contribute to severe side effects.

Do cheap Tongkat Ali supplements work?

Buying cheap Tongkat Ali supplements may work to a certain extent, but it may not have the level of potency (or efficacy) to produce optimal health benefits. In addition, taking a higher dosage may not produce any optimal gains, or it may take longer to achieve your health goals.

Parting Thoughts

The herbal industry is a wild wild west; unregulated and filled with bad actors.

Buying cheap Tongkat Ali at low prices means you are willing to compromise quality and efficacy. You may not gain many health benefits or worse still, endure the unwanted side effects due to adulterants or contamination.

However, due to the rising of global Tongkat Ali prices, there will always be consumers who prefer to buy supplements at bargain prices and live with the shortfalls.

The finest quality Tongkat Ali extract can make a difference to your health with more upsides that justify the price.

On that note, there is no price for health. Give your health the quality it deserves.

Naressa Khan contributes regularly on AKARALI. As a researcher and investigative journalist, Naressa is all about creating, deconstructing, and reassembling meaningful content through words and facts. With this approach always in mind, she eagerly explores the nuances in life via the aspects of lifestyle, culture, travel, health, and wellness in Malaysia .

Disclaimer: Content published in this article is not intended to promote any brands nor to provide any form of recommendations to purchase or consume medication, drugs or herbal supplement brands directly or indirectly. By reading this, the sole responsibility and decision lies on the reader to perform their own assessment and / or to arrive at an informed decision based on publicly available information. By reading the content published on this website means you are aware on the risks involved in purchasing any of the products or brands mentioned in this article. We highly recommend you and the readers to consult your nearest doctor before making any purchase from this website or any other websites or social platforms after reading this article.

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