Current scientific evidence showed that the Tongkat Ali root extract may have a clinical effect on erectile function, but how effective is Tongkat Ali as a libido booster for men?
According to studies, Tongkat Ali’s mechanism of action is through its testosterone-inducing mechanism in the adrenal, pituitary glands and testes. This has a profound effect on men’s libido and general fertility.
In this article, we shall deep-dive into the effects of Tongkat Ali on erection, sperm motility, sperm concentration, and sexual desire.
We shall look at scientific-based studies and clinical trials to investigate if Tongkat Ali does improve Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and boost men’s libido.
Tongkat Ali is touted as one of the best natural libido supplements to improve men’s sexual health in areas such as sperm motility, sperm concentration (volume), erection, and overall sexual satisfaction.
Tongkat Ali contains eurycomanone that activates Luteinising Hormones (LH) that stimulates the Leydig cells in your testicles to produce free testosterone that helps your reproductive system whilst resulting in a better libido.
Whilst Tongkat Ali should not be used as a complete cure for ED, here are some of the improvements that one can expect from consuming Tongkat Ali based on various published research studies in the last two decades:
Results of these independent studies on men’s libido and fertility were conducted using Physta® Standardized Tongkat Ali extract which delivers maximum gains due to high potency and efficacy.
We will share more insights from the latest research-based evidence to validate Tongkat Ali’s ability to combat symptoms related to ED and improve men’s sexual health.
Here is our Tongkat Ali assessment based on empirical evidence from clinical trials on key parameters related to men’s libido and fertility.
Yes, Tongkat Ali may cause an erection as evidenced by clinical trials and past studies involving more than 500 male test subjects. There is sufficient compelling evidence that Tongkat Ali has a positive effect on libido for men with androgen deficiency.
Here are some facts:
The effects of Tongkat Ali on erection are measured by the Erection Hardness Scale (EHS); a four-point scale used to assess Erectile Dysfunction (ED) by many medical professionals, thus providing a reliable measure of erection.
Tongkat Ali showed an improvement in erection hardness from 2.54 to a score of 3.54 (out of a maximum score of 4.0) after 12 weeks of consuming Tongkat Ali. This translates to 39% gains after 12 weeks.
Definition on Erection Hardness Scale (EHS)
Whilst Tongkat Ali consumption caused a stronger erection, the same study also showed that Tongkat Ali makes you last longer.
Based on the Sexual Intercourse Assessment (SIA) survey on 30 male test subjects consuming Tongkat Ali for 12 weeks, the reported improvement was between 102% to 162%.
Here is the first SIA question that was asked to the patients who consumed Tongkat Ali during the test:
Did your erection last long enough for you to have successful intercourse?
Here is the result before and after 12 weeks:
Here is the second SIA question that was asked to the patients who consumed Tongkat Ali during the test:
Elapsed time from erection perceived hard enough for penetration to withdrawal from your partner's vagina
Here is the result after consuming Tongkat Ali for 12 weeks.
There are hundreds of studies on Tongkat Ali’s ability to combat ED symptoms but we shall share the top and recent clinical trials in this article.
An independent study from University of Santa Catarina Brazil, published in 2021 showed that 200 mg Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma Longifolia) daily intake improved erectile dysfunction, sexual satisfaction, desire and testosterones level in a group involving 45 men over a period of 6 months.
The Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) is one of the best universities in Brazil and in Latin America. THE Golden Age University Rankings 2019 ranked USFC as the second best university in Brazil.
The study was conducted in a placebo-controlled groups – where test subjects were separated into four groups – G1,G2, G3 and G4. These groups were observed within an interval of 1 month, 4 month and 6 months period.
The group which consumes Tongkat Ali and regular exercise (i.e G4) showed a remarkable improvement in ED.
2-way RM-ANOVA for comparison of the sexual function domains of the four groups in the four moments of the study. (n = 38). BL – baseline; 1 month – after one month of intervention; 4 months – after four months of intervention; 6 months – after six months of intervention. G1: control + placebo; G2: control + Eurycoma longifolia; G3: concurrent training + placebo; G4: concurrent training + Eurycoma longifolia. AMS-S: sexual aspects of the AMS Scale
Tongkat Ali supplementation works best with regular exercises that help release and regulate testosterone. This improves your sexual desire and may potentially reduce ED-related symptoms due to age and hormone deficiencies.
In the earlier study conducted by the University of Santarina, significant ED improvements were apparent when test subjects consumed Tongkat Ali with regular exercises during the 6-months observation.
Test Group | International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5)
| Orgasmic Function |
Group 2 (G2)
(200mg Tongkat Ali, with no training)
| Moderate Improvement | Moderate Improvement |
Group 4 (G4)
(200mg Tongkat Ali, with concurrent training, 3 times a week)
| Significant Improvement | Significant Improvement |
Tongkat Ali is one of the best herbal supplements that may improve your libido if you are obese and suffering from ED symptoms due to low testosterone.
To improve erection or libido, the first step is to build a healthy testosterone level by consuming Tongkat Ali with a good set of exercises.
Here are some tips that you can use when taking Tongkat Ali to maximize gains associated with ED symptoms or to improve your libido.
Tips to Maximize Gains From Tongkat Ali:
Kindly refer to our daily dosage guide for more info.
If you are seeking to improve your libido, sperm concentration and desire, the general recommendation is to consume between 200mg to 300mg Tongkat Ali daily for 4 to 12 weeks.
Scientists and researchers spend two decades analyzing Tongkat Ali to prove its efficacy in boosting libido, notably improvements in erection, sperm concentration and motility.
If you are using Tongkat Ali to combat ED or to improve sexual desire, here is a dosage guide:
Tongkat Ali daily dosage | Number of test subjects | Clinical Study & Research Conducted by | Results / Research findings |
300mg
| 62 (men and women) | Dr. Jay K Udani Dr. Annie George Dr. Michael Pakdaman
| Erection time: +161.8% Erection hardness: +39.3%
|
200mg | 45 (men) | Dr. Alice Erwig Dr. Melissa Carvalho Dr. Andriea Pelegrini
| Improvement in Erectile Dysfunction in Androgen Deficiency of Aging Males (ADAM)
|
300mg | 109 (men)
| Dr. Shaiful Bahari Dr. Annie George Dr. Wan Zahiruddin
| Sexual libido: +14% Sperm motility: +44% Semen volume: +18.2%
|
200mg | 350 (men) | Dr. Ismail Mohd Tambi Dr. Kamarul Imran | Sperm concentration: +65.5% Sperm morphology: +94.9% Sperm motility: 11%
|
The above studies showed there are sufficient evidence to confirm that Tongkat Ali increases sperm concentration and sperm motility by 65% and by 11% respectively.
Sperm count is a measure of good health for men that increases your overall fertility. Here is a quick summary of the semen analysis by patients consuming Tongkat Ali during a 9 month observation.
Most of the research on Tongkat Ali has been independently conducted using placebo-controlled groups to analyze the effectiveness of Tongkat Ali in combating ED, sperm concentration, sperm motility and overall sexual desire.
Here are some brief insights:
Yes, there are many experts who developed views and opinions on Tongkat Ali in recent years. Dr. Andrew Huberman, Dr. Ismail Tambi, Professor Kerry Bone and Dr. Militello have developed growing interest in Tongkat Ali’s effect on men’s libido.
US-born urologist, Dr. Rena Malik from Maryland USA went deep into Tongkat Ali’s effect on men’s libido based on recent scientific studies.
Dr. Rena Malik is an Urologist at University of Maryland Medical Center and was named a “Top Doctor” in the specialty of Urogynecology and Urology by Baltimore magazine in 2020.
In her video, Dr. Rena explains the science behind Tongkat Ali in 3 areas: Erectile Dysfunction, Testosterone and Stress based on research publications out there.
According to Dr. Rena, Tongkat Ali offers 3-in-1 benefits, notably to improve ED from restoring testosterone and these are based on scientific evidence backed by clinical trials.
Dr. Rena Malik is a urologist based in the United States and also the co-founder of South Asian Wellness , which aims to bring together passionate South Asian professionals to share their expertise on topics related to South Asian wellness and health.
If you have watched her video, Dr. Rena commented that the maximum efficacy (i.e the potency) that you can gain from Tongkat Ali depends largely on the extraction method.
According to Dr. Rena Malik, Tongkat Ali with hot water root extract is more potent. In other words, that translates to higher gains to improve your erection and men’s libido.
For Tongkat Ali to be effective on libido, do not use the conventional 200:1 or 500:1 Tongkat Ali.
The reality is, a higher extraction ratio in Tongkat Ali extract is not a potency marker and may not work to boost your libido or erection.
Read more about the relationship between Tongkat Ali potency, efficacy, and dosage before choosing the right product.
Freeze-dried water extraction technology such as US-patented Physta® offers superior potency with higher bio-active ingredients such as:
Physta® Tongkat Ali was co-developed with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and is the strongest Tongkat Ali in the market today.
Due to growing clinical trials, Tongkat Ali may be a potential alternative for improving ED, men’s fertility, and general support for a healthy endocrine system.
Compared to other herbs such as Fadogia or Panax Ginseng, Tongkat Ali is a clinically proven alternative that are certified by scientists and recommended by urologists and andrologists, particularly if you are diagnosed with hypogonadism.
If you are seeking to reduce ED symptoms or improve your sexual desire, please ensure you consume Tongkat Ali in the right doses and observe any side effects.
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 .
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2 Responses
Hi, D
Do I have to go and see my doctors to write me a description and purchase your product.
I am having problem down there (Erectile dyfunction).
How do I get this product.?
Please respond.
Vegoli Geno
Tongkat Ali is a natural supplement that does not require any prescription from doctors. Tongkat Ali is clinically tested to promote better men’s health, predominantly on ED-related symptoms. Most clinical studies on ED involve daily dosage of 200mg-400mg of Tongkat Ali per day. An improvement in erection may be experienced by users consuming Tongkat Ali for 4 to 12 weeks, with regular exercises of at least 3 times a week. Most reported improved libido from taking Tongkat Ali are amongst men who are diagnosed with low level of testosterone or having an androgen deficiency. Please consult and take a testosterone test from your nearest clinic before deciding if Tongkat Ali is the best herbal supplement for you.