Herbal supplement brands are jumping on the Fadogia Agrestis bandwagon in 2022. Originating from Nigeria and some parts of Sudan, pairing Fadogia Agrestis with Tongkat Ali may seem like a sure-win marketing formula.
In reality, Fadogia Agrestis supplement is yet another flavor of the month on Amazon. In the background, Turkesterone is gaining new ground whilst the Maca-Tongkat Ali hype is dwindling rapidly.
Yes, you can combine Tongkat Ali and Fadogia Agrestis as both are androgenic plants. But does it give you added benefits?
With consumers preferring Tongkat Ali more than Fadogia, most benefits are driven by Tongkat Ali.
Between Fadogia Agrestis vs. Tongkat Ali, is there a clear winner?
"Never fall for the Nigerian Fadogia scam.”
Eventually, some will hate us for exposing this.
The truth is, there is no synergistic effect from mixing Tongkat Ali with Fadogia Agrestis. With less than 10 research studies since 1970, there is a lack of scientific evidence and clinical tests on humans to prove Fadogia’s health benefits.
This article will provide you with insights into the health benefits, safety and efficacy of Fadogia Agrestis and Tongkat Ali.
So let’s find out more!
✅ 10 research studies
✅ May boost testosterone
✅ May boost muscle strength
❌ Not clinically tested on humans
❌ No impact on libido
❌ No impact on sperm motility
❌ No impact on mood or stress
❌ No impact on the immune system
✅ 300+ research studies and clinical trials
✅ Clinically tested on humans since late 90s
✅ Proven to boost testosterone
✅ Proven to increase muscle strength
✅ Proven to increase anaerobic power
✅ Proven to boost libido & desire
✅ Proven to increase sperm motility
✅ Proven to reduce cortisol, stress & tension
✅ Proven to boost dopamine
✅ Proven to reduce uric acid
✅ Proven to boost the immune system
Tongkat Ali is more popular than Fadogia Agrestis. Google search data showed that consumer search interest in Tongkat Ali jumped exponentially by more than 50%, surpassing Fadogia Agrestis in Q2 to Q3 in 2022.
In short, consumers are not interested in Fadogia Agrestis compared to Tongkat Ali.
Source : Google Trend Explorer Analysis on Tongkat Ali vs. Fadogia Agrestis from 2021-2022
More consumers prefer Tongkat Ali over Fadogia Agrestis as it is proven to benefit the health of both men and women.
Authentic Tongkat Ali brands such as AKARALI are becoming more popular than Fadogia Agrestis as it is clinically tested on humans for more than 20 years.
AKARALI is the only brand that sources wild sustainable Tongkat Ali plants from 100-million-year-old rainforests with its US-patented hot water standardized extract Physta.
In comparison, with less than 10 studies, studies on Fadogia Agrestis are limited to tests conducted on albino rats.
In reality, most Fadogia Agrestis sold on Amazon today are not clinically tested on humans to validate its effect on testosterone, muscle strength, or libido.
"Products should not be promoted as if they have benefits for our health when it’s never been proven that they work in humans.”
The hard truth is that consumers are very skeptical about the effectiveness of Fadogia, making it less popular than Tongkat Ali.
Combining Tongkat Ali with Fadogia Agrestis may not bring additional health benefits either.
That brings us to the next topic.
The best Fadogia Agrestis Tongkat Ali brands out there each have their own unique formulation.
The trick to get the most effect from Fadogia Agrestis is by adding a small quantity of potent Tongkat Ali to boost its overall health benefits (eg: testosterone, libido and mood).
Hence, most manufacturers deliberately add Tongkat Ali with Fadogia Agrestis in the following ratio:
Against the backdrop of uncertainties surrounding the Fadogia Agrestis and Tongkat Ali supplement, we provide insights and answers to the following questions:
Many reported faster gains after consuming the Fadogia Agrestis Tongkat Ali combo. However, most of these health benefits or gains are placebo, not verified and not clinically tested by scientists.
The real magic and benefit are fueled by Tongkat Ali’s bioactive ingredients such as eurycomanone, etc.
Hence you feel a higher sex drive or mood after consuming Fadogia Agrestis. Because it has Tongkat Ali in it!
In fact, you probably gain more health benefits from consuming a potent single-ingredient Tongkat Ali product that is clinically tested.
Here is an example.
600mg of Fadogia Agrestis + 400mg of Tongkat Ali (i.e 1,000mg of Fadogia Agrestis Tongkat Ali mix) may bring similar effects on testosterone or libido compared to 200mg of Tongkat Ali.
When formulating or marketing a herbal formulation, the total net gain from combining two (or more) herbs is NOT equal to the sum of the individual gains.
Yet, most people think 1 + 1 = 2
Or, in this example; Testosterone Gain From Fadogia + Testosterone Gain From Tongkat Ali = 2
This allows further manipulation into thinking that the sum of 0.6 + 1.4 = 2
This is how we are wired to think when rationalizing the compounded effect of Fadogia Agrestis (at say 1,400mg) and Tongkat Ali (at say 600mg).
Unless it is clinically tested, combining Fadogia Agrestis and Tongkat Ali will NOT give you 2x higher testosterone gains, or 2x more libido, or the elusive 10x more muscle strength.
In fact, you can gain 2x higher testosterone gains or 2x more libido with a clinically tested potent Tongkat Ali at a lower dosage.
There are many secrets behind the world’s most potent Tongkat Ali that you should be aware of.
Now, let’s find out more facts about Tongkat Ali and Fadogia Agrestis.
Current research on Fadogia Agrestis doesn’t show enough evidence that this plant can help with any medical condition
Tongkat Ali’s benefits are amplified when combined with other herbs like Fadogia Agrestis, Maca, Horny Goat Weed and multivitamins
Whilst it is not ideal to consume Fadogia Agrestis and Tongkat Ali in high doses, you may still reap some noticeable benefits. For example:
Whether the long-term effects on health remained to be seen, Tongkat Ali and Fadogia Agresti combo are still used by those who are actively involved in sports.
The real-world benefits from Tongkat Ali Fadogia Agrestis combo may be caused by placebo, but it could also possibly be due to faster absorption and gains that happen from a higher dosages of Tongkat Ali in the combo mix.
Some people claim that Fadogia agrestis can increase testosterone levels, which could help with sexual performance and athletic performance. But this claim isn't supported by research.
There are serious toxicity risks and side-effects on Fadogia Agrestis as reported by medical and dietary experts.
Fadogia side effects and toxicity studies are limited to animal tests (mainly rats and rabbits). Results from various studies conducted in 2008, 2009 and 2012 showed the following side-effects of Fadogia:
Common Fadogia’s side effects from consumers:
Based on nutritional and health experts’ views, Fadogia Agrestis is NOT safe when consumed in high doses.
There are limited clinical studies on humans and past studies showed an adverse effect on kidney and liver functions.
Nutrition and food science expert Zach Allison advised viewers on the risks of taking Fadogia Agrestis in his recent video.
Zach is an honest individual who exposed the truth behind Fadogia Agrestis and brought down the arguments into simple data-driven facts.
Here is a quick summary.
Until we have more data (to prove otherwise), the risks on Fadogia Agrestis should be taken seriously.
He also commented on the risk vs. reward for those taking Fadogia Agrestis.
If you are taking unproven and experimental supplement to increase testosterone, you have to take into account the risk-to-reward ratio.
Despite his unpopular opinion about Fadogia, it makes a lot sense to stay away from Fadogia Agrestis until there are more research studies or clinical trials / tests on humans.
Unlike Tongkat Ali, there are no research studies or clinical tests to prove the effect of Fadogia Agrestis on women’s health. There is more compelling scientific evidence based on clinical trials and tests on Tongkat Ali compared to Fadogia Agrestis.
Find out six areas of how Tongkat Ali may benefit women’s health.
In a Fadogia Agresits and Tongkat Ali supplement, it is Tongkat Ali who does all the hard work whilst Fadogia gets the credit.
Thanks to all the false marketing hype, Fadogia Agrestis failed miserably to meet consumers’ expectations despite it claims to increase testosterone by 350%.
Joe Rogan talked positively about Fadogia Agresits together with Dr. Andrew Huberman in his podcast and talk shows, but they may face a huge public backlash when presented with the facts.
Fadogia Agrestis has no scientific evidence to support any use.
Although Fadogia Agrestis contains similar bioactive ingredients to Tongkat Ali, the effectiveness in delivering its mechanism of action has not been proven by scientific evidence or real-world evidence.
Here is the painful truth behind Fadogia Agrestis.
The perceived health benefits (or boosted effects) may potentially be due to the fact that Fadogia Agrestis act as an enabler or “booster” when combined with Tongkat Ali’s bioactive ingredients.
The added boost may come from high-protein bioactive ingredients (eg: saponin) which are available in both Fadogia and Tongkat Ali.
But as we explained earlier, the total gain from a multi-herbal supplement is NOT the sum of its individual parts (i.e 1 + 1 is not equal to 2).
As a single-ingredient supplement, a potent Tongkat Ali extract may be stronger than Fadogia-Tongkat Ali combo. It requires a modest 200mg of pure extract to deliver all its scientifically proven benefits.
On the other hand, you may need a higher amount of 600mg to 1,000mg of Fadogia Agrestis to supercharge all Tongkat Ali’s amazing benefits.
Hence why most Tongkat Ali Fadogia Agrestis supplements are formulated in high dosages – without even considering the medium and long-term negative side effects of consuming Fadogia in high doses.
Let’s take look at a popular Tongkat Ali Fadogia Agrestis supplement on Amazon. Each capsule contains 1,000 mg of Fadogia Agrestis and Tongkat Ali.
Here is the breakdown for each serving (capsule) from its Supplement Facts:
Tongkat Ali has 20 years of scientifically proven benefits than Fadogia Agrestis in areas such as testosterone, muscle strength and libido.
Given Fadogia does not have sufficient studies to claim its effect on testosterone, energy, libido and many others, is Tongkat Ali doing a perfect job to mask Fadogia’s deficiencies and weaknesses?
Or is Fadogia Agrestis grabbing all the attention because of Andrew Huberman’s latest podcast?
The reality is, Tongkat Ali has strong pharmacological reactions when combined with other herbs. Fadogia Agrestis happens to be one of them. And it may be the flavor of the month too.
The effect is almost like adding fuel to an existing woodfire. Fast and Furious.
Fadogia Agrestis is a common enabling ingredient added to Tongkat Ali to boost the overall effect of Tongkat Ali.
However, if you have experienced a potent Tongkat Ali before, by all means, there is justification to artificially supercharge its effects.
In fact, consuming a highly potent Tongkat Ali may gain superior health benefits and gains in less time compared to Fadogia Agrestis. Brands such as AKARALI are known for their super potent Tongkat Ali extract and clinically tested for 20 years.
However, if you opt for generic Tongkat Ali, or Fadogia Agrestis-Tongkat Ali supplement, there are three ways in which you can supercharge Tongkat Ali’s effects.
First option: increase the Tongkat Ali dosage to 600mg to 800mg daily, which makes a significant boost to testosterone, and libido. Or you may perform kegel exercises or weight training 3-4 times a week.
Second Option: Add Fadogia Agrestis, Maca, and caffeine to Tongkat Ali to boost the effects.
Third Option: Take Tongkat Ali with multivitamins.
A clinical trial on men and women showed a phenomenal boost of free testosterone when consuming a 50mg of Tongkat Ali together with multivitamins. The test result showed an increase of 500% to 600% in free testosterone for both men and women after 24 weeks.
Before we dive in, let’s rephrase that question for clarity.
So should you consume a herbal-mix combo supplement such as Tongkat Ali Fadogia Agrestis, or stick with a single-ingredient Tongkat Ali supplement?
Here is one perspective. And food for thought.
We have demonstrated that there are ZERO ADDITIONAL health benefits of adding Fadogia Agrestis with Tongkat Ali.
And we have shown that Fadogia Agrestis has less 10 research studies to back up its claims on testosterone, libido, muscle strength, and other health benefits.
As the herbal supplement industry is not regulated by FDA, brand owners are hyping up the placebo effects through paid personalities and influencers.
Joe Rogan & Dr. Andrew Huberman failed to convince consumers on the potential merits of Fadogia Agrestis.
The scariest part is that most health claims or benefits from Fadogia Agrestis are anecdotal and not backed by any clinical tests, or peer-reviewed research studies.
And that’s the reason why both Tongkat Ali and Panax Ginseng remain popular single-ingredient herbal supplements for centuries.
And there are no compelling reasons to mix other types of herbs to create a “multi-herbal supplement” to deliver maximum strength.
Well, do your research and don’t be a victim.
All Fadogia Agrestis products on Amazon have NOT been clinically tested on humans
Yellow Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma Longifolia) is known as the most powerful androgenic plant on earth, with bioactive ingredients that are scientifically proven to cause a significant increase in hormones (eg: testosterone, dopamine)
In the world of mixed-combo supplements, there are many black-hat tactics by manufacturers and brand owners to deceive consumers.
In the case of Fadogia Agrestis, it is our responsibility to spread the truth and debunk the hype – just like our review on Turkesterone.
It is best to stick to single-ingredient supplements such as Tongkat Ali that are clinically tested to benefit your health.
Whilst the chest-thumping promises from the Tongkat Ali Fadogia combo may tempt you to purchase one tomorrow, the long-term side effects vis-à-vis the health benefits remain unclear. Without a doubt, Fadogia Agrestis warrants further clinical tests and assessments from qualified scientists and health experts.
Let us end this debate with a question:
Why do you need multi-herbal supplements knowing a single-ingredient supplement such as Tongkat Ali is proven to work for centuries?
Well, if the answer calls on your needs to achieve faster or higher gains, here is one solution.
Revisit your Tongkat Ali daily dosage and align it to your health goals.
Remember to also avoid cheap untested low-quality China-made Tongkat Ali extract, and if possible, make a switch to a stronger (and more potent) Tongkat Ali that is clinically tested.
It is worth considering all options.
Naressa Khan contributes regularly on AKARALI. As a researcher and investigative journalist specializing in nutrition and natural wellness, 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:
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.
11 Responses
Valid points indeed. However, how did Dr. Andrew Huberman have the confidence to put it on the spotlight more than once? He’s very careful with what he says and it does strike me as odd that he would give something with “poor research” this status. Seems like something’s off.
I believe he mentioned once that he prescribed Fadogia to military or profesionnal sports athletes, as a way to circumvene regulations about steroids. If you analyse this statement carefully, you will notice that professionnal sports have become a sort of race between the anti-doping doctors and the other doctors working with the athletes to help them win. The doctors working for the athletes have their own playbooks that are constantly in evolution to keep the athletes at least one notch ahead of the other athletes and ahead of the anti-doping tests. What we could understand is that fadogia is a page of the coaches’ playbook that has been around for long enough that it’s no longer top secret, and since it may help a lot of regular people and is easy to buy, Huberman just decided to disclose that secret. He was careful to recommend a lower dose than what other people recommend, as a protection against the risk of toxicity that is known about fadogia (but honestly, I believe that actual synthetic steroids come with a much longer list of side effects and health risks).
Looking what Dr. Andrew Huberman said his interview with Joe Rogan, I reckon he is not equipped, nor has the knowledge to talk about Fadogia Agrestis. After reading this article, I don’t think he even know that Fadogia has very few studies to verify its health benefits.
Something is off here. I doubt he is able to convince the public on the merits of Fadogia. Or is he just another snake oil seller? God knows. There are many “Doctors” with hidden agenda these days.
TBH, I tried Fadogia (by DoubleWood supplement) in high doses for 4 weeks with no effect on testosterone or libido! I took a blood test to prove there wasn’t any increase in my free and total testosterone. The Amazon world is filled with fake claims by brand owners on Fadogia. Beware of Fadogia and stay from herbs that makes too much noise and hype on social media. Thats my two cents worth.
I disagree with you Joel. I am nutritionist for 15 years and one of my areas of expertise is herbs and traditional medicine. I can honestly tell you that those playbook for sports professionals are filled with BS. Why should you roll out untested herbs like Fadogia Agrestis to military, that has only 8 research studies? And to add, Fadogia Agrestis studies ARE DONE on RATS! Animal tests are just a preliminary tests. Fadogia Agrestis ARE NOT CLINICALLY TESTED ON HUMANS! This is bad for the liver, kidney and not may cause cancer. Huberman should not be discussing, advising or promoting Fadogia Agrestis to anyone if the herb is not thoroughly tested. He did not present the usage of Fadogia clearly to the public. I hate to say this, but until Fadogia has at least 100 research studies on humans, its efficacy and safety are not conclusive. And it SHOULD NOT BE PROMOTED OR SOLD AS herbal supplement. We are risking our lives here!
My experience is better with Tongkat Ali than Fadogia. For testosterone and energy booster, I will continue to use Tongkat Ali. It’s better to use tried and tested herb IMHO. Not sure what’s the fuss is all about with this combo-mix. I found single ingredient supplements work more effectively.
Thanks for sharing your experience on Tongkat Ali vs. Fadogia Agrestis. We receive similar experiences from others. Fadogia is a popular herbal supplement for men and to enhance sports performance. However, most consumers in the US are not getting the whole truth about Fadogia Agrestis vs. Tongkat Ali. In fact, Tongkat Ali is the best testosterone supplement compared to Fadogia Agrestis. Our research showed that most of the best-selling T-boosters sold in the market today contains Tongkat Ali. Here is the link for more information about key ingredients that are used in testosterone supplements for men.
https://akarali.com/top-best-testosterone-supplements/
I tried both, but Tongkat Ali performs way better than Fadogia Agrestis! For those who think Tongkat Ali is mild, and you could be wrong. The strongest and most potent Tongkat Ali are clinically tested. I can vouch from my 10 years of experience is that the best Tongkat Ali on Amazon is AKARALI brand – 100% clinically tested on humans and MORE POTENT than Fadogia. Here is the link
https://www.amazon.com/Tongkat-Ali-Extract-Longjack-Akarali/dp/B08XJSFYYT
Joe Rogan Fadogia Agrestis formulation is a scam and overly promoted. I don’t think the formulation is not tested on humans. The reason why Fadogia Agrestis is popular is because it is marketed by Dr. Andrew Huberman. I won’t buy any Fadogia (or any herbal supplements) that is marketed by “Doctors” in the USA. And I agree with you that Tongkat Ali doesn’t need doctor’s spokesperson to convince people to buy. With more than 300 studies, that what makes Tongkat Ali more authentic and real than Fadogia Agrestis.
Iam 35 and Fadogia didn’t work on me. Here is my review of Fadogia. Did my blood test and found no increase in testosterone after consuming Fadogia for 5 weeks. My verdict of Tongkat Ali vs. Fadogia is simple. If you want a significant boost of health with increase in testosterone, then choose Tongkat Ali. Tongkat Ali seemed to work better than Fadogia Agrestis for people in the age group between 35 and 70 to boost testosterone. You guys should check out some great article here on how Tongkat Ali helps you to revitalize your health and work productivity.
https://akarali.com/how-does-tongkat-ali-revitalize-your-health/
Fadogia Agrestis is not safe and it has inherent risks. Why are you guys still buying a risky herbal product that is not tested on humans? To top it up, Fadogia Agrestis has no significant health benefits. There are many who reported adverse side-effects from consuming Fadogia too. The problem with buying Fadogia Agrestis or Tongkat Ali in the US is that they dilute with impurities. And consumers end up enjoying placebo effects from Fadogia. Next time you buy, look out for the best Tongkat Ali from Malaysia!