Last Updated : 26th March 2022
Millions of Tongkat Ali products are sold in the United States each year but finding quality Tongkat Ali is exceptionally tough. There are many Tongkat Ali brands that are short-changing consumers with low-quality 200:1 Tongkat Ali extract, non-standardized extracts and non-clinically tested products.
If you are tired of getting cheated when buying cheap Tongkat Ali products in the USA (which are mostly produced illegally in China), then this article is for you.
This article shares a useful buying guide including tips to find the best quality Tongkat Ali supplements or extracts.
✅ Choose mature Tongkat Ali roots harvested for 5 years or longer. Mature roots have higher bioactive compounds (i.e more potent)
✅ Never fall for the 200:1, 500:1 Tongkat Ali extraction ratio.
✅ Check on the country of origin (Malaysia vs. Indonesia)
✅ Look out for reputable top Tongkat Ali brands that are clinically tested on humans for potency and safety.
✅ Choose hot-water standardized extract which provides higher potency & safety limits
✅ Stick to single-origin Tongkat Ali products from Malaysia
Tongkat Ali’s applications have evolved to benefit a larger part of our endocrine system; by restoring and regulating hormones, eg: boosting testosterone, promoting a better mood profile, and increasing immunity.
This evolving landscape is attributed to higher quality standards from Tongkat Ali extracts that are available in some premium Tongkat Ali supplements.
Quality Tongkat Ali supplements are generally defined as containing a potent Tongkat Ali extract, and most of which are clinically tested to verify their health claims and benefits.
However the harsh reality of the unregulated herbal supplement is this.
According to scientists and experts, there are only a handful of quality Tongkat Ali supplements that you could find.
And we will share the quality attributes of what defines a quality Tongkat Ali in this article to guide your buying decision.
There are loads of garbage out there in the supplement market
Since its first discovery centuries ago, quality standards of Malaysian-produced Tongkat Ali has undergone a massive transformation, largely driven by public-driven policies by the Malaysian Government.
From the strategic research partnership with MIT to the development of the first Tongkat Ali standards (Malaysian Standard MS2409), hundreds of research and clinical trials have been conducted to validate Tongkat Ali’s wide range of health benefits.
Along with positive reviews by medical and herbalist experts, Malaysia is now the top country that produces quality Tongkat Ali extracts compared to its neighboring countries, Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia.
Learn how MIT-Malaysia Tongkat Ali research partnership has transformed the industry landscape by elevating Tongkat Ali quality standards.
For example, the finest quality Tongkat Ali extract such as MIT-formulated AKARALI Physta®, has undergone more than 26 clinical trials, with 140 million doses of extract produced and sold in 32 countries since 2003.
Physta (also known as LJ100 in the US) has the finest quality Tongkat Ali extract which adheres to some of the golden rules (and quality standards) that we are about to share in this article.
Related Articles: Check out 10 things to look out for when buying Tongkat Ali.
There are six golden rules when finding the best and high-quality Tongkat Ali products.
If you exercise all the six rules, you will ultimately experience the best of what Tongkat Ali can offer, both in terms of health benefits and value.
Here is the first golden rule.
Tongkat Ali root has the highest bioactive ingredients as it absorbs the most nutrients from the soil.
The most potent Tongkat Ali are produced from root extract, and not from Tongkat Ali bark or leaf extract.
According to scientists from the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), the best Tongkat Ali extracts are produced from mature Tongkat Ali roots which are harvested between 4 to 5 years.
The best Tongkat Ali root with the highest nutrient is from a 5 year old plant.
Head scientist of Biotropics Dr. Annie George reported that the best quality Tongkat Ali are from mature roots, whilst functional health coach AJ Brookes commented that the best Tongkat Ali supplements today are sourced from root extract that benefit health greatly due to high bioactive content.
@akarali_tongkatali Could this be the most potent and best Tongkat Ali? Not all Tongkat Ali supplements are created equal. Find out how you could boost your #superhuman ♬ original sound - AKARALI Tongkat Ali
However, industry observers reported Tongkat Ali Indonesian suppliers often harvest young premature plants that are less than 3 years old which makes them less potent.
Premature plants, averaging 2-3 year old, are often harvested illegally for mass export to China, and sold as Tongkat Ali powder extract to the United States.
Cheap but low-quality Tongkat Ali extract doesn’t guarantee a consistent level of eurycomanone, eurypeptides, saponin and other beneficial bioactive ingredients that your body needs.
100:1, 200:1, or 500:1 is a misleading extraction ratio that should not be used as a biological marker to represent a quality Tongkat Ali extract.
Many believed that 200:1 Tongkat Ali is more potent and that is not true. More often than not, the concentration ratio is often abused by manufacturers and marketers as a misleading potency indicator.
Therefore, 200:1 or 500:1 Tongkat Ali extract does not guarantee any health benefits.
The reality is, that a true potency indicator of any botanical or medicinal drugs is measured by the efficacy (of Tongkat Ali) in delivering the required health benefits based on specified dosages.
Here is a quick explanation behind 200:1 Tongkat Ali extract.
200:1 Tongkat Ali extract means it takes 200 kg of Tongkat Ali to produce 1 kg of Tongkat Ali extract.
However, here is the ugly truth.
Many herbal manufacturers cut corners by using 200 kg worth of Tongkat Ali’s bark, leaves and branches (instead of 100% pure root) to produce the 200:1 extract.
With no regulation, standards and supervision, the result that you get from most Tongkat Ali sold on Amazon is an inferior product with little to no health benefits.
The above illustrates the difference you get from a quality Tongkat Ali vs. a low quality Tongkat Ali using a 200:1 concentration ratio example.
Now, think twice before buying “quality” 500:1 vs 200:1 Tongkat Ali products.
We shall explain why a quality herbal extraction method that deploys a standardized extract protocol brings higher quality than the traditional 200:1 or 500:1 extraction ratio method.
The third golden rule is equally important and easy to spot.
Regardless if the Tongkat Ali product is made in the USA, always check the country of origin where the raw Tongkat Ali is sourced.
And chances are, most Tongkat Ali extracts are exported into the US – either from Malaysia, Indonesia, or even China.
Sadly, one few honest quality Tongkat Ali products display the country of origin on their labels. And most Tongkat Ali products in the US have shy away from admitting that the Tongkat Ali extracts are formulated from unknown labs in China.
Here are some key facts:
90% of raw Tongkat Ali in the market today comes from Malaysia (and some of parts of Indonesia of course).
Indonesian Tongkat Ali manufacturers are notorious for cheating their customers with sub-par quality extracts.
China Tongkat Ali manufacturers smuggle Tongkat Ali illegally from Indonesia and resell it in the US market.
Malaysia is blessed with strong Tongkat Ali supply chain with robust ecosystem.
Malaysian companies are gaining trust compared to Indonesia-made products due to extensive quality on its supply-chain and manufacturing practices.
Rare, but if you want highest quality, look out for GMP, ISO-certified and USFDA-inspected Tongkat Ali manufacturers in Malaysia.
If you want to know more, there are five reasons why the best quality Tongkat Ali is from Malaysia
The fourth golden rule applies if you are brand conscious when searching for the finest Tongkat Ali products. If health your new wealth, then you should!
Now, look beyond the glossy branding hype by independent Tongkat Ali resellers or brands with fancy social media influencers on Amazon.
The reality is this.
Reputable nonchalant but high-quality Tongkat Ali brands are often clinically tested for safety, potency and efficacy.
Avoid unbelievably cheap Tongkat Ali products too. There is always a catch behind exceptionally low prices – it may cause adverse effects as experienced by many.
Nootropics Depot Tongkat Ali caused nausea
Like Don who reportedly experienced nausea after taking Tongkat Ali in his two-week review, we totally understand his frustration.
With more than 100 brands of Tongkat Ali (with various names such Pasak Bumi, Long Jack, etc), how do you identify a trusted Tongkat Ali brand?
Before making a purchase, please consider reading the Tongkat Ali Global Brand Survey which includes compilation more than 20-50 popular Tongkat Ali brands around the world including price comparison, price per capsule and others.
You can view it here.
200:1 or 500:1 Tongkat Ali extract may not guarantee its potency. There are some common Tongkat Ali extraction methods that you should know about.
Some of the finest Tongkat Ali products such as AKARALI adopt one of the most complex herbal extraction methods shown below:
Whilst extraction protocol matters, the best Tongkat Ali herbal extraction technology must be clinically tested by certified scientists and qualified personnel to ensure the amount of bio-active ingredients are beneficial to your health (eg: testosterone, DHEA, libido, muscle growth).
To achieve this, Tongkat Ali extraction processes must be standardized.
AKARALI standardized Tongkat Ali extract performs better than generic 200:1 tongkat Ali extract.
Real-world reviews showed a noticeable increase in lean muscle mass and weight loss in two weeks, after consuming standardized Tongkat Ali hot water extract.
The freeze-dried extraction method is adding a layer of refinement to the hot water standardized extract to retain its potency. More on the industrial method of freeze-drying here
Single-origin Tongkat Ali roots are highly sought after as it offers better agricultural and sustainability practices.
Single-origin Tongkat Ali means it is harvested at the same location by the same community. The advantage of single-origin Tongkat Ali is the long-term sustainability and consistency when sourcing for quality mature Tongkat Ali roots.
You can find single-origin Tongkat Ali, harvested by highly-trained indigenous people in remote Malaysian rainforests, hidden away from civilization in the states of Pahang and Johor.
Malaysian single-origin Tongkat Ali from the remote rainforests of Pahang, Johor and Perak has higher levels of eurycomanone, glycosaponin and protein due to quality contaminant-free soil and biodiversity.
Single-origin provides better long-term sustainability from replanting efforts and practices.
More consumers are demanding for quality Tongkat Ali in recent years and this is a good sign.
Beyond the golden rules, you can perform a simple quality test on Tongkat Ali at home. It is easy to do should you have the opportunity to have two Tongkat Ali products with you.
You can compare the quality of two Tongkat Ali brands by watching the video below and follow these steps:
Can you spot the difference?
A Tongkat Ali with quality extract will dissolve completely in water with minimal or no excess residue (that may be harmful to your kidney in the long term)
If you are first-time user and do not notice any noticeable difference after consuming Tongkat Ali after 48 hours, clearly you are not getting a quality product!
For more information, do visit our Tongkat Ali FAQ. Believe me, it is one of the most comprehensive FAQ on the planet.
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 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.
10 Responses
I do have a search for purchasing tongkat ali on Amazon. There have many products. Different prices, different packages and different reviews I got there. Which one is perfect for me? I’m totally confused. I need an expert suggestion. Please let me know your thoughts for purchasing tongkat ali on amazon…
Hi there Michael. Thanks for reaching out. There are many Tongkat Ali products on the market today with prices vary between USD 10 to USD 50 per bottle. Whilst the prices are not regulated, the quality varies greatly. I suggest you take a look at our Tongkat Ali Global Brand Survey based on 20+ shortlisted brands found in Amazon, eBay, etc – Please find the link below:
http://akarali.com/top-tongkat-ali-brands-survey/
Hope it gives better clarity and explanation.
I agreed, as a certified nutritionist, the extraction method for herbal products are very vital in maintaining the nutrient and potency of the product, and the freeze-dried method is among the best procedure. It is also true that one does not simply feel the effect of a supplement by consuming just one pill, it takes some amount for it to produce the result. Unlike Viagra, consuming quality and genuine Tongkat Ali is a much better option due to fewer side effects.
Great! Now i understand how obtain a good quality and genuine tongkat ali. Always been interested with it but, was disappointed when i first tried it. Got it in a 3 in 1 coffee form thinking to get to see the results. Now, after reading this, now wonder there was no improvement. There’s only 1% of tongkat ali in it or even less than that. This is a very informative write up and thank you for sharing.
I’ve tried the quality test at home. Now, im able to know if the tongkat ali supplement i bought is a high quality or not and also which one to purchase. Knowing what we put inside our body should be a human’s utmost responsibility in terms of health. The food we eat, the drinks we drink, and even the supplements we took can bring a bad effect to us. After all, we are what we eat.
Tongkat ali is one of the best natural remedy on the market. You will notice a slight improvement in the 1st wee but it takes months until you really feel the benefits. The potency/strength of it also plays a big role in delivering the best results. The fact that most companies out there bought tongkat ali powder from the distributor in bulk and then mixing it with different type of powder or herbs thus reduce the potency. More people should know about how these natural remedies were made..
It’s hard to find a genuine tongkat ali nowadays. The market is flooded with too many fake or counterfeit tongkat ali supplements on the market
It is worrying that there is an increasing trend of contamination regarding supposedly safe additive of tongkat ali in beverages such as coffee. This was exposed by USA FDA who had banned 7 products of that contain eurycoma longifolia in 2006, as the product was proven to contain similar chemical as blue pills. Hence it is very important to search for a genuine tongkat ali supplement product to avoid any harmfull effects.
I haven’t tried other form of tongkat ali products than powder form, but I really like this herb. I decided to give it a shot after a friend suggested it to me after he came back from Malaysia. I mix the tongkat ali powder with my coffee and i did notice a difference but I really didn’t realize the difference until the first packet finished and stopped taking it. It’s supposed to help balance hormones, boost energy as well as libido. And for me I felt like it helped. Since the taste is unpleasant, i’m planning to opt for Akarali because they are in a capsule form.
Many Thanks for the informations that you have given…. at the very least, I have become more aware of the ins and outs of using the true tongkat ali…. More Power and God Bless All