Tongkat Ali Benefits

12 Tongkat Ali Health Benefits: Explained

Last Updated: 20th July2024

Millions have consumed Tongkat Ali without knowing its wide range of health benefits. While Tongkat Ali may work for most people, understanding the effects on our health is vital to achieving your health goals.

This article explains the potential health benefits of Tongkat Ali from decades of research studies and clinical trials.

Here is a quick summary.

Summary of Tongkat Ali health benefits

1. Increases Testosterone Production

Credibility & Trust Score
4.5/5

2. Improves Sexual Health & Libido

Credibility & Trust Score
4.5/5

3. Improve Strength, Muscle & Physical Activities

Credibility & Trust Score
4/5

4. Stimulate Weight Loss

Credibility & Trust Score
4/5

5. Stronger Bone to reduce Osteoporosis risks

Credibility & Trust Score
2.5/5

6. Anti-Cancer properties

Credibility & Trust Score
3.5/5

7. Reduces Stress, Anger, & Improve Mood

Credibility & Trust Score
4.5/5

8. Enhances the Immune System

Credibility & Trust Score
4/5

9. Promotes Better Sleep

Credibility & Trust Score
4/5

10. Reduction in Blood Pressure

Credibility & Trust Score
1/5

11. Anti Inflammatory, Anti Bacterial and Parasitic Agent

Credibility & Trust Score
4/5

12. Exhibits Anti-Ulcer Properties

Credibility & Trust Score
4/5

Note:  Our Credibility & Trust Score provides a summary rating on the Tongkat Ali benefits based on clinical trials and research studies from 1990-2023. The assessment was performed by a group of independent health experts, nutritionists, and researchers, and assisted by our medical advisors.

Overview

Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma Longifolia) is traditionally used as an anti-malaria, anti-bacterial and even to treat fever. Growing research of its health benefits extends the application of Tongkat Ali as a testosterone supplement, libido supplement, sports supplement, anti-stress supplement, anti-diabetic supplement, sleep supplement, and even as a weight loss supplement.

Tongkat Ali’s functional benefits are driven by a complex hormonal-response mechanism that happens at the cellular level, and is believed to be triggered by the activation of the hypothalamus (located in the brain) to send signals to the adrenal and pituitary glands to produce High Growth (HG) hormone and testosterone hormone. At the same time, dopamine (happy hormone) in the brain cortical and hippocampus stimulates the Luteinizing hormone (LH), a glycoprotein hormone and FSH to produce more testosterone.

This simultaneous mechanism of action of Tongkat Ali occurs in our bloodstream and is believed to deliver a wide range of immediate health benefits such as a noticeable increase in energy, stamina, mood and focus. At the same time, other benefits such as libido, testosterone, muscle growth and sports performance can be realized but are largely dependent on each individual’s hormonal responses to diet, exercises and other lifestyle changes.

When taken daily between 12 to 24 weeks, freshly produced hormones, generally at higher volume, are believed to deliver the highest impact on the reproductive organs, the endocrine system and the central nervous system, according to scientists. In turn, this results in multi-pronged health benefits when taking Tongkat Ali, and the profound impact to our endocrine system is a notable one, as it contains more than 30 hormones that are largely contributing to our overall health status.

Regardless of its application when used orally as a supplement, consumed as a drink or applied externally as a topical cream (on skin), Tongkat Ali’s anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties contribute to the overall optimization activities of a rather complex hormonal response system in our body. The pathway to hormone optimization is believed to give Tongkat Ali an added advantage compared to other herbs, more notably reducing aging symptoms in menopausal women, helping older adults stay stronger and active from improved muscle strength, and helping androgen-deficient men improve libido, stamina and mood.

This underscores the principles behind how Tongkat Ali offers distinct health advantages by activating the core hormonal response system in the pituitary glands whilst building a greater immune system at the cellular level. Many believe that this simultaneous mechanism of action is thought to deliver added benefits to aging adults, sports amateurs or even professional athletes when consumed in its purest form, i.e standardized root extract.

With growing clinical tests to validate Tongkat Ali’s health benefits, clinically tested Tongkat Ali supplements are behind the growth of discerning consumers who seek more benefits through higher efficacy and potency.

 Clinically-tested Tongkat Ali is known for its proven health benefits due to rigorous tests by certified scientists. (Credit: AKARALI Physta Laboratory)

To date, more than 1,000 men and women have participated in research and clinical trials to validate Tongkat Ali’s health benefits.

Essentially, there are 12 key benefits of Tongkat Ali from published clinical tests and research studies which are underpinned by hormonal responses when taken in daily doses, often in duration between four to 24 weeks or longer.

Six frequently-mentioned benefits of Tongkat Ali backed by growing scientific evidence include the effects on testosterone, men’s fertility, lean muscle mass, mood and libido on both men and women. The benefits of Tongkat Ali derived from hormonal responses are largely dose-dependent and unique to the types of extract used or how it is administered (eg: orally, or external topical use).

In essence, not all Tongkat Ali supplements will give you the benefits that you desire.

Herbalists and experts warn that you may not get the full benefits or it may not work as claimed by many Tongkat Ali brands due to the quality of extract used, extraction methods, your daily diet and other reasons. 

The lack of efficacy data points from limited clinical studies using low-quality extracts leads to premature conclusions that Tongkat Ali has very little benefit to testosterone production, muscle development or libido.

“Many think Tongkat Ali is a scam as more influencers are jumping the bandwagon without knowing the science of choosing the right extract to reap its full benefits”, said Dr. Zamir Hillman, a board-certified doctor who specializes in functional medicine.

“Tongkat Ali may deliver its intended benefits provided it is produced from pure root extract, notably from standardized hot water extraction. And users wanting long-term benefits of Tongkat Ali (eg: from boost of testosterone or libido) may want to adhere to a strict health protocol that includes a sugar-free diet”, he added.

You may benefit more from Tongkat Ali if you are taking pure root standardized hot water extract that is clinically or 3rd party lab tested.

The notion that Tongkat Ali only benefits aging males or menopausal females is not true as this herb is frequently used as a sports supplement for runners to ensure optimal production of testosterone to fuel the energy and stamina throughout long-distance races.

Ultimately, whether Tongkat Ali does work to revitalize health, testosterone or libido can be addressed by choosing the right type of extract, adjusting your dosing requirements based on your activities and combining with the right type of food or diet.

🔎 Tongkat Ali benefits to women

Tongkat Ali benefits women in a similar way but with different focus areas. Find out how Tongkat Ali may benefit women in 5 different core areas.

What is Tongkat Ali?

Tongkat Ali or Akar Ali (known as Tongkat Ali root in Malay) is an adaptogen plant with potential medicinal use found mostly in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.

The most potent part of the plant is in its roots as it contains the highest bioactive ingredients that are needed to produce pharmacological or hormonal responses, leading to a range of health benefits by scientists.

Tongkat Ali (LongJack) benefits to health were first documented by William Jack, a Scottish botanist during his first visit to Malaysia in 1822 due to its wide application as herbal remedy to treat malaria, fever and aphrodisiac in by native Malaysians.

How Tongkat Ali looks like

BIOACTIVE INGREDIENTS

Tongkat Ali benefits are derived from the following bioactive ingredients that produce pharmacological effects to our health:

  1. Eurycomalactone,
  2. Eurycomaoside,
  3. Eurycolactone, and
  4. Eurycomanone
  5. Eurypeptides
  6. Glycosaponin
  7. Polysaccharides 

Tongkat Ali Benefits

1. Increases Testosterone Production

The primary advantage of taking Tongkat Ali is the effects on total testosterone, free usable testosterone and DHEA  in both men and women. This is backed by growing scientific evidence from human clinical trials on testosterone in the last 20 years to support the benefit of Tongkat Ali on testosterone production.

According to researchers and scientists, the mechanism of action of Tongkat Ali works by activating our adrenal gland, pituitary gland, testes and ovaries to produce more testosterone. This offers a great advantage for aging men, or those diagnosed with androgen deficiencies due to premature aging.

The effects of Tongkat Ali on testosterone may deliver unique advantages such as improved libido, stronger muscle development from better protein synthesis, reduction of body fat, improved dopamine levels and overall stamina.

In fact, Dr. Andrew Huberman (Huberman Lab, Stanford University) and urologist Dr. Rena Malik from USA claimed there are sufficient clinical trials and research studies showing that Tongkat Ali raises free testosterone when taken at 200mg to 400mg daily.

Some recent studies showed an increase in testosterone between 15% to 600% in both men and women when taking Tongkat Ali with multivitamins and some users reported higher testosterone gains when taking Tongkat Ali with zinc or magnesium.

However, the effects of Tongkat Ali on testosterone depend largely on dosage, age, exercise, BMI, and existing medical conditions. You may gain more testosterone production if you are exercising moderately, fit or if you are exposed to long-distance endurance running, or into serious weightlifting / bodybuilding.

A placebo-controlled clinical trial on test participants between 20 – 60 years (n= 19 males, n= 28 females) consuming 50mg of Physta® Tongkat Ali extract (Eurycoma Longifolia) with Multivitamins showed a significant increase in free testosterone. Clinical trial registration NCT02865863.

IT MAY BENEFIT YOU IF...

  • You are diagnosed with hypogonadism or low testosterone
  • You have low testosterone symptoms 
  • You are in your 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s and seeking to boost your testosterone.
  • You are exercising regularly, sleeping well, and keeping a healthy diet.
Effects of Tongkat Ali on Testosterone
  • A recent 2022 meta-analysis study on various Tongkat Ali randomized clinical trials supports the use of Tongkat Ali supplementation for enhancing testosterone production. The study further concluded that Tongkat Ali is a safe and promising therapeutic option, particularly for hypogonadal men.
  • A 24-week randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial on 50mg Tongkat Ali with 47 test participants showed a 600% increase in free testosterone in women and 580% increase in men.
  • A recent study by Chan et al in 2021 with 32 males with an average age of 24 years showed that 600mg daily consumption of Tongkat Ali over a two-week period resulted in 34% increase in free testosterone.
  • A randomized controlled study conducted in 2020 by a group of researchers from the University of Santarina, Brazil showed that middle-aged men consuming 200mg Tongkat Ali daily with a 3-day exercise per week showed the most increase in testosterone during the 6-month period.
  • 76 patients were given 200 mg of water-soluble Tongkat Ali extract and results showed improvement in Ageing Males’ Symptoms (AMS) scores and improvement in the serum testosterone concentration [3]. 
  • In another research, at the University of Western Cape, South Africa, both men and women (ranging from the age of 57-72 years) were given 400-mg of Tongkat Ali daily for 5 weeks. It was observed that Tongkat Ali enhanced the levels of testosterone and promoted muscle strength development in men and women. Results showed that the increase of free testosterone in women was due to the reduction of Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG) [4].

2. Improves Sexual Health & Libido

Studies on how Tongkat Ali improves libido for both men and women hinge on restoring hormonal balance (i.e optimal testosterone in men and estrogen in women) through our reproductive system and organs (eg: testicular testosterone production, adrenal glands, ovary, etc).

As a result, there is sufficient scientific evidence of Tongkat Ali’s effects on increasing libido in recent years due to growing clinical trials on men, notably the positive effects on men’s health, i.e fertility. Results showed an increase of sperm motility, sperm count and semen production that correlates well with daily consumption of Tongkat Ali pure root extract.

Whilst Tongkat Ali may improve sexual health and libido, the PDE5 inhibitory effects are marginal and may benefit those exhibiting mild ED symptoms. The collective views from health experts conclude that Tongkat Ali is not a cure for chronic ED diseases although it is generally beneficial for hormonal-deficiency ED cases. As for women, Tongkat Ali benefits the female reproductive system and libido, particularly for pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women.

Tongkat Ali Benefits on ED and Men’s Fertility

Multiple Tongkat Ali studies on men’s health showed improvement in ED-related symptoms and fertility.

  • Sperm motility: +11% to 44.4%
  • Sperm concentration: +18.2% to 65%
  • Sperm morphology: +94%
  • Erection hardness: +39.3%
  • Erection time: +102% to +162%

The effects on libido are associated with higher production of testosterone after consuming Tongkat Ali for at least 12 weeks or longer. The mechanism works by optimizing testosterone production through the activation of LH, and this herb is viewed as a natural libido supplement that is safe for men when taken at low dosages of less than 800mg daily.

According to medical experts, using Tongkat Ali may improve libido, especially in men.

The increasing number of research and clinical studies on Tongkat Ali’s benefits on men’s sexual health sparked growing interest by medical experts, including andrologists and urologists. As such, many medical doctors such as Dr. Rena Malik (USA), Dr. Andrea Millitelo (Italy) and Dr. Ismail Thamby (Malaysia) have considered Tongkat Ali as one of the best libido supplement for men’s health.

IT MAY BENEFIT YOU IF...

  • You have a low sperm count
  • You have mild ED
  • You low libido, or sexual desire
Tongkat Ali on Men’s Libido and Fertility
  • A 12-week placebo-controlled study by the University of Science Malaysia on 109 men between the 30 to 55 showed Tongkat Ali’s positive results on sexual health and libido. The study showed increased sperm motility, increased semen volume, enhanced libido and improved erectile function [6].
  • A 9-month clinical trial on 75 men was conducted at Wellmen Clinic, Damai Service Hospital by Dr. Tambi, an andrologist specialist . The result of the study showed that Tongkat Ali supplementation improved the rate of fertility with an increased rate of semen volume, sperm concentration, increased sperm motility, and sperm quality [7].
  • In a 12-week study by Medicus Research LLC, Northridge, California on 26 men,  Tongkat Ali, Physta®, was examined for its effect on sexual performance, fulfillment, and well-being in samples. It was observed that when compared to placebo groups, not only was the sexual performance improved but subjective libido scores were also increased resulting in increased hardness and erection time [8].
  • A similar study by the  University of Science Malaysia, showed evidence to suggest that the estrogen’s inhibitory release more testosterone production with a significant increase in sperm production, amount, vitality, concentration, and motility owing to the effects of Tongkat Ali [10].
  • Another study published by PhytoMedicine reported that Tongkat Ali showed improvement in sexual libido, sexual stimulation, and performance  [11].

3. Improves Strength, Muscle & Physical Activities

Tongkat Ali is widely used as a sports supplement during pre-workout and post-workouts, athletes and sports professionals use it as a daily supplement (400mg to 600mg a day) along with zinc, magnesium or creatine to increase performance output; notable improvements in stamina, anaerobic performance, V02 max, faster post-training muscle recovery, aiding lean muscle growth, and overall strength.

Another benefit of Tongkat Ali that is currently investigated is how it promotes fat burn due to its thermogenic properties, leading to faster lean muscle development. When paired with weight training, endurance and high-intensity exercises, Tongkat Ali brings more benefits to those seeking extra performance and energy.

Tongkat Ali reduces sprint time for sprinters from increased muscle strength and anaerobic performance.

However, Tongkat Ali may not benefit sports performance or even testosterone for well-trained athletes as evidenced in the latest study published in 2024. When taken at a low dose of 150mg, the result showed no gains in testosterone or sports performance output parameters. This is possibly due to the negative effects of taking non-standardized extract that comes from poorly sourced Tongkat Ali roots that contain low bioavailability.

Ultra-marathon runners who are exposed to severe testosterone reduction due to elevated cortisol levels may benefit more from taking Tongkat Ali before and during races too. Our anecdotal evidence from several semi-pro athletes showed that there are some benefits of adding Tongkat Ali as part of a regular sports nutrition health stack, giving a performance edge to stamina, strength, and muscle development.

IT MAY BENEFIT YOU IF...

  • You are already active and exercising regularly
  • You seek optimal gains during training or competition (eg: increased stamina or strength)
  • You seek faster lean muscle growth to complement your weight-training.
  • You are into endurance sports, or competing in long-distance running, cycling or swimming.
Tongkat Ali on Strength and Muscle Growth
  • In a study of 32 men published in the Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 11g daily of Tongkat Ali supplements were given for 4 weeks and resulted in increased total strength based on squats, bench and deadlift exercise [12]
  • Similarly, in another 5 week study by Department of Medical Bioscience in the University of Western Cape, South Africa where 13 men and 12 women were given 400 mg each of Tongkat Ali daily revealed an increase of 16.6% of the muscular force hand-grip test in men and 13.7% in women. This study also confirms Tongkat Ali’s ergogenic benefit through improved muscle strength [13].
  • Tongkat Ali had a great impact on the improved muscle strength of middle-aged women too. This effect was found in a study conducted by the University of MARA Technology Malaysia on 31 women between 45 to 59 years. It was revealed that in a duration of 12 weeks, 200mg of Tongkat Ali daily resulted in 67% improvement on the bench press, 21% improvement on upper body power and significant improvement in handgrip strength [14].
  • In a similar 5-week study on 14 men published on the British Journal Sports of Medicine in 2003, showed an improvement in the strength and size of muscle. This is over and above significant improvement in athletic performance based on daily intake of Tongkat Ali [15]

4. Promotes Weight Loss and Reduces Body Fat

Tongkat Ali helps burn body fat and promotes weight loss by increasing metabolism in order to burn more calories, increasing testosterone levels to convert energy more efficiently and curbing stress eating or overeating habits.

Tongkat Ali raises metabolism by stimulating thermogenesis, a process of heat production that burns calories in your body, ultimately accelerating weight loss and BMI. Its thermogenic properties are effective when paired with regular HIIT exercises at least 3 times a week and a low-sugar diet.

A clinical study on Tongkat Ali showed a reduction in Body Mass Index (BMI) in obese adults after consuming 200 mg of Tongkat Ali daily for more than 100 days. This effectively helps overweight adults to manage their weight naturally if you are concerned taking synthetic drugs such as Ozempic.

Tongkat Ali burns calories more efficiently from thermogenesis which helps weight loss in men and women.

If you are taking Tongkat Ali as a weight loss supplement, you can gain the most benefit from Tongkat Ali by incorporating the basics fundamentals, i.e your exercise plan and your diet into your overall weight loss plan.

Expect a gradual weight loss of 1kg per week if you are taking 200mg to 400mg Tongkat Ali daily with 20km of running distance per week, along with a strict sugar-free diet and intermittent fasting of 14 hours per day. This improves your insulin resistance, liver functions and fat-to-energy conversion through Tongkat Ali’s thermogenic properties.

IT MAY BENEFIT YOU IF...

  • You are already active and exercising regularly
  • You are obese, or overweight
  • You are seeking to trim down excess body fat.
  • You are incorporating Tongkat Ali with other supplements.
Tongkat Ali Benefits on Body Fat and Weight Loss
  • A recent 2021 randomized placebo-controlled study published in Phytotherapy Research showed that 400mg of Tongkat Ali and Bergamot orange led to a significant reduction in the Body Mass Index (BMI) of 97 obese adults after 112 days. This study suggests that Tongkat Ali supplementation may reduce body fat and helps obesity.
  • In a 12-week study conducted by a group of scientists at the School of Medical Science at the University of Science Malaysia on 109 men, the group consuming 300mg of Tongkat Ali daily showed a decrease in hip size, fat mass, and waist circumference! [6].
  • In a research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, Tongkat Ali supplementation increases muscle strength and reduces body fat in 14 healthy men for 5 weeks. [15].
  • A study by the University of South Africa showed that Tongkat Ali decreases body weight and belly fat with no change in the internal organ’s weight [5].

5. Stronger Bone to reduce Osteoporosis risks

Early in-vitro studies of Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma Longifolia) showed the action of increased osteoblast proliferation, a process of bone-forming cells, through reproduction that occurs at the cellular level. This action improves bone density and reduces bone loss in osteoporosis.

Hormonal-boosting effects of Tongkat Ali are viewed as an advantage in addition to the production of High Growth (HG) hormones that support a healthy bone density, particularly for androgen-deficient adults or those experiencing premature hormone decline. The high concentration of calcium, magnesium and potassium found in Tongkat Ali may be one of many reasons it could be useful to prevent osteoporosis.

It is reported that adults with aromatase or androgen deficiency have a higher likelihood of developing osteopenia or osteoporosis, a situation that can be mitigated from long term use of Tongkat Ali supplementation.

Taking Tongkat Ali as a daily supplement may benefit hypogonadism adults which reduces the risks of getting osteoporosis over a long term. Scientists are now suggesting the use of Tongkat Ali as a form or alternative to TRT, although more human studies are needed to validate its effectiveness on chronic osteoporosis patients.

IT MAY BENEFIT YOU IF...

  • You are showing early symptoms of osteoporosis
  • You are seeking preventive measures at early stages of your adulthood.
Tongkat Ali Effects and Benefits on Bones Cells
  • Tongkat Ali was found to strengthen bones and ultimately treat male osteoporosis by a group of researchers at the Faculty of Medicine, the National University of Malaysia . This finding was due to Tongkat Ali’s major role in increasing testosterone levels, which not only stimulates the production of bone-forming cells (osteoblasts), but also activates the death of bone break down cells (osteoclasts), which eventually leads to bone mass preservation [16].
  • There is evidence in other studies to suggest that the consumption of Tongkat Ali stimulated bone formation as it triggers the manufacture of proteins which are bone-building in nature (such as OCN, RUNX-2, and BMP-2) [17].
  • In a similar study, calcium loss was prevented by Tongkat Ali in the impotent male rats suffering from osteoporosis in their bones [18].

6. Anti-Cancer properties

Tongkat Ali exhibits anti-cancer properties on lung carcinoma (A-549 cancer cells), breast cancer (MCF-7 cancer cells), gastric (MGC-803 cells), and intestinal cancer (HT-29 cells). Its wide range of anti-cancer properties of Tongkat Ali was reported in various in-vitro studies from 2002 to 2020 and opens a new opportunity to be used as an anti-cancer supplement in the near future.

Despite the promising discoveries and ongoing research, more clinical studies should be conducted on humans to evaluate Tongkat Ali’s anti-cancer properties. As of now, Tongkat Ali may benefit cancer patients undergoing post-recovery to boost their immune system by increasing blood cells, T-cells, Cd4+ cells which partly protect the body from virus or bacteria attacks.

In other areas, Tongkat Ali is shown to improve insulin resistance and coupled with a strict sugar-free diet, these limit the production of cancer cells in the body whilst boosting other immune cells over a longer period. However, Tongkat Ali is not used to cure cancer and users should take serious advice from medical professionals before consuming Tongkat Ali.

IT MAY BENEFIT YOU IF...

  • You are recovering from cancer, after completing your chemotheraphy sessions.
  • You are using Tongkat Ali as a preventive measure to reduce long-term cancer risks.
Tongkat Ali Effects on Cancer Cells
  • As mentioned before, eurycomanone and eurycomanol are two of the major quassinoids present in Tongkat Ali, showed that there was evidence to suggest that these components decrease the growth and progression of cancer cells [2].
  • Recent molecular / cell-based research conducted by scientists at the Nagasaki International University Japan and Vietnam National University suggested that even though Tongkat Ali was operative against a variety of cancers such as, leukemia, lung and breast cancer; however, gut cancer had moderate effectiveness against Tongkat Ali [20].

7. Reduce Stress, Anger and Improve Mood

Tongkat Ali may reduce physical, behavioral, and cognitive stress, and improve your anxiety, anger and confusion when consumed in low doses for a period of four to twelve weeks. While you may get immediate effects after a few hours, long-term benefit is achieved by regulating your cortisol (i.e stress hormones) to help you maintain your cognitive function and mood in stressful situations.

Taking pure standardized Tongkat Ali root extract may be effective in suppressing the production of cortisol (i.e stress hormones). Regulating cortisol using Tongkat Ali when you are stressed, angry, or depressed may offer an added advantage from the production of more dopamine (happy hormone) through elevated testosterone levels.

Other research studies showed that Tongkat Ali increases dopamine, a feel-good hormone, acting as a neurotransmitter that controls emotional responses and makes you happy. The close interaction of elevated testosterone levels and dopamine helps in regulating mood. This makes Tongkat Ali a known herbal supplement for anti-stress, exhibiting similar properties and mechanism of action to Ashwagandha.

A placebo-controlled clinical trial test results based on 50mg of Physta® Tongkat Ali extract (Eurycoma Longifolia) with Multivitamins. Clinical trial registration NCT02865863.

Tongkat Ali is reported to have calming effects from the reduction of cortisol (stress hormones). When taken at low doses, it improves mood by reducing mood profile parameters such as anger, tension and confusion.

Early randomized-controlled studies showed reduction in tension by 11%, anger by 12% and confusion by 15%. This is mainly attributed by reduction of cortisol by 16%.

The mechanism of action of Tongkat Ali works by reducing your cortisol hormones (stress hormone) and increasing dopamine (happy hormone), which translates to better improvement in the overall mood.

IT MAY BENEFIT YOU IF...

  • You have trouble focusing at work due to anxiety and work deadline pressures.
  • You feel unmotivated to start your day
  • You constantly experiencing burst of anger, sadness or despair.
  • You are having mild anxiety or mild depression.
  • You are working in a highly stressful environment.
Tongkat Ali effects on Mood Paramaters
  • A 24-week randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial on 50mg of Physta® Tongkat Ali with multivitamins showed a significant improvement in cognitive stress, physical stress, behavioral stress and overall stress after the 12th week.
  • A clinical study conducted by a well-known psychonutritionist Dr Shawn Talbot published at The Journal of International Society of Sports Nutrition showed significant improvement in the overall mood on test participants consuming Tongkat Ali for 4 weeks.
  • The study on 63 men and women who were in a reasonably stressed state, showed significant mood improvement after consuming 200mg daily of Tongkat Ali for 4 weeks.

8. Enhances the Immune System

Tongkat Ali promotes a healthier and stronger immune system by increasing the production of immune cells in our body. Tongkat Ali supplementation of 200mg daily over a course of four week produces more Naïve T-Cells by 28%, CD4+ T-Cell by 12% and increases the T-Cell count by 6.5%. 

Japanese researchers found that most of the T-cells are produced in the bone marrow, with the help of elevated testosterone from Tongkat Ali.

The randomized placebo-controlled study by a group of Japanese scientists in Japan suggests the use of  Tongkat Ali as an immunity-boosting supplement that is safe without severe side effects.

Building a healthy immune system is based on a healthy count of your immune cells, i.e T-cells, CD4+ cells and others. The higher the count of these cells, the higher likelihood to win the battle against virus attacks.

Tongkat Ali is amongst the top herbs that may benefit COVID-19 patients’ recovery phase due to its strong immunological properties from its bioactive ingredients.

IT MAY BENEFIT YOU IF...

  • You have a low immune system or immune deficiencies.
  • You are susceptible to regular flu, or cold during adulthood.
  • You seek to use Tongkat Ali as a preventive measure to build a stronger immune system.
Tongkat Ali benefits the immune system
  • A clinical test conducted by Tokyo Medical University and Institute of Life Sciences in Japan in 2016 analyzes the effect of Tongkat Ali on the immune system.
  • Results showed an increase of T-cells, naïve T-cell, and CD4+ cells based on a 200mg daily consumption of Tongkat Ali after 4-weeks. Tests were randomized and placebo-controlled and performed on 84 human subjects (both middle-aged men and women) [22].
  • An in vitro study published by the American Chemical Society and American Society of Pharmacognosy in 2022 suggests that quassinoids in Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma Longifolia) contain anti-coronavirus properties, which may serve as potential treatment candidates for COVID-19. Other similar studies also suggest Tongkat Ali as a potential herbal remedy to manage COVID-19 symptoms.

9. Improves Sleep Quality

Taking Tongkat Ali may promote sleep quality according to Japanese scientists. Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma Longifolia) root extract was found to promote better sleep and circadian rhythm by lowering your core body temperature, thus increasing your REM and NREM sleep duration.

Latest 2024 study by a group of Japanese scientists showed that Tongkat Ali aids the rest-activity pattern, prolongs circadian tau and increases REM sleep, making it a useful wakefulness-enhancing agent if you are sleepy during day time.

Studies found that Tongkat Ali supplementation did not cause any significant alteration during sleep duration, thus overall improving sleep quality. Tongkat Ali supplementation may benefit those who are suffering from sleep disorders when taken at the right time.

Tongkat Ali is used as a sleep-improving agent in novel foods and dietary supplements. A patent application was filed by a group of Japanese scientists in 2019 on use of Tongkat Ali as an effective sleep-improving bioactive ingredient. (Patent No: WO2020040216A1)

IT MAY BENEFIT YOU IF...

  • You have a sleeping disorder.
  • You have trouble sleeping well at night.
  • You need quality deep sleep.
Tongkat Ali effects on sleep quality
  • A 2022 four-week study published in the Journal of Nutritional Science & Vitaminology suggested that Tongkat Ali alleviates sleep problems and improves sleep quality.
  • The same study showed that Tongkat Ali has an effect on lowering Core Body Temperature (CBT) during sleep. A separate study in 2012 showed that lower core body temperature is associated with better sleep quality.
  • Tongkat Ali has mild affects on sleep duration and quality. Unlike other sleeping drugs, it is not a sedative and this may help your sleep quality if you are taking an afternoon nap.

10. Reduces Blood Pressure

Stress, anxiety, anger and your mood are some of the factors that are closely associated with high blood pressure. Studies show stress causes a steep rise in blood pressure.

There are many studies showing how Tongkat Ali reduces anxiety, stress, anger and improves overall mood. 

Tongkat Ali may benefit if you are having early symptoms related to high blood pressure (or hypertension).  Supplementation of Tongkat Ali may promote the widening of the blood vessels to reduce blood pressure.

You may benefit more from Tongkat Ali as it balances cortisol (i.e stress hormones) and dopamine (feel-good hormone) in your body, thus managing your emotional responses that contribute to your high blood pressure.

IT MAY BENEFIT YOU IF...

  • You have mild high blood pressure 
  • You exhibit early symptoms related to high blood pressure.
  • You have anger management issues that cause the rise of blood pressure in certain situations.
  • You have high blood pressure caused by aging or unhealthy eating habits (poor diet).
Tongkat Ali Effects on Blood Pressure

11. Anti Inflammatory, Anti Bacterial and Anti-Fungus

Tongkat Ali contains anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic properties. When taken regularly, Tongkat Ali offers an advantage to help fight bacterial infections or reduce fungus growth such as candida albicans. The use of Tongkat Ali as a candida supplement has been extensively researched as it suppresses candida growth as evidenced in at least 17 in-vivo studies.

Tongkat Ali is also used to treat malaria and dengue in the past, and modern topical applications such as skin cream are used to reduce acne or scars due to its strong anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.

You may apply Tongkat Ali paste (a mix of powder extract and drops of water) to cure rashes, bug bites and to heal minor wounds, or cuts. Using Tongkat Ali cream as a spot treatment for open-wounds helps your skin recover faster compared to aqua-gels or other synthetic creams as evidenced in a 2024 study published by the International Islamic University of Malaysia.

Moisturizing Tongkat Ali creams are used as a spot treatment to reduce acne or skin inflammation in recent years although it may not be popular due to lack of research or clinical studies. There have been no reported side effects when applying Tongkat Ali on the skin.

Recent research studies including clinical trials on humans present a promising future in preventing gout, skin care and bacteria-induced diseases. 

IT MAY BENEFIT YOU IF...

  • You have open wounds, mild acne or other form skin inflammations
  • You have malaria, dengue or general mosquito bites or allergy.
  • You have gout, or diagnosed with high uric acid.
  • You are using Tongkat Ali as a preventive measure against common bacteria and parasitic attacks.
Tongkat Ali Studies on Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Bacteria and Anti-Parasitic Properties
  • A recent study published in the Journal of Pharmacognosy in 2021 showed Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma Longifolia) root extract inhibits the growth of Candida albicans was observed at 31.3 mg/mL.
  • A 2021 placebo-controlled clinical study on 103 men with 100mg Tongkat Ali daily showed a reduction of uric acid from 5.69 mg / dL to 5.03 mg / dL after 12 weeks. This indicates that Tongkat Ali may prevent the risk of gout and flares.

  • A recent study in 2019 by a group of collaborative researchers from Kangwon National University in Korea and Hanoi University of Pharmacy found that Tongkat Ali contains anti-inflammatory properties. You may find their findings from the journal paper here.
  • In a study by Taif University published in the Saudi Medical Journal showed that the growth of harmful bacteria was inhibited by Tongkat Ali [25].
  • Owing to the presence of quassinoids, Tongkat Ali contains anti-parasitic properties which not only inhibit the growth of parasites, but also their movement and reproduction [2].
  • In another study conducted in the laboratory by a group of researchers at the University of Malaya in 2015, Tongkat Ali was seen to constrain the growth and production of a parasite (Blastocystis sp) which causes intestinal problems in our human body. Tongkat Ali exhibited the highest anti-protozoal activity at 1.0 mg/ml [26].
  • Moreover, the growth of Toxoplasma gondii (toxoplasmosis causing parasite) was also seen to be inhibited by Tongkat Ali in another in-vivo study [27].

12. Exhibits Anti-Ulcer Properties

Tongkat Ali exhibits anti-ulcer properties that may benefit mouth ulcers, mild abdominal stomach ulcers or those caused by Helicobacter pylori (H pylori), a common bacteria found in peptic ulcers.  Tongkat Ali’s anti-ulcer properties are closely associated with its anti-bacterial properties found in several in-vivo studies in the last decade.

You may benefit from Tongkat Ali if you have minor mouth ulcers, genital ulcers, venous ulcers or to minimize inflammation arising from bad diet, or external / internal injuries. You may use topical Tongkat Ali cream for external skin-type ulcers or take Tongkat Ali supplements daily (200mg daily) to prevent ulcer formation. However, the efficacy and effectiveness of Tongkat Ali have never been tested in curing chronic peptic ulcers.

Despite the lack of placebo-controlled human studies, Tongkat Ali may still be used as an anti-ulcer supplement that helps peptic ulcers caused by bacterial infection and the excessive use of pain relievers such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Besides anti-inflammatory, anti-bacteria and anti-tumour properties, further research on Tongkat Ali revealed anti-ulcer properties which paved new ways to potentially combat stomach-related injuries. 

IT MAY BENEFIT YOU IF...

  • You are experiencing bacteria-infected ulcers such as mouth ulcers.
  • You want to reduce the risks of developing new ulcers, or recurring ulcers.
Tongkat Ali Research on Anti-Ulcers
  • A group of scientists in Shionogi Research Laboratories in Japan found evidence that the quassinoids (eurycomanone and pasakbumin-B) in Tongkat Ali may prevent the formation of ulcers by decreasing the surplus amount of acid in the stomach. The study was published in 2004 in the European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry and you can access the paper here. [29].
  • Similarly, in a separate study by the National University of Malaysia, the severity of alcohol-induced stomach injuries was also decreased owing to the stimulation by Tongkat Ali [30].

Does Tongkat Ali work?

Despite its limited sample size from human studies, Tongkat Ali may work for most people as long as they adhere to a healthy diet and regular exercise. Mild to moderate benefits or improvements are evident in middle-aged adults, while noticeable-to-significant improvements in overall health are felt by mainly aging adults.

However, some Tongkat Ali supplements did not work as intended due to low levels of bioactive ingredients (eg: eurycomanone < 0.8% or eurypeptides <20%). This is common as non-standardized extracts are not clinically tested or used in human studies, and worst still, it may not work even at high doses. This efficacy issue stems from poor sourcing, quality control and lack of standardization from mostly Indonesian Tongkat Ali suppliers.

It is recommended to take standardized Tongkat Ali hot water root extract as it contains a higher concentration of bioactive compounds (i.e eurycomanone > 1.5%, eurypeptide > 20% and glycosaponin >30%) which increases the potency, making it more effective as a testosterone-boosting supplement to help improve libido, muscle strength, stress management and blood glucose management.

Conclusions

With decades of scientifically proven health benefits from 300+ research studies, Tongkat Ali is a multi-purpose well-rounded herbal supplement that keeps you revitalized due to its positive effects on our hormones and the immune system. Its strong anti-bacterial, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties offer an added advantage when taken long-term as a daily supplement in low doses.

While Tongkat Ali is scientifically proven to induce certain health benefits such as optimal testosterone support, improving libido, strength and mood, taking quality Tongkat Ali standardized extracts that are 3rd party lab-tested or clinically tested may offer added advantage due to greater bioavailability, purity and faster absorption.

For instance, AKARALI Physta® Tongkat Ali hot water standardized extract is clinically tested to benefit men and women from 26 clinical trials, backed by Tongkat Ali standards that conform to the Malaysian Standard MS2409. This brand outperforms other non-standardized (generic) extracts that are not efficacy tested.

Whilst research studies on Tongkat Ali are still ongoing, the benefits far outweigh the mild side effects due to impurities that are frequently reported from users taking low-quality non-standardized extracts.  Notwithstanding bad actors in the unregulated herbal supplement industry, premium clinically tested Tongkat Ali products have been well established as the go-to dietary supplement and preferred choice for sports professionals, active adults, busy working professionals, lonely housewives, and even nightshift workers.

FAQs

Get more answers on Tongkat Ali benefits with our user guide.

1. Does Tongkat Ali have negative or side effects?

Generally, there are no adverse side effects from Tongkat Ali up to 400 mg per day; but you may experience mild recurring side effects if you are taking Tongkat Ali that is not 3rd party tested or brands that contain adulterants or excessive fillers (eg: maltodextrin). Side effects of Tongkat Ali include mild nausea, stomach cramps, irritability, restlessness and mild digestive upsets.

Please refer to our complete list of Tongkat Ali side effects and how to mitigate those risks. Additionally, we encourage you to report any adverse side effects to your nearest doctor or healthcare professional.

2. Is it safe to take Tongkat Ali everyday?

Clinically tested Tongkat Ali supplements are safe to be taken daily within the daily recommended dosage of 100mg to 400mg. This will enable you to gain long-term benefits as outlined by the above studies.

However, it is highly recommended to cycle Tongkat Ali if you are taking it every day over a longer duration of more than 3 months.

3. Does Tongkat Ali affect my kidneys or liver?

There are rare cases on kidney failures (known as Drug-induced Kidney Injury) published in the Journal of Hepatalogy. The 62-year-old patient was reported with a kidney injury after consuming Swanson Tongkat Ali, Swanson DHEA and Swanson Oyster extract for 33 days. Although rare, please consult your doctor before taking Tongkat Ali and to ensure if you have pre-medical conditions or early symptoms related to kidneys or liver functions.

4. Which Tongkat Ali supplement delivers the most benefits?

Tongkat Ali supplements or brands that use clinically tested pure root extract generally have higher efficacy and potency to induce any pharmacological health benefits compared to generic non-standardized 200:1 extract. Our analysis showed that standardized hot water Tongkat Ali extract outperforms 200:1 Tongkat Ali ethanol-based extract. Since not all Tongkat Ali supplements will yield similar health benefits, please use our guide to find the best Tongkat Ali supplements that are best suited to your health goals and budget.

5. Does Tongkat Ali benefit women?

Yes, Tongkat Ali may benefit women in general when taken in low or at recommended dosage. According to multiple pre-clinical human studies and in-vitro studies showed potential health benefits on restoring aging-hormones in women across 35 to 65, notably on elevated testosterone and estrogen, promoting muscle strength, fat-loss, mood and overall vaginal health due to its antifungal, thermogenic and adaptogenic properties. Young active female may reap mild to moderate benefits from Tongkat Ali, especially on muscle strength and fat loos, depending on their baseline testosterone levels.

6. Does Tongkat Ali benefit older men, or those above 60?

Most Tongkat Ali studies on aging men up to 75 years of age showed statistically significant increases in free and total testosterone based on 200mg daily dosage for up to 12 to 24 weeks. In addition to testosterone gains, men may experience mild to moderate libido effects, with increase in sperm count and motility as reported in some studies. Our analysis showed that the on-going studies recorded significant benefits of Tongkat Ali on men with low testosterones, compared to men who have higher than average testosterone levels. However, men may still reap some benefits from taking Tongkat Ali for fat-loss, stamina, energy and muscle growth due to its anabolic properties.

6. What are short term benefits of Tongkat Ali?

The advantage of taking Tongkat Ali short-term for 2 weeks or as-and-when needed will help you improve your energy levels, or libido.  However, the short-term benefits of Tongkat Ali are often short-lived if you are taking too much sugar in your diet, or if you are still consuming alcohol daily. Most benefits of Tongkat Ali such as optimal testosterone are fully realized based on long term consumption of more than 24 weeks.

However, highly-trained athletes or fitness enthusiasts can still experience short-term benefits of taking Tongkat Ali such as better strength and stamina during training or during competitions (eg: long distance races of 50km and above) – most of which requires testosterone support throughout longer duration.

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Warnings

Tongkat Ali supplement may benefit and revitalize your health. However, the health benefits are largely dependent on various factors such as diet, exercise, and other underlying medical conditions. We recommend consulting your nearest doctor or healthcare professional before consuming Tongkat Ali. Tongkat Ali should not be consumed by pregnant women, or children below 18 years of age and those who are diagnosed with life-threatening diseases.

GET THE BEST HELP YOU NEED

Learn more benefits

Get the best help on Tongkat Ali benefits from our team of medical experts, scientists and research analysts.

| GLOBAL SUPPORT TEAM |



Author

Naressa Khan contributes regularly on AKARALI. As a researcher and investigative journalist specializing in nutrition, supplements and natural wellness, Naressa specializes in fact-based health topics backed by scientific evidence. She explores the nuances of lifestyle, culture, travel, health, and wellness.

Dr. Annie George is the Head scientist specializing in herbal research and clinical trials of Tongkat Ali since 2003.

She is part of our panel of experts and medical advisors to ensure the facts are accurate and credible. These are validated against multiple source references which include but not limited to research studies, peer-reviewed journals, pre-clinical studies, clinical tests and other credible publications.

Our panel of medical advisors and experts are highly experienced in their individual fields. However, they do not provide any medical advice or recommendations arising from content published in this article.

Disclaimer: The content published in this article is for educational purposes and 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.

REFERENCES

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  10. Ang H. H., Sim M. K. Eurycoma longifolia Jack enhances libido in sexually experienced male rats. Journal of Experimental Animal Science. 1997;46(4):287–290. doi: 10.1538/expanim.46.287
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  13. Henkel RR, Wang R, Bassett SH, Chen T, Liu N, Zhu Y, et al. Tongkat Ali as a potential herbal supplement for physically active male and female seniors—A pilot study. Phyther Res. 2014;28(4):544–550. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5017
  14. Md Yusof, Sarina & Zakaria, Zaiton & Abd. Hamid Karim, Aminuddin & Aiman, Suhana & Kadir, Zulkifli. (2016). Enhancement Effects of Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) Supplementation on Performance Functions Following Strength Training in Middle-Aged Women. 10.1007/978-981-287-691-1_1.
  15. Joint Conference of BASEM and BASES British Journal of Sports Medicine 2003;37:464-470
  16. Effendy N.M., Mohamed N., Muhammad N., Mohamad I.N., Shuid A.N. Eurycoma longifolia: medicinal plant in the prevention and treatment of male osteoporosis due to androgen deficiency. Evid Based Complement Altern Med. 2012:125761
  17. Thu HE, Mohamed IN, Hussain Z, Shuid AN. Exploring molecular mechanism of bone-forming capacity of Eurycoma longifolia: Evidence of enhanced expression of bone-related biomarkers. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2017 S0975-9476(17)30007-4
  18. Saadiah H, Razak A, Shuid AN, Mohamed IN. Combined effects of Eurycoma longifoliaand testosterone on androgen-deficient osteoporosis in a male rat model. Evidence-Based Complement Altern Med. 2012;2012:1–6. doi: 10.1155/2012/872406
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  20. Tung, N. H., Uto, T., Hai, N. T., Li, G., & Shoyama, Y. (2017). Quassinoids from the Root of Eurycoma longifoliaand Their Antiproliferative Activity on Human Cancer Cell Lines. Pharmacognosy magazine13(51), 459–462. doi:10.4103/pm.pm_353_16
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  24. Tee, B. H., Hoe, S. Z., Cheah, S. H., & Lam, S. K. (2016). First Report of Eurycoma longifolia Jack Root Extract Causing Relaxation of Aortic Rings in Rats. BioMed research international, 2016, 1361508. doi:10.1155/2016/1361508
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  27. Kavitha, N., Noordin, R., Chan, K. L., & Sasidharan, S. (2012). In vitro anti-Toxoplasma gondii activity of root extract/fractions of Eurycoma longifolia Jack. BMC complementary and alternative medicine12, 91. doi:10.1186/1472-6882-12-91
  28. Kuo P.C., Damu A.G., Lee K.H., Wu T.S. Cytotoxic and antimalarial constituents from the roots of Eurycoma longifolia.  Med. Chem. 2004;12:537–544. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2003.11.017
  29. Tada H., Yasuda F., Otani K., Doteuchi M., Ishihara Y., Shiro M. New antiulcer quassinoids from Eurycoma longifolia. (1991) European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 26  (3) , pp. 345-349
  30. Qodriyah H., Asmadi A. Eurycoma longifoliain Radix (TM) for the Treatment of Ethanol-induced Gastric Lesion in Rats.  J. Biol. Sci. 2013;16doi: 10.3923/pjbs.2013.1815.1818
  31. Erasmus N., Solomon M., Fortuin K., Henkel R. Effect of Eurycoma longifoliaJack (Tongkat ali) extract on human spermatozoa in vitro. 2012;44:308–314. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.2012.01282.x
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16 Responses

  1. Can I use Ashwaganda or other natural products a week and Tongkat ali the next so as to not have to put back the use of other products for a prolonged period of time? Will this reach the synergy of both supplements? Thanks for your great insights.

  2. I blog often and I truly appreciate your information. The
    article has truly peaked my interest. I’m going to book mark your site and keep checking for new details
    about once per week. I subscribed to your Feed too.

  3. Which country in West Africa do you have tongkat Ali
    And how do you use tongkat Ali powder or fresh root and leaves?

  4. I am a 56 year old woman with typical menopause weight gain (15 lbs over my comfort zone) and low libido. Would you agree this will likely be a good choice to add to my daily supplements?

    1. Tongkat Ali is suitable for women too. The decline in androgen levels among ageing women is typically sharp and rapid. As such, it may play a critical part in the functional limitations commonly associated with ageing. The testosterone loss in women can also increase their general morbidity (or chance of developing diseases).

      It is no wonder why women, too, should optimise their testosterone levels. It may not be as high as the male body would require, but in healthy amounts, they help maintain crucial bodily mechanisms but also ensure their sexual health and wellbeing.

      So we can see why Tongkat Ali would be beneficial for women. The energy activation that Tongkat Ali supplements provide would help raise women’s testosterone amounts to their original levels

  5. Can Tongkat Ali treat pancreatitis? I have learned that blood sugar is controlled by insulin produced by the pancreas. When the pancreas has got some damage will Tongkat Ali repair the injury?

    1. Tongkat Ali is a herbal supplement that provides many health benefits and used to manage symptoms related to ED, low testosterone or androgen deficiencies. It should not be used to treat any medically diagnosed health conditions or diseases. You may consult your nearest doctor before consuming Tongkat Ali, or to understand better how it affects your pancreatitis.

  6. I took Double Wood Tongkat Ali for few months but didnt notice any health benefits. Tongkat Ali benefits are always hit-and-miss, but I realized the importance of buying clinically tested Tongkat Ali products that comes with guaranteed benefits. I heard AKARALI Tongkat Ali is clinically tested and better than DoubeWood Tongkat Ali. Is this true? I am avoiding cheap Tongkat Ali supplements like Solaray, its an absolute crap with no benefits to my testosterone or libido.

  7. Amazing and insightful article! My colleague reported that he truly enjoyed the benefits of Tongkat Ali. Gave him a morning wood and he wakes up smiling everyday! He said the improvement in mood was significant too. He took Tongkat Ali for 4 weeks now, and it performs better than Maca or Ashwagandha. Nothing beats Tongkat Ali’s all-rounded health benefits TBH. IMHO, any herbal supplements will work wonders if taken with frequent exercises. I did try once before, but gave me moderate gains. Maybe i should try reputable Tongkat ali brands, or at least clinically tested Tongkat ali supplements to notice a significant difference. Thats just my two cents.

  8. HOW CAN I GET THIS PRODUCT? AM IN UGANDA. When I take it mixed with coffee it makes my heart a bit faster

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