Tongkat Ali is reported as the ultimate natural testosterone booster supplement. As modern men in the US are reported to have less testosterone compared to men born in the 60s or 70s, more men are choosing Tongkat Ali in recent years as opposed to Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) or HRT.
But, does Tongkat Ali boost testosterone? And are there sufficient clinical evidence to support that claim?
Yes, Tongkat Ali does raise testosterone levels. Multiple studies showed Tongkat Ali has an effect of raising total testosterone, free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
In this article, we shall share scientific evidence from clinical trials and research studies performed on humans in the last 20 years.
In fact, Tongkat Ali may be a better choice to boost testosterone next to Panax Ginseng due to more clinical evidence in recent years.
In reality, there are many top-selling testosterone supplements for men in recent years.
However, research by the University of Southern California on 50 “T-boosting” supplements showed that only 24.8% of supplements had data to support this claim.
Only 24.8% of testosterone boosters had data to support these claims
Thankfully, Tongkat Ali remains one of the best T-booster supplements with substantial records of clinical evidence and clinical trials on both men and women in recent years.
Let’s find out more scientific evidence if Tongkat Ali can actually increase your testosterone levels.
The short answer is yes, Tongkat Ali does boost testosterone. There is sufficient scientific evidence to show Tongkat Ali may increase different types of testosterone in our body such as:
✅ total testosterone
✅ free testosterone (i.e the most “usable” testosterone)
✅ dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
✅ dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
✅ progesterone
Clinical trials and research studies from 2000 to 2021 reported an increase in free testosterone between 15% to 600% in both men and women; depending on the daily doses and duration of use.
For example, a 24-week randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial on 50mg Physta® Tongkat Ali with multivitamins showed a 582% increase (up to 11.4 ng/dL) and 600% increase ( up to 1.05 ng/dL) in free testosterone in men and women respectively.
Note: 19 male participants between 20 – 60 years consuming 50mg Physta® Tongkat Ali extract (Eurycoma Longifolia) with multivitamins showed 581% increase in free testosterone after the 24th week. Clinical trial registration NCT02865863.
Note: 28 female participants between 20 – 60 years consuming 50mg of Physta® Tongkat Ali extract (Eurycoma Longifolia) with multivitamins showed 600% increase in free testosterone after the 24th week. Clinical trial registration NCT02865863.
Tongkat Ali contains a bioactive ingredient known as eurycomanone that works by activating the adrenal and pituitary gland. This result in the production of more Free Testosterone (FT) from its binding hormone, the Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG). It means Tongkat Ali reduce SHBG to produce more usable (i.e free testosterone).
The latest study in 2021 shows that Tongkat Ali demonstrates steroidogenic effects on young men. Results showing an increase in free testosterone levels may be due to greater hormone production via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
In a separate clinical trial involving 105 men between 50-70 years, test results reported an increase in Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in 12 weeks when test participants were exposed to daily consumption of 200mg of Tongkat Ali.
DHEA is a vital hormone in the adrenal gland that helps to produce testosterone. Here is a snapshot of the test result.
Note: Test results of DHEA on 105 male participants between 50 – 70 years after consuming 200mg of Physta® Tongkat Ali extract (Eurycoma Longifolia) daily. Clinical trial registration (CTRI/2019/03/017959)
The unattached, i.e free testosterone is considered the most usable, that controls most of our body functions which include libido, our mood, muscle growth and others.
With more than 300+ research studies and clinical trials, Tongkat Ali is reported to have more scientific evidence on raising testosterone compared to Fadogia Agrestis, Maca, Ashwagandha, Turkesterone and other herbs.
Tongkat Ali were amongst substances with the strongest evidence
The first human clinical study on testosterone was published in 2012 and subsequently more research studies were performed in recent years involving hundreds of test subjects to reaffirm its finding.
This rapid development has sparked discussions amongst medical experts about Tongkat Ali as the best natural testosterone booster, next to TRT.
Tongkat Ali is natural alternative to Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) and shown to restore serum testosterone levels
As evidence of cancer-inducing side effects from TRT has deterred many consumers, Tongkat Ali may potentially be a natural alternative to Testosterone Replacement Therapy.
However, does Tongkat Ali work to boost testosterone if you are 25, 50 or even 70?
Let’s investigate how effective is Tongkat Ali across a wide range of age groups.
Common question amongst young adults – “I’m young and healthy. Can Tongkat Ali boost my testosterone if I am below 25 years?”
If you are in your 20s and active, consuming Tongkat Ali may increase your testosterone that will benefit your muscle growth and strength.
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 15% higher levels of testosterone and 34% increase in free testosterone. The level of estrogen (estradiol) was reported to increase by 30% too.
For active young adults, Tongkat Ali is used in sports to enhance anaerobic performance, and also as a steroid replacement.
The same study also reported that:
“The raised testosterone following Eurycoma longifolia supplementations could benefit muscle and strength gain in young adults”
Age of the test subjects | 24 yrs |
Total Test subjects | 32 males |
Daily dosage | 600 mg daily |
Dosage duration | 2 weeks (14 days) |
Medical condition of the test subjects | Healthy |
Placebo test group (Yes/ No) | Yes |
Testosterone increase (Yes/ No) | Yes |
Name of scientists & researchers involved in the study | Kai Quin Chan, Claire Stewart , Neil Chester, Sareena H Hamzah, Ashril Yusof |
Published date | February 2021 |
Does Tongkat Ali boost testosterone in middle-aged men?
If you are in your mid 40s and experiencing some level of androgen deficiency (i.e your body has lower levels of male sex hormones, particularly testosterone), then Tongkat Ali may work for you.
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.
This 6-month observation is the longest study on Tongkat Ali to date.
Group consuming Tongkat Ali with 3 days per week exercise gained the most improvement
And if you are fast approaching 40s and thinking of maintaining a good shape with regular exercises, then Tongkat Ali is your perfect natural testosterone booster.
Age of the test subjects | 47 years |
Total test subjects | 45 men |
Daily dosage | 200 mg |
Dosage duration & observation period | 6 months (180+ days) |
Medical condition of the test subjects | Androgen Deficiency |
Placebo test group (Yes/ No) | Yes |
Testosterone increase (Yes/ No) | Yes |
Name of scientists & researchers involved in the study | Alice Erwig Leitão 1, Melissa Carvalho de Souza Vieira 2, Andreia Pelegrini 2, Edson Luiz da Silva 3, Adriana Coutinho de Azevedo Guimarães 2 |
Published date | May 2020 |
We found two independent clinical studies conducted in 2021 and 2014 showing that Tongkat Ali increased testosterone in senior men and women above 50 years.
The first study involved a group of 105 male between 50 to 70 years of age with a placebo- controlled group with results showing significant improvement in testosterone.
A second study with 13 males and 12 females between 57 to 72 years over a 5 week period showed improvement in testosterone between 61% for male, and 122% for females when subjected to 400mg of Tongkat Ali daily.
Age of the test subjects | 50 – 70 years |
Total test subjects | 105 male |
Daily dosage | 200 mg |
Dosage duration | 12 weeks |
Medical condition of the test subjects | Healthy |
Placebo test group (Yes/ No) | Yes |
Testosterone increase (Yes/ No) | Yes |
Name of scientists & researchers involved in the study | Pragya Pandey, Annie George, Govinda Narke, Yogendra Kumar Choudhary, Sasikala M. Chinnappan |
Date of study | May 2021 |
Age of the test subjects | 57-72 years |
Total test subjects | 13 males & 12 females |
Daily dosage | 400 mg |
Dosage duration | 5 weeks (35 days) |
Medical condition of the test subjects | Not reported |
Placebo test group (Yes/ No) | No |
Testosterone increase (Yes/ No) | Yes |
Name of scientists & researchers involved in the study | Ralf R. Henkel, Ruxiang Wang, Susan H. Bassett, Tao Chen, Na Liu, Ying Zhu and Mohd Ismail Tambi |
Date of study | 2013 |
Award-winning professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at Stanford University said that consuming 400mg of Tongkat Ali daily has the effect of increasing testosterone levels between 100 to 200 points.
The amount of testosterone increase that you may gain depends largely on Tongkat Ali’s potency.
A potent Tongkat Ali with a smaller dosage works more effectively than a less potent Tongkat Ali with a higher dosage.
Urologist Dr. Rena Malik from the University of Maryland shared further scientific evidence on Tongkat Ali’s efficacy including Tongkat Ali’s ability to raise testosterone.
She also explained to her viewer about getting the best Tongkat Ali.
If you want the best Tongkat Ali, watch out for hot water root extract
And if you want the best Tongkat Ali that works well on testosterone, please purchase clinically tested Tongkat Ali products.
For instance, MIT-formulated Physta® Tongkat Ali extract has undergone more than 26 clinical trials and some of the clinical trials showed a 500% to 600% increase in free testosterone when combined with multivitamins.
It is worth reading if you want to know more.
Patients and consumers should be aware of the scientific evidence behind Testosterone Boosters, TRT, or other natural supplements claiming to boost testosterone.
Despite decades of scientific evidence on various health benefits and real-world performance gains, Tongkat Ali is still the preferred choice to boost testosterone.
With a lack of scientific evidence and clinical trials, you can forget about other testosterone-boosting supplements such as Fadogia Agrestis, Maca or even Horny Goat Weed for now.
Forget about Tongkat Ali-Fadogia combo. Single ingredient Tongkat Ali supplement works best.
Whilst testosterone from Tongkat Ali may benefit women’s health too, it does not mean it works on everyone.
If Tongkat Ali did not work for you – perhaps you should consider how you can gain more from a potent or stronger Tongkat Ali.
Do your research as there are six golden rules to follow before picking the best Tongkat Ali in the market.
If you may have more specific questions, kindly refer to our FAQ on Tongkat Ali for a comprehensive list of questions and answers.
Naressa Khan contributes regularly on AKARALI. As a researcher and investigative journalist, Naressa is all about creating, deconstructing, and reassembling meaningful content through words and facts. With this approach always in mind, she eagerly explores the nuances in life via the aspects of lifestyle, culture, travel, health, and wellness in Malaysia .
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