For centuries, Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia), is used as a traditional energy tonic for men in Malaysia and Indonesia. It is believed the Tongkat Ali roots, when boiled and used as a drink may boost their aging male hormones, notably testosterone.
It is no surprise that Tongkat Ali was known as a natural aphrodisiac centuries before scientific research activities took place to measure the quantifiable benefits on men.
So what does Tongkat Ali do for men?
In this article, we will cover the potential health benefits of Tongkat Ali on men and how this ancient remedy steps into the scientific limelight with a growing body of research, unveiling time-tested benefits on men that transcend time.
Growing scientific studies have highlighted Tongkat Ali’s efficacy on men’s health, particularly in addressing issues related to androgen deficiencies in men that sparked interest by healthcare professionals such as Dr. Andrea Millitello (Italy), Dr. Rena Malik (USA) and even Dr. Andrew Huberman (USA)
In fact, recent research studies on Tongkat Ali using standardized hot-water extract have been conducted in the last 20 years with promising results, as evidenced by over 26 human clinical trials to date.
This union of traditional wisdom with clinical validation positions Tongkat Ali as an effective ingredient. The herb is viewed broadly as a natural testosterone to boost men’s health, whilst most benefits are still being investigated thoroughly to prove its efficacy.
Tongkat Ali current documented scientific benefits on men may not be sufficient due to lack of massive sample size used by mainstream pharmaceutical drugs companies. However, existing clinical studies on men is sufficient to stir mainstream adoption of Tongkat Ali as the preferred men’s supplement in the US, UK and Europe.
In this article we’ll explore the various scientifically proven benefits that Tongkat Ali can provide for men’s health:
One of the most notable advantages of Tongkat Ali lies in its ability to increase testosterone levels in men, encompassing total testosterone, free testosterone, and DHEA.
Dr. Andrew Huberman describes the benefits and effects of Tongkat Ali on men by stimulating the adrenal gland, pituitary gland, and testes, in order to release more testosterone production.
Over the past two decades, there has been a notable increase in human clinical trials specifically exploring the impact of Tongkat Ali on total and free testosterone levels, particularly for men suffering from hypogonadism and low testosterone in general, consistently providing affirmative results.
Given the consistent natural decline of 1 – 2% in testosterone levels that occurs in men after the age of 30, Tongkat Ali is reported by several studies on its potential to address age-related hormonal issues in men, and notably, with minimal to zero side effects.
The increasing quality standards over the last decade makes Tongkat Ali suitable for both younger and aging males. Rigorous studies not only confirm its effectiveness across diverse demographics but also showcase its versatility, catering to the needs of professional athletes, amateurs, and even individuals seeking to casually enhance their fitness.
Sustainable optimal testosterone at all times makes Tongkat Ali one of the underrated supplements for semi-pro and pro athletes, sports amateurs and those wanting faster body transformation results.
Tongkat Ali is widely used as a pre-workout supplement by male athletes and sports professionals to naturally increase performance by boosting testosterone levels, which plays a key role in muscle development and recovery that benefits men.
Men using Tongkat Ali may experience enhanced muscle mass and physical performance, especially when combined with regular exercises and adds to an effective supplement health stack, popular amongst health coaches in the UK and US.
Studies show that it provides notable improvements in stamina, anaerobic performance, post-workout recovery, lean muscle growth, and overall strength.
Tongkat Ali is an adaptogenic plant, similar to Ashwagandha. Its adaptogenic properties helps the body better adapt to and deal with physical and cognitive stress by regulating the stress hormones for men.
For men experiencing mood swings, Tongkat Ali is found to significantly reduces cortisol (stress hormone) levels between 10-15% and improves dopamine (feel-good hormone) by a significant margin.
Tongkat Ali studies also show that it improves a wide range of mood parameters, including reducing anxiety, anger and confusion in men, albeit a small sample size.
Having said that, it’s ability to increase dopamine levels can also enhance motivation to engage in strenuous activities, amplifying the “exospheric pleasure” you get from endorphins rush, as well as enhancing the pleasure you get from just having fun.
Whilst more studies required with a large sample size, anecdotal evidence from customer survey show 80% of male users reported improved in mood after taking standardized Tongkat Ali extract at 200mg per day over a period of four to six weeks.
Tongkat Ali has long been touted for its aphrodisiac and libido-boosting properties.
With advance research and clinical studies, we now know that it enhances men’s libido by maintaining hormonal balance, particularly by elevating testosterone levels, improving blood flow and circulation, as well as improving mood and reducing stress.
Its benefits also extend to supporting various aspects of men’s reproductive health and fertility, encompassing sperm motility, semen production, libido, and erectile function. In qualifying the efficacy on men’s fertility and libido, Tongkat Ali may be effective to men who are experiencing mild ED.
Numerous studies on men’s health involving Tongkat Ali have demonstrated improvements in symptoms related to erectile dysfunction (ED) and fertility. Notable increases were observed in sperm motility by +11% to 44.4%, sperm concentration by +18.2% to 65%, sperm morphology by +94%, erection hardness by +39.3%, and erection time by +102% to +162% which suggest mild to moderate effect that may benefit men with mild ED.
On another note, the advantage of taking Tongkat Ali for men’s sexual health is that it may be taken daily on a long term basis, with or without cycle and with minimal acute side effects.
Tongkat Ali facilitates healthy weight loss in men through multiple action mechanisms such as promoting fat burning by elevating the body’s metabolism and encouraging the burning of more calories.
Tongkat Ali is not a steroid and it works well if you are already active, or hitting the gym at least 3 times a week with regular HIIT workouts or weight training.
Additionally, Tongkat Ali enhances testosterone levels, fostering efficient energy conversion. The stress-reduction properties of Tongkat Ali also plays a crucial role in curbing stress or emotional overeating, too.
By stimulating thermogenesis, a process generating heat that burns calories, Tongkat Ali elevates metabolism, contributing to sustainable weight loss and accelerated lean muscle growth for active men.
While effective on its own, Tongkat Ali synergizes best with regular exercise and a balanced diet, maximizing its potential to supercharge metabolism and optimize weight loss or when paired with creatine, protein shakes, green tea, zinc, magnesium or boron. This Tongkat Ali advance formulation, when consumed at the right dosage, is seen as the ideal weight loss supplement health stack for men.
Tongkat Ali supplementation demonstrates antihypertensive effects, leading to a decrease in blood pressure by improving the relaxation of aortic rings and lowering triglyceride levels in the bloodstream.
Its adaptogenic properties offer potential benefits in reducing stress and anxiety, indirectly contributing to improved cardiovascular health for men.
With the added advantages of promoting the growth of lean muscle mass and reducing body fat, Tongkat Ali presents a comprehensive approach to enhancing heart health in men.
Tongkat Ali is an effective way to bolster human immunity, a key study conducted by a group of Japanese scientists showed that it significantly boosts the counts of total, naïve, and CD4(+) T cells, essential components of the immune system responsible for identifying and combating infections and diseases.
Additionally, its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties contribute to preventing cellular damage from overtraining, thereby aiding the immune system in operating more effectively.
Again, Tongkat Ali’s adaptogenic qualities further play a role in stress reduction and lowering cortisol levels, ultimately elevating and enhancing immune function in men.
Tongkat Ali has shown promising anti-cancer properties, boasting a rich spectrum of medicinally active compounds.
Notably, 16 compounds within Tongkat Ali showcase significant anti-proliferative and anti-cancer properties. Eurycomanone, a key bioactive component, stands out with a potent, dose-dependent anticancer effect observed in lung carcinoma (A-549 cells), gastric (MGC-803 cells), and intestinal carcinomas (HT-29 cells).
Additionally, Tongkat Ali has demonstrated the ability to inhibit the viability of prostate cancer cell lines, as well as for more complicated cancers like leukaemia that is prevalent in men.
Aging men above 50 or 60 who are concerned with prostate cancer may benefits from Tongkat Ali anti-cancer properties. This comprehensive profile from in-vitro and in-vivo studies supports the potential use of Tongkat Ali as a promising complementary anti-cancer prevention for men.
However, we recommend not to use Tongkat Ali if you are diagnosed with cancer or currently taking cancer medications.
Tongkat Ali may benefit men across age groups from 22 years to 78 years. Past studies on various health benefits of Tongkat Ali are based on male test subjects aged between 24 to 30 and above. Since testosterone levels in men gradually decrease by 15% year on year after the age of 30, the optimal age to gain maximum advantage from Tongkat Ali will be between 30 and beyond.
While Tongkat Ali can play a supportive role in facilitating natural weight loss, it is important to note that it is not intended nor recommended for use as a standalone weight-loss supplement, especially if the goal is rapid weight loss.
For men seeking for optimal weight loss, Tongkat Ali may be incorporated into a comprehensive dietary supplement regimen, complemented by regular exercises at least 3 times a week and a healthy protein-based diet. This holistic approach ensures a balanced and sustainable strategy for achieving your desired weight goals.
Tongkat Ali may be used as an alternative or to supplement TRT or HRT. Tongkat Ali is a natural testosterone booster that is scientifically proven and clinically tested by medical professionals, scientists, and health experts. However, we recommend you to consult your doctor before consuming Tongkat Ali if you are currently on a TRT treatment.
Tongkat Ali possesses anabolic properties that are well-suited for bodybuilding and weight training, promoting accelerated muscle growth and reduced body fat, along with increased strength. Real-world performance improvements after a six-week period of Tongkat Ali consumption included enhanced stamina and greater muscle strength
Notably, a study demonstrated that the use of Tongkat Ali extract resulted in a 5% increase in lean body mass within five weeks and an augmentation of arm circumference by 1.8 cm. Participants also experienced a significant reduction in body fat. These findings underscore the potential benefits of incorporating Tongkat Ali into a comprehensive approach for bodybuilding and fitness.
Tongkat Ali is safe to be used in the Olympics or in other highly regulated sports events based on the current doping policies, which are determined by the TE ratio. A study published in the International Journal of Preventive Medicine showed the Testosterone vs. Epitestosterone ratio (i.e T:E ratio) fell within the acceptable range of 0.63:1 and 0.74:1. The results were taken from the test groups after consuming 400mg daily of Tongkat Ali for 6 weeks. Due to the low T:E ratio, Tongkat Ali is regarded as safe and within acceptable limits of current international doping policy.
It depends on your needs or health goals, but 200mg to 400mg of Tongkat Ali daily is regarded as optimal for men weighing 75kg to 80kg. For men who are overweight or obese, higher dosage of more than 400mg may be required to induce pharmacological effects.
As a reference, most past studies and clinical trials on men are based on a dose of 200mg to 400mg of Tongkat Ali daily. Male bodybuilders or professional athletes may require a higher dose of Tongkat Ali (up to 600mg per day), and some may choose to take up 1,000mg per day for short duration.
Men experience mild side effects from Tongkat Ali compared to women which include insomnia, mild jittery and mild nausea. Most of these side effects occur due to incorrect dosage (i.e., higher than needed dosage), the addition of fillers, allergens or adulterants or due to underlying chronic medical conditions.
Most human clinical studies conducted on Tongkat Ali supplementation have recorded minimal to zero side effects with long-term consumption between 200mg to 400mg. Similarly, most male consumers in the UK who have consumed Tongkat Ali have noted a positive experience without experiencing any side effects.
Naressa Khan contributes regularly on AKARALI. As a researcher and investigative journalist, Naressa is all about creating, deconstructing, and reassembling meaningful content through words and facts. With this approach always in mind, she eagerly explores the nuances in life via the aspects of lifestyle, culture, travel, health, and wellness in Malaysia .
Our articles are third party reviewed by 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 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.
