This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
How does Tongkat Ali work to increase testosterone?
Tongkat Ali works through multiple mechanisms to support testosterone levels. Research suggests its active compounds, particularly eurycomanone and quassinoids, may help by reducing sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), which increases free testosterone availability. Additionally, it appears to stimulate the release of luteinizing hormone from the pituitary gland, which signals the testes to produce more testosterone. Some evidence also indicates anti-estrogenic effects. Clinical studies (Evidence Level B) support these mechanisms, though more research is needed to fully understand the pathways involved.
Does Tongkat Ali interact with any medications?
Tongkat Ali may interact with several types of medications. Due to its effects on hormone levels, it should not be combined with hormone replacement therapies, birth control pills, or medications for hormone-sensitive conditions. It may also interact with antidiabetic medications by affecting blood sugar levels, and with immunosuppressants due to potential immune-modulating properties. Those with heart conditions taking blood pressure or heart medications should exercise caution. Always consult a healthcare provider before combining Tongkat Ali with prescription medications.
What is the recommended daily dosage for Tongkat Ali?
The recommended dosage for Tongkat Ali is typically 200-400mg daily of a standardized root extract containing approximately 2% eurycomanone. Most clinical studies have used doses within this range, taken in divided doses or as a single daily dose. Standardized extracts are preferred over raw root powder, as they ensure consistent levels of active compounds. It's generally recommended to cycle Tongkat Ali supplementation, such as taking it for 8-12 weeks followed by a break, though optimal cycling protocols have not been firmly established (Evidence Level B).
Is Tongkat Ali safe to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Tongkat Ali is considered unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding and should be avoided. The herb has documented effects on hormone levels, which could potentially disrupt fetal development or affect nursing infants. Traditional use has not included pregnant or lactating women, and no clinical safety data exists for these populations. Additionally, the herb's effects on reproductive hormones could theoretically cause complications during pregnancy. Women who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding should not use Tongkat Ali supplements.
Does Tongkat Ali really work for boosting testosterone?
Clinical research suggests Tongkat Ali may help support healthy testosterone levels, particularly in men with low baseline levels or stress-related hormonal imbalances. Several randomized controlled trials have shown modest improvements in testosterone levels in various populations (Evidence Level B). However, results vary, and the herb appears most effective for those with suboptimal testosterone rather than healthy individuals seeking enhancement. It may also improve related parameters including sperm quality, libido, and stress hormone balance.
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 29 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) is a Southeast Asian shrub used traditionally for various conditions, including sexual dysfunction and malaria [PMID:39527684, PMID:26978330]. It is frequently marketed as a testosterone booster and ergogenic aid [PMID:39527684, PMID:22738233].
Background
Eurycoma longifolia, also known as Long Jack or Malaysian Ginseng, is a flowering, slow-growing shrubby tree native to Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand [PMID:39527684, PMID:26978330, PMID:39701690].
Traditional uses
Traditionally, the leaves, roots, and bark are used to treat diabetes, arthritis, liver diseases, malaria, dysentery, erectile dysfunction, high blood pressure, diarrhea, fever, anxiety, and as an aphrodisiac [PMID:39527684, PMID:26978330, PMID:20434529].
Active compounds
The plant contains bioactive compounds including quassinoids (notably eurycomanone, eurycomoside, eurycolactone, and eurycomalactone), canthin-6-one alkaloids, tirucallane triterpenes, squalene derivatives, bioactive steroids, and cinnamates [PMID:20434529, PMID:36687023, PMID:36781893, PMID:25914245].
Mechanism of action
Certain quassinoids, beta-carboline, and canthin-6-one alkaloids act as NF-kappaB inhibitors [PMID:24467387]. In prostate cancer cell lines, root extract appears to induce apoptosis via the PTEN/P13k/Akt pathway [PMID:38566865].
Clinical evidence
Evidence AErectile Dysfunction
A meta-analysis of RCTs found no significant difference in the mean change of IIEF-5 scores between Tongkat Ali and placebo at week 12 [PMID:26365449].
Evidence ASerum Total Testosterone
A systematic review of testosterone boosters indicated that most, including Eurycoma longifolia, fail to significantly increase total testosterone [PMID:37697053].
Evidence CAthletic Performance
Research on endurance cycling and running performance reported no significant improvement after supplementation [PMID:22738233].
Evidence BAndrogen Deficiency of Aging Males (ADAM)
A 6-month RCT observed improvements in erectile function with both concurrent training and Eurycoma longifolia supplementation [PMID:33541567].
Safety & adverse effects
Reports of clinically apparent liver injury have appeared in bodybuilders [PMID:39527684], and a case report detailed acute liver injury with jaundice and elevated enzymes following use [PMID:38646387]. Conversely, a rat study on infused coffee showed no clinical signs of toxicity [PMID:33066137].
Evidence summary
Evidence is mixed; while some individual trials and reviews suggest benefits for sexual function and testosterone, systematic reviews and meta-analyses have failed to show significant efficacy for erectile dysfunction or total testosterone increase.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 39527684 (2012) — Eurycoma longifolia (Jack) Improves Serum Total Testosterone in Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials. · CITED REFERENCE
2.PMID: 33541567 (2021) — A 6-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial to evaluate the effect of Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali) and concurrent training on erectile function and testosterone levels in androgen deficiency of aging males (ADAM). · Maturitas
3.PMID: 37697053 (2024) — Do "testosterone boosters" really increase serum total testosterone? A systematic review. · International journal of impotence research
4.PMID: 35845951 (2022) — A Systematic Review on Antimicrobial and Antiparasitic Activity of Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali). · BioMed research international
5.PMID: 40790034 (2025) — Discovery of multi-target anti-gout agents from Eurycoma longifolia Jack through phenotypic screening and structural optimization.
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
6.PMID: 26365449 (2015) — Efficacy of Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) on erectile function improvement: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. · Complementary therapies in medicine
7.PMID: 20434529 (2010) — Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia Jack): a review on its ethnobotany and pharmacological importance. · Fitoterapia
8.PMID: 26978330 (2016) — Review on a Traditional Herbal Medicine, Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali): Its Traditional Uses, Chemistry, Evidence-Based Pharmacology and Toxicology. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
9.PMID: 34989200 (2021) — Anticancer Activity of Pasak Bumi Root Extract (Eurycoma longifolia Jack) on Raji Cells. · Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
10.PMID: 39701690 (2024) — [Literature research and discussion on properties of a new oversea-introduced traditional Chinese medicine Malaysian ginseng(Tongkat Ali)]. · Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
11.PMID: 26082155 (2015) — Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia): a possible therapeutic candidate against Blastocystis sp. · Parasites & vectors
13.PMID: 22738233 (2012) — Herbs in exercise and sports. · Journal of physiological anthropology
14.PMID: 38566865 (2024) — Unveiling the Anticancer Potential of Pasak Bumi (Eurycoma Longifolia Jack) Root Extract in Prostate Cancer Treatment. · Medical archives (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
15.PMID: 38646387 (2024) — A Rare Case of Tongkat Ali-Induced Liver Injury: A Case Report. · Cureus
16.PMID: 28721818 (2018) — Eurycoma longifolia, A Potential Phytomedicine for the Treatment of Cancer: Evidence of p53-mediated Apoptosis in Cancerous Cells. · Current drug targets
17.PMID: 36781893 (2023) — Integrated comparative metabolite profiling via NMR and GC-MS analyses for tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia) fingerprinting and quality control analysis. · Scientific reports
18.PMID: 23419023 (2013) — An evidence-based systematic review of tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. · Journal of dietary supplements
19.PMID: 34987621 (2021) — Safety of Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali) root extract as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. · EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority
20.PMID: 36687023 (2023) — A Multifaceted Review of Eurycoma longifolia Nutraceutical Bioactives: Production, Extraction, and Analysis in Drugs and Biofluids. · ACS omega
21.PMID: 24467387 (2014) — NF-κB inhibitors from Eurycoma longifolia. · Journal of natural products
22.PMID: 39369924 (2025) — Metabolome classification of Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia jack) and its commercial products via UHPLC-QTOF-MS-MS and its protective effect against 5-flurouracil-Induced testicular toxicity in male rats. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
23.PMID: 19919052 (2009) — Quassinoids from Eurycoma longifolia. · Journal of natural products
24.PMID: 37968729 (2023) — Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali) enhances wakefulness during active periods but facilitates sleep during resting periods in C57BL/6 mice. · The European journal of neuroscience
25.PMID: 25914245 (2015) — Simultaneous quantitation of six major quassinoids in Tongkat Ali dietary supplements by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. · Journal of separation science
26.PMID: 39055967 (2024) — Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali) supplementation enhances sleep and wake consolidation in wild-type, but not in narcoleptic mice. · Sleep advances : a journal of the Sleep Research Society
27.PMID: 10803359 (2000) — Effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali) on the initiation of sexual performance of inexperienced castrated male rats. · Experimental animals