What is Tongkat Ali

Eurycoma Longifolia is a medicinal plant commonly called Tongkat Ali (TA) and “Malaysian Ginseng”.

TA roots are traditionally treated as a “anti-aging” remedy and modern supplements intended to improve men perfomence, energy, sports performance and weight loss.

Previous studies have shown properly-standardized TA to stimulate release of free testosterone, improve sex drive, reduce fatigue, and improve well-being.

A wide range of investigations, from laboratory research, to animal feeding studies, to human supplementation trials, have confirmed the health benefits and traditional use of Tongkat Ali root extract.

Benefits

Raise testosterone level

64 subjects (32 men and 32 women)

32 subjects were randomized to receive Tongkat Ali (TA, 200 mg/day) and remaining 32 subjects for look-alike placebo (PL) for 4 weeks. The results show that hormone profile (testosterone) was significantly improved by TA supplementation (+37%).

In a recent 12-week trial of Eurycoma longifolia supplementation (300 mg/day), men (30–55 years of age) showed significant improvement compared to placebo in the Physical Functioning domain of the SF-36 quality of life survey. In addition, sexual perfomence was increased by 11% (on week 6) and 14% (on week 12) and abdominal fat mass was significantly reduced.

76 of 320 patients suffering from late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) were given 200 mg of a standardized water-soluble extract of Tongkat Ali for 1 month. Results showed that treatment of LOH patients with this Tongkat Ali extract significantly (P < 0.0001) improved the AMS score as well as the serum testosterone concentration.

After the completed treatment, 71.7% and 90.8% of the patients showed normal values, respectively. Thus, Tongkat Ali extract appears to be useful as a supplement in overcoming the symptoms of LOH and for the management of hypogonadism.

In 2005, ZRT Laboratories released test results which indicated that the continued use of the Tongkat Ali greatly increased the human testosterone levels. (McKerry, 2010)

In both men and women, testosterone levels peak between 25 to 30 years of age – and thereafter drop approximately 1-2% annually. At the age of 60, testosterone levels are typically only 40-50% of youthful levels and may be lower due to stress and related lifestyle issues such as diet, exercise, and sleep patterns. The benefits of maintaining a youthful testosterone levels are many, including increased muscle mass and reduced body fat, high psychological vigor (mental/physical energy), and improved general well-being.

Increase Probability of Pregnancy

Testosterone is important for male fertility such as normal spermatogenesis. Hormonal disturbances such as excess of estrogen can cause inhibitory effect on testosterone and disturb testicular function.

Tambi and Imran (2010), conducted a clinical trial on the effect of standardized, water soluble extract in managing men with idiopathic infertility, namely men with low sperm concentration with or without low percentage motility and morphology of unknown causes. In the trial, several men were given 200 mg daily of the extract and follow up semen analysis were conducted. The supplementation resulted in increased sperm concentration and better sperm motility and morphology. There were also spontaneous pregnancies

Wahab et al. (2010) investigated the effect of Eurycoma Longifolia on testicular histology and sperm count in estrogen-treated male rats. They discovered that Eurycoma Longifolia could heightens testicular function and reverse the effect of excessive estrogen as rats treated with Eurycoma Longifolia showed higher sperm count and mortality.

Low et al. (2013) showed that Tongkat Ali extract can increase sperm concentration and the amount of testicular testosterone.

Tongkat Ali tones and strengthens the spermatozoa. The plant acts by assisting in carrying a normal amount of blood to all parts of the body, equalizing circulation and restoring imbalances in circulation. Imbalance in blood circulation normally begins to occur in men from the age of 40 and onwards, that is when androgen becomes deficient. Androgen has specific effects on tissue growth and brain function. Possible mechanism of action of Tongkat Ali is to block the negative feedback to the pituitary gland and hypothalamus that initiates this deficiency, and lets the body produce sufficient amounts of testosterone to counter the deficiency (Stoxen, 2003).

Improve  Blood Circulation, Endurance, Vitality

Applications of this Tongkat Ali herbal medicine include the treatment of high blood pressure, improve blood circulation, and the treatment of fatigue and impotency.

Tongkat Ali is most commonly used for treatment of erectile dysfunctions (Gimlette and Thomson, 1977; Perry, 1980; Goreja, 2004). The root extract of the plant has also been consumed for restoring energy and vitality, enhancing blood flow and as a herbal ingredient for women after child birth (Ismail et al., 1999)

The herb also known as a testosterone booster. The herb helps the body to produce more testosterone and increase strength by increasing ATP products (Chye, 2006). Indirectly, this testosterone-enhancing herb improves the men perfomence, energy as well as muscle mass.

Actually the herb is a testosterone booster. The herb helps the body to produce more testosterone and increase strength by increasing ATP products (Chye, 2006). Indirectly, this testosterone-enhancing herb improves the perfomence, energy as well as muscle mass.

Tongkat ali extract was also proven to have antioxidant activity based on studies conducted by the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) and the Department of Science, University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). It was discovered that Tongkat Ali contains an anti-oxidant enzyme and SOD (superoxide dismutase) which could inhibit the chain reaction of radicals harmful to the body system.

Studies have shown that many of the effects of the Tongkat ali extract are mediated by its glycoprotein components. The mechanism of action of the bioactive complex polypeptides (“eurypeptides” with 36 amino acids) has been shown to activate the CYP17 enzyme (17 alpha-hydroxylase and 17,20 lyase) to enhance the metabolism of pregnenolone and progesterone to yield more DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) and androstenedione, respectively. This glycoprotein water-soluble extract of Eurycoma longifolia has been shown to deliver anti-aging and anti-stress benefits subsequent to its testosterone-balancing effects.

Treatment for gout, prostatitis

Tongkat Ali acts by assisting in carrying a normal amount of blood to all parts of the body, equalizing circulation and restoring imbalances in circulation. Imbalance in blood circulation normally begins to occur in men from the age of 40 and onwards, that is when androgen, a steroid hormone becomes deficient. Androgen has specific effects on tissue growth and brain function. Possible mechanism of action of Tongkat Ali is to block the negative feedback to the pituitary gland and hypothalamus that initiates this deficiency, and lets the body produce sufficient amounts of testosterone to counter the deficiency (Stoxen, 2003)

Malaysian Herbs (Chinese Edition) stated that Tongkat Ali is used for gout/ arthritis/ joint pain, be effective to treat gout through restraining synthesis of uric acid. Goh Kong Ling (2000) Kuala Lumpur.

Tongkat Ali has successfully used to treat prostatitis for many years. In the treatment of prostatitis, Tongkat Ali has become simply indispensable because it has a huge abundance of different mineral components.