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Tongkat Ali Frequently Asked Questions

Rainforest Herbs CEO & Australian Medical Herbalist Benjamin Drewe was the global pioneer in researching and developingTongkat Ali into modern herbal products. Ben has more than 20 years experience researching and developing Tongkat Ali products and prescribing them to his many thousands of clients and customers around the world under his Rainforest Herbs brand. These Rainforest Herbs products are sold in all major pharmacies in Malaysia as well as many major multinational retail chains and supermarkets.

When buying Tongkat Ali always check to see whether the Tongkat Ali products you are buying are sold in the retail market in their respective country or whether they are only available online as there are huge quality differences between these two. Avoid only online companies if these products are promoted with excessive hype and fraudulent claims. Many of these online companies operate outside the Ministry of Health of their country, are not subject to Government evaluation and may even adulterate their products with chemical ingredients. This is especially true with Tongkat Ali products coming from Indonesia and Thailand, as few (if any) of these are approved by the Ministry of Health in Indonesia or Thailand and are not sold in their own countries retail market or pharmacies.

Here, Ben answers some of the commonly asked questions in regards Tongkat Ali and human health.

Does Tongkat Ali really work, and if so, how?

Ben Drewe: Tongkat Ali is a very interesting and unique herb. It works on several mechanisms involved with hormonal and sexual function. In a nutshell, Tongkat Ali reduces the effects of ageing on the male reproductive system by increasing your body's free testosterone bioavailability via 4 mechanisms.

• Stimulating the secretion of Luteinzing Hormones (LH) which in turn stimulates the Leydig cells of your testicles to produce testosterone.
• Reducing the conversion of Testosterone to Estrogen (aromatization),
• Decrease in sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)
• Reduction in cortisol, the stress hormone that lowers testosterone

The net result of these 3 effects is an increase in available testosterone.

With ageing testosterone becomes bound to serum globulin and is not available to the cell receptor sites where it is needed to initiate sex-stimulating centers in the brain. The component in the blood that renders free testosterone inactive is called sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Excess estrogen can increase the production of SHBG and block testosterone-receptor sites. Estrogen levels of the average 54-year-old man are often higher than those of the average 59-year-old woman. While some estrogen is a necessary hormone for men, too much contributes to a wide range of health, weight gain and libido problems. Due to similarities in chemical structure, high serum levels of estrogen also trick the brain into thinking that enough testosterone is being produced, thereby slowing the natural production of testosterone. For testosterone to produce its positive health enhancing effects, it must be kept in the free form in the bloodstream. Bound testosterone is unable to be picked up by testosterone receptors on cell membranes. For aging men, it is desirable to suppress excess levels of SHBG and estrogen while boosting free testosterone to the level of a young man. Tongkat Ali is a natural way of boosting bioavailable testosterone while also reducing SHBG and estrogen levels in aging men.

For our Tongkat Ali full research synopsis, please click here.

In studies under the Malaysian National Biotechnology Directorate coordination between research teams from Malaysia and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the following actions of Tongkat Ali on male health have been stated from their research:

• Elevated free testosterone level
• Improved erectile strength without side effects
• Increase in male fertility, sperm quality, motility and quantity
• Natural energizer
• Safely and meaningfully boosts androgen levels
• Improves strength during exercise and has an anabolic effect on muscle growth
• Decrease in sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)
• May promote weight loss
• May reduce conversion of testosterone to estrogen (anti-aromatase effect)

In summary, these combined effects position Tongkat Ali as perhaps the safest and most effective herbal testosterone enhancing medicinal plant available today. It is particularly suitable for slowing down or reversing the so called male andropause that occurs in middle-age and is of benefit for athletes and bodybuilders looking for a natural supplement without side-effects.

What dosage should I take to obtain the best results with Tongkat Ali?

Ben Drewe: While I cannot speak for other products, through our trials with patients and customers over the past 15 years we have developed products that can be taken both on a daily basis or the high strength TONEX Tongkat Ali that should be cycled over shorter periods when a stronger effect is required. Tongkat Ali should always be taken after meals. For more information on our individual Tongkat Ali product dosages, please click here.

If Tongkat Ali increases my testosterone, won't that make me aggressive?

Ben Drewe: On the contrary, Tongkat Ali actually reduces aggressiveness and promotes a sense of calm and confidence. This anxiety relieving effect was also demonstrated in animal studies in that the test rats exhibited a reduced tendency to fight and performed better (improved motor skills) in tests designed to create stress and anxiety. Tongkat Ali does not contain any testosterone in itself as it acts only as a precursor to prompt the body to supply more of its own testosterone and this also includes improving the useable “good” testosterone. Conversely certain body builders who inject large doses of synthetic testosterone hormone actually reduce their own bodies production and may experience increased aggression as well as hair loss, reduction in testicular size, outbreaks of acne and heart problems amongst others.

Does Tongkat Ali have any side effects?

Ben Drewe: Our Tongkat Ali products, taken at their recommended dosage are very well tolerated and free of toxicity. However, one may experience a slight sense of increased metabolic body heat (thermogenesis) after taking Tongkat Ali and it is recommended to increase water intake. In my experience each individual reacts slightly differently, so the product dosage that works for you may be different for another. High dosages may give more dramatic effects on libido within a shorter time frame of around 1-2 days, while lower dosages may take 1 week or more to notice the effect.

What is Red and Black Tongkat Ali?

Yellow, Red and Black Tongkat Ali are all unrelated medicinal plants that share a similar common name in some regions of Malaysia. However, the name Tongkat Ali is most commonly in reference to yellowTongkat Ali (yellow) or Eurycoma longifolia, of the family: Simaroubaceae. The other roots that share this name are:

• Red Tongkat Ali / Akar Haji Samat =  Species: Jackia (Jackiaopsis) ornata, Family: Rubaceae. This is a rare herb that is also known as Malaysian Red Ginseng
• Black Tongkat Ali  = Species: Polyalthia bullata, Family: Annonaceae

Each of these herbs is used in Malaysian traditional medicine for energy and sexual dysfunction.

Can I just boil Tongkat Ali root and drink as a herbal tea?

Ben Drewe: Tongkat Ali is very bitter so most people cannot drink it this way regularly. The bitter compounds in Tongkat Ali lowers blood sugar, making it supportive for diabetes regulation. This is why it's always best consumed after meals,.

Can Tongkat Ali be taken by women?

Ben Drewe: Yes, I have observed that it is quite common that women in Borneo prepare Tongkat Ali when they require energy in times of convalescence. Scientific research on women consuming Tongkat Ali  is now being conducted  and the results have been encouraging, such as enhanced libido and energy. Physiologically a woman’s libido is also dependent on the presence of testosterone and women are more sensitive to testosterone than men and even a slight increase can have marked improvements in sexual arousal and physical performance. Tongkat Ali is also suitable in menopausal women as it helps maintain progesterone production from the ovaries and adrenal glands. The ability of Tongkat Ali to enhance testosterone in both men and women is always within physiological normal limits and thus it is increasingly being seen as a safe and natural performance supplement for sportspeople. The latest information is that Chinese sports scientists have found Tongkat Ali a benefit in their female Olympic athletes as the increase in testosterone is within natural limits and therefore completely legal in competition.

I have heard that Tongkat Ali can be high in lead content, is this true?

Ben Drewe: No, this is not true. Tongkat Ali contains no lead. Lead found in herbal products is the result of soil contamination on the herbs surface. Lead finds its way into the soil mainly as a result of leaded petrol exhaust contamination and heavy industry. Farms in industrialized areas have a higher lead contamination; areas far from industry such as the rain forest have negligible levels. All root herb or vegetables must be thoroughly cleansed of surface soil after collection. All batches of health products manufactured under GMP standards (Malaysia strictly enforces GMP) must undergo a heavy metal test (Atomic Absorption Spectrometry) to determine whether lead and other heavy metals are present. Generally, well-prepared extracts are a further protection from any soil borne lead or microbial contamination. The vegetables we consume on a daily basis  from commercial farms are seldom, if ever, tested for heavy metals and the contamination may exceed the allowed limit for food products. Some marketing Companies from Indonesia are even saying not to buy Tongkat Ali from Malaysia because it is high in lead which is completely ridiculous for the reasons given above. Unsurprisingly, these are the same companies selling so-called 100:1 and 200:1 Tongkat Ali extracts (see info on the right).

Is Tongkat Ali prohibited from collection in Malaysia?

Definitely not, Malaysia is the only country that has controls on who may collect from the wild in an effort to protect the plant from indiscriminate collection. Only indigenous collectors are issued collection licenses by the Malaysian Forestry Department. Indonesia has no regulations or enforcement in place and thus Tongkat Ali is indiscriminately over-harvested in Indonesia. Only the Malaysian Government via it's research centres and overseas research affiliates has invested many millions of dollars into scientific research on Tongkat Ali and the Malaysian Ministry of Health has been regulating the quality of its Tongkat Ali products for the past 20 years. No other country has done this.

Are there any difference between Malaysian and Indonesian Tongkat Ali?
 

Ben Drewe: The plant Eurycoma longifolia (Jack) is primarily found in Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo (comprising Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei) and the north of Sumatra, principally in Aceh. Tongkat Ali is not found in Java. As is natural, there are minor differences in plant chemistry for Tongkat Ali as a result of differences in soil composition, weather and so on. Thus plants collected from areas that are just a few kilometers away can have subtle differences when tested by HPLC. The roots of Tongkat Ali were used in Traditional Malay herbal medicine and until recently were seldom used in Indonesia. The knowledge and experience of using Tongkat Ali for male sexual function comes from centuries of experience from Malay herbalists.

How can I maximize the effects of Tongkat Ali, is there anything else I can do?

Taking Tongkat Ali before regular exercise / workouts can improve the results and accelerate muscle growth and taking a zinc supplement works with Tongkat Ali to quickly increase testosterone production and enhance libido. Check out my recommended reading for the best diet and lifestyle habits to support maximizing testosterone production and male sexual health.

Do you consume Tongkat Ali yourself?
 

Ben Drewe: Of course! I have been regularly taking Tongkat Ali for the past 22 years and I'm happy to say that at 50 years of age I still have the energy to do the same sports I have enjoyed from my youth, such as swimming, surfing, silat (Malay martial arts) and jungle trekking. I guess the best proof is that Tongkat Ali has helped me maintain my muscle mass, waist size and minimal body fat all these years.

Latest Published Scientific Studies on Tongkat Ali

CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE MOST RECENT STUDIES

June 15, 2011- Andrologia.

Standardised water-soluble extract of Eurycoma longifolia, Tongkat ali, as testosterone booster for managing men with late-onset hypogonadism

Tambi MI, Imran MK, Henkel RR.

Abstract

In most countries, millions of people are relying on herbal medicines as remedy for numerous ailments. In South-East Asia, Eurycoma longifolia Jack, also known as Malaysian ginseng or Tongkat ali, is used to combat stress and disease and to improve physical strength. Moreover, the compounds of the roots of this plant are reported to have aphrodisiac and testosterone enhancing effects in the rat. Considering that human studies are not available, 76 of 320 patients suffering from late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) were given 200mg of a standardised water-soluble extract of Tongkat ali for 1month.

The Aging Males Symptoms (AMS) according to the standardised rating scale and the serum testosterone concentration were taken.

Results show that treatment of LOH patients with this Tongkat ali extract significantly improved the AMS score as well as the serum testosterone concentration. While before treatment only 10.5% of the patients did not show any complaint according to the AMS scale and 35.5% had normal testosterone levels, 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.

May 13, 2011, Journal of Sexual Medicine

9-Hydroxycanthin-6-One Induces Penile Erection and Delays Ejaculation.

Chiou WF, Wu TS.

Abstract

Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Simaroubaceae) has the reputation as a male aphrodisiac because it is claimed to increase virility and sexual prowess. Nevertheless, whether or not E. longifolia regulates directly the muscle tone of corpus cavernosa and/or seminal vesicle (SV) remains unclear. Even until now, the compositions that could account for its aphrodisiac property are still unknown 

Aim. We examined the effect of 9-hydroxycanthin-6-one (9-HC-6-one), a beta-carboline alkaloid isolated from E. longifolia, on penile erection and ejaculation, and further elucidated the mechanism of action.

Methods. Drug's effect was studied on rat corpus cavernosum (CC) and SV in vitro, and on the changes in intracavernosal pressure after IC injection and intraluminal pressure of the SV after hypogastric nerve stimulation, respectively.

Results. 9-HC-6-one relaxed significantly phenylephrine precontracted CC.

Conclusion. 9-HC-6-one might be the active component that contributed to the aphrodisiac effect of E. longifolia by antagonizing the smooth muscle tone of CC as well as SV probably through interfering with Ca(2) mobilization.   

12 May 2010 - Asian Journal of Andrology

Eurycoma longifolia Jack in managing idiopathic male infertility.

Tambi MI, Imran MK.

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of treatment with the proprietary standardized, water-soluble extract of the root of the Malaysian plant, Eurycoma longifolia Jack, which is thought to enhance male fertility with regard to higher semen volumes, sperm concentrations, the percentage of normal sperm morphology and sperm motility in male partners of sub-fertile couples with idiopathic infertility. A total of 350 patients were given 200 mg of the extract daily and follow-up semen analyses were performed every 3 months for 9 months. Of these 350 patients, 75 patients completed one full cycle of 3 months. Follow-up semen analyses in these patients showed significant improvement in all semen parameters. The proprietary extract of Eurycoma longifolia Jack significantly improved the sperm quality in these patients, allowing for 11 (14.7%) spontaneous pregnancies. 

31 March 2015 PLoS One. 2015; 10(3): e0121752.

The In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-Cancer Activities of a Standardized Quassinoids Composition from Eurycoma longifolia on LNCaP Human Prostate Cancer Cells

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