What Are Tongkat Ali Benefits For Males? – Uses, Advantages, and Side Effects

By Alex Eriksson

Posted 4 years agoHEALTH

Anabolic Health - The Art Of Increasing Testosterone Naturally

Meet the mighty stick of Ali

Tongkat Ali (literally “Ali’s walking stick”), also called Malaysian ginseng, is a tall shrub that’s cultivated and widely used all around Southeast Asia. It’s especially popular in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Myanmar. It is also known as Ali’s umbrella or Ali’s walking stick. The scientific name of the plant is Eurycoma longifolia.

In terms of traditional medicine, Tongkat Ali is most often used as an aphrodisiac, but its benefits don’t stop at that! This shrub is also known for its antibiotic and anti-diabetic properties, used to treat different kinds of fever, and even fight off malaria.

One of the most well-known common names of Tongkat Ali in the US is longjack, and guess what? True to its name, it has the power to make your jack really long!

Know what I mean? Wink, wink.

Anyway, this is a purely informational article that doesn’t provide any medical advice, blablabla, let’s get this party started!

The Phytochemicals Involved

In Tongkat Ali, the phytochemicals from the eurycomanone group are responsible for the shrub’s ability to increase testosterone production and improve sperm quality in men. At higher concentrations, they can also inhibit the phosphodiesterase enzyme and enhance erectile function—just like a certain well-known blue pill that starts with a V.

Additionally, these phytochemicals also suppress lung cancer tumor markers, meaning they basically help to prevent the onset of the disease. Their cytotoxic properties make them awesome against different types of cancer, including breast tumors and leukemia.

Some of the compounds in Tongkat Ali have strong antimalarial properties against the parasite Plasmodium falciparum, which is known to cause severe forms of malaria like the dreadful blackwater fever.

The quassinoids and alkaloids

Tongkat Ali has quassinoids and alkaloids in its roots. Other than that, it contains other bioactive compounds like Eurycolactone, Eurycomalactone, Eurycomanone, etc. These compounds have  direct effects on men’s sexual health. Tongkat’s Ali roots are ground to make an extract for consumption. A ratio of 100:1 is followed for its proven goods.

For centuries, people in southeast Asia used Tongkat Ali to treat malaria, fever, ulcer, inflammation, bacterial infection and more. The benefits on male sexuality is a relatively new discovery of this magic herb.

What is Tongkat Ali used for today? Tongkat Ali is added to food or beverages or taken as a capsule form of administration. The major benefit of Tongkat Ali is the natural powerful testosterone booster. It is used to treat men with  deficiency in testosterone levels or someone who wants to maximize their muscle power and cut fat.

Tongat Ali is an excellent alternative to patches and injections to increase testosterone levels. Tongat Ali will increase the testosterone level naturally without any side effects.

Testosterone patches or injections increase testosterone levels but it also suppresses the body’s ability to produce the hormone on its own. This side-effect is more commonly known as shut off and can lead to conditions like Gynecomastia.

What is Tongkat Ali Extract?

Tongkat Ali roots are ground into fine water-soluble powders. These powders have active quassinoids with immense health benefits. This powder is either sandy brown or reddish-brown in color. The color mostly depends on the extraction process and selected roots for grinding.

The dark brown powder can be the result of excessive heating or heavy impurities in it. Most traditional grinds produce a darker tan color powder. If the powder is overheated, you will get a charcoal smell from it.

Testosterone Regulation in Body

Testosterone manufactured in our body is controlled by a process called the HPG axis or Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal axis. When testosterone level falls, the hypothalamus in the brain releases a hormone called Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).

This further stimulates the Pituitary or master gland to release Luteinizing hormone (LH) and Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). These hormones act directly on Leydig cells and stimulate sperm production.

In case the testosterone level is high, the hypothalamus stops GnRH release and creates negative feedback for the pituitary hormone. The pituitary hormone inhibits LH and FSH releases; so, no further stimulation on Leydig cells. This in turn controls the testosterone level in our body.

What Are Tongkat Ali Benefits For Males?

How does Tongkat Ali exactly benefit  men’s physical and sexual health? Let’s find out.

1. Boosts Testosterone Production

Tongkat Ali stimulates the hypothalamus to produce more GnRH naturally. That in turn produces more testosterone regardless of the existing hormone level. This is important for men whose bodies don’t produce enough testosterone or someone who wants to enhance testosterone levels.

What happens when there is a lack of testosterone in your body? Testosterone deficiency can cause:

1.Erectile dysfunction.

2. Testicle size reduction.

3. A decrease in semen volume.

4. Anorgasmia.

5. Less libido.

6.Muscle mass reduction.

7. Osteoporosis.

8. Lack of Stamina.

9. Low blood count.

10. Hair loss.

11. Fatigue.

12. Loss of beard

13. Fat deposition and many more.

Tongkat Ali has a wide range of flavonoids and bioactive compounds like Eurycolactone to promote aphrodisiac properties. Since Tongkat Ali increases testosterone level, you will experience increase in sex drive and other muscle strength. Because of improved testosterone levels, a man can get over all the above-listed testosterone deficiency problems.

Tongkat Ali is also effective for late-onset hypogonadism symptoms. A study was conducted on 76 men and they were given 200mg of Tongkat Ali extract for 4 weeks. Before Tongkat Ali consumption, only 35.5% of them had normal testosterone levels and after 4 weeks 90.8% of the subjects showed normal testosterone levels.

In another study, 25 healthy individuals were chosen from 57 to 72 years of age. The study had 13 male and 12 female subjects. Each of those individuals was given 400mg of Tongkat Ali extract for five weeks or so.

Five weeks later, males and females showed 15.1% and 48% increased testosterone levels respectively. The free testosterone level also increased by 61.1% and 122 % in males and females respectively. That is clear evidence of testosterone levels improving naturally.

2. Increases Male Fertility

Infertility can happen because of inadequate sperm production or immotile sperm to swim through fallopian tubes. The natural sperm concentration should range from 39 to 928 million per ejaculation. On the other hand, motile sperm must count 20 million at a normal level.

Infertility can occur due to several factors. High alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, high dose antibiotics or even radiation like x-rays or gamma rays can cause infertility. In some cases, sperm morphology is also a factor behind infertility.

The University of Science, Malaysia conducted a study on 109 men ranging from 30 to 55 years of age. Each of them were given a capsule of Tongkat Ali dosage per day for a 12 weeks time frame. After 12 weeks, almost all individuals showed increased sperm motility and volume and more intense sex drive.

In another study, 75 men went through a clinical trial at Damai Service Hospital by Doctor Tambi. The nine-month experiment with Tongkat Ali showed significant improvement in sperm concentration and semen volume. Dr. Tambi also claimed that almost all subjects improved their sperm quality for better fertilization.

3. Enhances Libido and Sexual Benefits

Having trouble getting your mighty rocket up in the bedroom? Here’s some good news for you: Tongkat Ali could be beneficial for the strength and duration of male erections!

Animal studies have reported that Tongkat Ali extract increase the number and duration of sexual intercourse. Eurycomanone and the other quassinoids act by increasing the testosterone levels as high as up to 440%, and testosterone is crucial for male erections.

A low testosterone level not only hurts virility but also lowers sexual confidence in men. Along with poor physiology, low testosterone has an impact on male psychology. Tongkat Ali can be an excellent natural alternative to viagra. It can drive more desire for females and you will feel more virile in bed.

The Medicus Research LLC conducted a study on 26 men for 12 weeks. Each of them were given 300mg Tongkat Ali per day to find sexual benefits. Surprisingly, all of them showed positive libido score improvement and longer erection time with better quality erection.

In another study, Phytomedicine found that regular consumption of Tongkat Ali increases sexual desire and there is a 12% more chance of pregnancy of the sexual partner. Also, there is a positive impact on men’s mood and confidence.

4. Improves Muscle Strength

Testosterone has a direct correlation in increasing muscle mass and improved body strength. The journal of strength and conditioning Research had a study on 32 men. All the subjects took 11g of Tongkat Ali supplements for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks of consumption, all of them showed improvement in performing squat, deadlift and bench exercises.

In a similar study, The British Journal sports and Medicine experimented on 14 athletes for five weeks. Regular Tongkat Ali consumption increased their athletic performance and improved muscle size and strength.

5. Erectile Dysfunction Improvement

Testosterone secretion has a direct correlation to erectile time and hardness. The Evidence-Based complementary and alternative medicine research has conducted a small study to find Tongkat Ali success. The research was carried out on 26 men for 12 weeks. 12 of these subjects were given 300mg Tongkat Ali where 14 others were in the placebo group. The result showed not only improvement in erectile function but also a stronger sex drive.

Other Benefits of Tongkat Ali

Along with men’s health and sexual improvement, Tongkat Ali has numerous other benefits as well:

1. It has anti-cancer properties.

2. Tongkat Ali boosts the immune system.

3. It potentially reduces the blood sugar level.

4. Herbal med reduces blood pressure.

5. Tongkat Ali lowers stress and anger; improves mood.

6. Excellent treatment in Osteoporosis.

7. It works in weight loss.

8. Anti-inflammatory agent.

9. Antibacterial and antiparasitic agents.

10. Exhibits anti-ulcer properties.

Other Beneficial Effects of Tongkat Ali

Improves Body Composition of Men

Human trials have shown that Tongkat Ali may increase muscle mass. At a dose of 400 mg/day for 6 weeks, the standardized water extract of the plant was able to increase testosterone levels and produce a significant gain in muscle mass. What’s also important is that at this duration and dose, there was no toxic damage to the liver and kidneys.

Athletes can also use Tongkat Ali more or less freely as it doesn’t seem to affect the T:E (testosterone:epitestosterone) ratio in the urine! In other words, it probably won’t violate any doping policies for exogenous testosterone or precursor administration.

Improves Energy and Stress Tolerance

Tongkat Ali has ergogenic effects, meaning it improves energy levels and enhances stress tolerance. Thus, it also increases performance, stamina, and endurance.

One of the main ways in which Tongkat does this is through the action of its quassinoids, such as eurycomanone, that enhance testosterone production.

Traditional Remedy for Malaria

Multiple lab studies have shown that quassinoids extracted from Tongkat Ali have strong  antimalarial properties against Plasmodium falciparum. P. falciparum causes the most severe form of malaria: the malignant tertian fever.

For this reason, it is one of the most popular folk remedies for the treatment of intermittent fever (malaria).

Supports optimal bone density and prevents osteoporosis

Unlike postmenopausal females in whom osteoporosis is mainly due to the deficiency of estrogen, in males, the pathogenesis is mainly due to oxidative stress-induced damage. Animal studies have definitively confirmed the ability of Tongkat Ali to strengthen the bones.

The effect of eurycomanone on bone health is two-fold. On the one hand,  it increases testosterone production if you’re going through a testosterone-deficient period in life. On the other hand, it also fights off oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species thanks to its antioxidant properties.

Mood Elevation

Extracts from longjack have been shown in human studies to improve one’s stress hormone profile and certain mood parameters. Essentially, it was able to lower anger, confusion, and tension in the study’s population.

Anti-aging properties

Eurypeptides, water-soluble glycoprotein extracts from Tongkat Ali have been shown to have anti-aging and stress-relieving properties subsequent to its testosterone-producing effects in older men.

Immunomodulatory effects

Extracts from Tongkat Ali have shown antibiotic effects against Staphylococcus aureus in animal models.

While there is a certain lack of research regarding the effects of E. longifolia extracts on the immune system, there are two schools of thought: one stating that it enhances the comprehensive immune system and the other, that it should be avoided in people with a weakened system as it could further the damage.

However, it would be too premature of us to conclude before any further research that supports either claim.

Effects on the Gut microbiome

Tongkat Ali contains a multitude of phytochemicals which alter the gut microbiota and provide anti-protozoal effects against Blastocystis infections.

Anti-diabetic effects

Animal studies have shown a significant reduction in blood glucose levels after treatment with two different varieties of extracts from Tongkat Ali! Furthermore, the same study showed that the extract doesn’t significantly reduce the blood glucose levels when the levels were within the normal range.

Thus, Tongkat Ali extracts can be potentially used as an additional therapy method in the treatment of diabetes, without worrying much about a common side effect of oral anti-diabetic agents: hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

In general, the potential benefits of Tongkat Ali for diabetics are multifold. For instance, this botanical reduces the blood glucose levels when they are high, and root extracts from the plant increase insulin sensitivity by enhancing the glucose uptake by as high as 200% compared to the optimal dosage! Additionally, the extract also suppresses lipid production and accumulation in adipose tissues.

Most diabetic men, due to neuropathy, commonly suffer from erectile dysfunction. As mentioned above, due to the phosphodiesterase inhibitor effects of the extracts from Tongkat Ali, these can be easily combated using natural methods without the need for shady chemicals.

Tongkat Ali is a wonder drug for men’s health and sexual improvement. It is an option with no major side effects yet adds benefits naturally. Just one capsule daily can make a big difference in your lifestyle. So, men, try the natural bliss for more masculinity.  

About the author Alex Eriksson

Alex Eriksson is the founder of Anabolic Health, a men’s health blog dedicated to providing honest and research backed advice for optimal male hormonal health. Anabolic Health aspires to become a trusted resource where men can come and learn how to fix their hormonal problems naturally, without pharmaceuticals. Check out www.anabolichealth.com to learn more about Alex and his work. You can also find him on Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook.

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