Health Benefits of Tongkat Ali

Tongkat Ali is scientifically known as Eurycoma longifolia and the native origin of this herb is in South East Asia. The roots of Tongkat Ali are generally termed as “Malaysian ginseng”. The food supplementation energy hunting natural sources can fulfill general health requirements, which may be compromised due to the increase of stress level and other age-related factors. Tongkat Ali is one of such incredible herb that is frequently added in dietary supplements as an adaptogen. The adaptogens can be defined as the natural metabolic regulators which can increase the work capacity. It stays consistent for long. Tongkat Ali acts as an adaptogen and provides an anti-aging property that assists individuals to increase the ability for adapting to age-related reduced energy, mood, and libido.

Traditionally different parts of Tongkat Ali used for different purposes. From centuries, Southeast Asia, and Malaysia used Tongkat Ali roots decoction as an aphrodisiac purpose. This dosage form is recommended to treat loss of sexual desire and impotence. In Malaysia, Tongkat Ali is referred to as “home-grown Viagra”. Apart from this use, Tongkat Ali also used to treat a range of diseases including malaria, post-partum depression, hypertension, and fatigue.

Phytochemicals present in Tongkat Ali

Several bioactive phytochemicals are present in Tongkat Ali which include quassinoids, such as eurycomalacton, eurycomanon, and eurycomanol.

Mechanism of action of Tongkat Ali

• Tongkat Ali Root Extract acts as an adaptogen and increases testosterone level, which provides anti-aging property and libido.
• Tongkat Ali Root Extract can reduce cortisol level, which reduces stress and anxiety and elevate mood. In chronic stress, prolong secretion of cortisol causes muscle wastage, hyperglycemia (increase in blood glucose level), and suppress immune/inflammatory responses. Tongkat Ali Root extracts decrease the cortisol level and may solve stress-related complications. Cortisol is also known as the stress hormone and reduction of cortisol can reduce stress and elevate mood.
• 9-hydroxycanthin-6-one is a bioactive phytochemicals present in Tongkat Ali Root, which inhibits Ca2+ release and provide penile contraction with delaying ejaculation.
• Increase testosterone level by in taking Tongkat Ali Root Extract improvement of strength and muscle mass.
• Sufficient amount of quassinoids present in Tongkat Ali Root Extract has anti-estrogenic effects
• The bioactive complex polypeptides from the E. longifolia root extract takes part in the biosynthesis of various androgens and also act on androgen receptors. Thus, it initiates the conversion of androstenedione and androstenediol to testosterone and estrogen, respectively.
• Tongkat Ali Root acts as an adaptogen. Unlike stimulants, Tongkat Ali Root can maintain a constant level of testosterone and after attainment the peak level, testosterone level does not fall further. Therefore, Tongkat Ali Root assists in maintaining the sustained action of testosterone.
• Tongkat Ali Root Extract is a perfect solution for boosting testosterone levels, as it has anti-aging property, and can be effective for weight management and reduction of cortisol level.
• In chronic stress, prolong secretion of cortisol causes muscle wastage, hyperglycemia (increase in blood glucose level), and suppress immune/inflammatory responses. Tongkat Ali Root extracts decrease the cortisol level and may solve stress-related complications. Cortisol is also known as stress hormone and reduction of cortisol can reduce stress and elevate mood.
• The preclinical data showed that Tongkat Ali root extract does not as a stimulant to increase the testosterone synthesis, but rather it maintains and restores the normal levels of testosterone by increasing the released testosterone from its binding sites. Restoring and maintaining of testosterone level provides several health benefits, including enhancement of muscle mass and reduction of body fat, increase vitality due to mental and physical high energy and improvement of overall general well-being.

Different Dosage Forms of Tongkat Ali

The recommended dose of Tongkat ali is 200–400 mg per day for healthy adults. Following are herbal dosage form of Tongkat ali.

• Tongkat Ali Extract: Recommended oral dose is 25 mg for 2-3 days
• Full-spectrum Powder: Recommended oral dose is 200 mg once a day or 400 mg of alternative days.

Uses of Tongkat Ali

Male Fertility

Male gonads secrete testosterone (primary male sex hormone) and sperm. The decreased functionality of gonads has been medically termed as hypogonadism and is characterized by a deficiency in testosterone. Tongkat Ali Root can improve sexual desire and physical stamina for prolonged love-making by increasing the testosterone level. Tongkat Ali Root can provide Male Fertility Enhancement Effect by improving sperm count and semen volume.

Erectile dysfunction, sexual growth and developmental problem in the male can occur due to an elevation of estrogen level. Anti-estrogenic effects of Tongkat Ali can solve erectile dysfunction, sexual growth, and developmental problem.

Treat Chronic Fatigue Condition

Tongkat Ali Root acts as an adaptogen. Consuming Tongkat Ali Root Extract can improve the endurance of physical performance. Unlike stimulants, Tongkat Ali Root can maintain a constant level of testosterone. Enhancement of testosterone level increases physical stamina in male.

Anti-Anxiety

Prolong secretion of cortisol causes chronic stress. Cortisol is also known as the stress hormone and reduction of cortisol can reduce stress and elevate mood. Tongkat Ali Root extracts decrease the cortisol level and may solve stress-related complications like anxiety.

Muscular Effects

Consuming Tongkat Ali Root Extract can provide enhancement of muscle mass. But this benefit is not achieved only testosterone supplementation. A pilot study conducted on 14 male subjects for 5 weeks showed that Tongkat Ali Root Extract can able to significantly improve strength and lean mass.

Osteoporosis

Tongkat Ali has proandrogen property and can stimulate osteoblast proliferation which helps to increased bone formation rate. In addition, the potent antioxidant property of this herb due to the presence of certain alkaloids and triterpenes counteract oxidative stress, which may reduce bone loss and maintain the bone formation rate.

Antimalarial Effects

Tongkat Ali contains three major quassinoids, such as eurycomanone, 13,21-dihydroeurycomanone and 13α(21)-epoxyeurycomanone has antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum. Thus it effective to treat malaria.

Side Effects and Precautionary Measures

Tongkat Ali is relatively safe. Several research studies reported no significant side effect is observed during the study period. However, there is no research study conducted on pregnant or lactating mothers. Therefore, avoid to take such medication during the gestational period and nursing mother.

Tongkat Ali contains a trace amount of mercury. Therefore, within the dose limit, Tongkat Ali is safe. But overdosing may cause raise the mercury poisoning, which can lead alteration of mood, memory impairment, and motor skill disturbances. Some patients may complain of insomnia, irritability, restlessness after using Tongkat Ali supplement.

References

• Effect of Tongkat Ali on stress hormones and psychological mood state in moderately stressed subjects.
• Review on a Traditional Herbal Medicine, Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali): Its Traditional Uses,Chemistry, Evidence-Based Pharmacology and Toxicology.
• Tongkat Ali as a Potential Herbal Supplement for Physically Active Male and Female Seniors-A PilotStudy.
• Tongkat Ali