Tongkat Ali in a Nutshell
Eurycomalongifolia, more commonly known as Tongkat Ali is a tree that’s native to several Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The tree’s root is the part that is used medicinally as it is believed to contain compounds such as alkaloids and quassinoids.
Tongkat Ali and other powerful plants like maca and ginseng are often ingredients in teas, energy beverages, coffee drinks, and dietary supplements. Tongkat Ali is also considered a herbal remedy and has been an integral part of the conventional Southeast Asian medicine for many centuries now.
Health Benefits of Tongkat Ali
Tongkat Ali has often been used to treat various ailments including bacterial infections, fever, male infertility, and erectile dysfunction. The plant’s health benefits are believed to be derived from some of the compounds it contains.
Aside from alkaloids and quassinoids, Tongkat Ali also contains flavonoids. All the compounds mentioned function as antioxidants. In a nutshell, antioxidants are powerful compounds that can help fight cellular damage brought about by free radicals.
Tongkat Ali is also known to help with the following:
Help improve male fertility and increase testosterone levels
Tongkat Ali’s ability to increase testosterone in men is well known and documented. Low testosterone can be the result of radiation, chemotherapy, aging, and infection or injury of the testicles. It is also believed to be the result of certain diseases like obstructive sleep apnea and chronic alcoholism.
Some of the prevalent effects of insufficient testosterone levels include erectile dysfunction, low libido, and in some cases, infertility. A study of 76 older men with low testosterone levels showed that taking 200 mg of Tongkat Ali extract daily has dramatically increased testosterone levels in over 90 percent of the participants.
Another study also indicated that taking Tongkat Ali can help stimulate sexual arousal and improve erectile dysfunction. In addition, Tongkat Ali is also known to help improve both sperm concentration and motility and boost male fertility in the process.
Help relieve stress
Tongkat Ali is believed to help decrease anxiety, improve mood, and lower the body’s stress hormones. A study conducted in 1999 first identified the likely role of Tongkat Ali in treating mood issues and it was discovered that its effect can be comparable to some of the common anxiety medications.
A 1-month study involving 63 adults suffering from moderate stress also showed that supplementing with 200 mg of Tongat Ali extract daily has helped reduce cortisol levels in the saliva by as much as 16 percent. Compared to those who were given a placebo.
The participants also reported less anger, tension and stress after taking Tongkat Ali supplements.
Help improve body composition
Tongkat Ali is also believed to increase muscle mass and even boost athletic performance. This ability is often attributed to the powerful compounds found in the plant. In addition, Tongkat Ali has also been known to help the body use energy more effectively, improving endurance and reducing fatigue in the process.
In a way, Tongkat Ali acts like an ergogenic aid, a substance known to significantly improve both body composition and physical performance. A 5-week study conducted on 14 men who were subjected to a strength training program showed that those who took 100 mg of Tongkat Ali extract daily experienced a massive increase in body mass than those who took a placebo.
The same men who took the Tongkat Ali extract also lost a significant amount of fat compared to those who were only given a placebo. Another study in 25 adults indicated that taking 400 mg of Tonkat Ali extract daily over a 5-week period has helped increase the muscular strength of all the participants.
