Tongkat ali

Related Terms

1,2-Seco-1-nor-6(5->10)abeo-picrasan-2,5-olide skeleton quassinoids, 1beta,12alpha,15beta-triacetyleurycomanone, 1-hydroxy-9-methoxycanthin-6-one, 3-methylcanthin-5,6-dione, 4,5,7,8,17-penta-hydr-oxy-14,18-dimethyl-6-methyl-ene-3,10-dioxapenta-cyclo-[9.8.0.0.0.0]nona-dec-14-ene-9,16-dione methanol solvate dehydrate, 5,6-dehydroeurycomalactone, 5alpha,14beta,15beta-trihydroxyklaineanone, 5-hydroxymethyl-9-methoxycanthin-6-one, 6alpha-hydroxyeurycomalactone, 6-dehydroxylongilactone, 7alpha-hydroxyeurycomalactone, 9,10-dimethoxycanthin-6-one, 9-hydroxycanthin-6-one, 9-hydroxycanthin-6-one n-oxide, 9-methooxycanthin-6-one, 9-methoxycanthin-6-one, 9-methoxycanthin-6-one n-oxide, 10-hydroxy-9-methoxycanthin-6-one, 10-hydroxycanthin-6-one, 11-dehydroklaineanone, 12-epi-11-dehydroklaineanone, 13-21-dihydroeurycomanone, 13alpha,21-dihydroeurycomanone, 13alpha(21)-epoxyeurycomanone, 13beta,18-dihydroeurycomanol, 13beta,21-dihydroxyeurycomanol, 13-beta-21-dihydroxyeurycomanone, 14,15beta-dihydroxyklaineanone, 14-deacetyleurylene, 15beta-acetyl-14-hydroxyklaineanone, 23,24,25-trihydroxytirucall-7-en-3,6-dione, aervin, Ali's cane, Ali's walking stick, amino acids, anthraquinone, anthraquinone glucosides, babi kurus (Javanese), bedara merah (Malay), bedara putih (Malay), beta-7-methoxycarboline-1-propionic acid, beta-carboline alkaloids, beta-carboline-1-propionic acid, bidara laut (Indonesian), biphenylneolignans (2-hydroxy-3,2',6'-trimethoxy-4'-(2,3-epoxy-1-hydroxypropyl)-5-(3-hydroxy-1-propenyl)-biphenyl and 2-hydroxy-3,2'-dimethoxy-4'-(2,3-epoxy-1-hydroxypropyl)-5-(3-hydroxy-1-propenyl)biphenyl), bitter charm, bitter medicine, C18 quassinoids, C19 skeleton quassinoids, C20-skeleton quassinoids, campesterol, canthin-6-one alkaloids (4,9-dimethoxycanthin-6-one, 5,9-dimethoxycanthin-6-one, 9,10-dimethoxycanthin-6-one, 9-methoxy-3-methylcanthin-5,6-dione, 10-hydroxy-11-methoxycanthin-6-one, and 11-hydroxy-10-methoxycanthin-6-one), cay ba binh (Vietnamese), dihydroniloticin, eurycolactone B, eurycolactone D, eurycolactone E, eurycolactone F, Eurycoma apiculata, Eurycoma harmandiana, Eurycoma longifolia Jack, Eurycoma Madu, eurycomalactone, eurycomalide A, eurycomalide B, eurycomanol, eurycomanol-2-O-beta-D-glucoside, eurycomanone, eurycomaoside, eurylactone A, eurylactone B, Force Pill Tongkat Ali, Great Pill Tongkat Ali Plus, laurycolactone A, laurycolactone B, lempedu pahit (Malay), longilactone, Malaysian ginseng, M-Tongkat Ali, muntah bumi (Malay), n-pentyl beta-carboline-1-propionate, oxasqualenoid, pasakbumin B, pasak bumi (Malay), payong ali (Malay), penawar bias (Malay), penawar pahit (Malay), petala bumi (Malay), plalaipeag, saponins, Simaroubaceae (family), sitosterol, squalene-type triterpenes (eurylene, 14-deacetyl eurylene, and longilene peroxide), stigmasterol, Sukarno Tongkat Ali, Super Pill Tongkat Ali, Super Pill Tongkat Ali Plus, TA-a, TA-b, Tender Pill Tongkat Ali, teurilene, tho nan (Laotian), tirucallane-type triterpenes (niloticin, dihydroniloticin, piscidinol A, bourjotinolone A, 3-episapelin A, melianone, and hispidone), tongka ali tea, tongkat ali, tongkat ali hitam, tongkat baginda.
Combination products: Etana (Panax quinquefolius, Eurycoma longifolia, Epimedium grandiflorum, Centella asiatica, and flower pollen extracts).

Background

Eurycoma longifolia is a tall, slender, shrubby tree that grows in sandy soil in Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Myanmar (Burma). In Malaysia, it is planted for its medicinal value. Eurycoma longifolia is traditionally known as "tongkat ali."
Eurycoma longifolia is traditionally used in Malaysia to improve sex drive and to cure sexual dysfunction, as well as for its fever-reducing, blood sugar-lowering, antimalarial, and antibiotic properties. Although tongkat ali is mostly used in males, it is thought to be as effective in females. It is believed that Eurycoma longifolia stimulates testosterone levels, resulting in increased sexual desire and ability, as well as increased athletic ability and muscle strength. However, few studies are available investigating the effect of this herb in humans.
Further research is needed before conclusions can be made on the effectiveness of tongkat ali for any condition.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Preliminary evidence did not find a strong effect of Eurycoma longifolia on athletic endurance in humans. Further research is needed.

 C


Preliminary evidence did not find a strong effect of Eurycoma longifolia on athletic endurance in humans. Further research is needed.

 C


Some studies found that Eurycoma longifolia increases muscle mass in people taking part in a strength program. Higher testosterone levels may be responsible for these effects. Further human research is required.

 C


Some studies found that Eurycoma longifolia increases muscle mass in people taking part in a strength program. Higher testosterone levels may be responsible for these effects. Further human research is required.

 C


Eurycoma longifolia increases sexual desire and testosterone levels. Further research is required before conclusions can be drawn.

 C


Eurycoma longifolia increases sexual desire and testosterone levels. Further research is required before conclusions can be drawn.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
To improve endurance, two 75-milligram capsules of Eurycoma longifolia have been taken by mouth daily for seven days, one hour before exercise.
To enhance muscle mass, 100 milligrams of a Eurycoma longifolia extract has been taken by mouth daily for five weeks with an exercise training program. A dose of 300 milligrams of premium Eurycoma longifolia or 900 milligrams of lower-quality material has been taken by mouth daily for an unknown length of time. Eurycomalongifolia has been taken by mouth with hormonal therapy in a five-days-on/two-days-off schedule for up to eight weeks, followed by a two-week break. Doses of 400-800 milligrams of Eurycoma longifolia have been taken by mouth less than one hour before working out, for an unknown length of time.
To improve male fertility, two 100-milligram capsules of a Eurycoma longifolia extract (U.S. Patent: US7,132,117B2 from Phytes Bioteks, Biotropics Malaysia, Berhad, Malaysia) has been taken by mouth twice daily after eating for up to nine months.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Eurycoma longifolia may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. People taking insulin or drugs for diabetes by mouth should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Eurycoma longifolia may cause low blood pressure. Caution is advised in people taking drugs that lower blood pressure.
Eurycoma longifolia may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's cytochrome P450 enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may be increased in the blood and may cause increased effects or potentially serious adverse reactions. People using any medications should check the package insert and speak with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, about possible interactions.
Eurycoma longifolia may also interact with agents that affect the immune system, agents that block nerve impulses, agents that block nervous system activity, agents that increase energy, agents that promote fertility, antianxiety agents, antibiotics, anticancer agents, antimalarial agents, antiobesity agents, beta-blockers, heart health agents, heart rate-regulating agents, hormonal agents, osteoporosis agents, and propranolol.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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