Nootropic profile
Tongkat Ali
Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) is a traditional Southeast Asian herb known for supporting healthy testosterone levels, reducing stress hormones, and enhancing energy and libido. Research shows it can significantly improve the cortisol-to-testosterone ratio.
Best for
Educational only: this is not medical advice. Always check with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement.
What is Tongkat Ali?
Tongkat Ali, scientifically known as Eurycoma longifolia, is a flowering plant native to Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.
What it does for you
Community and editorial ratings, out of 5:
How to take it
- General Health and Stress Relief: 200 mg daily of standardised extract (22% eurypeptides or 1–2% eurycomanone).
- Testosterone Support: 200–400 mg daily, divided into 1–2 doses. Effects typically apparent after 4–5 weeks.
- Athletic Performance: 400 mg daily, shown to benefit muscular force and body composition over 5 weeks.
- Extract Standardisation: Choose extracts standardised to eurypeptides (22%) or eurycomanone (1–2%). Avoid products claiming "100:1" or "200:1" ratios...
Watch out for
- Minor Side Effects: Studies using 200–600 mg daily have noted occasional gastrointestinal symptoms and itching. High doses may cause severe insomnia.
- DNA Damage Concerns: The European Food Safety Authority issued a 2021 warning that high doses may cause DNA damage to stomach and duodenal tissues. Use...
- Drug Interactions: May interact with at least 26 different medications, including blood sugar medications (metformin, glipizide), immunosuppressants, and...
- Contraindications: Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, or individuals with breast cancer, prostate cancer, diabetes, heart...
- Supplement Quality: Some products have been found contaminated with mercury. Choose third-party tested products from reputable manufacturers.
The science, if you're curious.
- Tongkat Ali stimulates luteinising hormone release, signalling the testes to produce more testosterone. Studies show over 90% of participants reaching...
- Significantly lowers salivary cortisol levels (approximately 16% reduction), improving the cortisol-to-testosterone ratio by up to 36%.
- The primary bioactive compounds exhibit adaptogenic properties that help the body respond to stressors and may contribute to effects on energy metabolism.
- May enhance dopamine utilisation in the hippocampus, potentially reducing anxiety and improving motivation.
Where to find it
- Natural Source: Derived from the root of the Eurycoma longifolia plant, harvested from Southeast Asian rainforests.
- Standardised Water Extracts: The most researched form, standardised to 22% eurypeptides, used in most clinical trials.
- Eurycomanone-Standardised Extracts: Premium supplements standardised to 1–2% eurycomanone, the primary bioactive quassinoid compound.
- Combination Formulas: Sometimes combined with other herbs like ashwagandha or tribulus, though single-ingredient products allow better dose control.
Frequently asked
Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) is a traditional Southeast Asian herb known for supporting healthy testosterone levels, reducing stress hormones, and enhancing energy and libido. Research shows it can significantly improve the cortisol-to-testosterone ratio.
The main benefits people report from Tongkat Ali are: Anxiety & Calm, Energy, Libido, Mood, Motivation, Sleep, Stress Relief.
General Health and Stress Relief: 200 mg daily of standardised extract (22% eurypeptides or 1–2% eurycomanone).Testosterone Support: 200–400 mg daily, divided into 1–2 doses. Effects typically apparent after 4–5 weeks.Athletic Performance: 400 mg daily, shown to benefit muscular force and body compo...
Minor Side Effects: Studies using 200–600 mg daily have noted occasional gastrointestinal symptoms and itching. High doses may cause severe insomnia.DNA Damage Concerns: The European Food Safety Authority issued a 2021 warning that high doses may cause DNA damage to stomach and duodenal tissues. Use...
Tongkat Ali stimulates luteinising hormone release, signalling the testes to produce more testosterone. Studies show over 90% of participants reaching...Significantly lowers salivary cortisol levels (approximately 16% reduction), improving the cortisol-to-testosterone ratio by up to 36%.The primary...
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