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Tongkat ali is an ancient medicinal plant that has historically been used as an aphrodisiac for centuries. There are also decent amounts of scientific evidence to date that support the benefits of tongkat ali for testosterone in the body. Though testosterone is commonly considered a male sex hormone, women need it too. A healthy balance of testosterone is essential for both men and women which affects various aspects of health including sex, mood, sleep, and even bone health. But does tongkat ali really work on testosterone? Let’s figure out together what science says. 

According to research findings, this article will explore whether there is any benefit of tongkat ali for testosterone and its associated conditions. But before we get into how tongkat ali can benefit testosterone levels, first, we’ll need to learn exactly what tongkat ali is and why testosterone is important for human health. So, let’s get started.

   

Table of contents

• What is tongkat ali?
• The importance of testosterone in human health
• Benefits of taking tongkat ali for testosterone
• How long does it take tongkat ali to increase testosterone?
• How to use tongkat ali supplements
• Precautions and side effects 
• Final words 

What is tongkat ali? 

Tongkat ali, also known as Malaysian ginseng or longjack, is an ancient plant that belongs to the species called Eurycoma longifolia jack indigenous to Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and the Philippines. 

Tongkat ali has a long history of pharmaceutical use in traditional and folk medicines for treating a wide range of maladies including malaria, fever, high blood pressure, jaundice, dysentery, low back pain, and infections. But its most prevalent use is as an aphrodisiac that can help treat sexual problems in both men and women ranging from decreased libido to reduced performance to low satisfaction. 

The importance of testosterone in human health 

Testosterone is a key sex hormone commonly considered an androgen or male sex hormone, while females need it too, though relatively in lesser amounts compared to males. It plays an essential role in various bodily functions such as the development of muscles and bones, the growth of hair, the production of red blood cells, and the development of male sexual characteristics such as the deepening of the voice and the production of sperm. 

Both men and women produce testosterone, specifically in the gonads, testes and ovaries in men and women respectively. The production of testosterone slows down with aging, leading to low testosterone symptoms in older ages in both men and women. Let’s take a look at some of the most common ways in how low testosterone levels affect men and women:  

Symptoms of low testosterone found in men 

• Erectile dysfunction 
• Shrinkage in testicle size 
• Mood swings or sudden changes in mood
• Difficulty sleeping 

Symptoms of low testosterone found in women 

• Vaginal dryness 
• Hot flashes 
• Anemia, a medical condition with insufficient red blood cells 
• Irregular menstrual cycles 

Common symptoms of low testosterone found in both men and women

• Low libido or decreased sex drive 
• Reduced energy levels 
• Decreased bone mass 
• Decreased muscle mass
• Hair loss 
• Increased body fat or unwanted weight gain or obesity 
• Anorgasmia, a sexual dysfunction with absent or delayed orgasms 

Benefits of taking tongkat ali for testosterone 

Tongkat ali has been reported as one of the most effective natural testosterone boosters known to humans so far. Its effect on increasing testosterone levels in humans has been extensively reviewed by modern scientific studies, including clinical trials and lab research, over the last 20 years. 

A decent amount of evidence has shown that tongkat ali has an incredible potential to increase testosterone levels in both men and women including total testosterone, free testosterone, DHT (dihydrotestosterone), and DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone). Studies and clinical trials on tongkat ali for testosterone showed improvements in all age groups including young adults (over 24 years), middle-aged (over 40 years), and senior citizens (50 to 75 years). 

For instance, a 2011 human study in Andrologia showed that tongkat ali extract is effective in improving serum testosterone concentration in people with LOH (late-onset hypogonadism) and could be useful as an effective supplement to manage and overcome aging males' symptoms (AMS) or hypogonadism.  

How long does it take tongkat ali to increase testosterone? 

It depends on the existing health status and current testosterone levels. Most studies on the effects of tongkat ali on testosterone showed noticeable improvement anywhere ranging from 14 days to 24 weeks. Tongkat ali showed the highest increment in testosterone of up to 600% when taken along with multivitamins after 24 weeks. 

How to use tongkat ali supplements 

There’s no established recommended dose for tongkat ali so far. Most studies on tongkat ali for testosterone used a dose range of 200 mg to 400 mg per day. But clinicians may prescribe in higher doses as well if required. However, it’s important to work with a qualified naturopathic healthcare professional to determine the best dose for your specific health needs. 

Precautions and side effects 

Tongkat ali is possibly safe when consumed in a dose range of 200 mg to 400 mg per day. It is likely unsafe to consume in higher doses. Higher doses may lead to side effects such as headaches, restlessness, difficulty sleeping, high blood pressure, nausea, dizziness, and increased heart rate. 

Besides, some low-quality supplements have been found to be contaminated with lead or mercury in larger quantities than the recommended limit which may lead to mercury or lead poisoning. Finally, there are no sufficient data available to know whether they are suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women. 

Therefore, it’s highly important to consult with a licensed natural healthcare practitioner prior to using tongkat ali for testosterone or any reason to determine the best dose and safety profile.

Final words 

Tongkat ali has been found to be one of the most effective natural testosterone boosters known to humans so far. The benefits of tongkat ali for testosterone are reported in decent amounts of scientific studies and clinical trials over the last 20 years. But it’s important to consult with a licensed natural healthcare practitioner prior to using tongkat ali to determine the best dose and safety profile as inappropriate use may lead to side effects.

Important resources:

1. https://www.herbalgram.org/resources/herbalgram/issues/101/table-of-contents/hg101-resrvw-tongkatali/
2. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1439-0272.2011.01168.x
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23754792/
4. https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/tongkat-ali-supports-testosterone-levels-in-healthy-young-males-says-recent-study
5. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1132/eurycoma-longifolia
6. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322647
7. https://akarali.com/scientific-evidence-tongkat-ali-testosterone-booster/
8. https://legionathletics.com/tongkat-ali/
9. https://www.verywellfit.com/the-ergogenic-effects-of-tongkat-ali-3121339
10. https://examine.com/supplements/tongkat-ali/
11. https://discovermagazine.com/lifestyle/tongkat-ali-and-testosterone-what-the-science-says
12. https://elanhealthcare.ca/blogs/health-blog/tongkat-ali-all-you-need-to-know