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Botanical

Tongkat Ali

Tongkat ali is Eurycoma longifolia, a Southeast Asian tree whose root extracts are sold as supplements.

Also listed as Longjack, Malaysian Ginseng, Longjax, Cay Ba Binh

Sexual HealthMen's HormonesStress & MoodFitnessCognition

What it is studied for

The strongest rated effects first. Bars show the size of the effect, the letter grades the evidence, and each rating lists the studies behind it.

Male LibidoSexual HealthModerateA3 studies
Testosterone SupportMen's HormonesModerateA3 studies
Chronic StressStress & MoodModerateA3 studies
Strength TrainingFitnessModerateBNo linked study
Mental EnergyCognitionModerateBNo linked study
StressStress & MoodModerateB3 studies
All 9 rated effectsGrouped by health goal, with the publications behind each rating

What is tongkat ali?

Tongkat ali is Eurycoma longifolia, a Southeast Asian tree whose root extracts are sold as supplements. Its constituents include quassinoids such as eurycomanone; which compounds account for human effects remains unclear. 1

Why does safety come first?

EFSA’s assessment of a particular root extract found potential for DNA damage and did not establish safety under any condition of use. Positive hormone findings do not resolve that separate toxicology concern. 2

Key studies

The most recent publications linked to Tongkat Ali's ratings.

[Literature research and discussion on properties of a new oversea-introduced traditional Chinese medicine Malaysian ginseng(Tongkat Ali)].2024A 6-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial to evaluate the effect of Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali) and concurrent training on erectile function and testosterone levels in androgen deficiency of aging males (ADAM).2020Eurycoma Longifolia as a potential adoptogen of male sexual health: a systematic review on clinical studies.2017Efficacy of Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) on erectile function improvement: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.2015Effect of MonaVie Balanceœ on stress levels and mood state in moderately stressed subjects (647.22)2014
All 8 studiesEvery publication linked to Tongkat Ali

Why people take it

Energy23.2%
Men's Hormones22.9%
Fitness21.5%
Stress & Mood12%
Essential Health6.1%
Fertility2.9%

SuppCo community snapshot, 2026-09-28. Reasons for use are not evidence that it works.

Questions people ask

Is tongkat ali proven testosterone treatment?

Small trials suggest higher total testosterone, but the review called for further research before clinical use. 3

Does it reliably improve erections?

The small pooled analysis was not significant overall; a poorer-function subgroup showed a signal. 4

Did the stress study show less fatigue?

No. Fatigue and vigor did not differ between groups. 5

Does “standardized extract” mean safe?

No. The characterized extract reviewed by EFSA still raised a DNA-damage concern. 2

Why can it still appear in online shops?

NVWA notes that foreign websites can offer products despite EU restrictions and advises against using them. 6

Sources

  1. Tongkat Ali LiverTox, NIDDK, 2024