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Tongkat ali supplement: what the research shows and how to buy carefully

By the Life in Good Form editors. Updated 2026-10-15.

We research products from makers' specs and health sources; we do not run hands-on tests. Links to Amazon may earn us a commission at no cost to you. How this works.

What tongkat ali is

Tongkat ali, Eurycoma longifolia, is a flowering plant native to Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. A 2016 review in Molecules describes it as a well-known traditional medicine in Asia, especially as an aphrodisiac and for intermittent fever.

The roots are the part most often used in folk medicine, for uses ranging from sexual dysfunction and energy to stress and exercise recovery. The review says quassinoids make up a major portion of the root's plant compounds.

What the research shows

Testosterone. The 2022 systematic review in Medicina included nine studies, five in the meta-analysis. Most reported higher total testosterone in healthy volunteers and men with hypogonadism (low testosterone). The authors called tongkat ali a possibly safe and promising option, especially for hypogonadal men, but said more research is needed before clinical use.

Sexual well-being. In a randomized, double-blind trial in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 109 men age 30 to 55 took 300 mg of a water extract (Physta) or placebo for 12 weeks. The tongkat ali group improved in physical functioning and erectile function scores, reported 14% higher libido by week 12, and had changes in sperm motility and semen volume. Men with a BMI of 25 or more lost more fat mass. Safety measures were similar to placebo.

Safety and what is unknown

• Limited long-term data. The 2016 review reports no adverse changes in liver and kidney function tests at normal daily doses with chronic use, but says more evidence on efficacy and safety is needed.
• Standardization. The review stresses the importance of identifying and standardizing tongkat ali's active compounds, because products differ.
• Not studied in pregnancy or for women's hormones. The trials summarized here were in men. Women, and anyone pregnant or nursing, should talk with a provider first.
• Hormone-related conditions. Because it may raise testosterone, men with prostate conditions or hormone-sensitive conditions should check with a doctor.
• Blends. Many products combine tongkat ali with ashwagandha, fenugreek, boron or other ingredients, each with its own cautions.

Low testosterone needs a medical check

Symptoms often blamed on low testosterone, such as low energy or low libido, can have many causes. The 2022 meta-analysis focuses on men with hypogonadism, a diagnosed condition. Ask your doctor about a blood test before self-treating, and do not use a supplement in place of medical care for erectile dysfunction or infertility.

How to choose a tongkat ali supplement

• Root extract named. Look for Eurycoma longifolia root extract on the label.
• Water extract vs ratio claims. The 12-week trial used 300 mg of a freeze-dried water extract. Many products advertise high extract ratios, which do not tell you how the product compares with studied extracts.
• Single ingredient. Choose tongkat ali alone if you want to match the studies; blends add unknowns.
• Start with label amounts and do not stack several testosterone products.
• Third-party testing. Because quality varies, choose brands that state testing for identity and contaminants.

What to look for when you buy

Questions people ask

Does tongkat ali raise testosterone?

A 2022 meta-analysis of five randomized trials found a significant increase in total testosterone in men, especially those with low testosterone. More research is needed.

Can women take tongkat ali?

The trials summarized here were in men. Women should talk with a provider first, and it should not be used during pregnancy or nursing without medical advice.

How much tongkat ali should I take?

Follow the label. The 12-week trial used 300 mg of a water extract daily.

Is tongkat ali safe?

Studies report safety similar to placebo over 12 weeks and no liver or kidney test changes at normal doses, but long-term data are limited.

What is tongkat ali used for traditionally?

In Southeast Asian folk medicine, the roots are used for sexual function, energy, fever, stress and more, according to a 2016 review.

Does tongkat ali help with weight or fat loss?

In the 12-week trial, men with a BMI of 25 or more lost more fat mass than placebo. This was one small study and not its main goal.

Does tongkat ali improve sperm quality?

The 12-week trial reported changes in sperm motility and semen volume, but it was a single study. See a fertility specialist for infertility concerns.

Sources

• Eurycoma longifolia (Jack) Improves Serum Total Testosterone in Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov), Medicina (PMC9415500)
• Randomized Clinical Trial on the Use of PHYSTA Freeze-Dried Water Extract of Eurycoma longifolia for the Improvement of Quality of Life and Sexual Well-Being in Men (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov), Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (PMC3518798)
• Review on a Traditional Herbal Medicine, Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali): Its Traditional Uses, Chemistry, Evidence-Based Pharmacology and Toxicology (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov), Molecules (PMC6274257)

Sources checked 2026-10-15.