Tongkat Ali
Herb ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Malaysian herb researched for testosterone support and stress reduction.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.
This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Tongkat Ali is a herb most often used for testosterone support, stress reduction, athletic performance. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate. A typical adult dose is 200-400 mg daily, commonly taken as standardized extract (physta or lj100, 100:1 concentration). This profile indexes 17 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating moderate. Most-documented uses: testosterone support, stress reduction, athletic performance. 17 sources indexed (2013–2026), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Eurypeptides reduce cortisol and SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin), increasing free testosterone. Quassinoids provide anti-estrogenic effects.10,6
Dosing & protocol.
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Standardized Tongkat Ali Extract.
Assumes 200-400 mg/day. Vendor basis: iHerb, Vitacost, Amazon marketplace, and specialty LJ100/Physta products; branded extracts define premium pricing. Updated 2026-05-28.
The same dose, as food.
How much you'd eat to match a supplemental dose.
Tongkat ali is a medicinal root extract, not a normal dietary food.
Full safety detail.
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
3- 1Eurycoma longifolia (Jack) Improves Serum Total Testosterone in Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical TrialsPMIDLeisegang K et al. · Medicina (Kaunas) · 2022
Significant improvement in total testosterone levels after Eurycoma longifolia treatment in both healthy volunteers and hypogonadal men across 9 studies
- 2Standardized water-soluble extract of Eurycoma longifolia on testosterone, muscular strength, and body composition in men: a systematic reviewSource linkedPMIDLeisegang K, Finelli R, Henkel R et al. · Andrologia · 2022
- 3Efficacy of Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) on erectile function improvement: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsPMIDKotirum S et al. · Complement Ther Med · 2015
Meta-analysis of RCTs supports efficacy of Tongkat Ali for erectile function improvement compared to placebo
Randomized controlled trials
7- 4Effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack standardised water extract (Physta) on well-being of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women: protocol for a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel group studyPMIDMuniandy S, Yahya HM, Shahar S et al. · BMJ open · 2023
Muniandy S, Yahya HM, Shahar S et al.. Effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack standardised water extract (Physta) on well-being of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women: protocol for a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel group study. BMJ open. 2023
- 5A 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)PMIDHenkel RR et al. · Maturitas · 2021
Combination of Eurycoma longifolia and concurrent training improved erectile function and increased total testosterone levels in men with ADAM
- 6Effect of Eurycoma longifolia standardised aqueous root extract-Physta on testosterone levels and quality of life in ageing male subjects: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre studyPMIDUdani JK et al. · Food Nutr Res · 2021
Physta 200 mg supplementation significantly decreased cortisol levels and increased muscle strength and total testosterone at week 12
- 7Efficacy of Labisia pumila and Eurycoma longifolia standardised extracts on hot flushes, quality of life, hormone and lipid profile of peri-menopausal and menopausal women: a randomised, placebo-controlled studyPMIDChinnappan SM, George A, Evans M et al. · Food & nutrition research · 2020
Chinnappan SM, George A, Evans M et al.. Efficacy of Labisia pumila and Eurycoma longifolia standardised extracts on hot flushes, quality of life, hormone and lipid profile of peri-menopausal and menopausal women: a randomised, placebo-controlled study. Food & nutrition research. 2020
- 8Efficacy and safety of Eurycoma longifolia (Physta(®)) water extract plus multivitamins on quality of life, mood and stress: a randomized placebo-controlled and parallel studyPMIDGeorge A, Udani J, Abidin NZ et al. · Food & nutrition research · 2018
George A, Udani J, Abidin NZ et al.. Efficacy and safety of Eurycoma longifolia (Physta(®)) water extract plus multivitamins on quality of life, mood and stress: a randomized placebo-controlled and parallel study. Food & nutrition research. 2018
- 9Effects of a Proprietary Freeze-Dried Water Extract of Eurycoma longifolia (Physta) and Polygonum minus on Sexual Performance and Well-Being in Men: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled StudyPMIDUdani JK, George AA, Musthapa M et al. · Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM · 2014
Udani JK, George AA, Musthapa M et al.. Effects of a Proprietary Freeze-Dried Water Extract of Eurycoma longifolia (Physta) and Polygonum minus on Sexual Performance and Well-Being in Men: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. 2014
- 10Effect of Tongkat Ali on stress hormones and psychological mood state in moderately stressed subjectsPMIDTalbott SM et al. · J Int Soc Sports Nutr · 2013
200 mg/day for 4 weeks significantly reduced salivary cortisol (-16%) and increased testosterone (+37%) compared to placebo, with improvements in tension, anger, and confusion
Reviews & position papers
5- 11Natural longevity modulator: aging modulatory effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack polysaccharides in C. elegans and D. melanogasterPMIDLiu Y, Wang H, Wu R et al. · Biogerontology · 2026
Liu Y, Wang H, Wu R et al.. Natural longevity modulator: aging modulatory effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack polysaccharides in C. elegans and D. melanogaster. Biogerontology. 2026
- 12Safety of Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali) root extract as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283PMIDEFSA Panel on Nutrition · EFSA J · 2022
EFSA safety evaluation found no safety concerns at recommended doses for Tongkat Ali root extract as a novel food
- 13Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali) and testosterone: a systematic reviewSource linkedPMIDLeisegang K, Finelli R, Henkel R et al. · J Ethnopharmacol · 2022
- 14A review on extraction techniques and therapeutic value of polar bioactives from Asian medicinal herbs: Case study on Orthosiphon aristatus, Eurycoma longifolia and Andrographis paniculataPMIDAbd Aziz NA, Hasham R, Sarmidi MR et al. · Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society · 2021
Abd Aziz NA, Hasham R, Sarmidi MR et al.. A review on extraction techniques and therapeutic value of polar bioactives from Asian medicinal herbs: Case study on Orthosiphon aristatus, Eurycoma longifolia and Andrographis paniculata. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society. 2021
- 15Evaluation of Acute 13-Week Subchronic Toxicity and Genotoxicity of the Powdered Root of Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia Jack)PMIDLi CH, Liao JW, Liao PL et al. · Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM · 2013
Li CH, Liao JW, Liao PL et al.. Evaluation of Acute 13-Week Subchronic Toxicity and Genotoxicity of the Powdered Root of Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia Jack). Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. 2013
Reference material
2- 16Thu HE, Mohamed IN, Hussain Z et al.. Eurycoma Longifolia as a potential adoptogen of male sexual health: a systematic review on clinical studies. Chinese journal of natural medicines. 2017Source linkedPMID
- 17Farag MA, Ajayi AO, Taleb M et al.. A Multifaceted Review of Eurycoma longifolia Nutraceutical Bioactives: Production, Extraction, and Analysis in Drugs and Biofluids. ACS omega. 2023Source linkedPMID
Common questions.
Quick answers about Tongkat Ali, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Tongkat Ali?
Malaysian herb researched for testosterone support and stress reduction.
What is Tongkat Ali used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Tongkat Ali include: Testosterone support; Stress reduction; Athletic performance; Libido. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate.
What is a typical dose of Tongkat Ali?
A typical adult dose of Tongkat Ali is 200-400 mg daily. The commonly recommended form is Standardized extract (Physta or LJ100, 100:1 concentration). These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Tongkat Ali?
Reported side effects include restlessness, insomnia, increased body temperature. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Tongkat Ali?
NutriStack rates this as Moderate, meaning several aligned RCTs or one large RCT plus supporting reviews. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Tongkat Ali in NutriStack.
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