Tongkat Ali
Research reviewed: up until 02/2023
Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) is a dietary supplement with 29 published peer-reviewed studies involving 1,029 participants, researched for Testosterone, Sexual function, Stress and energy and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Testosterone
StrongSexual function
StrongStress and energy
StrongMuscle mass and strength
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Testosterone
Double-blind, placebo-controlled, matched-pairs trial
Study Type
Double-blind, placebo-controlled, matched-pairs trial
Dose
600mg of Tongkat Ali per day
Participants
32 men aged from 20 to 30
Duration
2 weeks
Results
Tongkat Ali supplementation was associated with significant increases in testosterone (15%), free testosterone (34%) and estrogen (30%) levels.
Clinical trial (double-blind, placebo-controlled)
Study Type
Clinical trial (double-blind, placebo-controlled)
Dose
600 mg/day of Tongkat Ali with 1.45% eurycomanone
Participants
32 men aged from 20 to 30
Duration
2 weeks
Results
The researchers observed steroidogenic effects after Tongkat Ali supplementation. No adverse side effects were observed. 600mg/day was correlated with significant increases in testosterone (15%), free testosterone (34%) and estrogen (30%) levels. The testosterone level was raised slightly above the normal human range. The authors concluded that 600mg/day of Tongkat Ali could have a positive impact on sports performance.
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Dose
50mg of Tongkat Ali per day
Participants
95 men and women aged from 25 to 65
Duration
24 weeks
Results
Tongkat Ali supplementation was associated with significant increases in free testosterone. Males experienced a 682% average increase in free testosterone. Females experienced a 700% average increase in free testosterone.
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Dose
100mg or 200mg of Tongkat Ali per day
Participants
106 males aged from 50 to 70 with low testosterone
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Tongkat ali supplementation was associated with significant increases in total testosterone. A dose of 200mg per day was associated with a 12.2% increase in total testosterone and a 16.9% increase in free testosterone.
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Dose
200mg of Tongkat Ali per day
Participants
45 middle-aged, androgen-deficient males
Duration
6 months (the longest trial of tongkat ali supplementation to date)
Results
Tongkat Ali supplementation was associated with increases in total testosterone levels and improvements in erectile function.
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Dose
200mg of Tongkat Ali per day
Participants
26 men aged from 45 to 60 with mild erectile dysfunction
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Tongkat Ali supplementation was associated with a 36% increase in total testosterone. No adverse effects were observed; liver and kidney values showed no significant changes from baseline.
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Dose
200mg of Tongkat Ali per day
Participants
32 men and 31 women experiencing moderate stress
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Tongkat Ali supplementation was associated with a 37% increase in testosterone and an improved cortisol:testosterone ratio.
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Dose
200mg, 400mg and 600mg of Tongkat Ali per day
Duration
2 months
Results
Testosterone levels increased after 3 weeks of Tongkat Ali supplementation. The high dose of 600mg/d did not adversely affect liver function, renal function, blood profiles, electrolytes, cancer markers and the immune system.
Systematic review and meta-analysis Studies: 9 studies in the systematic review and 5 studies in the meta-analysis
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis Studies: 9 studies in the systematic review and 5 studies in the meta-analysis
Results
The systematic review revealed that most studies reported a significant improvement in total testosterone levels after Tongkat Ali supplementation. The meta-analysis suggested that Tongkat Ali could improve testosterone production.
Uncontrolled trial
Study Type
Uncontrolled trial
Dose
200mg of Tongkat Ali per day
Participants
76 men with hypogonadism
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Tongkat Ali supplementation was associated with a 46.6% average increase in serum testosterone concentrations (from 5.66 nM to 8.3 nM). The participants also experienced improvements in erectile function and libido.
Uncontrolled trial
Study Type
Uncontrolled trial
Dose
200mg of Tongkat Ali per day
Participants
13 physically active males and 12 physically active females aged 57 to 72
Duration
5 weeks
Results
Tongkat Ali was associated with significant increases in total and free testosterone concentrations and muscular force. Males experienced a 61% increase in free testosterone and a 15.1% increase in total testosterone. Females experienced a 122% increase in free testosterone and a 48.6% increase in total testosterone.
Animal study (male rats)
Study Type
Animal study (male rats)
Dose
4 fractions of Tongkat Ali at a dosage of 25 mg/kg body weight
Results
Tongkat ali (F2) and eurycomanone significantly increased the testosterone level from the Leydig cells. The plasma luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone were also higher than the control group.
Cellular study (testicular interstitial cells)
Study Type
Cellular study (testicular interstitial cells)
Dose
100μL solution of Eurycomanone at 0.1, 1.0 and 10μM
Results
Eurycomanone significantly increased testosterone production dose-dependently at 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 μM.
Sexual function
To investigate the clinical evidence of tongkat ali in men.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To investigate the clinical evidence of tongkat ali in men.
Dose
300mg of Tongkat Ali per day 300mg of Tongkat Ali per day
Participants
109 healthy men aged from 30 to 55 109 healthy men aged from 30 to 55
Duration
12 weeks 12 weeks
Results
Tongkat Ali was associated with significant improvements in erectile function, sexual libido and overall sexual satisfaction scores. Tongkat Ali was also associated with higher sperm motility and semen volume. The study also indicated that healthy, younger males may require doses higher than 300mg per day to increase testosterone levels. Tongkat Ali was associated with significant improvements in erectile function, sexual libido and overall sexual satisfaction scores. Tongkat Ali was also associated with higher sperm motility and semen volume. The study also indicated that healthy, younger males may require doses higher than 300mg per day to increase testosterone levels. This is because testosterone levels (total and free) only increased marginally at the end of the study, although the levels were already in a normal range prior to the study.
How They Measured It
Questionnaires related to quality of life, erectile function and sexual health Seminal fluid analyses Evaluations of free testosterone and serum total testosterone
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Dose
200mg per day
Participants
26 men aged from 45 to 60 with mild erectile dysfunction
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Tongkat Ali supplementation was associated with significant improvements in the frequency of sexual performance, sexual satisfaction, penile erection and hardness, and overall sexual wellbeing. Participants also experienced an average increase in total testosterone by 36%. No adverse effects were observed; liver and kidney values showed no significant changes from baseline.
Clinical trial (uncontroled)
Study Type
Clinical trial (uncontroled)
Dose
200mg per day
Participants
75 males (aged 33 on average) with idiopathic infertility
Duration
3 months
Results
Tongkat Ali supplementation was associated with significantly improved sperm quality (higher semen concentration, sperm motility and sperm concentration) and 11 spontaneous pregnancies.
Systematic review Studies: 11 human studies (randomised placebo-controlled trials, multiple cohort studies and pilot trials)
Study Type
Systematic review Studies: 11 human studies (randomised placebo-controlled trials, multiple cohort studies and pilot trials)
Results
Most studies in the systematic review found associations between Tongkat Ali supplementation and improvements in sexual function (including libido, erectile function, erectile hardness, sexual performance, fertility, semen volume, semen concentration, sperm motility and overall sexual satisfaction). The authors concluded that there is convincing evidence that Tongkat Ali can improve male sexual health.
Uncontrolled trial
Study Type
Uncontrolled trial
Dose
200mg per day
Participants
76 men with hypogonadism
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Tongkat Ali supplementation was associated with improvements in erectile dysfunction and low libido. Serum testosterone concentrations increased by 46.6% on average (from 5.66 nM to 8.3 nM). Note that normal testosterone concentrations range from 6 to 30 nM.
Animal study (male rats)
Study Type
Animal study (male rats)
Dose
200, 400 or 800 mg/kg of various fractions of Tongkat Ali, twice daily
Results
Tongkat Ali Increased orientation activities towards the receptive females (anogenital sniffing, licking and mounting), increased genital grooming towards themselves, and increased yawning (yawning promotes sexual arousal).
Animal study (male rats)
Study Type
Animal study (male rats)
Dose
0.5 g/kg daily
Results
Tongkat Ali enhanced the sexual qualities of the middle aged male rats by decreasing their hesitation time as compared to controls.
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Dose
200mg, 400mg and 600mg per day
Participants
20 healthy males aged from 38 to 58
Duration
2 months
Results
Tongkat Ali was associated with improved sexual health and higher testosterone levels after 3 weeks. The high dose of 600mg per day did not adversely affect liver function, renal function, blood profiles, electrolytes, cancer markers and the immune system.
Stress and energy
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Dose
50mg of Tongkat Ali per day
Participants
95 men and women aged from 25 to 65
Duration
24 weeks
Results
Tongkat Ali supplementation was associated with significant improvements in reported stress levels, quality-of-life, mood, vigour, emotional well-being and cognition.
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Dose
200mg per day
Participants
32 men and 31 women experiencing moderate stress
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Tongkat Ali supplementation was associated with significant improvements in tension (-11%), confusion (-15%) and anger (-21%). It was also associated with a reduction in cortisol (−16%) and increased testosterone (+37%). Note that cortisol levels generally increase in response to stress.
Animal study (mice)
Study Type
Animal study (mice)
Results
Tongkat Ali improved anxiety parameters consistent with anti-anxiety medication (diazepam) in mice.
Muscle mass and strength
Placebo-controlled trial
Study Type
Placebo-controlled trial
Dose
100mg per day, alongside intense strength training on alternate days
Participants
14 healthy men
Duration
5 weeks
Results
Tongkat Ali supplementation was associated with: 4.1% Increase in lean body mass (from 52.26kg to 54.39kg) 2.86% reduction in body fat (from 31.3% to 28.44%) 6.8% increase in strength 1.8cm increase in mean arm circumference (from 30.87cm to 32.67cm)
Randomised, placebo-controlled trial
Study Type
Randomised, placebo-controlled trial
Dose
250mg of Tongkat Ali per day
Participants
32 young males with at least 1 year of experience in squatting, bench pressing and deadlifting.
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Tongkat Ali supplementation was associated with large strength increases in bench pressing (102kg to 108kg), squatting (120kg to 133kg) and deadlifting (158kg to 172kg), corresponding to an overall strength increase of 33kg. The placebo group experienced a much lower overall strength increase (24kg).
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Dose
300mg
Participants
40 men aged 30 to 35
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Tongkat Ali supplementation was associated with a strength increase of around 14kg in the back and leg muscles compared to the placebo group.
Clinical trial (uncontrolled)
Study Type
Clinical trial (uncontrolled)
Dose
200mg per day
Participants
13 physically active males and 12 physically active females aged 57 to 72
Duration
5 weeks
Results
Tongkat Ali supplementation was associated with a strength increase of 16.6% in men and 13.7% in women after 5 weeks. These increases in muscle strength indirectly reflected an increase in muscle mass. * Strength was measured with a hand dynamometer.
Placebo-controlled trial
Study Type
Placebo-controlled trial
Dose
400mg per day
Participants
40 males with an average age of 46
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Tongkat Ali supplementation was associated with beneficial effects on isokinetic muscular strength and power.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Tongkat Ali research
There are currently 29 peer-reviewed studies on Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia), involving 1,029 total participants. Research covers Testosterone, Sexual function, Stress and energy and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (25 human studies, 4 animal studies), and reported outcomes.
Tongkat Ali has been researched for: Testosterone, Sexual function, Stress and energy, Muscle mass and strength. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 25 out of 29 studies are human trials. The remaining 4 are animal studies. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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