When you hear the name Tongkat Ali, you may immediately think of a supplement for men.
Tongkat Ali has indeed been studied extensively in relation to men’s health and testosterone.
In recent years, however, research has expanded into areas such as stress, exercise, quality of life during ageing, and even clinical studies involving women.
Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) is a plant native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia.
Its roots have a long history of traditional use, particularly in Malaysia, and today the plant is receiving attention both for its traditional background and for modern scientific research.
In this article, we look at what Tongkat Ali is, why the root is commonly used, its characteristic plant compounds, research involving testosterone and men’s sexual wellbeing, studies on stress and exercise, and the growing body of research involving women.
Contents
- What Is Tongkat Ali? A Botanical from Southeast Asia
- Why Is the Root Used? Eurycomanone and Other Compounds
- Tongkat Ali and Testosterone Research
- Research on Men’s Health and Sexual Wellbeing
- Research on Stress and Everyday Wellbeing
- Research Involving Women Is Expanding
- What to Look for When Choosing Tongkat Ali
- What to Know About Safety
What Is Tongkat Ali? A Botanical from Southeast Asia
Tongkat Ali (scientific name: Eurycoma longifolia) is a plant in the Simaroubaceae family and is native to Southeast Asia.
It is found in tropical regions including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.
In English, it may also be called Long Jack or Malaysian Ginseng.
Despite the name “Malaysian Ginseng”, Tongkat Ali is botanically different from Asian or Korean ginseng, which belong to the Araliaceae family.
The name is generally used as a traditional or marketing term rather than a botanical classification.
Different parts of the plant have been used traditionally in Southeast Asia, but the root is the part most commonly used in modern supplements and clinical research.
A traditional preparation made from the root has a distinctly bitter taste.
Today, Tongkat Ali is commonly processed into water extracts, dried extracts, capsules and tablets to make it easier to use.
Why Is It Called “Tongkat Ali”?
The name “Tongkat Ali” is often translated into English as “Ali’s walking stick”.
In Indonesia, the same plant is also known as Pasak Bumi.
Like many traditional plants, it has acquired different regional names over time.
Although the name may still sound unfamiliar in countries such as Japan, Australia or New Zealand, Tongkat Ali has a long history of recognition in Southeast Asia.
Its intense bitterness also gives us a clue to some of the plant compounds that have attracted scientific interest.
Why Is the Root Used? Eurycomanone and Other Compounds
Tongkat Ali root contains a variety of naturally occurring plant compounds.
Among the most frequently discussed are a group known as quassinoids.
Quassinoids are intensely bitter compounds found in plants of the Simaroubaceae family.
One of the best-known compounds in Tongkat Ali is eurycomanone.
A number of other quassinoids, alkaloids, triterpenes and related plant compounds have also been identified.
Not All Tongkat Ali Extracts Are Made the Same Way
Tongkat Ali products can differ according to the plant part used, extraction method, concentration process and whether specific compounds are standardised.
Examples include:
- dried and powdered root
- water extracts of the root
- concentrated extracts
- standardised extracts in which selected plant compounds are maintained within a defined range
Many human clinical trials have used standardised root extracts rather than simple powdered root.
For that reason, when comparing Tongkat Ali products, it can be helpful to look beyond the number of milligrams on the label and consider which part of the plant is used, how it is extracted, and how the raw material is standardised and controlled.
Tongkat Ali and Testosterone Research
One of the main reasons Tongkat Ali has attracted international interest is its relationship with testosterone research.
Testosterone is an androgen hormone.
In men, it is produced primarily in the testes and is involved in a wide range of physiological functions, including muscle, bone and sexual function.
Testosterone is also produced in women, although levels and physiological roles differ between men and women.
Studies Have Looked at Changes in Testosterone Levels
Research on Tongkat Ali has examined what happens to testosterone levels in the body after supplementation with standardised root extracts.
A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis assessed nine clinical studies.
Five randomised controlled trials were included in the pooled analysis, and changes in total testosterone were reported among men taking Tongkat Ali.
These findings have made the relationship between Tongkat Ali and male testosterone an ongoing area of human research.
However, studies differ in the extracts used, extraction methods, dosage, treatment duration, participant age and health status.
For that reason, research is best interpreted by asking which Tongkat Ali extract was used, who took it, and for how long.
Research on Men’s Health and Sexual Wellbeing
Tongkat Ali has a long history in Southeast Asia as a traditional botanical associated with men’s health and general vitality.
Modern clinical research has therefore examined not only testosterone, but also sexual wellbeing, sexual-function questionnaires, physical performance, semen-related measures and quality of life.
For example, a 12-week randomised double-blind controlled trial involving 109 men aged 30 to 55 studied 300 mg per day of a standardised Tongkat Ali root water extract.
The study assessed measures relating to physical performance and sexual wellbeing, as well as sperm motility and semen volume, with changes reported in several outcomes.
Human studies such as this are part of the scientific background behind the growing interest in Tongkat Ali and men’s health.
It is also important to remember that these findings relate to the specific standardised extract, dosage, duration and participant group used in the study.
Fertility and Sexual Health: Research and Medical Care Have Different Roles
Tongkat Ali has also been studied in areas related to male reproductive and sexual wellbeing.
Fertility depends on many factors involving both partners, while sexual function can be influenced by vascular, neurological, hormonal, medication-related, lifestyle and psychological factors.
Tongkat Ali is therefore best understood as a botanical being studied in relation to male reproductive and sexual health.
For specific concerns about fertility or sexual function, appropriate medical assessment can help identify the underlying factors involved.
Research on Stress and Everyday Wellbeing
Research into Tongkat Ali has expanded beyond male hormones and sexual wellbeing.
One area of interest is its relationship with stress, mood and everyday wellbeing.
In a four-week randomised controlled study involving 63 men and women experiencing moderate stress, a standardised Tongkat Ali root extract was used and researchers assessed mood measures such as tension, anger and confusion, along with salivary cortisol and testosterone.
One interesting feature of this study is that both men and women participated.
Although the study was relatively small and short in duration, it illustrates how Tongkat Ali is also being investigated in relation to stress-related measures and general wellbeing.
Why Is Tongkat Ali Popular Among People Who Strength Train?
Because of research involving testosterone and physical performance, Tongkat Ali has also become known among people interested in sport and strength training.
The foundations of building and maintaining muscle remain resistance training, adequate nutrition, sufficient protein, recovery and sleep.
Tongkat Ali has also been investigated in exercise and physical-performance research, generally alongside these basic lifestyle and training foundations.
In a sports context, it is therefore useful to view Tongkat Ali as a botanical being researched alongside exercise, nutrition and recovery.
Research Involving Women Is Expanding
Although Tongkat Ali research has historically focused more heavily on men, clinical research involving women is now beginning to expand.
More recently, studies have examined areas such as wellbeing and quality of life in middle-aged women.
In 2025, a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial involving 138 women aged 40 to 55 with menopausal symptoms evaluated a standardised Tongkat Ali water extract over 12 weeks.
Participants were assigned to 50 mg, 100 mg or placebo groups.
In the 100 mg group, statistically significant changes were reported in the overall Menopause-Specific Quality of Life questionnaire (MENQOL), as well as in physical and sexual domains.
The study did not find significant changes in the women’s reproductive hormone profiles.
This makes the study particularly interesting when considering how Tongkat Ali may be researched in women.
Current evidence therefore suggests that Tongkat Ali is beginning to be studied in relation to quality of life and wellbeing in women, including women in the menopausal age range.
As research expands from male-focused studies into female populations, the scientific picture of Tongkat Ali is becoming broader.
What to Look for When Choosing Tongkat Ali
Tongkat Ali is available as powdered root, concentrated extract, water extract and standardised extract.
When comparing products, it can therefore be useful to look at the raw material itself as well as the number of milligrams listed on the label.
You may see terms such as “100:1”, “200:1” or “200x concentrated”.
These figures relate to the way an extract or raw material has been concentrated, but the concentration ratio is only one part of the overall picture.
Useful details to check include:
- whether the root is used
- the extraction method
- whether compounds such as eurycomanone are standardised
- whether the raw-material supplier and manufacturing process are clearly identified
- whether quality and composition are tested
- the amount of extract provided in the recommended daily serving
If you are comparing a product with published clinical research, it is also useful to check whether the commercial ingredient is the same extract used in the study, or whether it has a similar specification.
With botanical extracts, the plant name is only part of the story — the way the ingredient is produced is also important.
Tongkat Ali is a particularly good example of how raw-material specifications can differ between products.
What to Know About Safety
When considering the safety of Tongkat Ali, it is useful to look not only at the plant name, but also at the specification of the extract and the conditions under which it is used.
Some short-term clinical studies using specific standardised extracts have reported good tolerability.
Safety assessments can, however, vary according to the type of extract, concentration, dosage and duration of use.
In 2021, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) evaluated a specific standardised water extract of Tongkat Ali submitted as a Novel Food.
Based on genotoxicity findings, EFSA concluded that the safety of that particular proposed ingredient had not been established.
This assessment related to the specific extract submitted for evaluation.
Different Tongkat Ali ingredients may use different extraction methods and specifications, making it important to check the actual raw material used in a product.
The US National Institutes of Health LiverTox resource has also discussed rare reports of liver injury in which Tongkat Ali was considered a possible factor.
The number of reports remains limited, and other potential contributing factors have also been considered.
These points reinforce the importance of checking raw-material specifications, manufacturer information, quality control and recommended intake.
When using a Tongkat Ali supplement, follow the manufacturer’s recommended serving and safety information.
People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, take medication, or are undergoing hormone-related treatment should seek advice from a doctor, pharmacist or other qualified healthcare professional before use.
If you notice an unusual change in your health after starting a supplement, stop using it and seek appropriate professional advice if needed.
Summary | Tongkat Ali Through the Lens of Tradition and Modern Research
Tongkat Ali is a plant in the Simaroubaceae family with a long history of use in Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia.
Its characteristically bitter root contains a variety of plant compounds, including quassinoids such as eurycomanone.
Today, standardised root extracts are being studied in relation to testosterone, men’s sexual wellbeing, physical performance, stress and mood, exercise, and quality of life during ageing.
Research on male testosterone now includes systematic reviews and meta-analyses of clinical studies, while randomised controlled trials have also examined sexual wellbeing and related measures in men.
More recently, research has expanded to include women, with studies looking at stress-related measures and a 2025 clinical trial in women aged 40 to 55 examining quality of life and wellbeing.
Tongkat Ali can therefore be viewed as a traditional Southeast Asian botanical that is now being studied across an increasingly broad range of health and wellbeing topics involving both men and women.
When comparing products, it is worth looking beyond large numbers on the label and considering:
Which part of the plant is used?
How is it extracted?
Which compounds are standardised?
How is the raw material quality controlled?
Understanding both its traditional background and the way modern clinical research is conducted makes it easier to appreciate what Tongkat Ali is — and how different extracts may vary.
Important Note
This article is intended to provide general information about the botany, traditional use and published research relating to Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia).
Research findings are based on specific extracts, dosages, study durations and participant groups, and should not be assumed to apply equally to every commercial Tongkat Ali product.
For concerns relating to the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease, erectile dysfunction, infertility, menopausal symptoms or other health conditions, please consult an appropriate healthcare professional.
