Tongkat Ali is a flowering plant native to Indonesia and Malaysia. The meaning of the word Tongkat Ali is “Ali’s walking stick” in the Malay language. It actually indicates the ability of the shrub to fight against physical exhaustion and mental fatigue by strengthening the immunity.
In Malaysia, the indigenous people in the Pahang forests have traditionally been making use of the plant parts for its antimalarial, aphrodisiac, anti-diabetic, antimicrobial and antipyretic (lowering fever) activities.
However, the part of the tree proven medicinally is the root and has to be dug vertically into the ground to extract. To most of us in Southeast Asia, it is dubbed the “Asian Viagra”, associated with increasing male virility and sexual prowess and may treat erectile dysfunction.
It can be available in the form of regular powder where the root is just crushed and pulverized, and also in various extract potencies where the active ingredients are more concentrated.
Medical studies
In recent times, some scientific studies conducted discovered that it enhances sexual characteristics and performance in rodents. Other laboratory animal tests have produced positive indications, with one extract having been observed to increase sexual activity in mature rats, including arousal, sniffing and mounting behavior.
In another experiment conducted on male treated rats, it was found that this extract, eurycoma longifolia increases sperm count, and the plasma testosterone level was significantly increased when compared with that of the control and infertile animals.
Following this study, researchers in the field of sports medicine started to look into the anabolic potential of the plant. In a placebo-controlled human study with healthy young men in a weight-training program, it was found that “the lean body mass of the treatment group showed a significant increment, from 52.26 (7.18) kg to 54.39 (7.43) kg (p = 0.012).” Furthermore, “the increase in strength in the treatment group was larger than in the placebo group (6.78% and 2.77% respectively. The mean arm circumference of the treatment group increased significantly by 1.8 cm after the supplementation… but there was no significant increase in the placebo group.” The results of the study were published in the peer-reviewed British Journal of Sports Medicine. This is one of many ingredients mostly made up of cultivated roots in sports supplement and in gym circles, commonly referred to as Longjack.
Cancer treatment
Taiwanese scientists isolated 65 biochemical compounds from the roots of Eurycoma longifolia, of which ten exhibited “strong cytotoxicity” towards human lung and breast cancer cell lines. They also isolated beta-carboline alkaloids, several of which were active against lung and breast cancer cell lines. Medical researchers in Japan concluded that different fractions were effective against different cancers with one extract induced apoptosis in breast-cancer cells.
Concerns
+ A study into this aspect concluded: ”The results indicate that eurycomanone is poorly bioavailable when given orally… the absolute bioavailability of the compound was low with 10.5%… ” its poor oral bioavailability may be due to poor membrane permeability in view of its low P value and/or high first-pass metabolism.”
+ “As of 2011, we have come across only limited human research regarding the influence of this herb on testosterone levels. Even if this herb helps make, or release, testosterone, would the effects continue over time? The answers are not clear at this time. We do know that taking a tongkal ali supplement helps increase libido and genital sensation, along with orgasm strength. Are these due to testosterone release or due to other factors? Supplementation with this plant extract may not be an effective long term strategy to increase levels of testosterone, but it could perhaps be in the short term.”
+ The governments of Canada and Singapore have issued warnings against the product XP Tongkat Ali Supreme for containing the prescription drug tadalafil which can be life-threatening in some individuals.
+ Traditionally Eurycoma longifolia is extracted and purified with water and not ethanol as practised by some manufacturers. Surveys have shown a large number of Malaysian Eurycoma longifolia products (36 out of 100) are contaminated with mercury and lead beyond legally permitted limits.
+ Fake Eurycoma longifolia products have been pulled off the shelves in several countries but are still sold over the Internet, mostly shipped from the UK. In Malaysia, the common use of Eurycoma longifolia as a food and drink additive, coupled with a wide distribution of products using cheaper synthetic drugs in lieu of Eurycoma longifolia, has led to the invention of an electronic tongue to determine the presence and concentration of genuine Eurycoma longifolia in products claiming to contain it.
Who should not use?
* As Tongkat ali is believed to increase testosterone levels, men with breast or prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease or sleep apnea should avoid it.
* Pregnant or nursing women or children.
* People with weakened immune systems as some evidence suggest it may further weaken immune function.
* Those who have heart failure or heart rhythm problems should be cautious and use minute amounts since this herb increases heart rate.
* People who are taking immunosuppressant drugs.
Precautions
+ Only buy Tongkat Ali root extract that has been taken from trees at least 10 years of age or the extract is considered less effective.
+ When used in high dosages, side effects include increased body temperature, anxiety, restlessness, irritability and insomnia (in turn reduces sex drive).
BE SAFE THAN BE SORRY ! WHAT IS FUN MAY NO LONGER BE FUN ANYMORE !!
