Tongkat Ali extract, side effects, supplement dosage, benefits, safety, research studies and honest review, influence on testosterone levels, by Ray Sahelian, M.D. , author of Natural Sex Boosters, a review of aphrodisiac herbs from around the globe, testimonials

Tongkat Ali is a tree native to the jungles of Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. It is commonly known as tongkat ali in Malaysia and Singapore, Tung Saw in Thailand, and Pasak Bumi in Indonesia. Natives consider every part of the tree as medicine. The root has been used as traditional medicine and promoted as a tonic, energy enhancer, and as an aphrodisiac. There is a great deal of misinformation on the internet regarding the ideal dosage of this root and its extracts. I have done my best to provide you with reliable and honest information based on scientific evidence and my personal experiences as a medical doctor who has had extensive feedback from patients.
   IMPORTANT: Do not rely on information on websites where the physical address of the company is in a foreign country or they only list a PO Box. There are quite a number of unreliable companies selling this herbal product and making unsubstantiated claims.

Do not trust these claims made on some internet sites
 Indonesian tongkat ali is superior to Malaysian or vice versa. Lead content is higher in one country than the other.
   I have spoken to various scientists from these regions who claim people making such claims are misleading the public in order to sell their products. I have not seen convincing evidence that lead content is different when the tree grows is one country versus the other. Lead content is checked by manufacturers before releasing the product to the public. The actual active and inactive substances within the root can vary based on elevation, microenvironment, soil content, humidity, rainfall and other factors, not necessarily the country it grows in.

Only the extract works and the plain powder is not effective.
   For centuries, and even today, people in Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia have been using the plain tongkat ali root powder as a potent aphrodisiac. The extraction process become available only in modern times. Therefore, if you read anywhere that the root powder does not work, consider the rest of the information on that page unreliable.

Other herbs added to tongkat ali will not help its effectiveness.
   Anyone who makes this claim is not experienced in herbal formulations. An experienced herbalist knows how to combine several herbs for maximal effect. In fact for millennia Chinese doctors preferred using formulas consisting of several herbs rather than one alone.

An extract of 200 to 1 is more effective than other versions.
   There is no scientifically accepted determination of what a 200 to 1 extract is. Tongkat ali researchers I have spoken to deny such a 200 to 1 extraction process exists. Scientific standards of how to judge the extraction process of this herb have barely begun. This whole area is like the Wild West where promoters make unsubstantiated claims about the potency of their product.

Tongkat Ali root powder 200 mg
LJ100 root extract 25 mg
Passion Rx with Tongkat ali powder and extract
You have the option to take Tongkat Ali root powder 200 mg, LJ100 extract at 25 mg, or Passion Rx which is an effective combination of more than a dozen aphrodisiac herbs. It is difficult to predict in any one individual which product will work better. The surest way is to try them separately to see which one is most suitable to your own body chemistry. Passion Rx has a very high rate of reorder.
   There are quite a number of sexual enhancing products on the market that have tongkat ali in various extract potencies. Before you purchase such a product make sure the company you are buying from is a legitimate and has an actual physical address in the United States.
Click here to purchase Tongkat ali root powder, LJ100 extract, FREE capsules of Passion Rx natural sex booster, Prostate Power Rx, other sex herbs such as horny goat weed, mucuna pruriens, tribulus terrestris, maca, catuaba, yohimbe

 Note: Passion Rx and tongkat ali supplements are best taken on separate days since taking them together may cause overstimulation. It is preferable not to take them on days that you take herbs and supplements that have stimulant properties such as ginseng or SAM-e. I suggest you have at least 2 or 3 days a week when you do not take any herbal aphrodisiacs since daily use can cause insomnia or shallow sleep and cause too much stimulation.

Suggested Use: For libido enhancement, take one LJ100 capsule or one tongkat ali root powder capsule every other day or every third day. 

The different options available to the consumer, be careful and don't get fooled
 Buy from a company based in the USA. If you purchase from a company based in a foreign country, they could be adding dangerous hormones or pharmaceutical medications to their products. If they are a reliable company doing business in the United States, they should have a physical office in this country.

Tongkat Ali root is sold as a powder in capsules by itself such as the one mentioned above at 200 mg per capsule, and it is also combined with other herbs in libido products. There are also concentrated forms which I will refer to as extracts. One well known and potent tongkat ali extract is LJ100 which is standardized to contain 40% glycosaponins and 22% eurypeptides. You can find tongkat ali promoted as 4:1, 5:1, 10 to 1, 20:1, 50:1, 100:1 and 200:1 extract concentrations. These can be quite misleading since there are no accepted scientific standards of what constitutes a 4:1 versus a 200 to1. In fact, be very skeptical of products that claim to be 20 to 1, 50 to 1, 100 to 1 or 200 to 1. There are no standards that say a 40% glycosaponin content constitutes a particular extract concentration. Any company who claims they are selling a product that is 200 times as potent as the regular powder is misleading you.
   To make things a little more complicated, each raw material supplier and manufacturer has a different way of preparing and extracting the active ingredients, and has a different raw material source. This means that, let's say, a 4:1 extract sold by one company may have a different effect than a 4:1 extract from another company. It is difficult to give a dosage recommendation that would apply to all the products on the market.
   After years of getting feedback from users of sexual enhancing herbs I have created a formula called Passion Rx which works very well as a sex booster in men and women with a low rate of side effects. You have the option of taking tongkat ali powder in capsules by itself, LJ100 by itself, or a libido enhancing formula. I prefer combinations since one can take advantage of different herbs which work in different ways to enhance the overall sexual experience, including sex drive, sensation, stamina, erectile function, orgasms, and lubrication.

Tongkat Ali side effects, caution, safety, toxicity, overdosage, and adverse events
 I have read articles in health magazines that it has wonderful benefits with absolutely no side effects. This has not been my personal or professional experience. Even though this herbal aphrodisiac is potent and effective, it does have shortcomings. One of the side effects of high dose tongkat ali herb use is insomnia. Lack of adequate sleep, when repeated over many days, can lower sex drive. So it's better to take smaller amounts over several days than a very high amount in one day.
   I have personally tested various extracts in different doses and realized that it has additional side effects not often mentioned in articles or in research papers. Many of my friends and patients have given me feedback regarding their personal experiences. I am convinced that high doses can cause increased body temperature, which is not a good thing during hot and steamy days without air conditioning, but a good thing if you live in Alaska or enjoy taking a walk outside in cool weather. Some people find that when they take a high dose, they become restless and impatient, perhaps easily angered. Therefore, you don't want to swallow several capsules of tongkat ali if you expect to be driving in heavy traffic. You may get road rage. Being patient and taking lower doses is the preferred option. There could also be heart related side effects. High doses can increase heart rate which is not acceptable to those who have heart disease.

Passion Rx - Medical Doctor Formulated for men and women
 This natural sexual enhancer provides results that are noticed within two to four days, and improve over several days of use. Our feedback thus far indicates more than 80% user satisfaction by the end of the first week and 90 percent by the end of the second week.
   Dr. Sahelian and his research staff have tested various doses and extracts of tongkat ali  from a number of raw material suppliers to determine the ideal dose and combination for optimal libido enhancement with fewest side effects. After years of research, an effective proprietary blend, along with more than a dozen additional herbal extracts, has been created. Passion Rx provides a natural solution for those looking for an alternative to synthetic drugs.

 

Passion Rx supports and improves:

Some of the potent herbal extracts in this formula include ashwagandha, Catuaba, Cnidium, Herba Cistanches, Horny goat weed, Maca, Muira puama, Passion flower, Tongkat Ali herb and LJ100, Tribulus and yohimbe. I do not suggest taking full capsules of these natural aphrodisiacs together the same day. For instance, when high doses of tongkat ali are taken with other herbs that have stimulating properties, such as ginseng or other adaptogens, there is the potential for restlessness, irritability, rapid heart beat, elevated body temperature, and insomnia.

Tongkat Ali aphrodisiac research study review
 Over the past few years, there have been quite a number of studies (particularly in rodents) that have tested it in relation to sexual effects. The results have been quite positive. There is some evidence that the use of this herb, at least in high dosages in rodents, increases levels of testosterone.
   The effects of this aphrodisiac herb were studied on libido of male rats after dosing them twice daily for 10 days. Tongkat ali produced a dose-dependent increase in mounting frequency; that is, the number of times the male rats tried to mount the female rats increased as the dose given to the rats increased. In addition, the rats displayed more frequent and vigorous licking and anogenital sniffing towards the receptive females. Furthermore, the rats dosed with the plant extract spent more time grooming their genitals compared to the rats who were not given the plant. Genital grooming may be interpreted as self-pleasuring since the rats were most likely enjoying the sensation of touching themselves. The researchers noticed another interesting finding: while the rats who had not received tongkat ali showed normal behavior within the cage such as exploration and climbing the cage wall, the rats given tongkat ali hung around the females instead of exploring the cage. In terms of human species, this may be interpreted as a man spending more time in the kitchen helping his wife dry the dishes than in the den half-asleep in a Lazyboy chair with the remote control in the left hand and a can of beer in the right while tuned to ESPN :)
   Several studies (see bottom of this page) have tested tongkat ali in rodents to determine whether this plant has aphrodisiac properties.

In this study we evaluated the influence of Eurycoma longifolia Jack on sexual behavior (including both motivation and copulatory performance) of sexually sluggish and impotent male rats. Treatment with the root powder significantly reduced ejaculation latencies, increasing also the percentage of mounting and ejaculating animals. In impotent rats treatments increased the percentage of mounting and ejaculating rats. Testosterone serum levels were increased in rats treated in comparison with controls. Influence of Eurycoma longifolia on the copulatory activity of sexually sluggish and impotent male rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.

Availability online and in health food stores
 Tongkat Ali is sold as a powder and in capsules, and it is often combined with other herbs in libido products. There are a number of extracts available in various potencies, and since each raw material supplier and manufacturer has a different way of preparation and extraction of the root material, and since there are no established standards, it is difficult to give dosage recommendations that would be consistently effective. In addition to tongkat ali being available as a raw powder, it is sold as a 4:1, 5:1, 20:1 and a 100:1 concentration although these could be misleading. At the higher concentrations it becomes difficult to dose appropriately since the margin of error in terms of effectiveness versus side effects becomes quite challenging.

Mechanism of action, how it works
More studies are required to determine the exact mechanisms of action. Recent studies indicate that the root contains several compounds including beta-carboline alkaloids and quassinoid-type glycosides, including eurycomaoside. How these compounds and many others in tongkat ali influence hormonal release or the human sexual response is not clearly understood (at least by me) at this time. I have read promotional material by some vitamin companies and articles in health magazines that tongkat ali enhances testosterone production or release. Apparently some human trials have been conducted in Malaysia that indicate tongkat ali influences testosterone and this herb in high dosages has shown to raise testosterone levels in rodent studies. I would not be surprised if compounds within tongkat ali, such as glycoproteins, do influence blood, testes, or brain levels of testosterone.  Does this effect on testosterone continue with prolonged use? I would also not be surprised if compounds within tongkat ali influence sexuality in ways other than just testosterone or hormone effects.

Long term side effects
 Since long term human trials have not been published, it would be best to take breaks from use. One option is to take the herbal product every other day or 2 days on, 2 or more days off with a full week off each month. Each person is different and will find their own best schedule.
    It is somewhat difficult to find the right dose and extract of tongkat ali supplement that works without causing insomnia, and that's where an experienced herbalist who has wide knowledge with this plant is crucial in terms of formulating the right product with the right amount and extract potency of tongkat ali.

Athletic performance, body building, increase in energy
It is true that tongkat ali increases energy levels, and here again the right dose is crucial since too high a dose will give insomnia, leading to fatigue the next day. However, if you take the right amount which wears off by evening, then you'll be just fine and happy. it is thought that tongkat ali increases energy levels through its actions on ATP. This herb also has an influence on testosterone levels, at least in the short term.

I have read a lot of articles on tongkat and wanted your professional advice. I'm 50 years old and a professional tri-athlete. (swim, bike, run) I was looking into this herb as a supplement for recovery, mental being, and endurance enhancer. Could you please give me a honest opinion about the herb and any positive effects that are proven to help with athletic performance.
   Although this herb increases energy levels, it also increases body temperature which can be counterproductive to performance enhancement particularly if the activity is being done in warm weather. Perhaps this herb could help in situations where the outside temperature is very cold, or swimming in cold waters. However, there is also the risk for increased heart rate from the herb which may not be helpful. Overall, I don't think this herb is helpful for athletes except perhaps in situations where cold tolerance is a benefit. Much depends on the dosage used and this would be learned through trial and error.

Cancer
Beta-carboline alkaloids have demonstrated significant cytotoxicity against human lung cancer (A-549) and human breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines. In plain English, this means that some compounds in tongkat ali can kill cancer cells. The practical significance of this finding in humans is not clear at this time.

Fatigue treatment?
The Dr Oz show was suggesting tongkat ali as a testosterone supplement to assist females with fatigue. Is this product and dosage primarily for men or would it also be safe for females (age 48 perimenopauseal)?
   We don't suggest its use as a treatment for fatigue. Although it can boost energy levels, it can also cause insomnia which can make fatigue worse. We are not sure if Dr. Oz is aware of its effects on sleep.

Use for infertility
This study investigated the effect of treatment with the proprietary standardized, water-soluble extract of the root of the Malaysian plant, Eurycoma longifolia Jack, which is thought to enhance male fertility with regard to higher semen volumes, sperm concentrations, the percentage of normal sperm morphology and sperm motility in male partners of sub-fertile couples with idiopathic infertility. A total of 350 patients were given 200 mg of the extract daily and follow-up semen analyses were performed every 3 months for 9 months. Follow-up semen analyses in these patients showed significant improvement in all semen parameters. The extract significantly improved the sperm quality in these patients, allowing for 11 (14%) spontaneous pregnancies. Eurycoma longifolia Jack in managing idiopathic male infertility. Asian J Andrology. 2010. Bin Mohd Tambi MI. Wellmen Clinic, Damai Service Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. School of Medical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Kbg Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.

Malaria treatment
Scientists have found that, in addition to its sex-enhancing effects, compounds within tongkat ali have anti-malarial properties. Some of these anti-malaria compounds are known as quassinoids.

Prostate health
 We have not seen any studies regarding tongkat ali and prostate gland in humans, so we don't know whether it helps with BPH treatment or induces prostate gland enlargement. We also don't know how it influences prostate cancer, whether it helps prevent it or aggravates it.

Use with other dietary supplements
Fish oils at one to three softgels a day can be taken together. Try to avoid taking it with other potent herbs in their full dosage.

Ecological concerns
Tongkat li is harvested in the wild and there is a concern that increasing popularity will deplete the natural preserves. Steps are being taken to cultivate the tree in large plantations. Unlike most trees which have a horizontal root system, the root of a tongkat Ali tree grows as much as one meter straight into the ground. This tough fibrous root penetrates deep into the earth to obtain its nutrients and takes at least five years to mature. Of an older tree (15-20 years), the root itself can grow to a size that is taller than many people. Some people misspell the name of this tree as tonkgat or tonkat ali.

Tongkat ali research studies
Sexual arousal in sexually sluggish old male rats after oral administration of Eurycoma longifolia Jack.
J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol. 2004. Ang HH, Lee KL, Kiyoshi M. School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Science Malaysia, Minden, Penang, Malaysia.
The objective of this study is to evaluate sexual arousal in sexually sluggish old male rats, 24 months old and retired breeders, receiving 200, 400, or 800 mg/kg of various fractions of tongkat ali, twice daily, for 10 days. Control rats received 3 ml/kg of normal saline. The aphrodisiac effect was monitored by the act of yawning and stretching because yawning, either alone or associated with stretching, is considered an ancestral vestige surviving throughout evolution that promotes sexual arousal. The results showed that 800 mg/kg of tongkat ali increased yawning by 50% and stretching by 16% in sexually sluggish old male rats, by 676-719% and 31-336%, respectively, in sexually active male rats, and by 22 to 44% and 75 to 100%, respectively, in middle aged, 9 months old and retired breeders. We conclude that the results of this study support the folk use of this plant as an aphrodisiac.

Eurycoma longifolia Jack enhances sexual motivation in middle-aged male mice.
J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol. 2003.
Tongkat Ali  was investigated for sexual motivation activity in adult, middle-aged male mice and in retired breeders. Each mouse received 500 mg/kg of one of 4 fractions of tongkat ali : chloroform, methanol, butanol, and water, whereas the mice in the control and yohimbine groups received 3 ml/kg of normal saline and 30 mg/kg of yohimbine daily respectively for 10 days. Our study showed that this potent herb continues to enhance sexual motivation in adult, middle-aged male mice and in retired breeders.

Effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack on sexual qualities in middle aged male rats.
Phytomedicine. 2003.
The effects of tongkat ali were studied on the sexual qualities of middle aged male rats after dosing them with 0.5 g/kg of various fractions of tongkat ali whilst the control group received 3 ml/kg of normal saline daily for 12 weeks. Results showed than tongkat ali enhanced the sexual qualities of the middle aged male rats by decreasing their hesitation time as compared to controls. This study shows that it enhanced the sexual qualities of middle aged male rats, further supporting the folk use of tongkat ali as an aphrodisiac.

Effect of Eurycoma longifolia Jack on libido in middle-aged male rats.
J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol. 2002.
The effect of increasing doses of various fractions of tongkat ali extracts on libido was examined in middle-aged male rats. The results of this study show that tongkat ali extracts can increase libido in middle-aged male rats.

Effect of Eurycoma longifolia Jack on orientation activities in middle-aged male rats.
Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2002.
The effects of various fractions of Eurycoma longifolia Jack were studied on the orientation activities of the inbred, adult middle-aged Sprague-Dawley rats, 9 months old and retired breeders towards the receptive females (anogenital sniffing, licking, mounting), the environment (climbing, raring, exploration), themselves (nongenital grooming, genital grooming) and mobility (restricted, unrestricted) after treating these subjects twice daily for 10 days. Results showed that subjects treated with tongkat ali increased orientation activities towards the receptive females (anogenital sniffing, licking and mounting), increased genital grooming towards themselves and restricted movements to a particular area of the cage but decreased interest in the external environment (climbing, raring, exploration) as compared with the controls during the investigation period. In conclusion, this study gives further evidences that different fractions of tongkat ali modified the orientation activities of the middle-aged male rats.

Effects of Eurycoma longifolia jack on levator ani muscle in both uncastrated and testosterone-stimulated castrated intact male rats.
Arch Pharm Res. 2001. Ang HH, Cheang HS. University Science Malaysia, Minden, Penang, Malaysia.
Effects were studied on the levator ani muscle in both uncastrated and testosterone-stimulated castrated intact male rats after dosing them for 12 consecutive weeks. Results showed that it significantly increased the levator ani muscle strength.

Emails
Q. I find tongkat ali works best for me if I take it 2 days on, one or more days off. In fact, sometimes I notice the sexual feelings even on the off days.
   A. Yes, it is one of those sexual enhancing herbs that has a delayed effect of a day or two. Passion Rx is the same way.

Q. At first tongkat ali supplement was working great, but now i don't feel it as much. I have been taking it every day for 4 weeks.
   A. There is a tolerance that builds up to some herbs, and tongkat ali is one of them. Perhaps tongkat stimulates hormone release which depletes after a while and you may need to take a break from use to replenish the hormones, or maybe there are other factors involved that we don't know about. Nevertheless, it's best to take frequent breaks from the use of tongkta ali powder or extracts.

Q. I note 2 versions of tongkat Ali -- the 300 mg powder and the LJ 100 extract. Can you clarify the differences between these 2 and what they are best suited for? How would one decide which formulation to purchase for very low male libido?
   A. It's difficult to say which tongkat ali form is better suited. We have had positive responses with both, some liking the root powder, some liking the extract. It's difficult to predict individual likes and responses.

Q. I purchased tongkat ali 200mg and I was surprised at how strong two capsules were. I have been told that 400mg of a 1:50 extract, 1 dose per day was the correct dose. However, I purchased the product from an Indonesia company Pasam Bumi which sent me 1:50 400mg caps, but the suggested tongkat ali dose on the label was 4 capsules per day. That seems like too high a dose. I just don't understand why they suggest using so much tongkat ali.
   A. Before we formulate a product, such as tongkat ali, the research team takes it themselves in varying amounts and concentrations, and we get feedback from many users. Thus we have first hand experience what these products do, as opposed to theoretical dosing. For some people 400 mg tongkat ali root powdermay be too high a dosage and they may need only 100 or 200 mg.

Q. Does tongkat ali cause a woman to have a longer and heavier than usual menstrual flow? I took 400 mg for two weeks, 2 days on and 2 days off, and this is what I experienced.
   A. Although we have not had a previous report of tongkat ali associated with menstrual flow, it is possible since tongakt ali may influence certain hormone levels or influence the release of certain hormone.

I have bought tongkat ali on a previous occasion and was very happy with the results, but I had a heart attack in September, caused by blocked arteries, not heart problems. my question is will the tongkat ali cause harm to me, does it raise blood pressure, what could be beneficial or harmful to taking it, I was very happy the the results but do not want to cause further injury if there is something I should be aware of.
   Tongkat ali can stimulate the heart to beat faster, we don't think it is a safe herb to take in those who have heart problems unless your doctor wants to monitor you on very low doses.

I understand there are few human clinical trials using tongkat Ali herb except a few from Malaysia. I know there isn't a lot known about its actual effects on hormones, but in theory, could tongkat ali stop the production of important hormones, testosterone, FSH, LH, etc. Have there been any reports of it causing the testicles to shrink, or, could it in theory have that effect?
   The full long term effect of chronic tongkat ali use on hormones is not known, but in my opinion it is a relatively moot point since I do not recommend frequent use of this potent herb. The maximum use of tongkat ali, in my opinion, should be no more than 3 times a week, and there should be at least a full week off a month. It is also possible that the hormonal effects are dose dependent, and different people may react differently to tongkat ali and the various extracts that are available.

I have been experimenting using tongkat Ali root powder (400 mg), LJ100 25 mg, and Longjax 20:1 (400 mg). Another web site I've looked at claims that the root powder is worthless, because it would take 50g (50,000 mg!!!) to equal an effective dose. Therefore the extracts are a better bet, because with two or three pills of the Longjax one approaches at least half this "therapeutic dose". The web site draws this information from direct experience (including living) in SE Asia where tongkat ali has a long local history of use in a brewed tea. Apparently the brewed tea starts at around 25-50 g of root that gets boiled into a bitter tea. So I'm confused. You say that 400 mg of tongkat ali root powder can actually be a very strong and effective dose, yet no one else seems to agree. The fact that you are a doctor leads me to put a lot of faith in your opinion over the others, even though I know nothing about you beyond that fact. Can you please clarify? I have experienced mild improvements with the tongkat Ali products (powder and extract), and am hopeful that it will help ward of andropause and low testosterone. I'm 53 years old, and my wife and I have sex daily - so we are doing OK, but always looking for improvement. Thank you so much. I love your website and your work. I hope you don't take this probing question as anything other than someone desperately seeking advice and clarification regarding dosage, but in particular the "value" of root powder vs. extracts of any kind.
   I can only speak from my experience with the tongkat ali root powder and feedback from patients and users of this supplement. I can't imagine the health risks of taking 50,000 mg of tongkat ali powder. It could be fatal or at least require several days in intensive care. Even 400 mg is a little bit too much for me. I reduced the tongkat ali powder supplement dosage from 400 mg a capsule to 200 mg per capsule. As with most sexual enhancing supplements, it is preferable to take low dosages and go slow rather than trying to have a quick effect with a high dose. These herbs are potent and should be treated cautiously. I have no intention of discussing or countering every claim that is made on the internet on countless products. People have the right on their own websites to say what they wish. My role is to be as honest and accurate writing about my own experiences and knowledge. The final decision as to which web site to rely on for such information rests on the reader and the consumer. 

Does tongkat ali stimulate the way that testicles will become larger with time?
   There have not been enough long term human studies to know the answer to this question.

My readings indicated that it (aside from sexual enhancement) showed instances of lowered cholesterol and also lowered blood pressure. Since this is a natural product, I would rather take it instead of the other medications. As I began to look further all I could find was the sex enhancement, and no other references to the actual health benefits. Was my original reading a fluke, or is it true?
   This natural herb is very potent and has too many adverse effects to be used daily for the purposes of cholesterol or blood pressure management.

Are there any side effects taking tongkat ali and statin drugs such as Lipitor and Zocor? Is it advisable?
   I have not seen studies that have evaluated the combination of statin medications and this herbal aphrodisiac. The herb itself has a lot of side effects so it needs to be used cautiously. It is a good idea, if combining the herb and the medication, to use very low dosages and to have approval by your doctor.