Tongkat Ali supplement by Ray Sahelian, M.D., Passion Rx with Tongkat Ali extract, tongkat ali side effects

Tongkat Ali supplement and Tongkat Ali extract by Ray Sahelian, M.D. Tongkat Ali side effects

On this page you will find information on tongkat ali herb, and information on 3 products:
Passion Rx -- powerful sexual enhancer with tongkat ali herb for men and women
Tongkat Ali root powder in capsule form
Tongkat Ali LJ100 extract

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. The tongkat ali tree can grow up to about 12 meters in height. Natives consider every part of the tree as medicine. The tongkat ali root has been used as traditional medicine and promoted as a tonic, energy enhancer, and as an aphrodisiac. Before you buy tongkat ali, read the possible tongkat ali side effects discussed below.

Tongkat Ali root powder 200 mg
LJ100 Tongkat ali extract 25 mg
Passion Rx with Tongkat ali powder and LJ100
You have the option to take tongkat al root powder, LJ100 tongkat ali extract, or preferably Passion Rx which is an effective combination of tongkat ali root, LJ100, and more than a dozen aphrodisiac herbs. It is difficult to predict in any one individual which product will work best. 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.

Click here to purchase tongkat ali LJ100 extract, tongkat ali root powder, Passion Rx, Prostate Power Rx, Mind Power Rx, other sex herbs, or to sign up to a FREE supplement research newsletter

Note: Passion Rx and tongkat ali are best taken on separate days since taking them together may cause overstimulation, increased body temperature and insomnia. It is preferable not to take tongkat ali or Passion Rx on the days that you take herbs and supplements that have stimulant properties such as ginseng or SAM-e, or anti-depressant medicines such as SSRIs (Prozac, Zoloft, etc).

Suggested Use: For libido enhancement, take one LJ100 capsule or one tongkat ali root powder capsule every other day or every third day. Tongkat ali and LJ100 extract daily values are not established.

The different tongkat ali supplement options available to the consumer
Tongkat Ali root is sold as a powder in capsules by itself, and it is also combined with other herbs in libido products. There are also concentrated forms of tongkat ali, which I will refer to as tongkat ali extracts. One well known and potent tongkat ali extract is LJ100. You can find tongkat ali as 4:1, 5:1, 20:1, 50:1, 100:1 and 200:1 extract concentrations. A 100:1 extract is much more potent than a 4:1 extract, which is more potent than the regular tongkat ali powder. To make things a little more complicated, each raw material supplier and manufacturer has a different way of preparing and extracting the tongkat ali root active ingredients. This means that, let's say, a 50:1 extract sold by one company may have a different effect than a 50:1 extract from another company. It is difficult to give a tongkat ali dosage recommendation that would apply to all the tongkat ali products on the market. One advantage of LJ100 tongkat ali extract is that it has been available for a number of years and each batch is quite consistent. I have experimented and tried a number of tongkat ali extracts and find each to have its advantages and disadvantages. I am quite familiar with LJ100 since I have extensive experience using it either by itself, or combined with other aphrodisiac herbs.
After years of getting feedback from users of LJ100, and having tried it myself in varying dosages, I have found an appropriate LJ100 dosage, in combination with other sexual enhancing herbs, to put in a formula called Passion Rx which works extremely well as a sex booster in men and women with the fewest side effects. You have the option of taking tongkat ali powder in capsules by itself, LJ100 by itself, or tongkat ali and LJ100 in combination with other sex herbs in a libido 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. Passion Rx is a product that combines a number of sex herbs to provide a comprehensive sexual improvement with the fewest side effects.

Tongkat Ali side effects
I have read articles in health magazines promoting tongkat ali that it has wonderful benefits with absolutely no side effects. This has not been my personal or professional experience. Even though tongkat ali is potent as an herbal aphrodisiac, 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 of tongkat ali 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 with tongkat ali. 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 of tongkat ali can increase heart rate which is not acceptable to those who have heart disease.

Passion Rx with Tongkat Ali root powder and LJ100 extract - Medical Doctor Formulated for men and women
Formulated with diligence by Dr. Sahelian to maximize benefits with fewest side effects.
Passion Rx is a Bestseller

How quickly does Passion Rx work?
Passion Rx 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. The exact dosages and potency extracts of this unique Passion Rx blend is a close kept secret. You will only find this exact combination in Passion Rx. Passion Rx provides a natural solution for those looking for an alternative to synthetic drugs.

Passion Rx supports:

Sexual stamina, sensation
Erectile function, lubrication
Orgasms and climaxes
Mood, motivation, and vision

Some of the potent herbal extracts in Passion Rx include Ashwagandha, Catuaba, Cnidium, Herba Cistanches, Horny goat weed, Maca, Muira puama, Passion flower, Tongkat Ali herb and LJ100, Tribulus and Yohimbe.

Tongkat Ali aged root powder, 200 mg -- Highest Quality - Tongkat Ali powder - Roots aged at least 7 years
Tongkat Ali grows wild in the rainforests of the southeast Asia. In Malaysia, tongkat ali is known for its energy, tonic, and sensual vitality properties. Tongkat ali: Traditionally used to improve energy, reduce fatigue and enhance overall physical and sensual performance. This tongkat ali product is of the pure quality raw material directly from Malaysia. The medicinal benefits of tongkat ali are found primarily in the root. Physician Formulas Tongkat Ali powder uses only the highest qualityMalaysian root aged seven years or more. All root is wild crafted and sterilized.

Tongkat Ali supplement facts
Tongkat Ali powder - 200 mg (Eurycoma Longifolia Jack)

Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take a tongkat ali capsule in the morning before breakfast or as recommended by your health care provider. For long term use, take every other day, or 2 days on, 2 or more days off. Results may vary depending on age and metabolism. Some may require half a capsule while others may do fine with two. It may be preferable to take lower doses of tongkat ali and have it work slowly in order to avoid side effects. The positive sexual benefits from tongkat ali can sometimes last into the next day or even the third and fourth day after stopping its use.

Tongkat Ali research
Over the past few years, there have been quite a number of studies (particularly in rodents) that have tested tongkat ali in relation to sexual effects. The results have been quite positive. Here's a detailed discussion of one of the studies.
The effects of tongkat ali were studied on libido of male rats after dosing them twice daily for 10 days. Results showed that 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 given tongkat ali displayed more frequent and vigorous licking and anogenital sniffing towards the receptive females. Furthermore, the rats dosed with tongkat ali 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.

Availability of tongkat ali supplement
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 tongkat ali extracts available in various potencies, and since each raw material supplier and manufacturer has a different way of preparing and extracting the raw tongkat ali 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. At the higher tongkat ali concentrations it becomes difficult to dose appropriately since the margin of error in terms of effectiveness versus side effects becomes quite challenging.

High Quality products formulated by a medical doctor
Consider highly popular all natural products. These top quality products include Mind Power Rx for better mental focus, concentration, and mood; Diet Rx which helps you eat less. It really does curb appetite; Good Night Rx for better sleep; Eyesight Rx for better vision, often within days; MultiVit Rx a daily comprehensive multivitamin for more energy and vitality; Joint Power Rx for healthy joints; Prostate Power Rx for a healthy prostate gland and gentle sexual enhancement; and Passion Rx for sexual enhancement, better libido, and improved performance and stamina in men and women.

Tongkat Ali mechanism of action
Little is known regarding the exact mechanisms of action of tongkat ali. 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. However I have not been able to definitively confirm this claim through a Medline search. I would not be surprised if compounds within tongkat ali, such as glycoproteins, do influence blood 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 of tongkat ali supplement
Since long term human trials with tongkat ali have not been published, it would be best to take breaks from use. One option is to take tongkat ali 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.

Tongkat ali and 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.

Tongkat ali and cancer
Beta-carboline alkaloids isolated from tongkat ali 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.

Tongkat ali and malaria
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.

Ecological concerns
Tongkat li is harvested in the wild and there is a concern that increasing popularity will deplete the natural preserves. Early steps are being taken to cultivate the tongkat ali tree in large plantations.

Tongkat ali research update
Induction of apoptosis by Eurycoma longifolia jack - tongkat ali - extracts.
Anticancer Res. 2005 May-Jun;25(3B):2205-13.
Extracts of the plant tongkat ali have been shown to possess cytotoxic, antimalarial, anti-ulcer, antipyretic and plant growth inhibition activities. The present study investigated the effects of extracts and their chromatographic fractions from the root of tongkat ali on the growth of a human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7. Our data indicated that tongkat ali extracts and fractions exert a direct antiproliferative activity on MCF-7. Our results suggest that tongkat ali extract has antiproliferative effects on MCF-7 cells by inducing apoptosis through the modulation of Bcl-2 protein levels.

Sexual arousal in sexually sluggish old male rats after oral administration of Eurycoma longifolia Jack - tongkat ali.
J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol. 2004;15(3-4):303-9. Ang HH, Lee KL, Kiyoshi M.
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Science Malaysia, Minden, Penang, Malaysia.
Eurycoma longifolia Jack commonly known as Tongkat Ali in Malaysia, has been used in Malaysia to increase male virility and sexual prowess. 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 22-44% and 75-100%, 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;14(3):301-8.
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 d. The results show a transient increase in the percentage of male mice responding to the right choice after chronic consumption of the fractions with 50 percent of the adult middle-aged male mice treated with tongkat ali and yohimbine scoring the right choice after 8 and 5 days post-treatment respectively. In conclusion, this study has shown that tongkat Ali continues to enhance sexual motivation in adult, middle-aged male mice and in retired breeders.

Effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack ( Tongkat ali ) on sexual qualities in middle aged male rats.
Phytomedicine. 2003;10(6-7):590-3.
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 tongkat ali 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 ( Tongkat Ali ) on libido in middle-aged male rats.
J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol. 2002;13(3):249-54.
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 ( tongkat ali ) on orientation activities in middle-aged male rats.
Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2002 Dec;16(6):479-83.
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 Oct;24(5):437-40. Ang HH, Cheang HS. University Science Malaysia, Minden, 11800, Penang, Malaysia.
It has been reported that tongkat aAli has gained notoreity as a symbol of man's ego and strength by the Malaysian men because it increases male virility and sexual prowess during sexual activities. As such, the effects of tongkat ali 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 tongkat Ali significantly increased the levator ani muscle strength.

Aphrodisiac evaluation in non-copulator male rats after chronic administration of Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali).
Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2001 Aug;15(4):265-8.
The aphrodisiac effect of Eurycoma longifolia Jack ( Tongkat Ali ) was evaluated in noncopulator male rats using an electrical cage. Fractions of Tongkat Ali decreased the hesitation time of noncopulator male rats, throughout the investigation period. Furthermore, it possessed a transient increase in the percentage of the male rats responding to the right choice, more than 50% of the male rats scored "right choice" after 3 weeks post Tongkat Ali treatment and the effect became more prominent after 8 weeks post-treatment (only 40-50% of the control male rats responded to the right choice) using the electrical copulation cage. Hence, this study lends further support to the use of the Tongkat Ali plant by indigenous populations as a traditional medicine for its aphrodisiac property.

Eurycoma longifolia (tongkat ali) increases sexual motivation in sexually naive male rats.
Arch Pharm Res. 1998 Dec;21(6):779-81.
The aim of this study is to provide evidence on the aphrodisiac property of Tongkat Ali. An electric grid was used as an obstruction in the electrical copulation cage in order to determine how much an aversive stimulus the sexually naive male rat for both the treated with Tongkat Ali and control groups were willing to overcome to reach the estrous receptive female in the goal cage. The intensity of the grid current was maintained at 0.12 mA and this was the intensity in which the male rats in the control group failed to crossover to reach the goal cage. Results showed that Tongkat Ali continued to enhance and also maintain a high level of both the total number of successful crossovers, mountings, intromissions and ejaculations during the 9-12th week observation period. In conclusion, these results further enhanced and strengthened the aphrodisiac property of Tongkat Ali.

Tongkat Ali malaria studies
Antiplasmodial studies of Eurycoma longifolia Jack using the lactate dehydrogenase assay of Plasmodium falciparum.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Jun;92(2-3):223-7.
The roots of tongkat Ali have been used as traditional medicine to treat malaria.

Cytotoxic and antimalarial constituents from the roots of Eurycoma longifolia (tongkat ali).
Bioorg Med Chem. 2004 Feb 1;12(3):537-44.
Sixty-five compounds were isolated from the roots of tongkat Ali. Among these isolates, four quassinoid diterpenoids were reported from natural sources for the first time. Screening of cytotoxicity, anti-HIV and antimalarial activity of these isolated compounds was also furnished by in vitro assays. Many compounds demonstrated strong cytotoxicity toward human lung cancer (A-549) cell lines and strong cytoxicity toward human breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines. Some compounds displayed potent antimalarial activity against the resistant Plasmodium falciparum.

Tongkat ali supplement 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, tongkat ali 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. Can Passion Rx be taken together with tongkat Ali 200 mg capsule?
A. We don't encourage combining tongkat ali with Passion Rx since they are both potent and overstimulation is likely to occur. However, one option is to alternate, for instance to take Passion Rx for a day and then take tongkat Ali for a day and no pills the third day. It's good to have at least 2 days a week off from both supplements.

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 get severe insomnia when I take tongkat ali. Is this common?
   A. Insomnia is one of the major side effects of tongkat ali and is one of the limiting factors in its use in high doses.

Q. Can tongkat ali be combined with other herbs such as yohimbe or hormy goat weed?
   A. I can only speak from my personal and professional experience. Thus far I have combined tongkat ali with several herbs and have found that 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.

Q. Does tongkat ali give more energy?
   A. Tongkat ali is a strong energy booster. I find that after 2 or 3 days of taking tongkat ali, there is a general sense of enhanced energy that occurs. However, if I take a high dose of tongkat ali, the resulting shallow sleep lowers my energy levels. I also find that high doses of tongkat ali make me feel restless. For instance, I find that I am less patient and more irritable, particularly if I have taken tongkat ali and I am stuck in traffic on one of the freeways in Los Angeles.

Q. Can I take tongkat ali regularly for many months?
   A. As with most herbs, I recommend taking breaks from use. In the case of tongkat ali, you could take it for 2 or 3 days and take a few days off and a full week off each month.

Q. How many different types of tongkat ali extracts are available?
   A. The ones I have seen are the following: Tongkat ali powder, Tongkat ali 4:1, 20:1, 50:1, and tongkat ali 100:1 extracts. Some companies also market a 200 to 1 extract.

Q. Can tongkat ali herb be taken with fish oils?
   A. Yes, I don't see any problems combining one or two fish oil capsules with tongkat ali herb.

Q. I have chronic fatigue syndrome. Is tongkat ali helpful?
   A. It depends what's causing the chronic fatigue. Tongkat ali does increase energy levels, but it can also cause insomnia in high doses so you have to balance the energy and the insomnia. Find a low dose of tongkat ali to increase energy yet not cause disrupted sleep.

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.

Q. Does tongkat ali affect the prostate gland?
A. We have not seen any studies regarding tongkat ali and prostate gland in humans, so we don't know.

Q. Your side effect profile on tongkat ali does not mention something I found on another web site that tongkat ali swelled the internal organs of lab rats. What do you think of this? Could this happen at the prescribed doses if used?
A. We have not had this tongkat ali side effect reported to us so we can't say. Tongkat ali doses used in lab rats are often many times what a human would ingest as a supplement.

Q. 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 benefical or harmful to taking the tongkat ali, I was very happy the the results but do not want to cause further injury if there is something I should be aware of.
A. 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, but we can't be any more specific or detailed than this.

Q. What is the recommended cycle for Passion Rx with the tongkat ali herb. Ihear 2 days on 1 off or 2 on 2 off, and many other opinions for tongkat ali supplements.
A. The reason there are so many different suggestions on how to use tongkat ali or Passion Rx is because each person is different in how they respond. There are countless ways to take these products, but one suggestion is to take the least amount, the fewest times, and the lowest dosage that works for you.

Q. 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 tongkat ali's 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?
A. 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.

Q. Do you know of any experiences of tongkat ali herb use that can cause a fatty liver? I was told by my doctor that I had elevated liver enzymes. Any thoughts or experiences would be very much appreciated.
A. We have not come across any studies or anecdotes regarding the role of tongkat ali in fatty liver or liver disease. As a general rule, tongkat ali should be used infrequently.

Q. Does tongkat ali influence enlarged prostate?
A. We have not seen any research in humans specifically addressing the role of tongkat ali on prostate health or prostate size.

Q. Is there a major difference between Indonesian tongkat ali herb and tongkat ali from Malaysia?
A. I am not 100 percent certain, but I believe more has to do with how old the roots of the tree are as opposed to which country they grow in. I have not seen any human tongkat ali research comparing the effectiveness of tongkat ali from Malaysia to that from Indonesia. The more important factor has to do with the quality of the roots and the processing.

Q. Dear Dr. Sahelian, I have been experimenting using tongkat Ali root powder (400 mg), LJ100 25 mg, and Longjax 20:1 (400 mg). I have read your web articles about the tongkat ali root powder not necessarily being "weaker" than the extracts, even though 25 mg of LJ100 is theoretically 2500 mg of extracted root, and therefore mathematically 6x stronger than 400 mg of pure unextracted root powder. 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.
A. 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.

More about the tongkat ali tree
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. The tongkat ali root 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.

Tongkat ali in Malaysia
In the past, tongkat ali roots had to be brewed for long hours to get a bitter extract. Now tongkat ali, which literally means Ali's cane, is packed in pill or tea-bag form and mixed with regular coffee or tea. Tongkat ali coffee, tea, and even sodas, are now sold in Malaysia's roadside hawker stalls, supermarkets and even in restaurants at five star hotels. Some people misspell tongkat ali as tonkgat or tonkat ali.

This tongkat ali page was last updated January 2008.