Research Snapshot
Tongkat Ali
A synthesis of the peer-reviewed evidence for Tongkat Ali across testosterone, libido, muscle mass and endurance, graded by scientific consensus and reviewed by our Scientific Advisory Board.
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TestosteroneDoes Tongkat Ali increase Testosterone?
Evidence from 15 studies
What the research shows
Overall, Tongkat Ali appears to have a positive effect on increasing testosterone levels, particularly in longer-term studies and specific populations such as aging males or those under stress. However, short-term effects in healthy, exercise-trained individuals may be less pronounced. Further research could help clarify the conditions under which Tongkat Ali is most effective.
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Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition | S. Talbott et al. | 78 | 2013
Very Rigorous Journal , Randomized Control Trial (RCT) , Highly Cited
Tongkat ali root extract significantly improves stress hormone profile, including reduced cortisol exposure and increased testosterone status by 37%.
Maturitas | A. E. Leitão et al. | 10 | 2020
Randomized Control Trial (RCT)
Tongkat Ali (Erycoma longifolia) combined with concurrent training improved erectile function and increased total testosterone levels in men with androgen deficiency of aging males (ADAM).
Phytotherapy Research | R. Henkel et al. | 50 | 2014
Rigorous Journal , Non-Randomized Control Trial
Tongkat Ali supplementation resulted in significant increases in total and free testosterone concentrations and muscular force in men and women.
Endocrines | A. Lazarev et al. | 5 | 2021
Systematic Review
Tongkat Ali has the strongest evidence of any substance claimed to increase testosterone levels in athletes
LibidoDoes Tongkat Ali improve sexual health?
Evidence from 13 studies
What the research shows
Tongkat Ali shows promise in improving sexual health through its aphrodisiac properties, potential to enhance erectile function, and ability to increase testosterone levels. While animal studies support these benefits, human trials have yielded mixed results, indicating a need for further research to fully understand its efficacy and safety.
View the top studies
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition | S. Talbott et al. | 78 | 2013
Highly Cited , Randomized Control Trial (RCT) , Very Rigorous Journal
Tongkat ali root extract improves stress hormone profile and certain mood state parameters.
Chinese journal of natural medicines | H. Thu et al. | 39 | 2017
Systematic Review
Eurycoma longifolia (EL) has been well recognized as a booster of male sexual health, including low libido, and downregulated testosterone levels.
Andrologia | M. Solomon et al. | 46 | 2014
Randomized Control Trial (RCT) , Animal Trial
Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali) extract increases testosterone concentration, sperm concentration, motility, vitality, and improves mitochondrial membrane potential in rats.
Complementary therapies in medicine | Surachai Kotirum et al. | 29 | 2015
Meta Analysis
Tongkat Ali herbal extract may have clinical effect on erectile function.
Muscle MassDoes Eurycoma longifolia help increase strength?
Evidence from 9 studies
What the research shows
Eurycoma longifolia may offer some benefits in increasing muscle strength when combined with exercise, particularly in specific populations like older adults or those with androgen deficiency. However, its effectiveness as a standalone supplement for enhancing strength in healthy young adults is not well-supported by current research. Further studies are needed to clarify its role and efficacy in strength enhancement.
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Phytotherapy Research | R. Henkel et al. | 50 | 2014
Rigorous Journal , Non-Randomized Control Trial
Tongkat Ali supplementation resulted in significant increases in muscular force in both men and women.
Molecules | S. Rehman et al. | 147 | 2016
Highly Cited , Literature Review
Tongkat Ali roots extract is used for exercise recovery, increased energy, and increased strength.
Journal Of Dietary Supplements | C. Ulbricht et al. | 10 | 2013
Systematic Review
Tongkat Ali has been found to be safe and efficacious in clinical trials for its potential benefits in muscle mass.
Andrologia | M. Solomon et al. | 46 | 2014
Randomized Control Trial (RCT) , Animal Trial
Tongkat Ali extract increased muscle weight in rats, but not significantly.
EnduranceDoes Eurycoma longifolia improve physical fitness?
Evidence from 11 studies
What the research shows
Eurycoma longifolia may improve physical fitness, particularly when combined with exercise, by enhancing muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness. However, its effects on anaerobic power and recovery are less clear, and it does not significantly alter testosterone levels in a way that would suggest doping-like effects. The herb's benefits seem to be more pronounced when used alongside a structured training program.
View the top studies
Complementary therapies in clinical practice | A. E. Leitão et al. | 2 | 2021
Randomized Control Trial (RCT)
Eurycoma longifolia supplementation combined with concurrent training improves strength and cardiorespiratory fitness in men with androgen deficiency.
International Journal of Preventive Medicine | C. K. Chen et al. | 8 | 2019
Randomized Control Trial (RCT) , Rigorous Journal
Eurycoma longifolia Jack supplementation combined with resistance training improved peak power output and isokinetic power of the lower limbs.
Journal of Sports Medicine & Doping Studies | A. George et al. | 6 | 2013
Randomized Control Trial (RCT)
Eurycoma longifolia supplementation significantly improved muscular strength in the back and leg, making it good for physical performance without doping effects.
Maturitas | A. E. Leitão et al. | 10 | 2020
Randomized Control Trial (RCT)
Eurycoma longifolia combined with concurrent training significantly improved erectile function and increased total testosterone levels in men with androgen deficiency of aging males.
Reviewed by Experts
Every research snapshot is checked by our independent Scientific Advisory Board: physicians, botanists and pharmacology researchers who verify the evidence grading and its interpretation.
Kerry Hughes
M.Sc., RH(AHG), FDN-P
Ethnobotanist & herbalist; Berkeley Herbal Center; principal at EthnoPharm.
View full profile →Lance Dreher
PhD, Nutritional Counseling
Performance nutrition & conditioning; four decades of applied training science.
View full profile →Dr. Lindsey Faucette
DO, FAAFP
Board-certified in Family & Integrative Medicine; Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
View full profile →Francisco Chacon
PhD, Plant Biology
Botanical natural products & phytochemistry researcher, Penn State University.
View full profile →Meet the full Scientific Advisory Board →
How We Grade Consensus
For each benefit we retrieve the relevant peer-reviewed literature and classify every study by whether its findings support (Yes), partially or conditionally support (Possibly), or do not support (No) the claim. The donut shows the share of studies in each category; N is the number of studies analyzed for that benefit.
Grades reflect the weight and direction of the current evidence, not a guarantee of outcome, and the interpretation is verified by the Scientific Advisory Board.