This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Statements about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary — consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer
Evidence-Based Benefits
Testosterone support — Talbott et al. (2013) found 200mg of tongkat ali daily for 4 weeks increased testosterone levels by 37% and reduced cortisol by 16% in moderately stressed adults; effects are most pronounced in hypogonadal or stressed populations
Cortisol reduction — the adaptogenic properties of eurycomanone appear to modulate the HPA axis, reducing cortisol output under chronic stress conditions; this cortisol reduction may be the primary driver of testosterone improvements
Male fertility — Ismail et al. (2012) demonstrated improvements in semen volume, sperm concentration, and motility in men with idiopathic infertility after 9 months of 200mg daily tongkat ali supplementation
Body composition — a 2014 pilot study found 100mg of tongkat ali extract combined with resistance training increased lean body mass and arm circumference more than training alone over 5 weeks
Stress resilience — as an adaptogen, tongkat ali appears to improve the body's response to physical and psychological stressors, with improvements in mood profile scores (tension, anger, confusion) reported in multiple studies
What the Research Says
Tongkat Ali, also known as Eurycoma longifolia, has been extensively studied for its potential benefits in hormonal health and stress management. A randomized controlled trial by Talbott et al. (2013) demonstrated that 200mg of Tongkat Ali extract significantly improved the testosterone-cortisol ratio, reduced cortisol levels, and enhanced mood state in 63 moderately stressed adults. Furthermore, Ismail et al. (2012) conducted a landmark study on male fertility, showing that 200mg daily of a standardized water extract improved sperm parameters in 75 men with idiopathic infertility, resulting in 11 spontaneous pregnancies over a 9-month period.
The LJ100 extract, standardized to 22% eurypeptides and 40% glycosaponins, is the most clinically validated form of Tongkat Ali. Henkel et al. (2014) reviewed its clinical pharmacology, confirming its adaptogenic and ergogenic properties while emphasizing the importance of extract standardization for consistent results.
Recent studies have further supported Tongkat Ali's efficacy. A systematic review by Leisegang et al. (2022) found that Eurycoma longifolia supplementation significantly increased total testosterone levels in men, with a standardized mean difference of 1.352 (p = 0.001). Additionally, Ulbricht et al. (2013) provided an evidence-based systematic review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration, evaluating its safety and efficacy based on clinical trials and expert opinions.
Tongkat Ali has also shown potential in other areas. A study by Muniandy et al. (2025) found that Physta® 100 mg significantly improved menopausal quality of life by reducing MENQOL scores by 33.9% over 12 weeks without adverse effects. However, a systematic review by Kotirum et al. (2015) found no significant improvement in erectile function overall, though subgroup analysis suggested benefits for those with lower baseline scores.
Overall, Tongkat Ali appears to offer promising benefits for hormonal health and stress management, particularly when standardized extracts are used.
RCTTalbott SM, Talbott JA, George A, Pugh M (2013). Effect of Tongkat Ali on stress hormones and psychological mood state in moderately stressed subjects. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. DOIPubMed
RCTIsmail SB, Wan Mohammad WMZ, George A, et al. (2012). Randomized Clinical Trial on the Use of PHYSTA Freeze-Dried Water Extract of Eurycoma longifolia for the Improvement of Quality of Life and Sexual Well-Being in Men. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. DOIPubMed
RCTHenkel RR, Wang R, Bassett SH, et al. (2014). Tongkat Ali as a potential herbal supplement for physically active male and female seniors — a pilot study. Phytotherapy Research. DOIPubMed
Meta-analysisKotirum S, Ismail SB, Chaiyakunapruk N (2015). Efficacy of Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) on erectile function improvement: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.. Complementary therapies in medicine. DOIPubMed
Latip MQA, Noor MHM, Ahmad H, Hassim HA, et al. (2022). A Systematic Review on Antimicrobial and Antiparasitic Activity of Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali).. BioMed research international. DOIPubMed
Ulbricht C, Conquer J, Flanagan K, Isaac R, et al. (2013). An evidence-based systematic review of tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration.. Journal of dietary supplements. DOIPubMed
Muniandy S, Yahya HM, Shahar S, Kamisan Atan I, et al. (2025). Effect of Eurycoma longifolia water extract (Physta®) on menopausal quality of life and mood states.. World journal of clinical cases. DOIPubMed
Show 3 more references
Meta-analysisLeisegang K, Finelli R, Sikka SC, Panner Selvam MK (2022). Eurycoma longifolia (Jack) Improves Serum Total Testosterone in Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials.. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania). DOIPubMed
Leitão AE, Vieira MCS, Pelegrini A, da Silva EL, et al. (2021). A 6-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial to evaluate the effect of Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali) and concurrent training on erectile function and testosterone levels in androgen deficiency of aging males (ADAM).. Maturitas. DOIPubMed
Udani JK, George AA, Musthapa M, Pakdaman MN, et al. (2014). Effects of a Proprietary Freeze-Dried Water Extract of Eurycoma longifolia (Physta) and Polygonum minus on Sexual Performance and Well-Being in Men: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. DOIPubMed
