Safety Profile
Overall safety rating: Generally Safe
Tongkat Ali Side Effects & Safety
Evidence:Moderate
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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
Potential Side Effects
- Mild insomnia or restlessness (particularly at higher doses or when taken late in the day)
- Occasional GI discomfort — nausea or stomach upset, usually mild
- Irritability in some users, possibly related to hormonal shifts
- Rare: elevated liver enzymes reported in a few case reports with very high doses
Drug & Supplement Interactions
- Blood sugar medications — tongkat ali may have hypoglycemic effects; monitor glucose levels
- Testosterone replacement therapy — may have additive effects; consult physician before combining
- Blood pressure medications — potential for mild blood pressure changes; monitor accordingly
- Immunosuppressants — some evidence of immune-modulating effects; use with caution
Maximum Dose
Do not exceed: Up to 600mg daily has been studied safely in short-term trials; 200-400mg is the standard recommended range
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References
- 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. DOI PubMed
- 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. DOI PubMed
- 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. DOI PubMed
- 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. DOI PubMed
- 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. DOI PubMed
- 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. DOI PubMed
- 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. DOI PubMed
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). DOI PubMed
- 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. DOI PubMed
- 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. DOI PubMed