Tongkat Ali supplement is an herbal remedy used for centuries in traditional Southeastern Asian medicine. It is used for the treatment of different ailments, including bacterial infections, erectile dysfunction, and fevers.
According to studies, this herbal supplement has the potential to relieve stress, improve body composition, and boost male fertility. The supplement is an extract from the roots of Eurycoma longifolia, a green shrub tree native to Southeast Asia.
It is popularly used in traditional medicine across Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and other Asian countries. The many health benefits of this product are based on the different compounds inherent in the plant.
What are the Compounds in the Plant?
Tongkat Ali is from the roots of a green shrub plant known as Eurycoma longifolia. The compounds found in the plant include alkaloids and flavonoids. It also contains many other compounds known to function as antioxidants.
It is worth mentioning that antioxidants are compounds known to fight cellular damage from molecules known as free radicals.
What are the Health Benefits of Tongkat Ali Supplement?
It is worth mentioning that most of the health benefits of the Tongkat Ali supplement need more research to be established. However, some studies show that the supplement may help in the treatment of male infertility, increase muscle mass, and improve mode. Here are the highlights of some of these benefits.
- Improves Testosterone Levels and Boosts Male Fertility
The potential of the Tongkat Ali supplement to improve testosterone levels in men with low levels is well documented. Testosterone is the primary sex hormone in men and its low levels can result from infection or injury of the testicles, and aging.
It can also be a result of radiation treatment, chemotherapy, some medications, and certain diseases, including obstructive sleep apnea and chronic alcoholism.
The compounds in the Tongkat Ali supplement can boost low testosterone, which can treat different effects of low testosterone levels, including erectile dysfunction, low libido, and infertility.
- Relieves Stress
Tongkat Ali supplement may also reduce stress hormones in the body, improve mood, and reduce anxiety. According to a 1999 study, it was found that the extract from the plant is comparable to one of the popular anti-anxiety drugs that reduce anxiety symptoms in mice.
These effects have been found in humans but more research needs to be performed to support this claim.
- Improves Muscle Mass
The supplement is often claimed to increase body composition and boost athletic performance. The product has compounds known as quassinoids, including eurycomanone, eurycolactone, and eurycomaoside.
These can help the body efficiently use energy, improve endurance, and reduce fatigue. That means the supplement can improve physical performance and enhance muscle mass.
Possible Side Effects of Tongkat Ali Supplement
No studies carried out so far have revealed any side effects of the Tongkat Ali supplement on humans. According to one study, taking 300mg of the supplement each day is safe. Some other studies recommend that taking up to 1.2g of the extract daily is safe for adults.
However, this quantity has not been researched properly. Additionally, there are no studies that evaluate the effects of the long-term use of the supplement, which makes it unclear if using the Tongkat Ali supplement long-term is safe or not.
If you are planning to take this supplement to treat poor libido, low testosterone, male infertility, or anxiety, a dosage of up to 400mg is believed to be safe. However, it is not clear if long-term use can have any negative effects.
If you are breastfeeding or pregnant, you should not use this product because no research has been done in this area.
Conclusion
Tongkat Ali supplement can combat anxiety, improve muscle mass, and improve low testosterone. However, research on the supplement for these conditions is limited. Therefore, before you use it, you should speak with your healthcare provider to know the effects and safety of your condition.