Tongkat Ali Benefits for Men

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CHOQ Tongkat Ali

Tongkat Ali Health Benefits Overview

Tongkat Ali Health Benefits Overview

TONGKAT ALI: YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

What is Tongkat Ali?

Also known as Eurycoma longifolia and ‘Malaysian Ginseng’, Tongkat Ali is plant native to Southeast Asia that goes by many names.  It’s also referred to as longjack, bach benh (Indonesian), and pasak bumi (Vietnamese).

Tongkat Ali (its Malaysian name) means ‘Ali’s walking stick’, which is likely a reference to its effects on sexual health for males, although its roots are long and straght, so it’s possible that some have used them as actual walking sticks.

As an herbal hormone regulator, Eurycoma longifolia benefits both testosterone and cortisol through multiple mechanisms.

In fact, it has far more evidence behind it than the vast majority of other herbs in this category, but the research is not limited just to its endocrine effects.

Like Ashwagandha and Shilajit, Tongkat Ali is an adaptogen, and thus it helps the body adapt to stressors and supports healthy energy, hormones, and mood in a wide variety of ways.

Tongkat is also known to support healthy muscle mass, fat metabolism, sleep, and even immunity.

The most commonly used part of the plant is the root.  A quality Tongkat Ali supplement will always contain a standardized extract of the root and will be wildcrafted in the Malaysian rainforest.

Click the following links to learn more:

Tongkat Ali testosterone studies

Evidence-based dosage of Tongkat Ali

What does Tongkat Ali do? (summary)

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What is Eurycomanone?

Eurycomanone is one of the key compounds in Tongkat Ali (Longjack) that gives this plant many of its beneficial properties.  While it’s usually referred to in the singular, it’s technically a family of compounds.

Eurycomanones are considered quassinoids, which is a category of bitter phytochemical that is found in various plants that are in the genus Quassia.  One example is bitter-wood (also known as Quassia amara), which is used in bitters for making mixed drinks and sodas.

Quassinoids have various health-promoting properties, but especially tend to support healthy immune function and cellular reproduction.

The Tongkat Ali herb contains the following quassinoid eurycomanones (18):

• Eurycomanone
• Dihydroeurycomanone
• Epoxyeurycomanone

Eurycomanone and dihydroeurycomanone have been shown in research to reduce estrogen (19).

Eurycomanone has also been investigated for its ability to support digestive health (20).

 Eurycomanones support:

• Healthy testosterone levels
• Healthy inflammation response
• Fertility and spermatogenesis
• Healthy cellular reproduction
• Healthy immune function

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Which Tongkat Ali Supplement contains the most eurycomanone?

Eurycomanone is one of the phytochemicals that gives Tongkat Ali many of its health-promoting properties. The extract in CHOQ® Tongkat 100 is standardized to contain at least 0.8% eurycomanone. This certificate of authenticity shows our Tongkat at 0.97%.

Because the majority of Tongkat Ali supplements do not list the quantities of active compounds like we do, it’s extremely difficult to know which products contain the highest levels of eurycomanone.

Although there are products that claim to contain a substantial amount of eurycomanone, it should be noted that it’s not the only phytochemical in Tongkat Ali that is responsible for its health benefits.

Tongkat 100 is also standardized to contain at least 40% glyco saponins and 22% eurypeptides. 

Glyco saponins support healthy immunity, cardiovasular function, and free radical scavenging (they are antioxidants).

Eurypeptides support the production of DHEA (the parent molecule of Testosterone) and also regulate SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin), thereby activating more testosterone in the blood.

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Which is better, Malaysian or Indonesian Tongkat Ali?

In recent years, some sellers have begun to recommend Indonesian Tongkat Ali, claiming that it’s more effective that Malaysian.  In fact, the exact opposite is true.  The patented extract we use, which is wild-crafted in the Malaysian rainforest, is the only one that has its own human clinical trials behind it.

To date, there are no Indonesian Tongkat Ali products that have specific clinical research behind them, let alone the 20+ studies that our Malayisan Tongkat extract boasts.

If you’d like to learn more about why advocates of Indonesian Tongkat Ali are ill-informed, check out the following article:

Why Andrew Huberman is Dead Wrong About Indonesian Tongkat Ali

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Why is extraction technique important for Tongkat Ali?

In the world of herbology, it’s important to know that the method of extraction determines which compounds are concentrated and which compounds are removed.

For Tongkat Ali, hot-water-based extraction is considered most beneficial, as it’s completely non-toxic and yet is still potent enough to concentrate the three kinds of compounds that you want in a high potency Tongkat Ali extract:

• Eurycomanone
• Glyco Saponins
• Eurypeptides

Why chemical solvents are a problem

Unfortunately, many companies do not share their extraction methodology for their Longjack root.

If alcohol is used instead of water, then it can concentrate the amount of eurycomalactone in the plant, a compound that can be toxic in large amounts.

The patented, water-extracted, lab-verified Tongkat Ali extract that we use in Tongkat 100 has been proven to be safe, even in large doses.

Additionally, if noxious solvents such as hexane or acetone are used, there may be remnants of these toxic chemicals in your product.

The proprietary extraction method of this Tongkat Ali:

The patented extraction methodology used by the extract in CHOQ Tongkat 100 uses hot water, high pressure, and ultra-filtration. This yields a clean, consistent product.

In order to further ensure that the extract is consistently potent, all batches are run through a lab using HPTLC and other assays that confirm that they contain a minimum amount of 40% glyco saponins and 22% eurypeptides.

Click here to learn about how Eurypeptides are a key component of why men use Tongkat Ali for Testosterone

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How long before Tongkat Ali starts to work?

Limited research shows that some benefits can be seen within less than 24 hours, but the human clinical studies done on the extract in CHOQ® Tongkat 100 show that benefits are more prevalent after multiple weeks of daily use.

Many benefits–such as decreased stress hormones (cortisol), increased libido / sexual performance, mood, and healthy enegy levels–are commonly seen within the first month.

Here’s a summary of some of the studies on this Tongkat Extract, including length of time and dose:

• Within 24 hours (100 mg) – 16% increase in Testosterone and 32% decrease in cortisol (4)
• 10 days (100 mg) – 70% – 133% increase in salivary testosterone (2)
• 3 weeks (100 mg) – 62% increase in Sexual Health Questionnaire Inventory (SHIQ) scores and 39% – 73% improvement in free testosterone (1)
• 1 month (200 mg) – 47% increase in total testosterone (11)
• 5 weeks (400 mg) – senior men’s free testosterone increased 61% (17)
• 12 weeks (200 mg) – Erection Hardness Scale (EHS) improved by 39% and Aging Males Scale (AMS) improved by 24% (13)

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What is the best time to take Tongkat Ali?

It’s common for people to wonder when to take Tongkat Ali to get the most benefits from it.

While there aren’t any specific studies that compare taking it at different times of day, there are some practical recommendations based on common sense.

The most important thing in terms of timing is to take it on a daily basis, not what time of day it’s taken.  Adaptogens like Tongkat exert their most powerful effects when taken regularly over multiple weeks.

However, if you’re wanting to use this herb to support healthy gym or bedroom performance, then you may want to take a double dose 3-5 hours before the activity.

There is a limited amount of research on the time that it takes for Tongkat Ali to enter the bloodstream and exert acute effects.  The only studies that are available are on rats and mice, however, so they should be taken with a grain of salt.

One study showed that the maximum concentration (Tmax) of Eurycomanone in the blood was around 4 hours after administration (20), while another study showed that the Tmax was closer to 2 hours (9).

Notably, the authors of the latter study mentioned that the bioavailability of Eurycomanone may be very different in humans, and to extrapolate these results with caution.

Simplified Summary:

• In terms of when and how to take Tongkat Ali, the most important thing is to take it daily and consistently
• For a performance boost, it can be helpful to take 2x your standard daily dose 2-4 hours before activity
• The best way to take Tongkat Ali in order to match the available research is daily for at least 3 weeks

Click here to learn more about the research behind how long it takes for Tongkat Ali to work

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Why is Tongkat 100 better than the cheap Tongkat Ali products on Amazon?

You get what you pay for.

There are countless cheap Tongkat Ali supplements on the market that come from China, so it’s important to know the difference between a high-end Tongkat Ali and a random product from the Internet.

Many Tongkat Ali Products sold on the Internet have the following problems:

• No clinical research to back them up
• Tongkat 100 has 23 studies behind it

• May be extracted with toxic solvents
• Tongkat 100 is water-extracted

• Farmed with pesticides
• Tongkat 100 is ecologically wild-crafted in the Malaysian rainforest

• Not lab-verified for active compounds
• Tongkat 100 is lab-analyzed for 3 categories of phytochemicals

• May contain toxic contaminants
• Tongkat 100 is scanned for heavy metals, bacteria, and other impurities

• Dose is too high or too low
• Tongkat 100 is dosed according to the human clinical research

If you’d like to learn more about how our product compares to some of the cheaper brands on Amazon, and how to evaluate the quality of a Tongkat Ali extract in general, check out this blog: Product Showdown: Tongkat 100 vs. Nusapure Tongkat Ali

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How does Tongkat Ali boost testosterone?

There are multiple mechanisms of action by which Tongkat Ali can enhance testosterone.

One way that it’s proposed to do this is by affecting an enzyme called Cytochrome P50 C-17 (also known as CYP-17 and 17-alpha-hydroxylase).

Eurypeptides, CYP-17, and testosterone

Eurypeptides are the compounds in Tongkat that are known to activate the CYP-17 enzyme (14).

CYP-17 is present in the adrenal glands as well as the testes in men and ovaries in women.  This enzyme converts pregnenolone and progesterone to DHEA and androstenedione, which are essential precursors to testosterone.

In other words, the eurypeptides in Tongkat Ali extract increase the activity of CYP17, which supports conversion of these building blocks into active testosterone (12).

Eurypeptides are also theorized to reduce the activity of Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG), a compound that binds to testosterone and renders it inactive (15).

In several studies, the patented Tongkat Ali extract in CHOQ Tongkat 100 has increased free testosterone by reducing SHBG.

In one study that used 100 mg per day for 3 weeks, SHBG was reduced by 80% and free testosterone increased by 39% to 73% (1).

In another study that used 400 mg for 5 weeks, SHBG was also significantly decreased, and free testosterone increased by an average of 61% (17).

Testosterone-to-Cortisol ratio

For sexual well-being and overall quality of life, Testosterone-to-Cortisol ratio is also a helpful measurement.  Cortisol, your body’s chief stress hormone, has an antagonistic relationship with testosterone, and so lowering levels of cortisol can also support hormone health.

In a study that measured the effects of this Tongkat Ali extract on post-exercise hormones, participants took it 30 minutes prior to exercise.  Those who took it had 32% less cortisol compared to those in the placebo group (4).

In another study, Tongkat Ali extract reduced cortisol an average of 16% and boosted testosterone by 37% (12).

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Can I take Tongkat Ali and Ashwagandha together?

Absolutely. In fact, our top-selling men’s and women’s vitality STAQs combine these two herbs for maximum results.

For thousands of years, herbal traditions have relied upon the principle of synergy to greatly enhance the properties of botanicals by combining them in various ways.

Tongkat and Ashwagandha are a fantastic combination.  While Tongkat Ali is somewhat better at boosting dopamine levels, ashwagandha tends to work more on the serotonin and GABA systems, so–from a neurotransmitter perspective–the two balance each other out.

They’re also both excellent for supporting healthy testosterone and cortisol levels, so taking them together can produce profound results when it comes to male performance, muscle mass, healthy libido, and stress response.

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What “100:1 extract” REALLY means (and how it’s used to trick you)

When an herb is extracted, the ratio of how much of the raw plant material is used to make a certain amount of the extract is expressed as an extraction ratio.

For example, a 100:1 Tongkat Ali root extract means that 100 grams of the root were used to make only 1 gram of the extract.

Heres’ the problem: many brands claim to use 100:1 or higher extracts of Tongkat Ali root, but unless you also have labs that prove the content of the phytochemicals in your extract, this number is completely meaningless.

The best Tongkat Ali brands will share their labs with you.

Unfortunately, the only way to prove that your Tongkat Ali extract is of a high potency is to run labs on it (click here to see one of our actual labs).

Various products on the market claim 100:1, 200:1, or even 300:1 extraction ratios of their Tongkat without having any proof whatsoever that their product contains high amounts of critical phytochemicals like eurycomanone, glyo saponins, and eurypeptides.

While our product does use a 100:1 Tongkat Ali extract, what’s more important is that every batch that the correct extraction methodology is used and that it’s beel lab-analyzed to prove the presence of these natural compounds.

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Tongkat Ali side effects

Is Tongkat Ali safe?

Yes, Tongkat Ali is extremely safe when used as directed.

Because it can be stimulating and powerfully supports testosterone, in larger doses it may cause mild restlessness and irritability that will go away shortly after you discontinue taking the herb.

While the side effects of Tongkat Ali are typically minimal, everyone is unique, and it’s best to discuss this herb with your medical practitioner to see whether it’s right for you as an individual.

The most important Tongkat Ali side effects to worry about, however, aren’t from the plant itself, but rather what can happen when you buy an inferior product that may be contaminated with adulterants like heavy metals, bacteria, and mold.

Our Tongkat Ali extract is thoroughly tested to ensure that every batch is safe–something that you won’t always find with all of our competitors.

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Blogs and other links on Tongkat

Tongkat Ali’s Effects on Hormones and Immunity (Blog)

Product Showdown: Tongkat 100 vs. Nusapure Tongkat Ali (Blog)

Tongkat Ali Benefits for Women

STAQs that include CHOQ Tongkat 100:

Male Vitality STAQ (100 mg Tongkat per day)

Male Vitality STAQ Ultra (200 mg Tongkat per day)

Female Vitality STAQ Ultra (100 mg Tongkat per day)

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Tongkat Ali dosage based on the research

What is the proper dosage of Tongkat Ali? 

This is an extremely common question, and of course it depends primarily on the potency of the product.

As we’ve discussed, many Tongkat Ali products are not lab-analyzed or standardized for active compounds like eurycomanone, glyco saponins, or eurypeptides (click here to learn more about Tongkat Ali extraction techniques).

Even if a product claims to be a 100:1 extraction, unless it has been analyzed for its phytochemical content, this number is completely meaningless.

What the research says

So far, this ingredient has been the subject of 23 clinical studies, ranging mostly from 100 mg per day to 400 mg per day.

Because this Tongkat Ali extract is so powerful, significant effects are seen at only 100 mg per day, but some populations may want to consider taking more.

Here are results from studies that used only 100 mg per day of this Tongkat Ali extract:

1. Free testosterone increased between 39% and 73% in all participants; Sexual Health Inventory Questionnaire (SHIQ) increased an average of 62% (1)

2. Testosterone increased between 35% and 70% with no exercise and up to 132% with exercise  (3)

3. Testosterone increased between 37% and and 133% (2)

4. Lowered post-exercise cortisol levels 32% and raised testosterone 16% after only one dose (4)

As you can see, thist Tongkat Ali extract can have a significant impact on testosterone, cortisol, and sexual health at only 100 mg.

Here are some results from studies that used 200 mg per day:

1. Enhanced sperm concentration by 65% and volume by 19% (10)

2. Total testosterone increased by an average of 47% after only 1 month and Aging Male score improved by 60% (11)

3. Improved psychological mood state (reduced tension, anger, and confusion); reduced cortisol by 16% and increased testosterone by 37% after four weeks  (12)

4. After 12 weeks: firmness increased by 39%, Sexual Health Inventory improved by 26%, mean weight of study participants decreased 15 lbs; mean inches lost on waist was four inches (13)

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List of scientific references on Tongkat Ali

1.  “LJ100® as a Potential Natural Energizer for Healthy Aging in Men,” First Asian Andrology Forum in Shanghai China, 2002.

2. University of Malaysia, abstract from research papers, circa 2008

3. S. Hamzah and A. Yusuf, “The Ergogenic Effects of LJ100,” British Journal of Sports Medicine 2003.?BASEM Abstract 37: 465-466.

4. J. Talbott et al., “Effect of [LJ 100] Eurycoma longifolia Extract on Anabolic Balance During Endurance Exercise,” Journal of International Society of Sport Medicine 3 (1): S32 (2006)

5. Miyake, K., Tezuka, Y., Awale, S., Li, F., & Kadota, S. (2009). Quassinoids from Eurycoma longifolia. Journal of natural products, 72(12), 2135–2140. https://doi.org/10.1021/np900486f