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Latest Published Studies on Tongkat Ali June 15, 2011- Andrologia. Standardised water-soluble extract of Eurycoma longifolia, Tongkat ali, as testosterone booster for managing men with late-onset hypogonadism Abstract In most countries, millions of people are relying on herbal medicines as remedy for numerous ailments. In South-East Asia, Eurycoma longifolia Jack, also known as Malaysian ginseng or Tongkat ali, is used to combat stress and disease and to improve physical strength. Moreover, the compounds of the roots of this plant are reported to have aphrodisiac and testosterone enhancing effects in the rat. Considering that human studies are not available, 76 of 320 patients suffering from late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) were given 200mg of a standardised water-soluble extract of Tongkat ali for 1month. The Aging Males Symptoms (AMS) according to the standardised rating scale and the serum testosterone concentration were taken. Results show that treatment of LOH patients with this Tongkat ali extract significantly improved the AMS score as well as the serum testosterone concentration. While before treatment only 10.5% of the patients did not show any complaint according to the AMS scale and 35.5% had normal testosterone levels, after the completed treatment 71.7% and 90.8% of the patients showed normal values, respectively. Thus, Tongkat ali extract appears to be useful as a supplement in overcoming the symptoms of LOH and for the management of hypogonadism. May 13, 2011, Journal of Sexual Medicine Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Simaroubaceae) has the reputation as a male aphrodisiac because it is claimed to increase virility and sexual prowess. Nevertheless, whether or not E. longifolia regulates directly the muscle tone of corpus cavernosa and/or seminal vesicle (SV) remains unclear. Even until now, the compositions that could account for its aphrodisiac property are still unknown
Aim. We examined the effect of 9-hydroxycanthin-6-one (9-HC-6-one), a beta-carboline alkaloid isolated from E. longifolia, on penile erection and ejaculation, and further elucidated the mechanism of action. Methods. Drug's effect was studied on rat corpus cavernosum (CC) and SV in vitro, and on the changes in intracavernosal pressure after IC injection and intraluminal pressure of the SV after hypogastric nerve stimulation, respectively. Results. 9-HC-6-one relaxed significantly phenylephrine precontracted CC. Conclusion. 9-HC-6-one might be the active component that contributed to the aphrodisiac effect of E. longifolia by antagonizing the smooth muscle tone of CC as well as SV probably through interfering with Ca(2) mobilization. 12 May 2010 - Asian Journal of Andrology Eurycoma longifolia Jack in managing idiopathic male infertility. Does Tongkat Ali really work, and if so, how? Ben Drewe: Yes it most certainly does and how it works is most interesting. In a nutshell, Tongkat Ali reduces the effects of ageing on the male reproductive system by increasing your body's free testosterone availability via several mechanisms including stimulating the secretion of Luteinzing Hormones (LH) which in turns stimulate the Leydig cells of your testicles to produce testosterone. Also, with ageing testosterone becomes bound to serum globulin and is not available to the cell receptor sites where it is needed to initiate sex-stimulating centers in the brain. The component in the blood that renders free testosterone inactive is called sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Excess estrogen can increase the production of SHBG and block testosterone-receptor sites. Estrogen levels of the average 54-year-old man are often higher than those of the average 59-year-old woman. While some estrogen is a necessary hormone for men, too much contributes to a wide range of health, weight gain and libido problems. Due to similarities in chemical structure, high serum levels of estrogen also trick the brain into thinking that enough testosterone is being produced, thereby slowing the natural production of testosterone. For testosterone to produce its positive health enhancing effects, it must be kept in the free form in the bloodstream. Bound testosterone is unable to be picked up by testosterone receptors on cell membranes. For aging men, it is desirable to suppress excess levels of SHBG and estrogen while boosting free testosterone to the level of a young man. Tongkat Ali is a natural way of achieving this while also reducing SHBG and estrogen levels in aging men. In studies under the Malaysian National Biotechnology Directorate coordination between research teams from Malaysia and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the following actions of Tongkat Ali on male health have been stated from their research:
In summary, these combined effects position Tongkat Ali as perhaps the safest and most effective herbal anti-aging supplements available today. It is particularly suitable for slowing down or reversing the so called male andropause that occurs in middle-age and is of benefit for athletes and bodybuilders looking for a natural supplement without side-effects.
What dosage should I take to obtain the best results with Tongkat Ali? Ben Drewe: While I cannot speak for other products as each may be using their own extraction ratios or technology, through our trials with patients and customers over the past 15 years we have developed products that can be taken both on a daily basis or the high strength TONEX Tongkat Ali that should be cycled over shorter periods when a stronger effect is required. Tongkat Ali should always be taken after meals.
1) EUROS Tongkat Ali 100% capsules. (for 35 + years old) This product contains 300 mg of the pure ground Tongkat Ali root and as such has not been changed in any way nor has anything been added. Recommended dosage is 2 capsules twice daily. This product is the preferred product for those trying Tongkat Ali for the first time as it is very well accepted by the body and very safe for daily use. 2) Tongkat Ali Plus capsules. This product contains 160 mg of Tongkat Ali extract (10:1) per capsule, in combination with 3 additional herbal extracts, Centella asiatica, Tinospora cordifolia and Glycerrhiza glabra. This powerful synergistic formulation is based on the principles of supporting all the hormonal systems that decline in middle age, namely; androgen levels, insulin resistance (pre-diabetes) and adrenal / stress hormone support. It is recommended in dosages of 1-2 capsules twice daily. Comes in a box of 30 capsules or bottle of 60 capsules. Safe for daily use. 3) TONEX High Potency Tongkat Ali Extract capsules. This is our most concentrated formula using our highest potency proprietary extract at a dosage of 300 mg per capsule of 30:1 standardized extract. This product was previously only available through our Herbal Clinic but is now available to the general public through Malaysian pharmacies. Recommended dosage is 1-2 capsules in the morning. This can be followed by 1 capsule in the evening if required. Take for 1 week then rest one week. Our premium TONEX Tongkat Ali extract is a 30:1 concentration extract as this is the maximum ratio of herb to extract that is obtainable from Tongkat Ali. It's unfortunate but those claiming to have extraction ratios of 50:1 or more are all false and make this erroneous claim to justify charging you more. One dubious company started this off several years ago and everyone else has felt it was necessary to perpetuate the erroneous claim in order to be competitive. NOTE ON TONGKAT ALI EXTRACT STANDARDIZATION: Assay for glycosaponins is a standard in phytochemistry especially for products that ellicit an effect on the male reproductive system, for example the majority of known active ingredients in Korean Ginseng are also glycosaponins. Eurycomanone is a bioactive quassinoid present in Tongkat Ali that is also used as a marker and should be present in approx. 2% in the highest quality extracts. Eurycomanone has also been shown to be effective as an anti-cancer and antimalarial agent. Do not be dismayed by the scientific jargon given by some Companies, with terms such as Eurypeptides etc. etc. as these are imaginative marketing speak for Companies which do not want you to have a standard that can be qualified or quantified independently. If Tongkat Ali increases my testosterone, won't that make me aggressive? Ben Drewe: On the contrary, Tongkat Ali actually reduces aggressiveness and promotes a sense of calm and confidence. This anxiety relieving effect was also demonstrated in animal studies in that the test rats exhibited a reduced tendency to fight and performed better (improved motor skills) in tests designed to create stress and anxiety. Tongkat Ali does not contain any testosterone in itself as it acts only as a precursor to prompt the body to supply more of its own testosterone and this also includes improving the useable “good” testosterone. Conversely certain body builders who inject large doses of synthetic testosterone hormone actually reduce their own bodies production and may experience increased aggression as well as hair loss, reduction in testicular size, outbreaks of acne and heart problems amongst others. Does Tongkat Ali have any side effects?
Ben Drewe: Our Tongkat Ali products, taken at their recommended dosage are very well tolerated and free of toxicity. However, one may experience a slight sense of increased metabolic body heat after taking Tongkat Ali and it is recommended to increase water intake. In my experience each individual reacts slightly differently when taking Tongkat Ali, so the product dosage that works for you may be different for another. Low end dosages are preferred by some, while others enjoy the higher dosage ranges. High dosages may give more dramatic effects on libido within a shorter time frame of around 1-2 days, while lower dosages may take 1 week or more to show effect. Can I just boil the root and drink as a herbal tea? Ben Drewe: Certainly you may, however the herb is very bitter so most people cannot consume it this way regularly. The bitter taste will also increase appetite and may lower blood sugar, so it is best drunk only after food. Can Tongkat Ali be taken by women? Ben Drewe: Yes, I have observed that it is quite common that women in Borneo prepare Tongkat Ali when they require energy in times of convalescence. Scientific research on women consuming Tongkat Ali is now being conducted and the results have been encouraging, such as enhanced libido and energy. Physiologically a woman’s libido is also dependent on the presence of testosterone and women are more sensitive to testosterone than men and even a slight increase can have marked improvements in sexual arousal and physical performance Tongkat Ali is also suitable in menopausal women as it helps maintain progesterone production from the ovaries and adrenal glands. The ability of Tongkat Ali to enhance testosterone in both men and women is always within physiological normal limits and thus it is increasingly being seen as a safe and natural performance supplement for sportspeople. The latest information is that Chinese sports scientists have found Tongkat Ali a benefit in their female Olympic athletes as the increase in testosterone is within natural limits and therefore completely legal in competition. I have heard that Tongkat Ali can be high in lead content, is this true? Ben Drewe: No, this is not true. Tongkat Ali contains no lead. Lead found in herbal products is the result of soil contamination on the herbs surface. Lead finds its way into the soil mainly as a result of leaded petrol exhaust contamination and heavy industry. Farms in industrialized areas have a higher lead contamination; areas far from industry such as the rain forest have negligible levels. All root herb or vegetables must be thoroughly cleansed of surface soil after collection. All batches of health products manufactured under GMP standards (Malaysia strictly enforces GMP) must undergo a heavy metal test (Atomic Absorption Spectrometry) to determine whether lead and other heavy metals are present. Generally, well-prepared extracts are a further protection from any soil borne lead or microbial contamination. The vegetables we consume on a daily basis from commercial farms are seldom, if ever, tested for heavy metals and the contamination may exceed the allowed limit for food products. Do you consume Tongkat Ali yourself? |
The following are our recommendations for the Rainforest Herbs range of Tongkat Ali products. Each product is mentioned in order of strength:
