Tongkat Ali (Botanical) 120 Capsules

What Is Tongkat Ali?

Tongkat Ali — also known as longjack or Malaysian ginseng — is a flowering plant native to the rainforests of Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. The root is used, not the leaves or bark, and it is the root that contains the quassinoids (including eurycomanone) that have made this plant the subject of serious pharmacological research over the past two decades.

The plant has been used for over 400 years in traditional Malay and Indonesian herbal medicine, primarily as an adaptogen — a substance used to support the body's ability to manage physical and mental load. Modern research has focused largely on testosterone support, cortisol regulation and energy metabolism.

What Does Tongkat Ali Do?

Testosterone and Hormonal Support

The most studied mechanism involves Tongkat Ali's relationship with the HPG (hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal) axis. Rather than acting as an exogenous hormone, Tongkat Ali appears to support the body's own testosterone production pathway — primarily by modulating the conversion of free to bound testosterone and by reducing sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels.

A randomised controlled trial published in Phytotherapy Research found significant improvements in total and free testosterone in men with late-onset hypogonadism after 12 weeks of daily supplementation. A separate study in Asian Journal of Andrology found similar effects in men identified as having suboptimal testosterone levels due to chronic stress.

This is not the same as testosterone replacement therapy. The effect is real but moderate, and most pronounced in men starting from a lower baseline.

Cortisol and Stress Adaptation

Tongkat Ali is classified as an adaptogen — and the cortisol data is among its more compelling. A 2013 study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition examined 63 moderately stressed adults and found that those taking Tongkat Ali extract showed significantly lower cortisol levels and better tension, anger and confusion scores compared to placebo.

This cortisol-modulating effect is mechanistically distinct from ashwagandha (which works on the HPA axis) — which is why the two are often combined.

Energy and Physical Performance

Several studies have examined endurance, muscle recovery and performance markers. A 2014 study in Phytotherapy Research found improved muscle strength and recovery in recreational athletes. The mechanism is thought to involve both the testosterone pathway and independent effects on energy metabolism at the cellular level.

Most users describe improved stamina and reduced fatigue over weeks of consistent use — not a stimulant effect, but an improvement in baseline capacity.

10:1 Extract vs Raw Root Powder

Most Tongkat Ali products on the market are either raw root powder or extracts without a stated ratio. The distinction matters for what you are actually getting.

Raw root powder (1:1) means the root is dried and ground directly. The full plant material is present — including cellulose and fibres the body does not absorb. Levels of active quassinoids are low and variable.

Our 10:1 extract means 10kg of raw root is concentrated into 1kg of extract. The result is a higher density of bioactive compounds per capsule. Additionally, it is standardised to 2% eurycomanone — meaning each batch is verified to contain a consistent, meaningful concentration of the key active compound.

Eurycomanone is the primary quality marker for Tongkat Ali. A product without a stated eurycomanone percentage cannot reliably claim a specific effect.

Ingredients and Quality

Per capsule: 500mg Tongkat Ali root extract (Eurycoma longifolia), 10:1 extract, standardised to 2% eurycomanone. Capsule shell: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC, vegan).

No fillers, binders or added ingredients.

Our Tongkat Ali is harvested from mature roots in Southeast Asia using water-based extraction — no chemical solvents. Root only, never stem or leaf.

Every batch is third-party tested for heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic), microbial load (E. coli, salmonella, mould/yeast) and active compound levels including eurycomanone content. Results are published openly via our Certificate of Analysis.

Dosage and How to Use

Starting dose (weeks 1–2): 1 capsule daily (500mg) to assess tolerance.

Maintenance: 2 capsules daily (1,000mg). Take in the morning or before noon with water.

Timing: Morning or midday. Tongkat Ali has mild energy-supporting properties — late-day dosing may affect sleep in sensitive individuals.

Cycling: Recommended. Common protocols: 5 days on / 2 days off, or 8 weeks on / 2 weeks off. Cycling helps the body maintain sensitivity to the extract's bioactive compounds over time.

With food or without: Either works. Taking on an empty stomach may cause mild discomfort in some people — with food reduces this.

Side Effects and Safety

Tongkat Ali is well tolerated at recommended doses. Occasionally reported side effects:

• Restlessness or increased energy, most common at higher doses or with late-day dosing
• Mild digestive discomfort when taken on an empty stomach
• Sleep disruption if taken in the evening

Not recommended for: pregnant or breastfeeding women, those with hormone-sensitive conditions, or those taking blood pressure medication or blood thinners. If you take prescription medication, allow 2–3 hours between Tongkat Ali and other medications and consult your doctor.

Tongkat Ali With Other Supplements

Tongkat Ali + Ashwagandha: Complementary mechanisms — Tongkat Ali supports hormonal balance and energy via the HPG axis; ashwagandha works on cortisol via the HPA axis. Together they address both activation and recovery. The most common adaptogen stack.

Tongkat Ali + Shilajit: Shilajit provides fulvic acid and 85+ trace minerals that support cellular mineral uptake. The combination targets both energy production (mitochondrial) and hormonal substrate.

Tongkat Ali + Lion's Mane: Physical energy baseline (Tongkat Ali) paired with cognitive support via NGF stimulation (Lion's Mane). Popular for people managing demanding mental and physical workloads simultaneously.