The Science-Backed Health Benefits of Tongkat Ali

Tongkat Ali is thought to be a muscle builder and testosterone booster — but what’s the real deal?

If you’re male — and especially if you’re over the age of 40 — you’ve likely been targeted by Google or Facebook ads for something like ‘MALE XXXXXL’ characterized by black and red bottles, often with a bodybuilder’s chiseled abs on the front.

For these reasons and more, Tongkat Ali (also called Longjack) has become one of the world’s most infamous herbs. Supposedly able to support a myriad of male-related challenges, it claims to be some sort of male panacea.

But how do we tell the facts apart from the fiction? The truth about the efficacy of this sacred plant, marred by scams and deception, might actually surprise you.

What is Tongkat Ali?

Eurycoma longifolia is an evergreen shrub that usually grows in Southeast Asia and has large root systems.

Tongkat Ali, or Eurycoma longifolia, is an evergreen shrub often found in Southeast Asia. The roots of Eurycoma longifolia are considered the most bioactive part of the plant. When ingested, the compounds in these herbs are thought to support male libido and increase testosterone levels.

In Malay, Tongkat Ali translates to ‘Ali’s Walking Stick.’ Anecdotal evidence in countries such as Malaysia has shown that preparation of Tongkat Ali…