Does Tongkat Ali Actually Raise Testosterone? What the Science Says

What is Tongkat Ali?

Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) is a flowering shrub native to Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, where its roots have been used for centuries as a traditional remedy for fatigue, low libido, and poor stamina in men. Western research began formally studying it in the late 1990s, and it's now one of the better-studied herbs for male hormonal health, although most trials are small and short.

The bioactive compounds are concentrated in the root: quassinoids (especially eurycomanone), alkaloids, and a unique group of peptides called eurypeptides. These are what the clinical studies measure. Dose and extraction ratio matter a lot, more on that below.

How does Tongkat Ali work?

Tongkat Ali does not directly "boost" testosterone the way anabolic compounds do. Instead, it is thought to work on several pathways that influence the testosterone your body is already making:

• SHBG modulation. Sex hormone-binding globulin binds testosterone and makes it biologically unavailable. Lower SHBG means more "free" testosterone; in the Henkel 2014 trial, SHBG fell significantly in the women taking Tongkat Ali.
• Cortisol reduction. Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which can suppress testosterone production. In the Talbott 2013 trial, cortisol exposure was 16% lower with Tongkat Ali than with placebo.
• Leydig cell support. Leydig cells in the testes are where testosterone is actually synthesized. Animal and in-vitro data suggest Tongkat Ali supports their function.

These pathways are proposed, and much of the mechanism work comes from laboratory and animal studies. We are not aware of head-to-head trials comparing Tongkat Ali with other "testosterone boosters."

What do clinical studies show?

Talbott et al. (2013), Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 63 subjects with moderate stress took 200 mg/day of a standardized Tongkat Ali extract for four weeks. Cortisol dropped 16%. Salivary testosterone rose 37%. Reported tension, anger, and confusion all improved significantly.

Henkel et al. (2014), Phytotherapy Research. 13 men and 12 women (ages 57-72) took 400 mg/day of Tongkat Ali extract for five weeks. Total and free testosterone and hand-grip strength increased significantly in both men and women.

Tambi et al. (2012), Andrologia. 76 men diagnosed with late-onset hypogonadism (a clinical population, not healthy men) took 200 mg/day of a water-soluble Tongkat Ali extract for one month. The share of participants with testosterone in the normal range rose from 35.5% to 90.8%. Age-related symptom scores improved significantly.

How much Tongkat Ali should you take?

The trials above used 200 mg to 400 mg per day of standardized extracts, and ran four to five weeks before measuring outcomes. This is not a stimulant, so give it time; our 12-week guide covers what to track.

One important factor is extraction ratio. A "100:1 extract" means 100 grams of raw root were concentrated into 1 gram of finished extract. A ratio alone does not tell you the active-compound content, though; standardized extracts such as those in the trials specify it, and unstandardized powders do not.

Total Men's Package includes 500 mg of 100:1 Tongkat Ali extract. The studies above used 200-400 mg per day of standardized extracts, which are not the same material, so the doses are not directly comparable.

Who should take Tongkat Ali?

Tongkat Ali has been studied most in:

• Men 30+ noticing fatigue, reduced libido, or slower recovery
• Men under chronic psychological or physical stress (the setting of the cortisol trial)
• Men with low-normal total testosterone who want nutritional support (clinically low testosterone is a medical diagnosis to work through with a physician)
• Athletes or active men looking for recovery and strength support

Tongkat Ali is not recommended for: men with hormone-sensitive cancers, anyone on blood thinners without physician guidance, or men under 25 (your natural production is already high). If you're taking prescription medication, check with your doctor first, particularly anything that affects blood sugar or blood pressure.

Common Questions

What are the benefits of Tongkat Ali for men over 40?

For older men, small trials have reported higher testosterone with standardized extracts: in physically active seniors aged 57-72 (Henkel 2014), total and free testosterone and grip strength rose over five weeks. In the 2012 Tambi study, in men diagnosed with late-onset hypogonadism, the share with testosterone in the normal range rose from 35.5% to 90.8% after one month at 200 mg/day, and aging-male symptom scores improved. That was a clinical population, and if you think your testosterone is clinically low, see a physician.

How long does it take for Tongkat Ali to work?

In the trials above, changes in cortisol, mood scores, and testosterone were measured after four to five weeks. The trials did not track how soon people felt a difference. This is not a stimulant, don't expect a "feel it in an hour" effect like caffeine.

Is Tongkat Ali safe?

The trials described above ran four to five weeks, and a separate 12-week trial of 300 mg/day (Ismail 2012) found all safety parameters comparable to placebo. A 2016 review in Molecules reported no adverse changes in liver and kidney function tests at normal daily doses, while calling for more safety evidence. Side effects, when they occur, are usually mild, such as restlessness or trouble sleeping if taken late in the day.

Can I take Tongkat Ali with Ashwagandha?

Yes. Tongkat Ali is thought to work mainly on SHBG and free testosterone; Ashwagandha mainly on cortisol and sleep quality. The rationale for combining them is to address stress-related testosterone suppression from both angles, although the combination has not been tested in a trial. That is how Total Men's Package is formulated (500 mg Tongkat Ali + 300 mg whole-herb Ashwagandha, 5% withanolides).

What's the difference between Tongkat Ali 100:1 and 200:1 extracts?

A 100:1 extract means 100 g of raw root were concentrated into 1 g of extract, so 500 mg of 100:1 is concentrated from about 50 g of raw root. A 200:1 is twice as concentrated. Ratios alone don't tell you the active-compound content, and we are not aware of trials comparing 100:1 with 200:1 extracts. Total Men's Package uses 100:1 at 500 mg.

Does Tongkat Ali cause hair loss?

We are not aware of clinical evidence linking Tongkat Ali to hair loss, but the trials were short and not designed to look for it. If you are prone to androgenic hair loss, discuss any testosterone-support supplement with your physician.

Can I take Tongkat Ali every day forever?

Some practitioners recommend cycling (5 days on, 2 off, or 8 weeks on, 1 off) to maintain sensitivity. We are not aware of evidence that cycling is needed; the trials dosed daily without breaks, though for no more than 12 weeks. Brookhaven's protocol is continuous daily use. If you take any supplement long-term, talk to your physician about whether periodic labs make sense.

Is Tongkat Ali better than TRT?

They're different tools. TRT directly supplies exogenous testosterone and produces large, predictable increases, but also suppresses natural production and requires lifetime management. Tongkat Ali is studied as support for your body's own production, and its effects in trials were far smaller than TRT's. If you think your testosterone is clinically low, get bloodwork and talk to a physician. That is a medical question, and Total Men's Package is daily nutrition, not a substitute for that evaluation.

The Bottom Line

Tongkat Ali is one of the better-studied herbs for male hormonal health. Proposed mechanisms include SHBG reduction, cortisol reduction, and Leydig cell support. Small trials of 200-400 mg/day of standardized extracts reported higher testosterone measures and lower cortisol over four to five weeks, with few adverse effects reported. Give it at least that long, taken with food, before judging it.

Total Men's Package includes 500 mg of 100:1 Tongkat Ali extract stacked with 300 mg of whole-herb Ashwagandha, 400 mg of Fenugreek, 400 mg of Shilajit, along with beef organs, vitamins, and minerals. You can read the full formula and study references on The Science page, or shop the product directly.

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult a licensed physician before starting any new supplement, particularly if you are taking prescription medication or have a diagnosed medical condition.