The evidence
What the studies found
Studied in men and older adults. Evidence: 2 placebo-controlled studies and 1 uncontrolled.
+17%Knee strength with training, against 14% with training and placebo*45 men aged 40 to 59 with age-related low testosterone, 200mg a day, 6 monthsLeitão et al. 2021, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
+6.8%One-rep max with training, against 2.8% on placebo. Lean mass rose about 2kg.*14 men, 100mg a day, 5 weeks. Published as a conference abstract.Hamzah and Yusof 2003, British Journal of Sports Medicine
5 weeksHandgrip strength and testosterone rose in men and women*25 active adults aged 57 to 72, 400mg a day, no placebo groupHenkel et al. 2014, Phytotherapy Research
In plain terms
What the research means
In each study, people trained or stayed active, and those taking the extract gained more than those who did not. The strongest data comes from older men with low testosterone, the group most likely to lose strength with age.
The evidence here is thinner than for testosterone or stress. One study is a conference abstract and one had no placebo group.
What the studies used
- Daily dose
- 100 to 400mg
- Who took part
- Men in training, and active adults aged 57 to 72
- How long
- 5 weeks to 6 months
- Extract
- Standardized water extract of root
Good to know
Before you start
- SportAt 300mg and 400mg a day, the testosterone to epitestosterone ratio used in anti-doping tests did not change. Chen et al. 2014, International Journal of Preventive Medicine.
- Medication and health conditionsSpeak to a doctor or pharmacist first if you take prescription medicine or have a long-term health condition.
- PregnancyAvoid during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
Common questions
Will it build muscle on its own?
The studies combined it with training. None tested it without exercise for muscle.
When should I take it around training?
Studies gave it once a day. There is no research on timing around workouts.
Is it banned in sport?
Tongkat Ali is not named on the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list. Check your own sport’s rules and choose batch-tested products.
Published by Biotropics Malaysia Berhad, maker of Physta®. Most studies on this page tested Physta, and several were funded by Biotropics. How this guide is written
Other areas of research
Studied in menEnergy and fatigue1 placebo-controlled trialFatigue scores fell by about half in men aged 50 to 70 taking 200mg a day for 12 weeks.Studied in men and womenTestosteroneA meta-analysis and 4 placebo-controlled studiesTestosterone rose against placebo, most clearly in men with low testosterone.Studied in men and womenStress and mood3 placebo-controlled studiesCortisol fell 16% against placebo in stressed adults taking 200mg a day for 4 weeks.Studied in men and womenSexual health3 placebo-controlled trialsErectile function and sexual desire improved against placebo in men aged 40 to 59 over 6 months.Studied in womenMenopause2 placebo-controlled trialsSymptom scores fell 33.9%, against 23.3% on placebo, in women taking 100mg a day for 12 weeks.Studied in men and womenHealthy aging2 placebo-controlled trials and 1 uncontrolledOverall immune cell score rose 5% in middle-aged adults taking 200mg a day for 4 weeks.