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What Tongkat Ali can do
Human trials have measured its effect on energy, testosterone, stress, strength, sexual health, menopause and immune health. Physta®, the standardized extract used in most of them, has been tested in 28 human studies.
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 older adultsStrength and exercise2 placebo-controlled studies and 1 uncontrolledMen aged 40 to 59 who trained for 6 months gained more strength on 200mg a day.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.All areasPublished studies14 papers in one tableWho took part, the dose, how long and what happened, for every study in this guide.
Results are outcomes of published human studies.
Published studies, side by side
A placebo-controlled study compares the extract with an identical dummy capsule, so a difference between the groups can be put down to the extract.
| Study | Who took part | Daily dose | How long | What happened |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leisegang 2022 | Meta-analysis of 5 randomized trials, 232 men | Various | Various | Total testosterone rose; clearest in men with low levels |
| Talbott 2013 | 63 stressed adults | 200mg | 4 weeks | Cortisol −16%, testosterone +37% against placebo |
| Chinnappan 2021 | 105 men aged 50 to 70, low testosterone | 100 or 200mg | 12 weeks | Fatigue about halved; testosterone above placebo from week 4 |
| Leitão 2021 | 45 men aged 40 to 59, low testosterone | 200mg | 6 months | Testosterone, erectile function and desire improved against placebo |
| Leitão 2021 | The same men, with training | 200mg | 6 months | Strength +17% against 14% with training alone |
| Muniandy 2025 | 138 women aged 40 to 55 | 50 or 100mg | 12 weeks | Menopause symptoms −33.9% at 100mg, against 23.3% on placebo |
| George 2016 | 81 middle-aged adults, low immune scores | 200mg | 4 weeks | Immune cell score +5%; more T cells than placebo |
| George 2018 | 93 stressed adults | 50mg with a multivitamin | 24 weeks | Physical stress −15%; not significant against placebo |
| Chinnappan 2020 | 119 women in menopause | 100mg with Kacip Fatimah | 24 weeks | Hot flashes −73%, placebo −66%, not significant; LH and FSH fell |
| Talbott 2024 | 30 men in a 24-hour race | 100mg, single dose | 1 day | Cortisol −32%, testosterone +16% (pilot) |
| Henkel 2014 | 25 active adults aged 57 to 72 | 400mg | 5 weeks | Grip strength and testosterone rose (no placebo) |
| Hamzah 2003 | 14 men in strength training | 100mg | 5 weeks | One-rep max +6.8% against 2.8% on placebo (abstract) |
| George 2013 | 40 healthy men | 300mg | 12 weeks | No change in the testosterone ratio anti-doping tests look for |
| Chen 2014 | 13 male athletes | 400mg | 6 weeks | No change in the anti-doping testosterone ratio, liver or kidney function |
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
Limits
Where the research stops
- Study sizeMost studies had between 13 and 140 people. Larger trials would sharpen the picture.
- One main extractMost studies tested the same standardized extract. Results apply to extracts made the same way, not to every Tongkat Ali product.
- LengthThe longest ran 6 months. Longer daily use has not been studied in trials.
- Health conditionsNo study shows Tongkat Ali treats a disease. Low testosterone and menopause symptoms are worth discussing with a doctor.
Related reading
ToolCompare a label with the researchDose, strength, standard and extraction, side by side with the studies.SafetyHow much Tongkat Ali per day?Doses used in human studies, and who should check with a doctor first.CompoundsWhat’s in Tongkat Ali, and how it worksFour groups of compounds and what research shows they do.