HomeWhat it is

What is Tongkat Ali?

The root of a slender rainforest tree, used for generations as a traditional tonic and now studied in human trials for energy, testosterone, stress, menopause and healthy aging.

Reviewed by the Biotropics research team · Updated October 2026

The plant

A rainforest tree
valued for its root

Tongkat Ali is Eurycoma longifolia, a tree native to the rainforests of Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam, with smaller populations in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. The root is the part used. In Malay, the name means “Ali’s walking stick”, after the long, twisted root. Rehman et al. 2016, Molecules

Botanical name
Eurycoma longifolia
Family
Simaroubaceae
Other names
Tongkat Ali, Long Jack, Pasak Bumi
Part used
Root
Harvested
From trees at least 4 years old
Traditional use

Generations of use as a tonic

An Orang Asli root collector and a researcher in the forest, holding a freshly harvested Tongkat Ali root

For generations the root was boiled into a bitter tonic. Traditional uses include energy and vitality, male sexual health, recovery after illness, fever and stress. Rehman et al. 2016, Molecules

Because the whole root is harvested, the tree does not regrow. Malaysia now cultivates Tongkat Ali to ease pressure on wild trees, and responsible suppliers replant and trace each batch of root back to where it was collected.

What it can do

Seven areas of human 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 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.
How it is used today

From root to supplements,
coffee and drinks

Today the root is dried and extracted, usually with water, and the extract is used in supplements and everyday products.

  • Capsules and tablets
  • Effervescent tablets
  • Powders and sachets
  • Coffee
  • Ready-to-drink
  • Gummies

The human studies used a standardized water extract. Products made another way may not match those results.

  • Standardized water extractMade to a set strength, batch after batch. The form used in most human studies.
  • Ratio extractLabeled 50:1, 100:1 or 200:1. The ratio says how much root went in, not the strength.
  • Root powderDried, ground root. Far less concentrated than an extract.

Related reading

CompoundsWhat’s in Tongkat Ali, and how it worksFour groups of compounds and what research shows they do.QualityHow to tell good Tongkat Ali from poorFour questions that separate a well-made product from a weak one.SafetyHow much Tongkat Ali per day?Doses used in human studies, and who should check with a doctor first.