Eurycoma longifolia is a shrub native to Southeast Asia. It goes by many names: in Indonesia it is known as pasak bumi; in Malaysia, tongkat ali; and Thailand, cay ba binh. Tongkat ali and longjack are the most commonly used names for the herb in the Western world.
Tongkat Ali is probably best known for enhancing sexual vitality, but this remarkable herb provides broad adaptogenic and balancing properties for both women and men. The list of traditional uses is long and includes promoting general vitality with aging, invigorating sexual vitality, enhancing strength, muscle mass and bone mass, supporting balanced mood, strengthening stress tolerance, and supporting energy and general health.
Adaptogens like tongkat ali send feedback to the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that governs many of your body’s key processes including metabolism and energy (thyroid), stress response (adrenals), and reproductive functions (testes/ovaries).
Research has shown that Tongkat Ali helps:
The research on tongkat ali’s ability to support sexual energy focuses primarily on men, but evidence suggests the herb can help support hormonal balance for women, as well.
In men, various studies have shown that tongkat ali can support indicators of sexual function. For instance, last year the Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines published a systematic review of the clinical significance and therapeutic feasibility of tongkat ali. The researchers investigated the data supporting tongkat ali for a variety of indicators of male health and concluded that there is convincing evidence for the use of tongkat ali in supporting male sexual health.
Less research exists on the benefits of tongkat ali for female sexual health. However, a 2012 study shows that an extract of tongkat ali helps support sexual health in female animals.
One of the hallmarks of modern aging is decreased tolerance of carbohydrates, insulin insensitivity, and obesity. A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology demonstrated increased insulin sensitivity, enhanced glucose uptake by cells, and reduced lipid accumulation in adipose tissue with regular use of tongkat ali extracts.
Other studies have shown direct support of bone density by reducing bone resorption, protecting the stomach lining, normalizing stressed immune system functions, and suppressing various types of microbes that threaten the balance of the gut microbiome.