The Longifolia tree is Indigenous to Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam, and parts of Cambodia and Thailand. The supplement Eurycoma longifolia, also commonly called Tongkat Ali, or long jack, comes from the roots of this green shrub tree. Used in traditional Southeastern Asian medicine for centuries, Tongkat Ali is an effective herbal supplement that brings life, energy, and balance to the body, and is used frequently today in powder and pill form, as a stand-alone herb, in herbal energy drinks, or in multi-nutrient combination formulas for active males over 18.

Tongkat Ali is a great source of flavonoids, alkaloids, and many other compounds that may act as antioxidants. It has been found to be generally safe, when used at recommended dosages. Health benefits have been linked to the combination of compounds within the plant. If you do research on Tongkat Ali, you will find references to success with male infertility, erectile dysfunction, infections, energy enhancement, stress reduction, improving male reproductive health, and even as a successful treatment for malaria.

Another area of success: the stress category.

“Tongkat Ali has been shown to lower stress hormones, reducing anxiety, and uplifting mood. A few studies have revealed that supplementing with Tongkat Ali reduced cortisol levels by 16%, which remarkably lessened stress, anger, and tension in subjects” (1).

Although there are few published studies on Tongkat Ali, the written history of its uses has played an important role in its present popularity. One study, titled Effect of Tongkat Ali on stress hormones and psychological mood state in moderately stressed subjects, concluded: “These results indicate that daily supplementation with Tongkat Ali root extract improves stress hormone profile and certain mood state parameters, suggesting that this ‘ancient’ remedy may be an effective approach to shielding the body from the detrimental effects of ‘modern’ chronic stress, which may include general day-to-day stress, as well as the stress of dieting, sleep deprivation, and exercise training” (2).

There are studies showing that Tongkat Ali does not pose adverse reactions or effects in daily dosages up to 400-mg; long-term studies are still being looked at. As with many available nutrients, one should  always consult a medical practitioner to ensure safety, especially if taking prescription medications.

Tongkat Ali has become a very popular choice for many reasons, and because of its diverse list of possible benefits in so many areas, its being seen as a “go to” herbal for men.