Tongkat Ali plant dosage - Does this herb work in women?
Extract  and root

Tongkat Ali is a small tree found in the jungles throughout Malaysia and Southeat Asia. It is commonly known as Tongkat Ali in Malaysia and Singapore, Piak or Tung Saw in Thailand, and Pasak Bumi in Indonesia. The Tongkat Ali tree can grow up to about 12 meters in height. Natives consider every part of the tongkat ali tree as medicine. Tongkat Ali is used as a tonic, to treat malaria, and as an aphrodisiac.

What the Research Says about Tongkat Ali:
Aphrodisiac
Over the past few years, there have been quite a number of studies that have shown tongkat ali  to have libido-boosting properties. The effects of tongkat ali were studied on the libido of male rats after dosing them with up to 800 mg per kilogram of body weight twice daily for 10 days (this is quite a high dose if the same dose is given to humans-- do the math: 800 mg tongkat ali powder times 70 k). Results showed that tongkat ali produced a dose-dependent increase in mounting frequency, that is, the number of times the male rats tried to mount the female rats increased as the dose given to the rats increased. In addition, the rats given tongkat ali displayed more frequent and vigorous licking and anogenital sniffing towards the receptive females. Furthermore, the rats dosed with tongkat ali  spent more time grooming their genitals compared to the rats who were not given the plant. Genital grooming may be interpreted as self-pleasuring since the rats were most likely enjoying the sensation of touching themselves. The researchers noticed another interesting finding: while the rats who had not received tongkat ali showed normal behavior within the cage such as exploration and climbing the cage wall, the rats given tongkat ali stayed around the females instead of exploring the cage. In human terms this may be interpreted as a man spending more time in the kitchen helping his wife wash the dishes than in the den lounged in a Lazyboy chair absorbed by a baseball game :). Tongkat ali also increased the frequency of the rats' erections.

Tongkat Ali and Cancer
Beta-carboline alkaloids isolated from tongkat ali have demonstrated significant cytotoxicity against human lung cancer (A-549) and human breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines. In plain English, this means that some compounds in Tongkat ali can kill cancer cells. The practical significance of this finding in humans is not clear at this time.

Tongkat Ali and Malaria
Interestingly, scientists have found that, in addition to its sex-enhancing effects, compounds within tongkat ali  have anti-malarial properties.

Tongkat ali against germs
Antibacterial activity of Eurycoma longifolia Jack. A Malaysian medicinal plant.
Saudi Med J. 2007 Sep;28(9):1422-1424. Farouk AE, Benafri A. Biomolecular Engineering Research Unit, Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Kulliyyah of Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Gombak, 53100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
To evaluate methanolic, ethanolic, acetone and aqueous extracts from different parts of tongkat ali (leave, stem, and root) for antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and to utilize the leaves and stem parts rather than the root, which is already used for male sexual enhancement in Malaysia. The alcoholic and acetone extracts from leaves and stems of tongkat alli contain potent antibacterial agent(s). This plant can serve as a potential source of antibacterial compounds.

Tongkat Ali Mechanism of action
Very little is known regarding the mechanisms of action of tongkat ali. Recent studies indicate that the root contains several compounds including beta-carboline alkaloids and quassinoid-type glycosides, including eurycomaoside. How these compounds and many others in tongkat ali influence hormoneal reliase or the human sexual response is not clearly understood at this time. I have read promotional material by some vitamin companies regarding tongkat ali that it enhances testosterone production or release, however I have not been able to definitively confirm this claim through a Medline search.

Availability of Tongkat Ali
Tongkat Ali is sold as a powder, and in capsules, sometimes mixed with other herbs. There are a number of extracts available in various potencies, and since each company has a different way of extracting, and since there are no established standards, it is difficult to give dosage recommendations that would be consistently effective. In addition to tongkat ali being available as a raw powder, it is sold as a 4:1, 5:1, 20:1 and a 100:1 concentration. At the higher concentrations it becomes difficult to dose appropriately since the margin of error in terms of effectiveness versus side effects becomes more challenging.

Tongkat Ali Side Effects
One of the shortcomings of Tongkat Ali  is that it can easily cause insomnia, and lack of sleep can lower sex drive. Therefore it is somewhat difficult to find the right dose that works without causing this insomnia, and that's where an experienced herbalist who has wide knowledge with this plant is crucial in terms of formulating the right product with the right amount and extract potency of tongkat ali. High doses can also cause increased body temperature. Some people find that when they take a high dose, they become restless and impatient, perhaps easily angered. Long term effects of tongkat ali on human consumption are not known. It is best, until we learn more, to not take tongkat ali continuously without breaks.

Tongkat Ali Research Update
Eurycoma longifolia Jack enhances sexual motivation in middle-aged male mice.
Ang HH. University Science Malaysia, Minden, Penang, Malaysia
J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol. 2003;14(3):301-8.
Tongkat Ali  was investigated for sexual motivation activity in adult, middle-aged male mice and in retired breeders, using the modified open field and the modified runway choice methods. Each mouse received 500 mg/kg of one of 4 fractions of E. longifolia Jack, viz. chloroform, methanol, butanol, and water, whereas the mice in the control and yohimbine groups received 3 ml/kg of normal saline and 30 mg/kg of yohimbine daily respectively for 10 d. The results show a transient increase in the percentage of male mice responding to the right choice after chronic consumption of the fractions with 50 percent of the adult middle-aged male mice treated with E. longifolia Jack and yohimbine scoring the right choice after 8 and 5 days post-treatment respectively. In conclusion, this study has shown that Tongkat Ali continues to enhance sexual motivation in adult, middle-aged male mice and in retired breeders.

Determination of mercury by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometer in Tongkat Ali preparations obtained in Malaysia.
Ang HH, Lee EL.  University Science Malaysia, Minden, Penang, Malaysia. hhang@usm.my
Int J Toxicol. 2004 Jan-Feb;23(1):65-71.
The DCA (Drug Control Authority), Malaysia, has implemented the phase 3 registration of traditional medicines on 1 January 1992, with special emphasis on the quality, efficacy, and safety (including the presence of heavy metals) in all pharmaceutical dosage forms of traditional medicine preparations such as tongkat ali. As such, a total of 100 products in various pharmaceutical dosage forms of a herbal preparation, containing Tongkat Ali, were analyzed for mercury content using cold vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results showed that 36% of the tongkat ali products possessed 0.52 to 5.30 ppm of mercury and, therefore, do not comply with the quality requirement for traditional medicines in Malaysia. Out of these 36 tongkat ali products, 5 products that possessed 1.05 to 4.41 ppm of mercury were in fact have already registered with the DCA, Malaysia. However, the rest of the tongkat ali products that contain 0.52 to 5.30 ppm of mercury still have not registered with the DCA, Malaysia. Although this study showed that only 64% of the tongkat ali products complied with the quality requirement for traditional medicines in Malaysia pertaining to mercury, tongkat ali products cannot be assumed safe from mercury contamination because of batch-to-batch inconsistency.

SourceOne ActivAli Tongkat Ali Study
2007-01-04 - SourceOne Global Partners - This is a press release from the company
Research presented at 3rd Annual International Society of Sports Nutrition Conference
CHICAGO, IL – Jesse R. Lopez, President and CEO of SourceOne Global Partners, has announced that a new study has evaluated ActivAli Tongkat Ali. ActivAli Tongkat Ali influences hormone levels during intense and prolonged exercise. This research was presented recently at the 3rd annual International Society of Sports Nutrition Conference, where the study authors demonstrated how ActivAli enhanced testosterone while simultaneously lowering cortisol levels. This seminal study is the first to show a statistically significant ratio of increased testosterone to decreased cortisol in healthy individuals who participated in a 24-hour endurance mountain bike race. “This study provides new and compelling scientific evidence that supports the multiple health benefits that our proprietary ActivAli Tongkat Ali delivers,” Lopez says. “SourceOne remains committed to investing in studies to validate scientific evidence supporting our proprietary branded ingredients and formulas.” The study sought to determine the effects of the herb specifically on cortisol and testosterone levels during high-intensity exercise. Both placebo and ActivAli were taken approximately 30 minutes prior to exercise. The researchers found that cortisol levels in the ActivAli group were significantly lower - 33 percent - than in the placebo group. Also, testosterone levels in the ActivAli group were 16 percent higher than that of the placebo group. “This new science holds significant potential for the sports nutrition, metabolic syndrome, and weight loss markets,” says James Roza, co-author of the study and Vice President of Business Development, Technology and Science for SourceOne. “This placebo-controlled study bodes well not only for athletes but for dieters alike because the incidence of visceral obesity is directly associated with high cortisol output that contributes to the deposition of fat in adipose tissue that surrounds the stomach. Obesity in America is at epidemic proportions and SourceOne is proud to offer proprietary, science-backed ingredients that help support healthy triglycerides, cholesterol, weight management, visceral fat, and all the key components affected by metabolic syndrome.” This exciting research is added to the body of science that supports SourceOne’s ActivAli. Other research shows that ActivAli increases energy levels without inciting nervous energy (“jitters”), a trait that is favorable and thus preferable among the many consumers seeking to attain a healthy weight and body composition through diet and exercise. Lopez adds that SourceOne is currently planning several new studies that will support its new proprietary OPC-SourceFrench Maritime Pine Bark Extract, OmegaSmartSuper Concentrated omega-3 ingredients as well as more studies that will support the benefits of ActivAli.  About SourceOne Global Partners - SourceOne Global Partners is headquartered in Chicago, IL.
   Independent comments about this study - Tongkat ali raises body temperature and just measuring a couple of hormone levels does not prove that tongkat ali is a good herb to take for athletic performance. This press release does not indicate those who took tongkat ali had better or faster times in their athletic performance.

Q. I was reading on your website and it said taking high doses tongkat ali root extract for impotence has side effects. I am currently using tongkat ali toot extract and I take 50mg daily as directed is this too much? I am using it for about 3 days now but I don't notice anything different or side effects.
   A. It's difficult for us to say without knowing the potency or concentration of the tongkat ali extract or the quality of the herbal product. Sometimes tongkat ali side effects begin after several days of high dosage use.

Q.  I noticed on my last shipment that the Tonkgat Ali went from 400mg to 200mg per capsule. I was wondering whether I should take 1 or two capsules of tonkgat ali supplement.
   A. The tongkat ali was reduced to 200 mg but it went from 30 caps to 60 caps for the same price. Some people were having side effects taking 400 mg and Dr. Sahelian now feels it is better to enhance sexuality slowly on a lower dosage rather than quickly with side effects.

Q. When I take passion Rx, prostate power rx or tonkgat ali, that my frequency of urination increases substantially, to the point of being annoying. I only take one capsule a day and never more than one product on a day. Is this normal? It seems it would make the products unusable for me. Would it go away over time?
   A. It is difficult to say whether these supplements are related to your symptoms. One suggestion would be to take a full week off and then resume only one supplement at a time for a week or two to determine which one, whether tongkat ali, prostate power rx, or passion rx may be involved.