Tongkat Ali: Are You Missing Out on This Gem?

You may have come across Tongkat Ali on many online sites, such as Amazon, or eBay with commercial names like Ali’s Walking Stick, Malaysian Ginseng, and the most popular of all, LongJack. But, what exactly is Tongkat Ali, and why should you pay attention to this quiet yet extremely beneficial supplement?

Tongkat Ali is a medicinal remedy that has been a part of traditional Southeast Asian medicine for many years. Longjack comes from a plant named Eurycoma Longifolia, which grows primarily in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Millions worldwide have consumed Tongkat Ali without even being aware of its health benefits. Research has recognized the importance of Longjack, which has been around for centuries. So, why aren’t more people using it?

If you are searching for the best Longjack, then it is important that you know the three types of Tongkat Ali roots and their benefits. The three types in particular include:

  • Yellow Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma Longfolia)
  • Red Tongkat Ali (Stema Tuberosa)
  • Black Tongkat Ali (Polyalthia Bullata)

Choosing the right type of Longjack for your needs can be a daunting task as there are more than 200+ brands that sell yellow, red, or black Tongkat Ali sold on the internet today. But let’s dig a little deeper into Tongkat Ali and what you can experience through its use.

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Disclaimer: This article is not meant to treat or diagnose any health condition(s). It is intended for informational purposes only. Never use a supplement in place of a doctor’s recommendation or prescribed medication. Speak with your doctor before implementing any supplements into your health regimen.

Health Benefits of Tongkat Ali and Longjack

Tongkat Ali may be an excellent option for you if you have certain health conditions. The following sections will assess some of these conditions and how it can be beneficial.

1.     Erectile Dysfunction and Low Libido

Longjack is often known as a remedy for erectile dysfunction. There are some studies that can prove this.

In a small double-blind study, researchers found that 12 weeks of supplementation of a product containing Tongkat Ali extract and Polygonum minus (antioxidant) helped improve sexual performance and erectile dysfunction.

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Another study suggests that it helps with low libido as well as erectile dysfunction. The study included 109 men between the ages of 30 and 55 and found that the extract may increase erectile function, sperm motility, semen volume, and sexual libido. Reduction of body fat in those men who were obese was also recorded.

2.     Stress Relief

Tongkat Ali helps lower stress hormones in your body, reduce anxiety levels, and enhance mood.

A 1999 study first recognized the role of this supplement in curing mood issues and found that Longjack can be compared to a standard anti-anxiety medication in decreasing symptoms of anxiety in mice. Similar effects have been noticed in humans as well, but the research thus far has been limited. If you’d like to lower your stress levels, this may be a good solution.

3.     Muscle Strength

Longjack can bring free testosterone levels closer to normal and help increase muscle strength in both men and women. In a five-week pilot study of 25 seniors, it boosted muscle strength in both sexes. Meanwhile, in another five-week study that involved 14 healthy men, it was concluded that supplementing with this ingredient increased muscle strength and size.

The research has shown that no matter the age or gender, Longjack can help increase muscle strength and, in some cases, lead to an increase in muscle size.

4.     Late-Onset Hypogonadism

According to a study by Andrologia, it was found that this ingredient may improve late-onset hypogonadism symptoms. For the study, 76 people having late-onset hypogonadism were given 200mg of Tongkat Ali extract for a month. Reports suggested that the extract caused improved scores on the Aging Males Symptoms scale and boosted testosterone levels.

Now, let’s take a deeper dive into the three different varieties of this potent ingredient for a better perspective and guidance in your buying decision, should you decide to implement it into your health and supplement regimen.

Yellow Tongkat Ali

Yellow Tongkat Ali (also referred to as “blond”) comes from a plant named Eurycoma Longifolia. The plant grows in the remote rainforests found in Malaysia, Indonesia, and some other parts of Southern Thailand.

The majority of the this ingredient found in the market today comes from this version. It is also one of the most researched Tongkat Ali variants, with more than 100+ published studies.

yellow tongkat ali

Yellow Tongkat Ali tastes bitter compared to red or black varieties. The bitterness is caused due to the high levels of eurycomanone, which is a key marker to evaluate the potency level of this ingredient.

Eurycomanone is the vital bioactive quassinoid found in Longjack, widely proven by researchers to increase testosterone while exhibiting anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Black Tongkat Ali

Black Tongkat Ali is derived from a plant known as Polyalthia bullata, which has a small root, around 2-3 centimeters in diameter, which is quite a smaller diameter than yellow Tongkat Ali. It is also known as Wild Black Gorilla, Tongkat Ali Hitam, and Tongkat Ali Baginda. It is found along the rivers in the lowland forest of Peninsular Malaysia.

Black Tongkat Ali has somewhat of a fishy smell (possibly due to its location being near the river) but generally tastes less bitter than the yellow variety.

Its healing efficacy has been shown to be much better than Yellow Tongkat Ali, and it is mainly used by the indigenous as a natural aphrodisiac for male health.

black tongkat ali

Here are some of the important benefits you may experience through the use of black Tongkat Ali:

  • Boosts muscle mass, stamina, and energy.
  • Increases testosterone level, increases sperm count for men, and strengthens erections.
  • It is suitable for both men and women and is also recommended for athletes as well as bodybuilders wanting to enhance their physical strength and muscle growth.

Red Tongkat Ali

Red Tongkat Ali, also known as Malaysian Red Ginseng, comes from a plant named Stema Tuberosa. This is a rare tree that can grow along rivers, swamps, or sandy soil in virgin rainforests up to 400 meters altitude in Peninsular Malaysia.

The plant is very similar to Stemona Tuberos, which can also be found in remote parts of Indonesia, Thailand, and China. The root has its name due to its vibrant, strong red color, and it turns a shade of light red after dying.

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One of the best features of red Tongkat Ali is its acceptable taste. It tastes like ginseng, which is primarily sweet and completely the opposite of the yellow variety.

The red variety is commonly consumed as a traditional herbal tea or coffee to boost energy levels.

red tongkat ali

Some of the benefits you may experience through the use of red Tongkat Ali include:

  • Improvement in muscle mass, energy, and stamina.
  • It is more effective and potent when compared with yellow Tongkat Ali.
  • Increase in male testosterone levels and enhancements in male fertility.

Which Type of Tongkat Ali is Right for You?

The type and color of this ingredient that you use is truly a personal preference based on your wants and needs. First, establish what you’d like to see improvements in and then compare that with the benefits found in each type of Tongkat Ali.

It should be noted, much of the the extracts found in these supplements in the US come from China, which lacks in quality compared to Indonesia. If you like to support US companies and manufacturing, check out Holistic Bin as they are the only vendor in the US selling red and black variants that have superior lab tests, ensuring metal safety in their products. They sell all versions of this powerful ingredient, and all three versions are sourced from Indonesia.

If your health and performance matter to you, Tongkat Ali could be the supplement you’ve been missing!


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Matt Weik

Matt Weik, BS, CPT, CSCS, CSN, is the Owner and Head Keyboard Banger of Weik Fitness. He is a well-respected, prolific writer with a global following and a self-proclaimed fitness and supplement nerd. Matt’s content has been featured on thousands of websites, 100+ magazines, and he has authored over a dozen published books.