⚠ Restricted by at least one regulator (HSA) — see Regulatory alerts by country below.
Updated: 2026-05-29 · v2.0 · Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhDCiteEditorial
4
Caution
Tongkat Ali
Eurycoma longifolia
Restricted in ≥1 countryLimitedBotanicals
RDA
Typical 200–400 mg
Target
Improvement from baseline
Upper limit
No UL
Products
—
Dosage by population group — reference
🔗 Best with: Ashwagandha, Zinc, Fenugreek✅ USP Verified, ConsumerLab Approved, Clean Label Project Certified
⚠ Best herbal testosterone evidence (vs tribulus which fails) [1] [2]
⚠ Best for stressed/aging/hypogonadal men, not young healthy men [2]
⚠ LJ100/Physta: use the studied extract [2]
⚠ AVOID in pregnancy [1]
ℹ️ Not obtained from food. Not applicable — this is not obtained from food in meaningful amounts; supplementation is the practical route.
🔬 Lab interpreter
Recommended test
Free + total testosterone
Reference range / target
Improvement from baseline
When to test
8–12 weeks [2].
Best response in suboptimal baseline T [2].
Full lab monitoring ↓
⚕ For professionals — confirm ranges against your local laboratory.
Clinical verdict
Tongkat ali is the BEST-evidenced herbal testosterone support — RCTs positive in stressed/aging/hypogonadal men. Unlike tribulus (which fails), tongkat ali has a plausible mechanism (aromatase + SHBG). LJ100/Physta is the studied extract. Best for suboptimal testosterone — minimal effect in young men with normal levels [1] [2].
1 How much do I need?
👤 Adults: Specific dosage data under clinical review
👴 Elderly: Specific dosage data under clinical review
🤰 Pregnancy: See guidance
AVOID — testosterone-modulating [1].
👦 Pediatric: See guidance
Not appropriate [1].
🏃 Athletes: Standard dose
⚖️ Obesity: Standard dose
Fat-soluble compounds may require dose adjustment in obesity.
🩺 Renal: Consult specialist
Dose adjustment may be needed in renal impairment.
🌱 Vegan: Standard dose

How to take

🍽 Timing: Morning [1].
💊 With food: With or without food [1].
🚫 Avoid: Pregnancy. Concurrent TRT without guidance [1].
2 Which form?
FormBioavailabilityVeganCost
['LJ100 / Physta (standardized 100:1 hot water extract)', 'preferred', 'Most clinical evidence. 200–400 mg/day [2].']StandardCheck label
['Generic tongkat ali extract', 'common', 'Variable quality. Look for standardization [1].']StandardCheck label
3 Common questions
Is tongkat ali better than tribulus for testosterone? ▼
Yes — tongkat ali has actual positive RCT data for testosterone elevation in stressed/aging men, while tribulus has consistently failed [1] [2]. Tongkat ali's mechanism (aromatase + SHBG) is more plausible than tribulus's.
LJ100 vs generic — does it matter? ▼
LJ100/Physta is the standardized extract used in clinical trials. Generic products vary widely in quality and eurycomanone content. Use the studied extract [2].
Does tongkat ali work in young healthy men? ▼
Best evidence is in stressed, aging, or mildly hypogonadal men — NOT young healthy men with normal testosterone. If your testosterone is already optimal, expect minimal effect [2].
4 Clinical evidence

Strong

Quassinoid (eurycomanone) pharmacology: aromatase inhibition and SHBG reduction confirmed in vitro and animal models [1]. HIGH

Moderate

Testosterone (stressed men): RCT in moderately stressed adults — tongkat ali 200 mg/day improved cortisol:testosterone ratio [2]. Late-onset hypogonadism: improved testosterone and sexual function in elderly men [2]. Male fertility: improved sperm parameters in some trials [2]. Cortisol reduction: adaptogenic stress-response improvement [2]. MODERATE

Insufficient

Young healthy men with normal testosterone [2]. Muscle mass/strength [1]. Athletic performance [1]. Female sexual function [1]. LOW
5 Safety, toxicity & adverse events

Relative

⚠ Hormone-sensitive cancers — possible testosterone-modulating effect
⚠ Concurrent antidiabetics or antihypertensives — additive effects
⚠ Sourcing concern — products may be contaminated with mercury/lead
⚠ Pregnancy and lactation — avoid

🚩 Red flags

● Patient on TRT + tongkat ali — additive androgenic [1]
6 Interactions

Drug interactions

Testosterone/androgens Moderate
Mechanism: Additive testosterone-modulating effects. [1]
Effect: May need TRT dose adjustment. [1]
Action: Discuss with endocrinologist [1].

Supplement synergies

Ashwagandha · 300–600 mg KSM-66
Complementary adaptogens for testosterone and stress [1].
Zinc · 30 mg zinc
Zinc is a testosterone cofactor [1].
7 Regulatory
Malaysia: National heritage herb. Malaysian government-backed research program [1].
United States: Dietary supplement [1].
8 Regulatory alerts by country
2 regulatory actions on record — issuing organisation and date confirmed; official reference links being verified.
Restricted · 1
🇸🇬
HSA — Tongkat Ali products must be registered. Adulteration alerts issued.
HSA: Tongkat Ali products must be registered; alerts issued for adulterated products.
2024-01-01 · official reference being verified
Under review · 1
🇪🇺
Various — Under increased scrutiny alongside kratom and ashwagandha in EU.
Tongkat Ali products require registration and are reviewed for adulteration in several markets.
2024-01-01 · official reference being verified
Browse all regulatory alerts by country →
Tongkat Ali vs AshwagandhaTongkat Ali vs Zinc
9 References (2)
[1]Talbott SM, et al. Effect of Tongkat Ali on stress hormones and psychological mood state in moderately stressed subjects. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2013;10(1):28. doi:10.1186/1550-2783-10-28 REVIEW Accessed: 2026-05-29
[2]Ismail SB, et al. Randomized clinical trial on the use of PHYSTA freeze-dried water extract of Eurycoma longifolia for the improvement of quality of life and sexual well-being in men. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:429268. doi:10.1155/2012/429268 RCT Accessed: 2026-05-29
10 Related articles
📰 Article — news.gmj.ge📰 Article — news.gmj.ge📰 Article — news.gmj.ge📰 Article — news.gmj.ge
Auto-populated from GMJ Newsroom. Articles tagged "Tongkat Ali".
11 Cite this page
Vancouver: Pkhakadze G. Tongkat Ali — safety profile [Internet]. Tbilisi: PHIG; 2026 [cited 2026 Jun 02]. Available from: https://www.hsa.gov.sg/complementary-health-products
APA 7th: Pkhakadze, G. (2026). Tongkat Ali — Safety profile. Public Health Institute of Georgia. https://www.hsa.gov.sg/complementary-health-products
📋 Editorial information
Author: Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Institution: Public Health Institute of Georgia (PHIG)
Affiliation: David Tvildiani Medical University (DTMU)
First published: January 2026
Last reviewed: 2026-05-29
Next review: December 2026
References: 2 cited sources
COI: SupplementIndex receives no funding from supplement manufacturers. All content independently authored by PHIG.
Process: Systematic literature review
📄 License & reuse
Published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). You may share and adapt for any purpose with attribution.
Pkhakadze G. "Tongkat Ali — Safety Profile." SupplementIndex, PHIG, 2026. https://www.hsa.gov.sg/complementary-health-products CC BY 4.0.
GP
Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Professor of Public Health · Head of Department, DTMU
Editor-in-Chief, Georgian Medical Journal (ISSN 3088-4322)
Chair, Public Health Institute of Georgia · UEMS Public Health Section
Educational and public health purposes. CC BY 4.0. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Corrections: info@accreditation.ge. Publisher: PHIG