https://www.exercise.com/supplements/longjack-tongkat-ali
Longjack (Tongkat Ali)

Longjack (Tongkat Ali)

Aid Overall Health

Longjack, also know as Tongkat Ali, is an herb that comes from the Eurycoma longifolia bush found in Malaysia, China and India. Longjack is derived from the Eurycoma root even though the Eurycoma does produce berries of some sort.

Eurycoma longifolia has not been extensively tested in modern trials, but it has been used for thousands of years. It has been, and still is, widely used in Malaysia as an aphrodisiac.

When taking products such as longjack, you have to be aware that very few studies have been conducted on this herb and any claims made by supplement companies are scientifically baseless. In addition, the few studies that have been conducted are rat studies, so there are no human data to support any of the claims made by the supplement companies.

The body does not require longjack to function and it does not provide any essential elements to the body; so taking longjack as a general dietary supplement might not make much sense. There are numerous other supplements with a lot more science to back up their claims.

Not all types of physical activity are suitable for everyone. Users take training advice at their own personal risk.

Summary

Longjack Benefits There are several purported benefits of longjack; however, most supplement companies sell longjack for one major benefit, as a libido enhancer.  The claim is that longjack increases testosterone levels which results in enhanced sexual libido. Some supplement companies... more

Longjack Benefits

There are several purported benefits of longjack; however, most supplement companies sell longjack for one major benefit, as a libido enhancer. 

The claim is that longjack increases testosterone levels which results in enhanced sexual libido. Some supplement companies stipulate that this only works in men with already healthy libidos, which means that it isn’t effective for erectile dysfunction.

In the bodybuilding world, longjack is marketed as a performance enhancer for lifting weights. Again, this is directly related to the reports that longjack increases testosterone levels. It is believed that increased testosterone levels means that a bodybuilder can work harder and longer and see faster result.

Tongkat Ali and Health

Other things that longjack is supposedly beneficial for is overall general health. Taken as a dietary supplement, longjack is said to keep away colds, fevers and more. In the past the longjack herb was used to prevent and treat malaria and dysentery.

There are some people who believe that longjack can also be used to prevent lung and breast cancer. This belief stems from the fact that populations that have used longjack for years have lower incidences of either of these types of cancers.

However, it is important to note that there is no scientific evidence supporting this claim in any way. There are hundreds of reasons that a certain population might see less of certain types of cancer. These include living a better lifestyle, daily exercise, good nutrition, no genetic predisposition and so on. This can even be relegated by the specific types of food a certain population eats; there is just no way to determine the exact cause without in depth scientific study.

Side Effects

You will find that many sites that talk about longjack will claim that there are no side effects when using longjack supplements. Unfortunately, this just isn’t true. With no scientific studies being conducted on humans, it does take longer for side effect information to come out for products like these.

Side effects for longjack include:

  • Insomnia
  • Fever
  • Sweats
  • Restlessness
  • Irritability

Because of the lack of studies on longjack, it is difficult to know whether or not it will interact with certain medications or cause problems with certain illnesses. Because of this is it important that you talk to your doctor before you start taking longjack if you are taking any medications, have any medical illnesses, or are pregnant or nursing.

In addition, rat and mice studies were only conducted for several days. You should not take longjack products for more than 3 days in a row; otherwise, problems of insomnia will increase.

Longjack is not meant for women. A big reason for this is that if it actually raises testosterone levels, in women this can increase your chances of cancer. Some supplement companies actually say not for use in women, children or men under the age of 21 so keep that in mind.

Dosing and Cost

In most cases the dosing instructions will tell you to start at 100 mg and increase if you don’t see the results you want. Because you shouldn’t use longjack products for more than a couple of days a week, you may find it difficult to determine the right dosage for you.

Longjack is available in pill, liquid and powder form; however, the powder form is usually available in large bulk sizes while pills are available in a variety of sizes. In most cases the liquid extract longjack products sell in 1 oz packages.

The cost of longjack varies depending on the type. Pills start at around $6 while the liquid starts at about $14. In the case of the powders, the cost starts at around $40. Compare longjack and other supplements with the free supplement finder now!

Other

  • Side Effects
  • Other Names
  • Uses
Irritability
Insomnia
Sweating
Fever
Restlessness
Ali's Walking Stick, Eurycoma, E. longifolia, Eurycoma Longifolia, Eurycoma Longifolia Jack, Long Jack, Longjack, Malaysian Ginseng, Tongkat Ali
Aphrodisiac
Athletic Performance
Cold Prevention
General Health
Increase Testosterone Level
Libido