Tongkat Ali

The short answer

Tongkat ali is the root of Eurycoma longifolia. In 63 moderately stressed adults, 200 mg of root extract a day for four weeks lowered tension scores by 11%, anger by 12% and salivary cortisol by 16% against placebo. A 2022 meta-analysis of five trials found total testosterone rose in men taking it.

The form, and why it matters

Tongkat ali is sold as root powder and as water extracts of varying concentration. Mast uses 100 mg of a 300:1 extract. The trials used their own branded extracts, so the amounts are not directly comparable.

Typical dose

The stress trial used 200 mg a day of one branded extract. Mast carries 100 mg of a 300:1 extract in one capsule a day.

What the research shows

In the four-week trial, tension fell 11%, anger 12% and confusion 15%, salivary cortisol fell 16% and testosterone rose 37% compared with placebo. A 2022 systematic review found nine studies and pooled five randomised trials, in which total testosterone rose significantly.

Who should be careful

Do not take tongkat ali if you are pregnant or nursing. Talk to your clinician first if you have a hormone-sensitive condition or take prescription medicine, including blood pressure or blood sugar medicine.

Where it sits in our formulas

Sources

• Talbott et al., Effect of tongkat ali on stress hormones and psychological mood state in moderately stressed subjects, J Int Soc Sports Nutr
• Leisegang et al., Eurycoma longifolia (Jack) improves serum total testosterone in men: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Medicina

Figures checked against the sources above on 21 September 2026.