Graded against 178,763 supplements and 757 reviewed supplement and medication pairs, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, NIH DSLD
Tongkat Ali
BotanicalLast updated
AVELOR SUMMARY
Tongkat Ali is one of the few "testosterone boosters" with genuine clinical evidence, but through an UNUSUAL mechanism.
Instead of directly stimulating testosterone synthesis, it reduces cortisol (by up to 16%) and SHBG binding, which FREES existing testosterone.
A 2013 RCT found 200mg/day improved testosterone profile (37% increase in total testosterone vs cortisol reduction) and stress hormones in moderately stressed adults.
The Malaysian government invested heavily in Eurycoma research (it's their national herb), producing more clinical data than most testosterone-related botanicals.
LJ100® (Physta) is the standardized extract with the most trials.
WHAT IT DOES
Eurypeptides and quassinoids (eurycomanone) from Eurycoma longifolia work through: (1) HPA axis modulation, reduces cortisol release from adrenal glands, which reduces cortisol's suppressive effect on the HPG axis (high cortisol suppresses LH and testosterone); (2) SHBG reduction, increases free testosterone percentage without increasing total testosterone (some studies show total T increase, others just improved free:total ratio); (3) phosphodiesterase inhibition (mild), increases cAMP in Leydig cells (minor direct testosterone support); (4) aromatase inhibition (mild), reduces testosterone → estrogen conversion. The cortisol mechanism is key: this is fundamentally an anti-stress/adaptogenic testosterone support, NOT a direct anabolic.
OPTIMAL DOSAGE
Look for: LJ100® / Physta® (standardized hot-water extract, most clinical data); standardized to eurypeptides (22%) + glycosaponins (40%); heavy metal tested; 200-400mg per serving
Avoid: Non-standardized root powder; Malaysian/Indonesian products without heavy metal certification; "testosterone booster" blends with undisclosed amounts; alcohol extracts (different compound profile)
Independently graded against 178,763 indexed supplements and 757 reviewed supplement and medication pairs, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, and NIH DSLD | Last updated:
Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.