Is Tongkat Ali Safe?: Side Effects, Dosage, and Cycling

Tongkat Ali, also known as longjack, Malaysian ginseng, and tung saw, is an herbal supplement derived from the roots of the Eurycoma longifolia plant. Tongkat Ali is often used to increase testosterone production, but it can also be used to boost athletic performance, relieve stress, and increase male libido. Tongkat ali can also be used to help reduce inflammation, due to its antioxidant content.  

As more people use Tongkat Ali as a natural source of testosterone support, researchers continue to refine their understanding of Tongkat Ali’s safety, dosage, and possible side effects. 

Is Tongkat Ali safe? 

For most adults, Tongkat Ali is safe to use with the recommended dosage. Traditionally, this plant has been used throughout Southeast Asia to treat a variety of conditions including malaria, fever, and male infertility. 

However, as with any supplement, there are certain people who should avoid taking Tongkat Ali. 

Standard Process Tongkat Ali is NOT recommended if you are pregnant or nursing. Additionally, individuals with heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, cancer, or a weakened immune system should avoid taking Tongkat Ali. 

Standard Process Tongkat Ali drug interactions

Tongkat Ali may also interact with certain medications, including medications used to control blood sugar such as metformin, glipizide, and miglitol, as well as immunosuppressants and propranolol. Before beginning any new supplement or medication, please consult with your physician. 

What are the side effects of Tongkat Ali? 

Common side effects of Standard Process Tongkat Ali include: 

• Insomnia
• Irritability 
• Restlessness
• Decreased glucose levels 
  

Where to buy Tongkat Ali?

We sell Standard Process Tongkat Ali in our Shop. Each dose of Standard Process Tongkat Ali contains 100mg of clinically-trialed Tongkat Ali extract derived from 10g of Tongkat Ali root. Originally manufactured in Australia, Standard Process Tongkat Ali is guaranteed to meet pharmaceutical GMP standards. 

What is the recommended dosage of Tongkat Ali? 

For most healthy adults, the recommended dosage of Tongkat Ali is 200mg-400mg/day. The recommended dosage for Standard Process Tongkat Ali is 200mg/day. 

It’s important to follow the recommended dosage for Tongkat Ali as overdose may cause severe insomnia and other effects. 

In 2021, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens issued a report that a high dose (2,000mg/kg of body weight) of water-based Tongkat Ali extract might cause DNA damage in stomach and duodenum tissues.

However, another study where healthy adult male subjects took a 300mg/day Tongkat Ali supplement over the course of 12 weeks, found that the safety profile of the supplement was similar to that of the placebo. 

Cycling Tongkat Ali

Most research examining Tongkat Ali’s safety and effectiveness has studied the effects of this supplement over short durations. For most individuals, Standard Process Tongkat Ali is safe to use over several weeks. 

Because long-term investigations of the effects of Tongkat Ali have been limited, some individuals may prefer to take intermittent breaks from Tongkat Ali (a process known as Tongkat Ali cycling) in order to maintain the body’s natural hormone sensitivity. Ultimately, the best supplementation schedule is the one your doctor recommends.