Tongkat Ali

[LGX_Man]

So what does anyone know about Tongkat Ali? I've read about it online and it seems to be powerful stuff. Has anyone had any particular experiences with it? Any advice? Good or bad stories?

[jn1421]

Here is some Information that I received from a trusted provider while I was taking it.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON TONGKAT ALI EXTRACT
PASAK BUMI (INDONESIAN NAME)
EURYCOMA LONGIFOLIA (SCIENTIFIC NAME)
FROM: SUMATRA PASAK BUMI
For Tongkat Ali 1:50 extract, the standard dosage for men is 0.8 gram (800 mg) to 1.6 gram (1600 mg) per day. Weight lifting athletes may go to twice or even four times that dosage, taken at regular intervals during the day.
First-day and second day dosages should just be one half of standard dosages. Keep in mind Tongkat Ali may need to build up in the system for a few days before you will feel it’s full effects.
Dosages for women are half of the dosages for men.
TONGKAT ALI CYCLES
Tongkat Ali should be cycled. This means that one takes it for some time, and then, for a shorter period of time, one goes without it. A standard cycle schedule would be 2 to 4 weeks on, 1 to 2 weeks off. However, optimal on-cycle length varies among users (2 weeks to 2 months). You will need to determine what cycle is most effective and comfortable for you. Most users will experience a rising phase during which tongkat ali’s effects build up. This means that for many users, there will be little effect on the first day or the first few days of a cycle. One then reaches a high phase during which Tongkat Ali exerts its effect. This phase can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. After that (still during Tongkat Ali use) one will enter a falling phase, caused by the body adjusting to the Tongkat Ali through hormonal negative feedback systems. This is a normal occurrence with anybody’s endocrine system. If hormonal balances are influenced through exogenous measures, the body will aim to return to genetically determined age-related set points. Because Tongkat Ali itself is not testosterone, but only stimulates testosterone production, there is a considerable delay for negative feedback mechanisms, and thus, one can induce higher testosterone levels without the negative effects of steroid use, such as testicular and penile shrinkage (and libido impairment).
CHIPPED ROOT AND ROOT POWDER (AS OPPOSED TO EXTRACT)
Tongkat Ali chipped root and root powder are intended to be boiled as a tea. It is not advisable to consume the root powder raw, or to fill it into capsules. We do want to put emphasis on this as root powder is commonly sold over the Internet by US-based distributors (in pouches or as capsules) … without advice that it must be boiled; raw Tongkat Ali is likely to cause diarrhea.
TONGKAT ALI SIDE EFFECTS
Side effects are not much of a concern with Tongkat Ali, especially in those who have taken it for some time. Nevertheless, if your health isn’t optimal, you may want to use less than the standard dosage for a few days, and then increase slowly.
Furthermore, older people will usually have a stronger effect from Tongkat Ali (as their testosterone levels will already have declined), and side effects are more likely in older users.
Initial side effects could be facial flushing, headache, and testicular pressure. Regardless of your age, these side effects will subside after a few days.
Penile and testicular hypertrophy (increased size) can be a long-term side effect, especially with the use of very large dosages, and in those who use Tongkat Ali at a younger age. This effect can be traced back to the fact that increased testosterone secretion by testicular Leydig cells induces growth of surrounding tissue. (Penile and testicular size increases during puberty, too, are caused by the activation of testicular Leydig cells and the subsequent increased testosterone secretion by these cells; Tongkat Ali follows the same pathway). Like size increases during puberty, those caused by persistent use of large Tongkat Ali dosages do not reverse.
TONGKAT ALI FOR WOMEN
By and large, Tongkat Ali has the same effect on women as it does on men.
In Southeast Asia, women take Tongkat Ali to support fertility as well as libido. Most commonly, it is used by those who take hormone-based contraceptives (the pill). Indonesian women typically have 2 complaints about contraceptive pills: that they make them fat, and that they interfere with sexual pleasure. Many of them believe that Tongkat Ali keeps them both slim and interested in sex (Tongkat Ali will not override the contraceptive effect of pills, though).
The dosage recommendation for women is to take about half as much as men.
TONGKAT ALI USES
There are many applications for Tongkat Ali extract. For example, the root has anti-viral and anti-cancer properties. However, most people use it to enhance libido and muscle anabolism, as both are testosterone-dependent, and as Tongkat Ali has been shown time and again to raise testosterone levels, in laboratory animals, human tissue, and in clinical trials with healthy men.
If Tongkat Ali extract is taken for its testosterone-enhancing properties, the best regimen will depend on what you want to achieve by raising testosterone levels: a boost in libido, or a boost of muscle gain during an exercise program. Please see below for further details on this.
DRUG AND FOOD INTERACTIONS
(Please keep eating what you are eating and taking your favorite supplements along with Tongkat Ali. Do not let the mentioned foods and supplements overly concern you. Tongkat’s effects will come through regardless) I think the writer is giving us very detailed info on best-case scenario. Of course check with your Doctor if you are taking prescription medication. You need to be careful about drug interaction with any supplements taken including Tongkat Ali!
If you take Tongkat Ali extract for its pro-libido properties, you should not combine it with saw palmetto or pygeum, or the pharmaceutical finasteride (Proscar). All three block dihydrotestosterone. The enzymatic conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone is necessary to achieve Tongkat Ali’s libido support. Also avoid large quantities of soy products, as they contain phytoestrogens that will interfere with testosterone binding sites. It is also best to not combine Tongkat Ali with large amounts of garlic. Furthermore, Broccoli and cauliflower, as well as other cabbage-derived vegetables, dampen the testosterone-raising effect of Tongkat Ali.
If taken for pro-sexual purposes, one has to be aware that Tongkat Ali works on libido, not on erectile function.
Some three to four hours before expected sexual intercourse, take 1 to 2 grams of 1:50 extract with a full meal that contains a good amount of meat and as few carbohydrates as possible. For one to two hours after this meal, your testosterone levels will be below average (large amounts of food initially suppress testosterone). Your testosterone will see a natural rebound some two hours after the meal. This is when the Tongkat Ali extract will also start to kick in, raising your testosterone above your genetic baseline.
It is then best not to eat again until AFTER sexual intercourse. Eating again before sexual intercourse may cause the effect of the Tongkat Ali to diminish. About 1 hour before expected intercourse, you can add the Viagra.
Please be aware that the combination of Tongkat Ali extract with Viagra may cause a very noticeable histamine reaction. Facial flushing and a stuffed nose are typical indications of a histamine reaction. These are indications that sexual intercourse will likely be more exciting and satisfying than normal.
TONGKAT ALI IN BODYBUILDING
If you take the Tongkat Ali not for the pro-sexual effects but as a supplement to aid in bodybuilding, your usage regimen should be different from the above. It will also be much less important for you to maneuver yourself into an appropriate frame of mind.
In general, your Tongkat Ali usage should be more evenly spread out over the day, and you can take your daily dosage divided into equal dosages every 12, 8, or 6 hours. In this case, optimal gains are achieved if you consume a meal rich in carbs 1 to 2 hours before exercise. The carbs-rich meal will aid in muscle building, even though testosterone levels may be slightly depressed during exercise.
The anabolic effect of raising testosterone through Tongkat Ali is not something that would primarily be desired for, or restricted to, exercise hours. Rather, you want Tongkat Ali’s anabolic effect during rest or non-exercise hours. For this reason, if you use Tongkat Ali for muscle-building purposes, it is best to divide your daily amount into equal dosages taken at regular intervals. Healthy bodybuilders who do not take pharmaceutical drugs can take their Tongkat Ali with grapefruit juice, which has a slight supportive role in Tongkat Ali metabolism. As mentioned above, bodybuilders will support their gains if they have a carbs-rich meal some 1 to 2 hours before exercise.
APHRODISIAC VALUE
Since 1994, different authorities have carried out various scientific experiments on the aphrodisiac properties of Tongkat Ali. The school of pharmaceutical science, university science Malaysia [Ref. Biological & pharmaceutical Bulletin 21(2) 1998 153-155; Archives of pharmacal research (Seoul),20(6). 1997 .656-658; international journal of pharmacognosy, 35(2). 1997.144-46; experimental animals (Tokyo) ,46(4).1997.287-90]; reported that in the tests carried out in the laboratory, the extract of Tongkat Ali has an aphrodisiac effect in the experiment on animals. It increased the number of times and length of the sexual performance of the animal under study.
More reports about the biological properties of the water-soluble extract were reported in 22nd Malaysian Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Society Conference 1997; proceedings of the 19th Malaysian Biochemistry and Molecular Biologi Society Conference 1994 and some other publications.
Experiments carried out by a team of scientists in the University of Malaya showed the water-soluble extracts from Tongkat Ali have the following effects:
i. In vitro tests on human testicular tissue homogenates showed Tongkat Ali water-soluble extract increased the formation of testosterone (male sex hormones) by 4.4 fold.
ii. Studies conducted on animals showed significant changes in the male-:female ratio of the offspring, i.e.3:1 ratio in the treated group compared to 1:1 ratio in the untreated group.
iii. Experiments conducted also showed that the water-soluble extract has the ability to increase the sperm concentration, percentage of progressive sperm and the mobility rate. The results obtained suggest that Tongkat Ali water-soluble extract could increase the quality and quantity of the sperm, and therefore increase the fertility rate.
Tongkat Ali water-soluble extract has the potential of increasing fertility and also helps increase the litter size.
Tongkat Ali has to be consumed regularly over time. The mode and mechanism of actions are different.
Tongkat Ali acts through the enhancement of testosterone and also c-GMP productions. As it enhances the synthesis of the hormone it takes a longer time period to exert its effects. The benefits are felt gradually after a period of time. Optimal effectiveness should be felt within a week of continuous uninterrupted use. When the testosterone level increases, health and vitality are restored.
Tongkat Ali water-soluble extract is not a stimulant. Aphrodisiac effects of Tongkat Ali varied depending on the lifestyle and also the physical and physiological state of the individuals.
CANCER CELLS INHIBITOR
Researchers in America and Japan reported that some plant chemicals in the group of quassinoid alkaloids found in Tongkat Ali have the effect of inhibiting the growth of cancer cells in animals in laboratory experiments. Examples of the chemical cells are breast cancer cells, colon cancer cells, and leukemia.
ANTI-FEVER EFFECTS
In 1995, it was reported that the quassinoid extracted from Tongkat Ali has an anti-fever effect. From this experiment, the quassinoid was 2 times more effective than aspirine.
ANTI-MALARIAL EFFECT
Studies on the biological effects of Tongkat Ali began in the 1980s. Studies showed that the roots of Tongkat Ali have a group of plant chemicals called quassinoid alkaloid and peptide that has the property to kill malaria parasites.
ANTI-OXIDANT PROPERTIES
Studies conducted by the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) as well as the department of Bio-medical Science, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) discovered that Tongkat Ali contains SOD (Superoxide dismutase), a kind of anti-oxidant enzyme. The studies showed that Tongkat Ali inhibited the chain reaction of radicals that can be harmful to the body system.
QUALITY OF TONGKAT ALI EXTRACT
Most, if not all, Tongkat Ali products available in the market today are pulverized (sawdust) root. Until they are scientifically analyzed in the laboratory, there is no way to verify which plant roots or plant parts are being used. Beside, the raw roots are fungus-prone. Unless stringently quality-controlled, even grounded root powder in capsules can deteriorate over time and are subject to attack from fungi and microorganisms, which could cause toxic and other side effects over long term usage.

[jn1421]

As the information above states, it may take a while for a person to recognize the effect(s) TA gives. While I was taking TA I slowly began to notice that my awareness of the world around me was becoming more vibrant and improved. Everything seemed richer than it had been before. Color, smell, eye sight, reasoning, thoughts, taste, myself, my wife and family…everything. It was like walking into a familiar room that was dark. I knew where everything was, but if I turn on the lights, everything becomes clear and more obvious. Some rooms have a dimmer control switch, like a dial where you can enhance the light, like a volume control on a stereo. That is what Tongkat Ali made me feel like, as if my volume dial was turned way up, I absolutely loved it. Too bad it’s so stinking expensive or I would buy it in bulk; wonderful stuff.