Description
Known also as “pasak bumi” (Scientific name ‘Eurycoma longifolia’), tongkat ali is a flowering plant that is native to Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines. Tongkat Ali is a treelet that takes about 20 years to mature and grows up to 15 meters in height. Folkloric uses of Tongkat Ali herbal medicine include the treatment for diarrhea, boils, ulcer, tuberculosis, jaundice and dysentery. Tongkat Ali is widely known for its ability to enhance sexual activity in men.
Hormone imbalance is a common health for many women today. Exposure to toxins that exhibit estrogen-like effects — and there are plenty — can throw a woman’s hormone production off kilter. Common symptoms include fatigue, slowed metabolism, low libido, and brain fog. Herbalists and believers in traditional medicines have long used Tongkat Ali, commonly known as Long Jack, to combat these issues and modern research has confirmed its status as a health-supporting herb with hormone balancing benefits. Used for centuries to support female health, Tongkat Ali still remains foreign to most people. Fortunately, a great deal of research is shedding new light onto the herb’s benefits, specifically for women.
1. Helps Fight Unwanted Weight Gain
Hormones dictate metabolism and an imbalance almost always leads to unwanted weight gain. Many of us may have come to accept that a certain level of weight gain and fatigue is a normal part of aging; however, this doesn’t have to be the case. Often, the reason we are gaining weight is simply because we are being exposed to environmental toxins that are messing with our natural hormonal equilibrium. Tongkat Ali may aid in reducing weight gain by stabilizing hormones, and this applies to both males and females.
2. Boosts Energy
When the body isn’t producing adequate hormones, or when its production has gone haywire, it can often result in low energy levels. As Tongkat Ali is an excellent tool for balancing hormones, it also balances energy and metabolism. The increased energy may be helpful for supporting endurance during exercise, linking Tongkat Ali back to weight loss and maintenance.
3. Supports Natural Libido
No matter your gender, a testosterone boost can be a helpful way for increasing sexual flame and desire. Folklore says that Tongkat ali is helpful for increasing the sensitivity of a woman’s erogenous zones, further increasing its libido-boosting qualities. While research has shown that the herb boosts libido in male rats, researchers believe these effects can also be replicated in females.
4. Promotes Skeletal Health
Low testosterone levels increases one’s chances of developing osteoporosis, a debilitating disease characterized by weak, fragile bones. While calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium all play a role in bone health, maintaining hormonal balance is key for regulating the health of the entire body. Since Tongkat encourages serum concentration of testosterone, it is believed that the herb may be a useful adjunct toward improving and maintaining superior bone health.
5. Improves Mood
Research has shown that Tongkat ali reduces cortisol, our main stress hormone. Cortisol is produced in response to stress and is also one of the main contributors to stress-related weight gain. In clinical trials, Tongkat reduces tension, anger, and confusion. The herb may also reduce the effects of everyday stress associated with diet, sleep loss, and even exercise. Improved memory is also associated with Tongkat ali supplementation.
6. Encourages Normal Blood Sugar
Maintaining proper blood sugar levels through diet and exercise is one of the best defenses against type II diabetes. Research has confirmed that Tongkat Ali may contribute to this effort. Reducing refined carbohydrates in the diet, increasing exercise, getting quality sleep, and sunlight exposure are also extremely helpful ways to maintain balanced blood sugar levels. Although it is not a well-known usage of the herb, the action of Tongkat Ali on blood sugar is so profound that those who take diabetes medicines are urged to avoid the supplement. It lowers the blood sugar and may decrease glucose levels dangerously.
