Safety of Tongkat Ali

Sometimes called Eurycoma longifolia or longjack, tongkat ali is a type of plant native to Asia. A number of companies market tongkat ali as a natural treatment for erectile dysfunction, but the plant may pose some health risks.

Background

• According to RxList.com, there is not enough research to know if tongkat ali is safe or what its long term effects might be.

Toxicity

• A 2005 study at the Forest Research Institute in Kepong, Malaysia published in the "Phytotherapy Research Journal" found that tongkat ali was toxic to human body cells when the researcher combined root extract with the cells in a laboratory.

Effectiveness

• A 2000 study at the Hang Tuah University, Teaching and Naval Hospital in Surabaya, Indonesia and published in the "International Journal of Andrology, " showed inconsistencies about the effectiveness of tongkat ali in treating erectile dysfunction.

Considerations

• Evidence may suggest that not only is the safety of tongkat ali unknown, whether or not you may reap any benefit from taking the supplement and exposing yourself to a potentially toxic substance is also uncertain. In addition, the FDA does not evaluate the safety or effectiveness of products that contain tongkat ali as they are dietary supplements.

Tips

• Since its effects upon fetal development are unknown, avoid using tongkat ali if you are pregnant or nursing. Talk to your doctor before beginning a regimen of tongkat ali as there may be a medication or other product with more certain safeness and results available.