How to Choose a Tongkat Ali Supplement: Extraction Ratios, Blends and Dosage
Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) is a Southeast Asian root traditionally used as a men's tonic for energy, stamina and libido. It's one of the more confusing supplements to shop for, because brands describe strength in different ways and many products are blends. This guide covers how to compare labels and how the four products we list differ. For the research in depth, see our full Tongkat Ali guide on Nootropics Blog, linked below.
Extraction ratio vs. milligrams
Raw root powder and a concentrated extract aren't comparable milligram for milligram. A 200:1 extract means 200 parts of raw root were concentrated into one part of extract, so a small amount of extract can contain more of the active compounds than a large amount of powder. Some carefully made products also state a eurycomanone or glycosaponin percentage. When a label gives a ratio or a percentage, it tells you far more than the milligram number on the front.
Single ingredient or blend?
Many Tongkat Ali products add other ingredients, most often Tribulus Terrestris, Fadogia Agrestis or BioPerine (a black pepper extract added to support absorption). These aren't fillers, but they mean you're taking a formula rather than Tongkat Ali alone. If you want to know what Tongkat Ali itself does for you, or you want to avoid Fadogia, whose human safety research is limited, choose a single-ingredient product.
Reading the label
- Extraction ratio or standardization: such as 100:1, 200:1, or a eurycomanone percentage.
- Other ingredients: Tribulus, Fadogia or BioPerine.
- Serving size: and how many days the bottle lasts.
- Testing: third-party testing for heavy metals is worth looking for with any root sourced from Southeast Asia.
How much to take
Standardized extracts are commonly taken at 200mg to 400mg a day, usually in the morning with food. Studies typically ran 4 to 12 weeks, and many people cycle it, for example a few weeks on and a week or two off, rather than taking it all year. Stick to the serving on the label rather than adding more.
Comparing our picks
Solaray is the only single-ingredient product of the four: 400mg with no added herbs, in a 180-capsule, Non-GMO Project Verified bottle. Choose it if you want to know exactly what you're taking. Nutricost is the only one that states an extraction ratio, a 200:1 extract, combined with Tribulus and BioPerine in 1,000mg servings; BioPerine can affect how some medications are absorbed. Double Wood is a Tongkat Ali Complex with Tribulus, 1,020mg per serving in 120 capsules. Earth Elixir pairs Tongkat Ali with Fadogia Agrestis in 180 capsules, roughly a 3-month supply; because research on Fadogia's long-term safety is limited, it's usually cycled.
Who should avoid it
Tongkat Ali is for adults only. Don't take it during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and talk to a doctor first if you have a hormone-sensitive condition or take any medication.
The bottom line
Look for a stated extraction ratio or standardization, decide whether you want Tongkat Ali alone or a blend, and cycle it rather than taking it indefinitely. All four products are side by side, with their label details, on our Tongkat Ali comparison page.
