Tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia, also sold as long jack) is a root extract from a small tree native to Malaysia and Indonesia. It is one of the most searched herbal supplements in the UK, and one of the most mislabelled. This guide covers what tongkat ali is, the names and extract ratios you will see, what the published studies looked at, how it compares with ashwagandha and turkesterone, and what to check before you buy tongkat ali in the UK.
Tongkat ali at a glance
| Botanical name | Eurycoma longifolia Jack |
|---|---|
| Other names | Long jack, longjack, pasak bumi, Malaysian ginseng (not a true ginseng) |
| Part used | Root |
| Key compounds | Quassinoids (eurycomanone is the marker compound), eurypeptides, alkaloids |
| UK status | Sold as a food supplement |
| Our product | Bodybuilt Labs Tongkat Ali 500mg, 90 capsules, £39.99, made in the UK |
What tongkat ali is
Eurycoma longifolia is a slender evergreen tree that grows in the lowland rainforests of Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. The root has been boiled into a bitter tonic in South East Asian traditional use for generations, which is where the name comes from: "tongkat ali" is Malay for "Ali's walking stick", a reference to the long, straight taproot. "Long jack" is the English trade name and simply refers to the same plant.
Modern tongkat ali supplements use a concentrated extract of the root rather than the raw root powder. Malaysia regulates the harvest and export of the plant, and much of the published research has used standardised, water-extracted root.
Tongkat ali, long jack and pasak bumi: the names you will see
- Tongkat ali: the Malaysian name and the one most UK shoppers search for.
- Long jack or longjack: the English trade name. Same plant, same root.
- Pasak bumi: the Indonesian name, common on products sourced from Borneo.
- Malaysian ginseng: a marketing name. Tongkat ali is not related to Panax ginseng.
- Eurycoma longifolia: the botanical name, which is what should appear on a UK label.
Extract ratios explained: 100:1, 200:1 and standardised extracts
Tongkat ali labels quote strength in two different ways, and they are often confused.
- Ratio extracts (50:1, 100:1, 200:1) tell you how many kilograms of dried root went into one kilogram of extract. A higher ratio sounds stronger, but the ratio alone does not tell you how much of the active compounds survived the process.
- Standardised extracts state a measured percentage of a marker compound, usually eurycomanone, or total bioactive peptides. This is the more useful number because it is measured in the finished extract.
When you compare tongkat ali products, compare milligrams of extract per capsule, the extraction method (water extraction is what most studies used), and whether the seller can show a certificate of analysis.
What the research has looked at
Tongkat ali is one of the better studied herbal extracts in its category, though most trials are small and many used a single patented water extract. The main areas researchers have measured:
- Hormone markers in men. A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis in the journal Medicina pooled clinical trials that measured serum total testosterone in men taking Eurycoma longifolia. The authors reported higher total testosterone versus baseline or placebo, with the clearest differences in men with low starting levels, and called for larger trials.
- Stress hormones and mood. A 2013 study in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition measured salivary cortisol and mood scores in 63 moderately stressed adults over four weeks.
- Older active adults. A 2014 pilot study in Phytotherapy Research looked at muscle strength and hormone markers in physically active men and women aged 57 to 72.
These are descriptions of what studies measured and reported. No health claim for tongkat ali is authorised in the UK, so we make none for our product.
Tongkat ali vs ashwagandha vs turkesterone
Tongkat ali is often bought alongside, or instead of, two other popular extracts. Here is how they differ.
| Tongkat ali | Ashwagandha | Turkesterone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source | Root of Eurycoma longifolia (South East Asia) | Root of Withania somnifera (India) | Ajuga turkestanica (Central Asia) |
| Marker compound | Eurycomanone (a quassinoid) | Withanolides | Turkesterone (an ecdysteroid) |
| Traditional use | Malay tonic | Ayurvedic rasayana | Central Asian herbal use |
| Our product | Tongkat Ali 500mg, £39.99 | Ashwagandha 500mg, £14.99 | Turkesterone 500mg, £39.99 |
Tongkat ali and ashwagandha are the most common pairing we see in baskets. If you want a single formula rather than individual extracts, Bodybuilt Labs Testo Boost combines several botanicals in one capsule. For the full range, see our supplements collection, and for the ashwagandha side read our ashwagandha guide.
Buying tongkat ali in the UK: what to check
- The botanical name on the label. It should say Eurycoma longifolia root extract. Vague "herbal blend" labels can hide very little tongkat ali.
- Root, not stem or leaf. The research uses root. Stem material is cheaper and is sometimes mixed in.
- Milligrams of extract per capsule. 500mg of extract per capsule is a common, easy to compare strength.
- Where it was made. UK manufactured supplements are made to UK food safety and labelling rules. Some imported tongkat ali products have failed heavy metal testing, so manufacturing and testing standards matter.
- Price per capsule, not price per tub. Tub sizes vary from 30 to 120 capsules.
- Proper labelling. A UK food supplement should carry the recommended daily amount, a warning not to exceed it, and a statement that it is not a substitute for a varied diet.
Bodybuilt Labs Tongkat Ali 500mg
Our Tongkat Ali 500mg capsules contain Eurycoma longifolia root extract, are made in the UK and come in tubs of 90 capsules. At £39.99 that works out at about 44p per capsule, and a tub lasts 90 days at the recommended daily amount on the label. Orders ship from the UK with tracked delivery.
Who should not take tongkat ali
As with any food supplement, do not exceed the recommended daily amount on the label. Tongkat ali is not suitable for children, under 18s, or anyone pregnant or breastfeeding. Speak to your GP or pharmacist before use if you have a medical condition, a hormone sensitive condition, or take any prescription medication. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Frequently asked questions
What is tongkat ali?
Tongkat ali is the root of Eurycoma longifolia, a tree native to Malaysia and Indonesia. In the UK it is sold as a food supplement, usually as a concentrated root extract in capsules.
Is tongkat ali the same as long jack?
Yes. Long jack, longjack, pasak bumi and tongkat ali are all names for Eurycoma longifolia. The botanical name on the label is the reliable check.
Can you buy tongkat ali in the UK?
Yes. Tongkat ali is sold in the UK as a food supplement. Our Bodybuilt Labs Tongkat Ali 500mg is made in the UK and ships with tracked delivery.
What does 200:1 mean on a tongkat ali label?
It means 200kg of dried root was used to make 1kg of extract. It describes the concentration process, not the amount of active compounds, so a standardised eurycomanone percentage is a more useful comparison where it is given.
What is the difference between tongkat ali and ashwagandha?
They are unrelated plants. Tongkat ali is a South East Asian root whose marker compound is eurycomanone; ashwagandha is an Indian root whose marker compounds are withanolides. Many customers buy both.
How long does a tub of tongkat ali last?
Our tub contains 90 capsules, which lasts 90 days at the recommended daily amount on the label.
Is tongkat ali banned in sport?
Tongkat ali is not named on the WADA Prohibited List. Any supplement can carry a contamination risk, so tested athletes should check with their governing body and use batch tested products.
Key references
- Leisegang K, Finelli R, Sikka S, Panner Selvam MK. Eurycoma longifolia (Jack) improves serum total testosterone in men: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. Medicina. 2022;58(8):1047.
- Talbott SM, Talbott JA, George A, Pugh M. Effect of Tongkat Ali on stress hormones and psychological mood state in moderately stressed subjects. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2013;10:28.
- Henkel RR, Wang R, Bassett SH, et al. Tongkat Ali as a potential herbal supplement for physically active male and female seniors: a pilot study. Phytother Res. 2014;28(4):544 to 550.