Tongkat Ali/Long Jack

Abstract

Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia Jack; Simaroubaceae) is native to Southeast Asian countries, such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, and is also found in some areas of Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. The plant is a tall, slender, shrubby tree; the leaves are pinnate, and the flowers are tiny and reddish. It is used in traditional medicine for its aphrodisiac effects and for treating malaria. Most parts of the plant, and root extracts in particular, have a history of human consumption and use for various health reasons. Decoctions of Eurycoma longifolia leaves have been used for washing itches, while the rootbark is used traditionally to treat diarrhoea and fever. Root extracts are used for sexual dysfunction, syphilis, glandular swelling, malaria, fever, aches, exercise recovery, increased energy, increased strength, ageing, cancer, diabetes, leukaemia, osteoporosis, stress, and anxiety; additionally, root extracts are used as an aphrodisiac, antibiotic, appetite stimulant and health supplement. Traditionally, tongkat ali is used by men; however, it is also reputed to have aphrodisiac properties in females.Approximately 21 000 kg of Eurycoma longifolia is harvested each year, and there is substantial demand for the raw material, giving rise to the potential for financially motivated adulteration of raw material and manufactured products. For example, due to tongkat ali's reputation for effects on libido, intentional product adulteration with phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (tadalafil, sildenafil, vardenafil) has been reported. Common namesTongkat ali, tongkat baginda, setunjang bumi, penawar pahit, [Malay]; long jack, Malaysian ginseng, eurycoma root [English] and many others. N.B. the name tongkat ali is also sometimes used to refer to Smilax myosotiflora A.DC. [Smilacaceae] and Polyalthia bullata King [Annonaceae], which are entirely different species. Accidental botanical substitution with plant species with similar common names has occurred.