Tongkat Diet, Dose, & Side effects.

Please note that none of the diet or dose info below is medical advice and has not been confirmed by any official western medical body such as the FDA. Never take any herb or supplement without speaking to a medical professional first.

Diet

It is said that theobromine found in chocolate may interfere with Tongkat Ali .

Coffee can also reduce the effectiveness of Tongkat Ali in some people.

Seafood may cause an allergic reaction when taking Tongkat Ali for some people.

I cannot find any other sellers mentioning any of the above and I haven't experienced any reaction to seafood myself, but it is worth mentioning.

If you find Tongkat is not working for you it could be due to one of the above factors.

Dosage

For Tongkat Ali extract, recommended dosages vary wildly between manufacturers and studies, and can be anything from 25mg to 1.6 grams per day depending on the brand or advertised use case. There is no official dose so experimentation is needed.

My advice would be to start with one capsule to be safe, slowly raise the dose and then follow whatever is written on the bottle and up the dose at your own risk if you feel the need. NEVER start off with a higher dose than the label recommends.

For optimal results, it is said Tongkat Ali should be cycled on a 2-1 basis, e.g. 4 weeks on, 2 weeks off. This is to avoid building up a tolerance.

FAQ

How long does it take for Tongkat Ali to work?

If the desired effect isn't felt after 8 weeks then Tongkat is probably not for you, assuming you have tried avoiding coffee and chocolate, which may interfere with Tongkat as stated above.

What to expect.

It depends on why you are taking it as there are a lot of uses for Tongkat. The most common reason is to to help with free testosterone levels. Many people take test boosters etc despite being below the age of 35 and having already decent free levels, and then wonder why they don't feel any different.

The reason you don't feel any different is that you didn't really have anything broken to fix, a slight rise back to what is considered normal for your age is not going to make you feel vastly different. This isn't like synthetic options that boost it above what is normal and make you feel like superman, this is a herbal supplement, it won't go beyond what is optimal. Blood tests before and after are vital to know if it is actually working or not, and i would say you should take it for at least 8 weeks, preferably 12 to see if it is really working. Results, if it works for you, may show lower total test levels but higher free test levels.

For energy it's very hit and miss. Some people react to higher T levels with a feeling of more energy, others feel lethargic and more tired. Mood can also change, some people are happy with a greater feeling of well being, others are more aggressive and moody. These are effects common with synthetic options also.

Will Tongkat Ali / Long Jack work for ED?

It may slowly raise libido over time, and a side effect of a higher libido is more frequent and perhaps harder erections. It isn't going to work within 20 mins or cure any medical conditions though.

How to use Tongkat Ali.

On your first day use just 1 capsule. Raise to 2 capsules if you feel 1 is not enough a few days later. Raise to 3 capsules if you feel 2 is not enough or you have gotten used to it. World A.B.S recommend no more the 3 capsules, so if you take more it is at your own risk. 90 capsules may last you between 1 and 3 months this way.

In order to prevent your body from getting used to Tongkat Ali and possibly reducing it's effect, as well as reducing any potential long term side effects, it is recommended to cycle it. This could be 2 weeks on 1 off, 4 weeks on 2 off, etc. It is up to you to discover what works best. If for example Tongkat makes you feel good but after 4 weeks that feeling becomes diminished, try 4 weeks on 2 weeks off. You can even do 1 month on 1 week off if that works for you, everyone is different and the rules are not set in stone. You should take a break at least every 3 months.

Some people when they first try Tongkat Ali feel great, buy another bottle and then think it's not as good as the first bottle as they don't get the same feeling, even when from the same or a standardised batch. This is due to the body becoming used to it and is normal, cycling it can only go some way to prevent this and you will probably never get the same feeling as you did when you very first started using it.

It's like the nicotine rush smokers get when they first try smoking, or how drunk you became from your very first pint but now you need 5 just to feel merry, or like a drug addict chasing the dragon. It's normal and doesn't mean the product has changed (although if its not standardised it could also be due to inconsistency), it just means that your second time isn't going to ever be the same as your first, as your body has now adjusted to something that is no longer new to it. This happens with most things.

Tongkat Ali side effects, interactions and things to note.

The below information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration.

Allergies

Avoid if allergic or sensitive to Eurycoma longifolia, its parts, or members of the Simaroubaceae family

Side Effects and Warnings

Eurycoma longifolia is considered safe when used at commonly suggested levels. There is little information available on side effects.

Avoid if allergic or sensitive to Eurycoma longifolia, its parts, or members of the Simaroubaceae family.

Eurycoma longifolia may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised in people with diabetes or hypoglycemia, and in those taking drugs, herbs, or supplements that affect blood sugar. Blood glucose levels may need to be monitored by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, and medication adjustments may be necessary.

Eurycoma longifolia may cause low blood pressure. Caution is advised in people taking drugs that lower blood pressure.

Eurycoma longifolia may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's cytochrome P450 enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may be increased in the blood and may cause increased effects or potentially serious adverse reactions. People using any medications should check the package insert and speak with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, about possible interactions.

Use cautiously in people who have weakened immune systems.

Use cautiously in people taking propranolol.

Avoid in men who have breast cancer or prostate cancer, as well as people who have diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, or sleep apnea.

Avoid in children and in pregnant or breastfeeding women, due to a lack of safety data.

Eurycoma longifolia may also cause anxiety, restlessness, and sleep problems.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Avoid in pregnant or breastfeeding women. There is currently a lack of scientific evidence on the use of Eurycoma longifolia during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Children (under 18 years old)

There is no proven safe or effective dose for Eurycoma longifolia in children.

Interactions with Drugs

Eurycoma longifolia may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. People taking insulin or drugs for diabetes by mouth should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.

Eurycoma longifolia may cause low blood pressure. Caution is advised in people taking drugs that lower blood pressure.

Eurycoma longifolia may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's cytochrome P450 enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may be increased in the blood and may cause increased effects or potentially serious adverse reactions. People using any medications should check the package insert and speak with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, about possible interactions.

Eurycoma longifolia may also interact with agents that affect the immune system, agents that block nerve impulses, agents that block nervous system activity, agents that increase energy, agents that promote fertility, anti anxiety agents, antibiotics, anticancer agents, antimalarial agents, anti obesity agents, beta-blockers, heart health agents, heart rate-regulating agents, hormonal agents, osteoporosis agents, and propranolol.

Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements

Eurycoma longifolia may interfere with the way the body processes certain herbs or supplements using the liver's cytochrome P450 enzyme system. As a result, the levels of other herbs or supplements may become too high in the blood. It may also alter the effects that other herbs or supplements possibly have on the cytochrome P450 system.

Eurycoma longifolia may cause low blood pressure. Caution is advised in people taking herbs or supplements that lower blood pressure.

Eurycoma longifolia may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using herbs or supplements that may also lower blood sugar. Blood glucose levels may require monitoring, and doses may need adjustment.

Eurycoma longifolia may also interact with antibacterials, anticancer herbs and supplements, antimalarials, anti obesity herbs and supplements, herbs and supplements that affect the immune system, herbs and supplements that block nerve impulses, herbs and supplements that increase energy, herbs and supplements that promote fertility, herbs and supplements that promote heart health, herbs and supplements that treat abnormal heartbeat, hormonal herbs and supplements, and osteoporosis herbs and supplements.

Side effects users have reported.

Some people have reported that TKA 1:200 can make them feel dizzy or nauseous. If this happens, try lowering the dose and/or taking the capsules with or after a meal instead of on an empty stomach.

Some people say Tongkat Ali gives them energy, while others say it helps them sleep or feel lethargic. This is a prime example of how herbs can effect people differently and why you should not rely on user reviews to judge how a product will work for you.

If it helps you sleep or makes you lethargic then it is a good idea take it around 1 hour or so before bed. If it gives you energy, take it in the morning, afternoon, or before a gym session etc, and avoid taking it close to bedtime.

Stomach ache, diarrhea, IBS and other possible stomach issues have been reported by some Tongkat users. This appears to be rare and gastro-resistant capsules should reduce or prevent this.