Tongkat Ali – Malaysia Most Popular Herbs
Eurycoma longifolia Jack (aka, longjack or Tongkat Ali or Pasak Bumi) is a flowering plant in the family Simaroubaceae, native to Indonesia and Malaysia. It is a small evergreen tree growing to 15 m (49 ft) tall, with spirally arranged, pinnate leaves 20-40 cm (8-16 inches) long with 13-41 leaflets. The flowers are dioecious, with male and female flowers on different trees; they are produced in large panicles, each flower with 5-6 very small petals. The fruit is green ripening dark red, 1-2 cm long and 0.5-1 cm broad.
Tongkat Ali Plant Habitat
This plant is inhabit the understorey of lowland forest and its geographical distribution covers Malaysian, Burma, Indochina, Sumatra, Borneo and the Philippines.
Tongkat Ali Plant growth habit/cultivation
Tongkat Ali is propagated through seeds. The seeds are sown in the nursery, under shade and high humidity. Seedlings begin to sprout out after a period of about one month. The seedlings should be kept in the nursery for at least 6 month before field transfer to enhance establishment of the plant. Tongkat Ali plants can be harvest after a period of 4 years.
Why Do People Use Tongkat Ali?
Tongkat Ali was dubbed the “Asian Viagra” in a May 1999 report in the New Sunday Times. It has been used in Malaysia for many years by men to increase sexual desire, libido, sexual performance and to treat erectile dysfunction.
Tongkat ali appears to work by increasing levels of the hormone testosterone. Testosterone is primarily responsible for the growth and development of male reproductive organs, including the penis, testicles, scrotum, prostate, and seminal vesicles. Normal testosterone levels maintain energy level, mood, fertility, and sexual desire.
Because of its testosterone-enhancing properties, tongkat ali is also used by bodybuilders to increase muscle mass and strength.
