Tongkat Ali Extract – An Abundance of Misinformation

Ever since Dr. Mehmet Oz of Columbia University and noted alternative medicine expert Chris Killian discussed the significance of herbal remedies on the Doctor’s popular television show, interest in Tongkat Ali as a testosterone booster and proven aphrodisiac for men and women has risen dramatically. Persons researching Tongkat Ali will quickly realize that there is an abundance of conflicting information about the herbal extract. Much of the misinformation is due to the fact that the industry is not standardized.

As a result, each manufacturer has different criteria for extraction and for accountability. Users should understand that when purchasing the popular extract, the integrity of the manufacturer directly impacts the integrity of the product.

As such, users are advised to only purchase from providers that stand behind their production process. Tongkat Ali Extract can be purchased through a number of online providers as well as through brick and mortar distribution centers. New users should be insistent about verifying the ingredients and the provider’s manufacturing process.

In fact, Tongkat Ali Extract is derived from the mature roots of the 20 to 30 year old Eurycoma Longifolia trees, indigenous to Southeast Asia. Some providers seeking to capitalize on the amazing demand for the herbal extract have begun to use roots from immature trees. Though easier to harvest, the resulting extracts will not bear the same, high-level results as the roots from fully developed trees.

The development of high quality Tongkat Ali Extract begins with the native harvesting of the 2-3 meter long vertical roots of the Eurycoma Longifolia. This excavation is a laborious effort performed in the intense heat and humidity of the rain forests in Malaysia and Indonesia. The Eurycoma Longifolia used to be more dominant in the region but the deforestation of Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand have reduced the supply of the colorful trees. If users purchase Tongkat Ali that is not derived from mature roots, the results will be tainted and not equal to the benefits of manufacturers who insist on mature roots only.

Tongkat Ali wannabe manufacturers will not have standardized procedures to nurse the raw material through the production stages. The cleansing of the raw roots is essential to a proper end result. The outside layer of the root contains bacteria that must be effectively cleansed to ensure the integrity of the product. The cleansing process includes several cycles of washing, boiling and drying before the material is ready for extraction.

The cleansing process must be tightly controlled. Today, Malaysian manufacturers use large and shiny stainless steel bins to wash, boil and dry the raw roots. Because manufacturing standards vary so much, new users should inquire about the process used to produce the extract by the new provider. If the provider is reluctant to discuss how their product is manufactured, the user should move on to another distributor. Basically, buyer beware is the best philosophy for new users. Once the user finds a reliable provider, it is best to stay with that distributor.

There is also inconsistency in the advertised strength of the extract. Technically, the strength is conveyed through a ratio of grams of the ground herbal root used to produce one gram of dried extract in the water extraction process. Popular strengths range from 1:10 up to 1:200, meaning that 200 grams of dried roots are used to produce one gram of dried extract. Tongkat Ali Extract 1:200 is the most potent and safe composition. New users should verify that the advertised ratio complies with these measuring standards.

Tongkat Ali has been dubbed Asian Viagra, but there are many distinctions between the two erectile dysfunction therapies. Whereas Viagra is usually taken one hour before sexual activity, Tongkat Ali is taken once or twice a day in a cycling routine that best suit’s the user’s lifestyle and sexual activity. However, women report the best results from Tongkat Ali when taken one or two hours prior to sex.

As an all natural herbal treatment, Tongkat Ali is non-habit forming and yields minor side effects such as restlessness or insomnia. Users do report increased energy levels within the first week. Viagra has many more serious side effects and users should acquaint themselves with all the risks of the medicine. Just as Dr Oz said on March 24th, there are little to no risks when using herbal medications.