Tongkat Ali Herb (LongJack): Increases Testosterone and Treats Infertility

Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma, longifolia, Malaysian Ginseng and LongJack) is a medium size slender tree reaching 10 meters in height. Tongkart is native plant grown on plantations in Malaysia, lower Burma, Thailand, Indonesia, and parts of Asia, without any pesticides. The habitation of the tree lives in tropical rain forests slopes: Requiring sandy well-drained soil, fresh water, and partial shade. Dating back to the 1700s, the root of the plant provides medicinal properties as an extracted herb for the treatment of malaria, high blood pressure, fevers, fatigue, loss of sexual desire (Commonly prescribed in Malaysian herbal Medicine as an aphrodisiac or substitute for Viagra.) and impotence.

Collecting the root of the plant is tiresome process, because it grows mostly vertically into the ground and up to two meters. For each root that is harvested, an individual hole has to be dug. The bark of the Tongkat Ali roots is used in Malay Peninsula to cure fever, ulcers in the mouth and intestinal worms. In the past, Malaysian people have harvested plant to relieve headache, stomachache, and many other general pains. The Sakai ethnic group in Sumatra, use plant as an amulet to protect people from the smallpox virus. Also, the herb plant increases testosterone. The potency derived from Tongkat Ali is best cultivated from a mature trees at least twenty-five years old or more, compared to younger trees which are not nearly potent. In the past, Tongkat Ali roots had to be brewed for long hours to get a bitter extract. The use of modern technology, root is dried and ground into a powder or liquid that resembles coffee. Also, the herb is packed in a pill / capsules (At the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia, workers in white protective gear poured sacks of the herb into gleaming stainless steel dryers and grinders to turn out powder for capsules.) or tea bag, and mixed with regular coffee or tea.

Testosterone (male hormones -- class of the most potent hormones called androgens) is sex hormone produced by the testes (male sex glands). Male hormones responsible for the development of male reproductive system and sexual characteristics such as voice depth, and facial hair. High levels of testosterone promote good health by lowering the risk of high blood pressure (helps regulate cholesterol), and heart attacks in men. Women produce about one-seventh the amount of testosterone each day compared to men. The ovaries and adrenal glands are responsible for the production of this hormone: Helps women maintain muscle and bone strength, and increases sex drive and libido. Testosterone levels decline gradually with age or when ovaries are surgically removed, thus affecting the libido.

Testosterone therapy maybe recommended, increase the level of energy, and decrease depression. Derivatives of testosterone are manufactured to treat breast cancer, especially when cancer has spread to the bones or assist to help bone density. However, if the level of testosterone is to high in women for an extended period of time, attributed cause male characteristics, including increased facial hair, broader jaw line and deeper voice. Also, common side effects include liver problems, mood or personality changes, and acne. Research has shown LongJack contains several phytochemicals: Support healthy testosterone levels, and effective treatment when taking steroids, which reduces testosterone production. Also, testosterone supplement herb increases libido, energy, enhance sport performance, rejuvenates youthfulness, and fertility. During the production process Tongkat Ali or extracting the herb (a source of testosterone replacement) from organic farms, additives, preservative chemicals, and artificial flavors or colors are added.

Article in the New Sunday Times issue June 5, 1999, according to Associate Professor
Dr. Johari Mohad Saad of Malaya University of Malaysia, reported male mice injected with Tongkat Ali extract experienced sexually hyperactive with female mice and their sperm count and vigor of the sperms both increased, compared to the mice not given the injection. The information from the study, maybe prove to be us useful for couples, seeking to conceive or provide a treatment for infertility.

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) captures chemical energy obtained from the breakdown or synthesis food molecules, and then produces energy as needed by the body. During an eight -week physical training program study, half of the men (subjects) ingested Tongkat Ali extract and half did not. Men that consumed Tongkat Ali experienced greater gains in muscle mass and strength than their counterparts. Further evidence has shown Asian athletes and body builders, who use Tongkat Ali extract as an androgen, improve muscle size and strength and too enhance sports performance. Tongkat Ali does not have the side effects associated to anxiety, jittery nerves or insomina, common for caffeine and aphedra as source of energy. However Tongkat Ali products carries a warning of insomnia and restlessness if the dose is too high. Also, patients experienced increased body temperature taking high doses. Recommend small amounts over a two or seven day period, than very high amount in one day.

In 2005, study using human subjects, discovered Tongkat Ali increased High Density Lipoproteins (HDLs), necessary for healthy arteries. As a result, reducing the build up of plaque in arterial walls and lowering risk of heart attacks. Capsule containing 400 mg of Tongkat Ali, recommend taken in the morning every one to three days.

In January 2005, Malaysia Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said: "One day "tongkat ali" will be marketed internationally, even in Harrods of London." Also, he said in January, a launch of a seven million dollar biotech research center that will study ways to clone the herb. According to Malaysian industry and government group, global market growth for aphrodisiacs is worth about four billion dollars and could reach nearly seven billion dollars by 2012.

Tongkat Ali is not recommended for women who are pregnant or are breast - feeding, men with prostate or breast cancer, diabetes (The herb may interfere with insulin or may decrease blood sugar levels.), heart and liver or kidney disease. Tongkat Ali should not be used when taking immunosuppressant drugs. Also, those who experience sleep disturbances or sleep apnoea should avoid taking LongJack herb.