Dr. David Williams' "Alternatives" Newsletter
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While I'm on the topic of aphrodisiacs, let me share one remedy I recently discovered in Malaysia that appears to be quite effective. Tongkat ali, a native herb that has been used throughout Southeast Asia for hundred of years to treat everything from headaches and fatigue to malaria fever, labor pains, and arthritis. Its best-know use, however, is as an aphrodisiac. The coffee-like liquid made from tongkat roots is believed to increase male virility and sexual prowess.
This slender, red-stemmed jungle plant can grow up to 30 feet high. It is the roots that contain the medicinal compounds. They are tuber-like, long and twisted, and often resemble a walking cane, or 'tongkat' as it is called in Malaysia. (Don't be surprised if you get a strange look when you mention the word tongkat in Malaysia. In one rather embarrassing situation, I learned that tongkat is also a slang word for penis.) In Indonesia tongkat ali is called pasak bumi.
Much of the research on tongkat ali has been performed in Malaysia, but herbalists in Vietnam and Indonesia also have a great deal of experience with it, which was one of the reasons I traveled there. And universities in Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, and the United States also have been testing the effects of extracts of the tongkat ali root. To date, most of the completed studies involve animals, but human trials are now underway.
Results thus far indicate that tongkat ali extract does indeed enhance male libido and sexual motivation, virility, penile erections, and sexual performance(1)
Like many traditional remedies, the exact mechanism by which tongkat ali enhances libido isn't fully known, so it will take more research to determine its full mode of action. The above studies have shown, however, that with increased dosing, the aqueous (water) extract of the root can increase testosterone levels by as much as 400 percent compared to base levels.
Some research also indicated increased growth in several of the male accessory organs after using tongkat ali, but the size increase was less than that resulting from supplemental testosterone use. And though I haven't seen or heard any reports of adverse reactions, it would be reasonable to assume that use of the herb would be contraindicated in any condition that might be adversely affected by increased testosterone levels. As such, it's generally not recommended for pregnant or nursing mothers or men with prostate cancer.
Not all of the research on tongkat ali has to do with its sexuality-enhancing attributes. Studies performed at the University of Chicago's College of Pharmacognosy found that in laboratory tests, several of the herb's compounds were effective at stopping the growth of many human cancer cell types, including breast, color, fibrosarcoma, lung, and melanoma. Obviously, more work needs to be done in that area.(2)
In addition to being toxic to cancer cells, components of tongkat ali appear to be active against the Epstein-Barr virus and the blood parasite Plasmodium falciparium, which causes malaria. This use alone could turn out the be a godsend, when you consider that more than 250 million people worldwide have malaria(3).
REFERENCES:
(1)Ang HH, Lee KL. Effect of Eurycoma longifolia Jack on orientation activities in middle-aged male rats. Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2002 Dec;16(6):479-83
Ang HH, Lee KL. Effect of Eurycoma longifolia Jack on libido in middle-aged male rats. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol. 2002;13(3):249-54
Chaing HS, Merino-chavez G, Yang LL, Wang FN, Hafez ES.
Medicinal plants: conception / contraception. Adv Contracept Deliv Syst. 1994;10(3-4):355-63
Ang HH, Cheang HS. Effects of Eurycoma longifolia jack on elevator ani muscle in both uncastrated and testosterone-stimulated castrated intact male rats. Arch Pharm Res. 2001 Oct;24(5):437-40
Ang HH, Ngai TH. Aphrodisiac evaluation in non-copulator male rats after chronic administration of Eurycoma longifolia Jack. Fundam. Clim Pharmacol 1;15(4):265-8
Ang HH, Ikeda S, Gan EK. Evaluation of the potency activity of aphrodisiac in Eurycoma longifolia Jack. Phytother Res 2001;15:435-6
Ang HH, Cheang HS, Yusof AP. Effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali) on the initiation of sexual performance of inexperienced castrated male rats. Exp Anim. 2000 Jan;49(1):35-8
Ang HH, Sim MK. Eurycoma longifolia JACK and orientation activities in sexually experienced male rats. Biol Pharm Bull. 1998 Feb;21(2):153-5
Ang HH, Sim MK. Eurycoma longifolia Jack enhances libido in sexually experienced male rats. Exp Anim. 1997 Oct;46(4):287-90
Ang HH, Chan KL, Mak JW. In vitro antimalarial activity of quassinoids from Eurycoma longifolia against Malaysian chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum isolates. Planta Med. 1995 Apr;61(2):177-8
(2) Kardono LB, Angerhofer CK, Tsauri S, Padmawinata K, Pezzuto JM, Kinghorn AD. Cytotoxic and antimalarial constituents of the roots of Eurycoma longifolia. J Nat Prod 1991;54:1360-7
(3) Chan KL, O'Neill MJ, Phillipson JD, Warhurst DC. Plants as sources of antimalarial drugs. Part 3. Eurycoma longifolia. Planta Med. 1986 Apr;(2):105-7 |
