Eurycoma Longifolia, Longjack, LJ100 extract, side effects

Eurycoma Longifolia Jack, known as Longjack, LJ100 extract 25 mg, 50 mg, 80 mg, Tongkat Ali, and Pasak Bumi
Side effects, risks, safety, danger, caution and benefit as aphrodisiac plant, sexual enhancement, libido booster in men and women

Commonly known as Tongkat Ali, this herb is used in the United States mainly for its aphrodisiac properties. You will find this herb and its extracts either sold by itself as a supplement, or combined in herbal formulas promoted for sexual enhancement. Eurycoma is an effective aphrodisiac and is found in various natural aphrodisiac products on the market, including an excellent and effective physician formulated product called Passion Rx with Yohimbe.

Botanical name
The botanical name for Tongkat Ali or Pasak Bumi is Eurycoma Longifolia Jack. The part of the tree used for sexual effects is the root. The habitats of Eurycoma longifolia Jack, a slender tree, are jungles in Malaysia and Indonesia. It belongs to the family Simaroubaceae.

Traditional uses
Eurycoma longifolia Jack commonly has been used in Malaysia to increase male virility and sexual prowess. This herb is also used to fight malaria.

Products in stores or online
There are dozens of eurycoma herb products available without a prescription and you can find them in many vitamin stores, some pharmacies, and certainly on the internet. Once you notice the benefits from taking a Tongkat Ali product, use it less frequently. An excellent formula that contains this herb and several other natural aphrodisiacs is called Passion Rx with Yohimbe, and it is formulated by a medical doctor who is the author of Natural Sex Boosters book.

Eurycoma Longifolia Jack root powder 200 mg per pill, provided by Physician Formulas. Most people take this dosage two days on, one day off, or every other day.

Buy this Tongkat Ali product. It is certified by a medical doctor and is of the highest quality.

Tongkat ali 50 to 1 extract, 400 mg per pill.
Eurycoma Longifolia Jack root LJ100, 25 mg. This is a good dose for most people. Most people take this dosage initially every other day and afterwards two days a week or as needed. Older individuals would use half a capsule every other day.
LJ100 80 mg dosage may be too high for many people leading the side effects.
Tongkat Ali Extract 1:200 extract. There are several companies promoting a 200 to 1 extract. They claim they have concentrated the herb to be 200 times as potent as the regular eurycoma herb. There is likelihood that these promoters are exaggerating their claims. Tongkat Ali root powder is potent by itself and we don't see the need to concentrated it n a 200 to 1 extract and we doubt the claims that these 200 to 1 extracts are accurate claims. They may just be a 2 to 1 or 4 to 1 extract. There are no scientific guidelines of what constitutes a 50 to 1, 100 to 1, or 200 to 1 extract. Be skeptical of such claims.

There are many tongkat ali products on the market with various claims by each company that their product is the most effective. The best way for a consumer to find out is to try two or three different ones to see which work best for them. Remember, be cautious and take low dosages to avoid unpleasant side effects.

Composition and chemical analysis
Some of the substances in the bark include quassinoids, squalene derivatives, biphenylneolignans, tirucallane-type triterpenes, canthine-6-1, and beta-carboline alkaloids. Additional substances include eurycomanone, longilactone, 14,15beta-dihydroxyklaineanone, 15beta-acetyl-14-hydroxyklaineanone, 6alpha-hydroxyeurycomalactone, eurycomaoside, and eurycomalactone. Eurycomanone is a bioactive quassinoid. Beta-carboline alkaloids are also present in the root.

Tongkat Ali: A review on its ethnobotany and pharmacological importance.
Fitoterapia. 2010. Bhat R, Karim AA. Food Technology Division, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia,, Penang, Malaysia.
The plant parts have been traditionally used for its antimalarial, aphrodisiac, anti-diabetic, and antimicrobial activities, which have also been proved scientifically. The plant parts are rich in various bioactive compounds such as eurycomaoside, eurycolactone, eurycomalactone, eurycomanone, and pasakbumin-B among which the alkaloids and quassinoids form a major portion. Even though toxicity and safety evaluation studies have been pursued, still a major gap exists in providing scientific base for commercial utilization and clearance of the Tongkat Ali products with regard to consumer's safety.

Benefit
Eurycoma herb has been used in Thailand, Malaysia, and other southeastern Asian countries as a sexual stimulant, energy booster, and to fight malaria. Extracts of the plant have been shown to possess cytotoxic, antimalarial, anti-ulcer, antipyretic and plant growth inhibition activities.

How long does it take to work?
Unlike prescription medications that are used for impotence or erectile dysfunction, eurycoma does not work in an hour. It normally takes one to four days for this herb to enhance sexuality. The quickness of the sexual benefits depends on dosage, and higher amounts will provide sexual enhancement the first day. However, adverse effects are much more likely on these higher dosages.

Side effects, risks, safety, danger, caution
Eurycoma herb is very potent and side effects can occur quite easily. These include excess energy, restlessness, aggressiveness leading to arguments, increased body temperature, sweating, rapid heart rate, and insomnia. These adverse effects can be reduced by taking smaller dosages. We caution not to use a dosage of LJ100 higher than 30 mg since there is a risk for insomnia, sweating or rapid heart beat.
We recommend those with heart disease, moderate to severe blood pressure problems, or those taking heart medications to avoid the use of eurycoma products unless the dosage is kept very low, even a portion of a capsule. There is a danger of heart palpitations in those who have heart disease if they take these herbal sexual enhancing products.

Human studies
As of May 2010, we have found only one human study with eurycoma herb or extract. Reports from users indicate that this herb and the extracts are effective sexual enhancers.

Use for fertility treatment
Eurycoma longifolia Jack in managing idiopathic male infertility.
Asian J Androl. 2010. Bin Mohd Tambi MI. Wellmen Clinic, Damai Service Hospital, Kuala Lumpur 52100, Malaysia. Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Kbg Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
We investigated the effect of treatment with the proprietary standardized, water-soluble extract of the root of the Malaysian plant, Eurycoma longifolia Jack, which is thought to enhance male fertility with regard to higher semen volumes, sperm concentrations, the percentage of normal sperm morphology and sperm motility in male partners of sub-fertile couples with idiopathic infertility. A total of 350 patients were given 200 mg of the extract daily and follow-up semen analyses were performed every 3 months for 9 months. Of these 350 patients, 75 patients completed one full cycle of 3 months. Follow-up semen analyses in these patients showed significant improvement in all semen parameters. The proprietary extract of Eurycoma longifolia Jack significantly improved the sperm quality in these patients, allowing for 11 (14%) spontaneous pregnancies.

Animal studies

Malaria
Eurycoma longifolia extract-artemisinin combination: parasitemia suppression of Plasmodium yoelii-infected mice.
Trop Biomed. 2007. Mohd Ridzuan MA, Sow A, Noor Rain A. Herbal Medicine Research Center, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Eurycoma longifolia, locally known as 'Tongkat Ali' is a popular local medicinal plant that possess a lot of medicinal properties as claimed traditionally, especially in the treatment of malaria. The claims have been proven scientifically on isolated compounds from the plant. The present study is to investigate the anti malaria properties of Eurycoma longifolia standardized extract (root) (TA164) alone and in combination with artemisinin in vivo. Combination treatment of the standardized extract (TA164) with artemisinin suppressed P. yoelii infection in the experimental mice. Our study showed that combination treatment of TA164 with artemisinin gives a promising potential anti malaria candidate using both oral and subcutaneous route, the later being the most potent.

Sexual enhancement, libido, erectile function, impotence
Influence of Eurycoma longifolia on the copulatory activity of sexually sluggish and impotent male rats.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2009. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
In the study we evaluated the influence of Eurycoma longifolia Jack on sexual behavior (including both motivation and copulatory performance) of sexually sluggish and impotent male rats. The root powder of the plant was orally administered to adult Sprague-Dawley male rats, classified as sexually sluggish or impotent taking in account their behavior in pre-experimental tests. Groups of 8 animals each were submitted to three different types of treatment: (1) acute at 3 dose levels (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg); (2) subacute (daily for 6 days) at the dose of 500 mg/kg and (3) subchronic (daily for 12 days) at the same dose (500 mg/kg). Mount, intromission and ejaculation latencies and post-ejaculatory interval were recorded during the mating test in order to evaluate sexual performance. In addition the partner preference test was used to assess sexual motivation. Testosterone serum levels were measured in subacutely treated rats and compared with the values of controls receiving vehicle. Eurycoma longifolia root improved sexual performance but not motivation in sluggish rats after acute or subacute administration. The effect could be mainly ascribed to increased testosterone levels.

Sexual arousal in sexually sluggish old male rats after oral administration of Eurycoma longifolia Jack.
J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol. 2004; Ang HH, Lee KL, Kiyoshi M. School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Science Malaysia, Minden, Penang, Malaysia.
The objective of this study is to evaluate sexual arousal in sexually sluggish old male rats, 24 months old and retired breeders, receiving 200, 400, or 800 mg/kg of various fractions of E. longifolia Jack, twice daily, for 10 days. The aphrodisiac effect was monitored by the act of yawning and stretching because yawning, either alone or associated with stretching, is considered an ancestral vestige surviving throughout evolution that promotes sexual arousal. The results showed that 800 mg/kg of E. longifolia Jack increased yawning by 50% and stretching by 16% in sexually sluggish old male rats, by 700% and 150%, respectively, in sexually active male rats, and by 30% and 100%, respectively, in middle aged, 9 months old and retired breeders. We conclude that the results of this study support the folk use of this plant as an aphrodisiac.

Eurycoma longifolia Jack enhances sexual motivation in middle-aged male mice.
J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol. 2003; Ang HH, Lee KL, Kiyoshi M. School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Science Malaysia, Minden, Penang, Malaysia.
Each mouse received 500 mg/kg of one of 4 fractions of E. longifolia, viz. chloroform, methanol, butanol, and water, whereas the mice in the control and yohimbine groups received 3 ml/kg of normal saline and 30 mg/kg of yohimbine daily respectively for 10 d. The results show a transient increase in the percentage of male mice responding to the right choice after chronic consumption of the fractions with 50 percent of the adult middle-aged male mice treated with E. longifolia Jack and yohimbine scoring the right choice after 8 and 5 days post-treatment respectively. In conclusion, this study has shown that Eurycoma longifolia Jack continues to enhance sexual motivation in adult, middle-aged male mice and in retired breeders.

Effect on reproductive system
Andrologia. 2013. In vivo effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali) extract on reproductive functions in the rat. Department of Medical Biosciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa. An aqueous extract of Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali; TA) roots is traditionally used to enhance male sexuality. Because previous studies are limited to only few sperm parameters or testosterone concentration, this study investigated the in vivo effects of TA on body and organ weight as well as functional sperm parameters in terms of safety and efficacy in the management of male infertility. Forty-two male rats were divided into a control, low-dose (200 mg kg-1 BW) and high-dose (800 mg kg-1 BW) group. Rats were force-fed for 14 days and then sacrificed. Total body and organ weights of the prostate, testes, epididymides, gastrocnemius muscle and the omentum were recorded. Moreover, testosterone concentration, sperm concentration, motility, velocity, vitality, acrosome reaction and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were assessed. Whilst TA decreased BW by 5% and omentum fat by 31%, no changes in organ weights were found for the prostate, testes and epididymides. Testosterone concentration increased by 30%. Muscle weight also increased, yet not significantly. Whilst sperm concentration, total and progressive motility and vitality increased significantly, MMP improved markedly by 25%. Because no detrimental effect could be observed, TA appears safe for possible treatment of male infertility and ageing male problems.

In vitro studies
An in vitro study means that the evaluation was done in a lab not using any animals or humans. Eurycoma extracts are known to have anti-malarial and anti-cancer properties.

Cancer
Induction of apoptosis by Eurycoma longifolia jack extracts.
Anticancer Res. 2005. School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, National University of Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
The present study investigated the effects of extracts and their chromatographic fractions from the root of Eurcyma longifolia on the growth of a human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7. Our data indicated that E. longifolia extracts and fractions exert a direct antiproliferative activity on MCF-7. The bioassay-guided root fractionation resulted in the isolation of three active fractions, F5, F6 and F7. The resultant from F7 purification, F16, exhibited a higher cytotoxic activity towards MCF-7 and a certain degree of selectivity against a normal breast cell line. Our results suggest that F16 has antiproliferative effects on MCF-7 cells by inducing apoptosis through the modulation of Bcl-2 protein levels.

Fibrosarcoma
Canthin-6-one alkaloids and a tirucallanoid from Eurycoma longifolia and their cytotoxic activity against a human HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cell line.
Nat Prod Commun. 2010; Miyake K, Tezuka Y, Awale S, Li F, Kadota S. Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Japan.
Phytochemical investigation of the stems of Eurycoma longifolia Jack led to the isolation of two new canthin-6-one alkaloids, 4,9-dimethoxycanthin-6-one and 10-hydroxy-11-methoxycanthin-6-one, and a new tirucallane-type triterpenoid, 23,24,25-trihydroxytirucall-7-en-3,6-dione, along with 37 known compounds. Among these, an oxasqualenoid was isolated as a natural product for the first time. The structures of the isolates were elucidated by spectroscopic and mass spectrometric means. All the isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against a HT-1080 human fibrosarcoma cell line. Among them, 9,10-dimethoxycanthin-6-one, 10-hydroxy-9-methoxycanthin-6-one, dihydroniloticin , and 14-deacetyleurylene displayed stronger activity than the positive control 5-FU

Malaria
Among the quassinoids isolated from Eurycoma longifolia Jack, eurycomanone was identified as the most potent and toxic inhibitor of the chloroquine-resistant Gombak A isolate of Plasmodium falciparum.

Eurycoma Longifolia Jack, LJ100 extract, Tongkat Ali interactions with prescription medications
If you have any medical problems, taking medications, or are over the age of 50, discuss with your doctor before using Tongkat Ali supplements.

Blood pressure medications - If you have moderate to severe hypertension, we suggest not using Eurycoma products unless the dosages are very low.

Cialis, Levitra, and Viagra - We do not suggest taking a eurycoma pill or LJ100 the same day as Cialis, Levitra, and Viagra prescription drugs. You may consider taking the herbal product for two days before the erectile dysfunction drugs.

Heart medications - Those who have heart disease or taking heart medications should not use Eurycoma extracts since this herb increases heart rate.

Sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil - We do not suggest taking a eurycoma pill or LJ100 the same day as Sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil prescription medicaitons. You may consider taking the herbal product for two days before the erectile dysfunction medications.

Can LJ100 product be taken in conjunction with blood pressure medications such as Lisinopril and Toprol?
We have not seen any studies with such combinations. As a general rule it is best to use a portion of a capsule at first and to have medical approval. Some people may be able to tolerate the combination, whereas others may not.

Statin drugs include atorvastatin (Lipitor and Torvast), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor, Altocor, Altoprev), pitavastatin (Livalo, Pitava), pravastatin (Pravachol, Selektine, Lipostat), rosuvastatin (Crestor) and simvastatin (Zocor, Lipex). Can this product be taken in conjunction with cholesterol medications such as simvastatin or statin drugs for high cholesterol?
Possibly in low dosages, but it depends on the overall health of the person, whether they have heart disease, hypertension, taking other medications and supplements, and their overall health status.

Eurycoma Longifolia Jack, LJ100 extract, Tongkat Ali interactions with dietary supplements
If you have any medical problems, taking medications, or are over the age of 50, discuss with your doctor before combining Tongkat Ali with other nutritional supplements.

Yohimbe or Yohimbine - Unless the dosages are kept low, we do not suggest taking them together the same day. Tongkat ali can be taken the day before and yohimbe used the an hour to three hours before sexual activity.

Questions and comments from consumers
How long should I give the 25mg lj100 a try before moving up to 50mg?
We suggest trying 25 mg two days on, one day off, for a week or two before considering any dosage changes.

I am a bodybuilder and i want to increase my muscle mass and testosterone. Does the LJ100 help me or not? And for the bodybuilder, how many i take per day, how many day on and day off, when i take ? i am taking the creatine and whey protein, can i take the LJ100?
We can't advise whether you should or should not take this supplement, but we think it has too many side effects to be used for the purpose of muscle building. Creatine and protein supplements are the best and most consistent ways to increase muscle mass with the fewest side effects.

I think I was going through a hormonal imbalance or simple lack of testosterone for some reason at age 37 (almost 41 now). I didn't realize what the problem was until I was working out all the time and decided to look into perhaps trying to do something steroid-ish (no way I'm doing that). That's when I learned about how when guys do steroids, a side effect is their natural testosterone-making ability is shut down, and after they end a cycle they have to get it going again, especially if they aren't like 18 years old. That further led me to guys who take steroids as a hormone replacement, and I saw the same indicators mentioned when someone has a lack of testosterone as I was experiencing. So, I decided I'd try and up my testosterone using natural methods, and if that didn't do anything then I'd take the embarrassment and go to doctor to do something about it. So, I searched for a product that might fit the bill, and found LJ100 25 mg backed by what appears to be a reputable person / company. I bought a bottle and took the LJ100 as directed, every other day during the week in the morning right after waking up. The only unwanted side I experienced was actually a sign that it was working, a pimple. Before too long I felt normal again, and ordered a couple more bottles of LJ100. Thing is, shortly after receiving the new bottles, I've discovered I don't need them anymore, at least not regularly. I think for whatever reason, maybe just getting older, my system had a hiccup and the LJ100 brought it back to action. Every once in a while I'll take one in the morning as an enhancement or maintenance, so to speak, when I notice any decline or lack of the morning indicator for too many mornings. When I do that, I will eventually get a small pimple show up on my upper back. Nothing major, one squeeze and it's pretty much gone already. If anything I take it as sign that my testosterone is back to about where it should be. So, I now only take maybe on average one LJ100 per month, if that. So, I probably won't be buying more bottles of that anytime soon, but that's a good thing. Anyway, I wanted to write and say all that because I'm very happy with the lasting results, I'm certain it isn't a placebo effect, and just want to thank you for making the LJ100 available online along with all the information presented in a very factual way. I also like the research updates, and with the special offers I might try out another product to see if it helps with my cognitive abilities.

I am 67 and suffer from erections that won't last, although I have a high libido! I don't want to take Viagra, Cialis or Levitra as I'm not sure how they will affect me. My wife is 64 and her libido is nonexistent since menopause. Will LJ100 work for both of us? What dosage would be best for my wife? We saw the segment on the Dr. Oz Show in March 2010 that mentioned Tongkat Ali as a stimulator for a better sex life. They discussed and drank the coffee formula in hot water.
Yes, the Dr. Oz Show aired their segment on tongkat ali in March 2010 but did not mention side effects or risks. It is difficult to know what dosage would work in anyone since there can be a wide range of dosage responses. In older individuals, it may be a good idea to open a 25 mg capsule and take half every other day for a week and then judge the necessity of taking more or less based on the initial response. However, if a person is on medication or has an unstable heart condition they need to review the use of sexual herbs with their doctor before use.

I purchased lj100 50 mg by Herbal Powers and started taking it. I would pull the cap apart and mix it with different juices. After a few days I didn�t notice any effect so I used 2 cap. Same thing pull it apart and mix with juice. Then 3rd day didn�t notice anything so I started using 4 pills. Like it says on the bottle, 2-4 caps daily for general health maintenance. So I didn�t see a problem taking 4. So I did. Then I took 2 days off and then started back taking it and after 2 days I notice my hands was itching real bad and kinda like a burning sensation. Later that day I took my daily 4 pills and at night after I had something to eat I notice my voice was acting like I was going through puberty or like I had a cold. Then it kinda stop and later that night it finally just took my voice. If I whispered, my voice would sound fine, if I tried to talk loud then it would just cut away. Later that night I did some activities and it seem that my voice came back right after I was done. So I didn�t give it any more thought until I use the restroom and notice a rash around the bottom of my belly. Around the pants line. It look like a bunch of mosquitoes bit me. I started worrying and went to the ER and they wanted to give me a shot but since I drove, they give me prednisone liquid and sent me home. After about 1hour it got worse. Then the next day I woke up and went to town and the rash was all gone. So I went to a local urgent care to get a checkup and they give me a prescription for prednisone and I got it filled an took one dose and feel asleep. When I woke up the rash was back and all over my body. I went back to the urgent care and showed him the rash and he said that it is very unlikely that I am allergic to prednisone, but told me to go ahead and stop it and used Benadryl. Which I have been using every since. 2 tps every 4 hours and the rash keeps coming and going. Not as bad but it does keep going and coming. The reason I am writing is that it states that there has not been and reactions to date using this herb. I just don�t know what makes me allergic to it. In fact I am not sure I am allergic, but I have never had a reaction like this and I am not allergic to any medicine. And the only thing different that I was doing was taking lj100. SO it had to be the the product causing the problems. If you have any ideas of what might triggered the reaction please let me know. I sent the above email to herbal powers and they responded saying that it is very unlikely that I am allergic, that if I was, then I would have noticed it after the first dose. The caps are 50mg piece and it clearly states on the bottle take 2-4 daily for general maintenance and take 4-8 before and activities. So by me taking 4 and mixing it with orange juice, I wasn't over dosing. Any information that you can provide, I will surely appreciate it.
This is the first time we have heard of a skin rash associated with this product. It is difficult to diagnose without doing a full history and medical exam. There are instances where some people have unexpected reactions to medications or herbal supplements.