Tongkat ali
For the past decade, Tongkat Ali has been a key ingredient in sports supplements, particularly in those aimed at boosting testosterone levels. Its popularity surged after neuroscientist Matt Huberman discussed its benefits on the Joe Rogan podcast. Despite being a neuroscientist, Huberman’s interest in Tongkat Ali stems from its impact on testosterone, He highlighted recent studies documenting Tongkat Ali’s numerous benefits, especially when combined with Fadogia Agrestis. This raises the question: what other substances can be combined with Tongkat Ali?
The Synergy
Synergy is the benefit of combining different herbs and understanding how each works. We will also delve into the potential health benefits of Tongkat Ali and the synergistic effects of other herbs.
The active ingredients, also known as active constituents in plants, are responsible for the biological effects on the body. Usually, therapeutics in nature are used for medicinal purposes but active constituents can also cause some toxicity. Some plants contain more than one active ingredient. So, in considering mixing herbs, understanding each plant does not just mean one ingredient but several. Each ingredient will have different actions and should always be used with caution.
Mixing herbs is common because of the different active ingredients and how they interact with each other. They act on different target systems in the body. In herbalism, there is a synergy, when two or more herbs work together to bring a greater effect. Piperine for example can improve the bioavailability of other herbs. There are two types of synergism:
pharmacodynamics synergism: When two or more drugs are combined and offer complimentary aid for each other. They may also work together to reduce or even prevent possible counteractive effects. The combination can also directly benefit and indirectly cause undesirable side effects. Combining herbs should be done with caution.
pharmacokinetic synergism: Enhances ADME “Absorption Distribution Metabolism Excretion” effects when two herbs have been combined. ADME is the study of how the body processes the drug. This includes the rate at which a chemical is absorbed through the digestive tract and distributed from the stomach to the bloodstream. When two herbs are combined, the bioavailability of the active ingredients increases the effectiveness of both as compared to the single herb.
Tongkat Researched health benefits
Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) contains active ingredients known as quassinoids, derived from the Simaroubaceae family. Some of the key quassinoids found in Tongkat Ali include eurycomaoside, eurycolactone, eurycomanone, eurycomanol, hydroxylongilactone, dehydroklaineanone, and eurycomalactone. Eurycomanone, in particular, has been studied for its various health benefits. Research suggests that taking 100-600mg of eurycomanone per day, 1-2 times daily, may lead to a 37% increase in testosterone levels.
Additionally, doses of 200-400mg per day, 1-2 times daily, have been associated with an 8.4 to 10.8% increase in sexual health and libido. Eurycomanone has also been shown to reduce cortisol levels by 16% at doses of 200-400mg per day, as well as improve stress and mood at similar doses. For seminal motility, a dose of 300mg per day has been linked to improvements averaging 44.4%.
Tongkat ali and Maca root
As part of the Brassicaceae family, maca root supplement is safe to consume even at high quantities of 100 grams per day. The active ingredients behind its biological effects remain unknown, Maca does possess compounds that are exclusive to this herbal supplement. When Tongkat ali and maca root are combined, their synergistic properties can potentially reduce cortisol levels, enhance mood, and promote seminal health while Tongkat can improve free testosterone at a much lower dose of 500mg than maca, desired results were recorded at 2 grams/daily. Looking at the relevant data, this might be an effective formula for male enhancement and female hormone support.
Maca (Lepidium meyenii) Active ingredients:
Imidazole
Hydantoins
Thiohydantoin
Glucosinolates
Meyeniins
Researched health benefits of Meyeniins
Maca root aphrodisiac effects do not appear to be caused by any form of hormone manipulation such as testosterone, luteinizing hormones, or estrogen. Meyeniins. Most of Maca’s studies have provided evidence that it benefits women going through menopause as well as minimizing menstrual symptoms.
Dosages backed by scientific evidence
Estrogen: 2 grams/day had a 300% increase
Menopause Symptoms: 2 grams/day 11% decrease
Libido: 2 grams/day participants experience a higher libido
Cortisol: 2 grams/day 12% decrease in stress hormone
Stress: 2 grams/day 12 % decrease in stress
Tongkat and Fadogia Agrestis
Fadogia agrestis supplement is part of the Rubiaceae plant family found in Africa and is used for symptoms of erectile dysfunction and as an aphrodisiac. Tongkat ali and Fadogia Agrestis together gained popularity after being mentioned on the Joe Rogan podcast. Andrew Huberman, PhD., a neuroscientist in the Department of Neurobiology, was a guest and he stated, that during a Tongkat Ali and Fadogia Agrestis cycle, his testosterone went up around 200 points to the high 700s / low 800s (ng/dL).
Mixing Fadogia & and Tongkat boosts testosterone by stimulating the luteinizing hormone. In addition, Tongkat’s ability to free testosterone from sex hormone-binding globulin increases free testosterone, optimizes muscle growth, reduces stress, and increases Testosterone levels. This combo makes for a powerful cycle.
Fadogia Agrestis (Vangueria agrestis) Active ingredients:
Monoterpene glycosides
Alkaloids
Saponins
Researched health benefits of Monoterpene glycosides:
For five days, albino rats were given small doses and researchers saw increases in testosterone levels, 2-fold with 18 mg/kg, 3-fold with 50 mg/kg, and 6-fold with 100 mg/kg with improvements in libido. The Testicular weight also increased by 11 to 15 %. Delayed ejaculation was also noted in the same study.
Dosages backed by scientific evidence
Raise testosterone: 18, 50, and 100mg/kg of body weight were recorded in mice to show increased testosterone
Tongkat and Ashwagandha
Combining tongkat ali and ashwagandha makes a unique bundle. Both can improve immune function, boost mood, increase testosterone production, and enhance sports performance. The synergism between men and women is positive. Ashwagandha used in traditional medicine in India has been classified as an adaptogen. Adaptogens are natural substances that help the body adapt to physical and mental stress.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Active ingredients:
Withanolides
Alkaloids
Flavonoids
Glycosides
Steroids
Researched health benefits of withanolides:
Withanolides are considered for most of the plant’s benefits. The theory is that ashwagandha influences the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
The HPA adjusts hormone levels that affect the stress response to release cortisol. Cortisol tells the body it is under stress, or the body is being threatened,
and the level of the threat. Evidence to date reports that ashwagandha lowers cortisol and corticosteroids. This outcome has benefited anxiety, fertility, cognition, sleep, and weight management. Studies on ashwagandha have used daily dosages ranging from 120–5,000 mg of a root extract. In another study, men with strength training who were given 300mg/day saw increases of 15% in testosterone. This evidence suggests that Tongkat and ashwagandha combined would improve testosterone levels and lower cortisol significantly.
Dosages backed by scientific evidence
Intensive exercise: 600mg – 1000mg daily
Testosterone increase: 5 grams daily
Sleep: 600mg daily
Cortisol: 600mg daily
Anxiety: 250mg twice daily
Tongkat and Shilajit
A Shilajit and tongkat combination is interesting. Shilajit is an exudate that seeps from sedimentary rocks in mountainous regions. Shilajit is formed from centuries of decomposition of plant and animal compounds by microorganisms. The results are a useful tool in folk medicine, used in a wide array of ailments. Shilajit is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and adaptogen. It supports male fertility, testosterone, and cognitive function.
Shilajit (Mumijo) Active ingredients:
Fulvic acid
Dibenzo-α-pyrones (DBPs)
DBP chromoproteins (DCPs)
Researched health benefits of Fulvic acid, Dibenzo-α-pyrones, and DBP chromoproteins:
Fulvic acid, DBPs, and DCPs are believed to be the root of all its health benefits. These powerful antioxidants enhance the body’s maximum antioxidant capacity and reduce oxidative stress. In a clinical evaluation, 60 infertile men, ages 18-29 and 30-44, were given 200mg daily and saw a 23.5% increase in testosterone and a 9.8% increase in Follicle-Stimulating Hormone.
Dosages backed by scientific evidence
Testosterone Boost: 200mg daily 23.5% increases
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone: 200mg daily 9.8% increases
Sperm quality: 200mg daily 37% total sperm increases
References
[1] S. Pandit, S. Biswas, U. Jana, R. K. De, M. S. C and T. K. Biswas, “Clinical evaluation of purified Shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers,” 22 september 2015. [Online]. Available: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/and.12482.
[2] T. K. Biswas, S. Pandit, S. Mondal, S. K. Biswas, U. Jana, T. Ghosh, P. C. Tripathi, P. K. Debnath, R. G. Auddy and B. Auddy, “pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov,” 1 faburary 2010. [Online]. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20078516/.
[3] A. M. Abbas, K. S. Kamla, K. A. Mohammad, R. Singh, N. S. Satya, S. Vishwajeet and D. Deepansh, “Withania somnifera Improves Semen Quality in Stress-Related Male Fertility,” 18 june 2011. [Online]. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3136684/.
[4] K. Zwe-Ling, J. Athira, K. Fan-Chi, H. Jia-Ling and C. Shu-Chun, “pubmed central,” 22 10 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6213239/.
[5] W. Sachin, M. Vishwaraman and T. Prasad, “pubmed central,” 5 june 2016. [Online]. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6191980/.
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