Eurycoma longifolia
| Eurycoma longifolia | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Division: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: | E. longifolia
|
| Binomial name | |
| Eurycoma longifolia | |
Eurycoma longifolia Jack (aka, Tongkat Ali or Pasak Bumi) is a flowering plant in the family Simaroubaceae, native to Indonesia and Malaysia.
It is a small evergreen tree growing to 15 m tall, with spirally arranged, pinnate leaves 20-40 cm long with 13-41 leaflets. The flowers are dioecious, with male and female flowers on different trees; they are produced in large panicles, each flower with 5-6 very small petals. The fruit is green ripening dark red, 1-2 cm long and 0.5-1 cm broad.
Uses
Eurycoma longifolia has become popular for its alleged testosterone-enhancing properties. It has therefore been included in some herbal supplements for bodybuilders. Historically, it has been used by the folk medicine in its countries of origin as a libido enhancer and to treat various sexual dysfunctions. Numerous scientific studies performed by Malaysian scientists suggest that it enhances sexual characteristics and performance in animal models.[1] [2] [3]
Fractions of its extract has been shown to induce apoptosis in breast-cancer cells [4] and to be cytotoxic to lung-cancer cells.[5]
In Southeast Asia it is used as a post partum medication, as well as for its antimalarial, antipyretic, antiulcer, cytotoxic and aphrodisiac properties.
In both animals and humans, tongkat ali extract increases muscle mass. The British Journal of Sports Medicine published the results of a scientific study in 2003, which showed that Eurycoma longifolia caused increased muscle strength and size when compared to a placebo.[6] This demonstrates the anabolic properties of tongkat ali. Thanks to this discovery, a growing number of Asian athletes and body builders now use tongkat ali extract as an androgen, to improve muscle size and strength, and to enhance sports performance.[citation needed]
References
- Kebun Raya Indonesia: Eurycoma longifolia
- Global Information Hub for Integrated Medicine: Eurycoma longifolia
- Abstracts of the published scientific reports
Footnotes
- ^ Ang HH, Ngai TH, Tan TH (2003). "Effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack on sexual qualities in middle aged male rats". Phytomedicine. 10 (6–7): 590–3. PMID 13678248.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Ang HH, Cheang HS, Yusof AP. (2000). "Effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali) on the initiation of sexual performance of inexperienced castrated male rats". Exp Anim. 49 (1): 35–8. PMID 10803359.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Ang HH, Lee KL, Kiyoshi M (2004). "Sexual arousal in sexually sluggish old male rats after oral administration of Eurycoma longifolia Jack". J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol. 15 (3–4): 303–9. PMID 15803965.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Tee TT, & Azimahtol HL. (2005). "Induction of apoptosis by Eurycoma longifolia jack extracts". Anticancer Res. 25 (3B): 2205–13. PMID 16158965.
- ^ Kuo PC, Shi LS, Damu AG, Su CR, Huang CH, Ke CH, Wu JB, Lin AJ, Bastow KF, Lee KH, Wu TS. (2003). "Cytotoxic and antimalarial beta-carboline alkaloids from the roots of Eurycoma longifolia". J Nat Prod. 66 (10): 1324–7. PMID 14575431.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Hamzah S, Yusof A (2003). "The Ergogenic Effects of Eurycoma Longifolia Jack: A Pilot Study". Br. J. Sports Med. 37: 464–70.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - Abstract of study listed as item 007