Tongkat Ali: Root Extract Ratios Explained

Tongkat ali has become a familiar name in the UK supplement market, and it is now sold in a confusing range of strengths: 35:1, 100:1, 200:1, with percentages of compounds most people have never heard of. This guide explains what tongkat ali is, where it comes from and, above all, how to read an extract label so you know what you are actually buying.

What is tongkat ali?

Tongkat ali is the common name for Eurycoma longifolia, a slender shrub or small tree with long, feathery leaves. In Indonesia it is known as pasak bumi. The part used in supplements is the root, which is famously bitter. Traditionally the root was boiled into a strong decoction or tea.

Tongkat ali is a botanical, not a vitamin or mineral, and no health claims are authorised for it in the UK.

Where does it come from?

The plant grows in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. Malaysian tongkat ali is the most widely traded, and many labels state the country of origin. The roots take several years to reach harvestable size.

Extract ratios: what the numbers mean

A ratio describes how much raw root was used to make the extract.

• 35:1 means roughly 35 parts of dried root were used to make 1 part of extract. A 500 mg capsule is therefore described as equivalent to 17,500 mg of raw root.
• 200:1 means roughly 200 parts of root were used for 1 part of extract.

A ratio tells you about concentration, but it does not tell you what is in the extract. Different manufacturing methods can produce very different results from the same ratio. That is where standardisation comes in.

Standardisation: the more useful number

A standardised extract is tested for specific marker compounds and the result is printed on the label. For tongkat ali, you may see:

• Eurycomanone, a compound characteristic of the root, often given as a percentage such as 2%.
• Glycosaponins, a broader group of compounds, sometimes given as around 40%.
• Eurypeptides, a group of small peptides, sometimes given as around 22%.

If one product gives only a ratio and another gives a ratio plus standardisation, the second is giving you more information to compare.

Forms and what to look for on a label

• the botanical name, Eurycoma longifolia, and the plant part (root)
• the country of origin, if stated
• the extract ratio and any standardisation percentages
• the amount per capsule and the number of capsules per serving
• whether it is a single ingredient or a blend with other botanicals
• capsule type and suitability for vegans

How people take it

Take tongkat ali as stated on the label, at the serving given, and do not exceed the recommended daily dose. If you also take a blend that contains tongkat ali, count it as part of your total.

Who should check with a doctor or pharmacist first

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking tongkat ali if any of the following apply to you:

• you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breastfeeding
• you take any prescription medication or are under medical supervision
• you are under 18 (our products are not intended for anyone under 18)
• you have any long-term health condition

Frequently asked questions

Is a 200:1 extract stronger than a 35:1 extract?

It is more concentrated in terms of raw material used, but the ratio alone does not tell you its composition. Compare the standardisation figures where they are given.

Why is tongkat ali so bitter?

The bitterness comes from natural compounds in the root. Capsules avoid the taste entirely.

Is tongkat ali the same as maca?

No. Tongkat ali is a Southeast Asian root and maca is an Andean root vegetable from a different plant family. Some products combine them, so check the ingredient list.

Mother Nature products

• Tongkat Ali Root 35:1 Extract 500mg Vegan Capsules: 500 mg Malaysian tongkat ali root extract per capsule at a 35:1 ratio, equivalent to 17,500 mg of raw root. 1 to 2 capsules daily.
• Tongkat Ali 200:1 Extract 500mg Vegan Capsules: 500 mg Malaysian tongkat ali 200:1 extract per capsule, standardised to 2% eurycomanone, with 40% glycosaponins and 22% eurypeptides as declared on the label. 1 to 2 capsules daily.

Both are single-ingredient formulas in vegan HPMC capsules with no fillers or binders. You can browse the collection our tongkat ali sits in.

Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.