Tongkat Ali is becoming insanely more popular than Ginseng in the UK. Find out more

There are two popular herbal roots that are widely discussed and consumed by millions around the world – i.e Tongkat Ali (Malaysian Ginseng) and Panax Ginseng (Korean, Asian Ginseng or Chinese Ginseng). Both Panax Ginseng and Tongkat Ali have been consumed for centuries, dating back to the 1600s and are backed by hundreds of research studies and clinical trials dating back to the early 70s.   

Studies have shown that both Tongkat Ali and Ginseng contain similar bioactive ingredients such as saponin and polysaccharides but in different quantities. On average the percentage of saponin found in Ginseng is between 2 – 3%. Comparatively, freeze-dried Physta® Tongkat Ali, which ranks among the best Tongkat Ali brands in the UK, showed saponin content as high as 48% using chromatography tests, making one of the most potent “ginsengs” on the market today.

While Tongkat Ali clearly wins in terms of the sheer potency of its bioactive components, both Tongkat Ali and Ginseng have similar but different benefits and utility, and what you get out of either largely depends on your health objectives. With that said, let us find out how Panax Ginseng compares to quality Tongkat Ali brands like AKARALI in the UK.

Similarities between Tongkat Ali & Ginseng

Ginseng has strong association with good health and longevity. This is due to the fact that it is rich in antioxidants. A study reported that Ginseng’s antioxidants help the body build a better immune system over the long-term, protecting both the body and brain from oxidative stress. Meanwhile, ginseng also popularly helps with heart disease; various human and animal studies suggest that Chinese ginseng may lower blood pressure, improve blood circulation, and reduce blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. For women in particular, some studies have shown ginseng can be a suitable alternative to promote the health of menopausal women, and sexual functions.

In comparison, Tongkat Ali also has an effect on longevity and health, but it works in different ways. A study by Japanese scientists showed that Tongkat Ali is capable of building a strong immune system through increased levels of T-cells and CD4+ cells, which helps the body naturally fight off disease and infections. While Tongkat Ali also does not seem to directly help with heart health, it does help you burn more fat and feel more energetic, which can indirectly lead to better cardiovascular health. For women, Tongkat Ali also helps by balancing and regulating specific hormones in their bodies. In fact, Tongkat Ali’s studies have shown it may benefit women’s health by boosting testosterone, oestrogen, and balancing cortisol in women across age groups, including menopausal women.

As we can see from this, Tongkat Ali and Ginseng have properties that boost general health in similar ways through different routes. What sets Tongkat Ali apart from Ginseng though?

Testosterone, libido and muscle mass:

A major selling point of Tongkat Ali has to do with how it affects testosterone in the human body. While Ginseng itself has no effect on testosterone production or regulation, Tongkat Ali helps you produce a higher amount of testosterone by fixing any disturbance that you may have regarding testosterone production. It also unlocks free testosterone. Tongkat Ali contains the compounds 13-alpha epoxy Eurycomanone that helps boosting the testosterone by up to 122% in women and by up to 61% in men.  Due to this, Tongkat Ali is more effective at treating a wider range of issues, including fatigue, low libido, and erectile dysfunction.

Speaking of ED, due to its effect on testosterone, Tongkat Ali has been shown to improve sexual function in men. Tongkat Ali (also dubbed Malaysia’s home-grown ‘Viagra’) has been used as an aphrodisiac for centuries. Studies show positive effects and relatively high potency compared to other herbs. Two studies show an increased libido in men in the range between 8.4 and 8.7% and 162% improvement in erection time.

Ginseng has some effect on treating ED, though the way it does is more akin to treating the symptom rather than the cause. Active ingredients in Ginseng called ginsenosides cause increased release of nitric oxide, which spreads the blood vessels and allows better blood flow to the penis. This is the same way regular Viagra works, albeit less directly and effectively. Meanwhile, Tongkat Ali treats underlying causes of ED overall and goes further by regulating reproductive hormones, leading not only to more satisfying erections, but also increased sperm motility and sperm production.

Unlike Ginseng, Tongkat Ali’s regulation of testosterone also helps with burning fat and building muscle mass. Comparatively, the bioactive component of Ginseng, ginsenosides, helps control appetite and prevent overeating, which can potentially promote weight loss. Tongkat Ali’s regulation of testosterone goes further not only with building muscle, burning fat but also speeding up the body’s metabolic rate. In fact, studies have shown that supplements like Tongkat Ali that regulate and boost testosterone increases fat free mass, muscle strength, and muscle mass, which are important for physical function and athletic performance.

Stress, cognitive function and dopamine:

Tongkat Ali also appears to be more effective than ginseng at reducing stress and improving cognitive function. While Ginseng largely protects the brain from the vicissitudes of ageing via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, Tongkat Ali combats stress by regulating hormones in the human body by boosting the amount of testosterone available and lowering the amount of cortisol (the “stress” hormone). Studies showed it reduces anger by 11% and tension by 12% after 4 weeks of consuming Tongkat Ali.

In addition to alleviating stress, Tongkat Ali also causes the body to naturally release dopamine, popularly called the “happy” hormone. Unlike caffeine or other drugs that cause a “rush” of dopamine, Tongkat Ali helps the body release dopamine in a steady stream due to its positive effects on the endocrine system. It does it in such a way that avoids the “crash” experienced by other dopaminergic substances.

In short, Tongkat Ali elevates cortical dopamine without flooding the system, which explains why you feel better after taking it and why it can be consumed for a prolonged period without experiencing any withdrawals. Having more dopamine available also improves memory and cognition. Overall, Tongkat Ali’s effects on dopamine can help you feel more self-motivated, optimistic, and have more agility to navigate through stressful situations or complex life challenges.

The fact that Tongkat Ali improves mood and reduces stress has been lauded by mental health professionals, especially with the increased isolation and stress that this global pandemic has wrought. Psychiatrists have even recommended Tongkat Ali as an off-label anti-depressant and anti-anxiety remedy for patients that are unable to take psychiatric medication due to underlying health conditions.

Side-effects:

Another key difference between Ginseng and Tongkat Ali are number of respective side effects. There are, in fact, serious safety issues when consuming Ginseng reported by scientists and researchers around the world. In fact, 35% of clinical trials reported side effects of ginseng which include symptoms like dizziness, facial flushing, headaches, transient anxiety, diarrhoea, insomnia, hypoglycemia, nausea, dyspepsia, stomach discomfort, body rash and pruritus, palpitation, urticarial condition, vomiting, fever, nervousness, and constipation.

In comparison, Tongkat Ali has fewer side effects. A small number of consumers have reported mild symptoms, such as stomach discomfort and mild insomnia. Most consumers, however, have reported no side effects when taking Tongkat Ali per the recommended daily dosage. In fact, many experts have testified that you can consume clinically-tested Tongkat Ali continuously over a prolonged period of time with minimal to no side-effects.

Parting words:

To sum up, both Tongkat Ali and Ginseng are incredible natural herbs. Picking between the two really depends on your lifestyle and individual needs. From our comparisons, Ginseng appears to be a better passive supplement that preserves good health via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities.

Tongkat Ali is meanwhile helps with specific gains and overall health by regulating and boosting testosterone in the body. Comparatively, it is more effective at treating specific conditions, including very measurable areas such as sexual dysfunction, fatigue and exercise gains. Tongkat Ali also has the benefit of minimal to no side effects when taken in the correct dose over a long-term period.

It is also important to remember that the dosage you need will vary from person to person as well as your intended health goals. If you are interested in trying Tongkat Ali, choose a brand like AKARALI that has validated quality and potency.