What Types of Tongkat Ali Can You Get in the UK?
Tongkat Ali, a traditional herbal remedy with a rich history of use in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, has become increasingly popular in the UK and the developed world in general for its many versatile health benefits, including boosting testosterone levels, enhancing libido, improving mood, reducing stress, and more. But did you know that there are different kinds of Tongkat Ali? In fact, there are three different subspecies of Tongkat Ali commonly available on the market: Yellow, Black, and Red. Each variation has distinct characteristics, origins, and properties.
This article will delve into the differences between these three distinct subspecies and will serve as guide on which type might be the best choice for you.
Yellow Tongkat Ali
Scientific Name: Eurycoma Longifolia
Colour: Bright yellow with light yellowish-brown undertones
Yellow Tongkat Ali, also known as Eurycoma longifolia, or Malaysian Ginseng, is the most commonly available and extensively researched subspecies of Tongkat Ali. The best plants are wild-grown, primarily in the remote rainforests of Malaysia, with the most potent ones coming from states like Pahang and Borneo. This subspecies constitutes nearly 90% of the global Tongkat Ali market share, making it the most popular variation across the world.
The highest quality Tongkat Ali products are exclusively sourced from Yellow Tongkat Ali plants hand-harvested in the wild rainforests of Malaysia via sustainable replantation programs. Yellow Tongkat Ali is backed by over 300 research studies, validating its safety, utility, efficacy, and suitability as a daily dietary supplement. The Malaysian Standard MS2409, which sets the benchmark for Tongkat Ali quality and potency in Malaysia, is based on this subspecies.
Our official partner AKARALI is a renowned brand offering pure Yellow Tongkat Ali, recognized for its highly acclaimed standardized hot-water Tongkat Ali root extract, developed through decades of research and with over 27 clinical trials to validate its benefits as a dietary supplement. Yellow Tongkat Ali is known for its extreme bitterness due to the fact that it is rich in quassinoids like eurycomanone, a key marker of potency, along with its high bioactive peptide content (eurypeptides).
Key Features:
- Widely documented, researched, and tested on humans
- Well-regulated and sustainably harvested
- Regarded as safe when taken in recommended doses
- High in eurycomanone, which boosts testosterone, libido, and has anti-inflammatory properties
- High in bioactive peptides (eurypeptides) which have adaptogenic, anti-aging and muscle-building properties
Black Tongkat Ali
Scientific Name: Polyalthia Bullata
Colour: Dark brown-grey with charcoal undertones
Black Tongkat Ali, or Polyalthia bullata, is a less common subspecies found along rivers in the lowland forests of Peninsular Malaysia. Known locally as Tongkat Ali Hitam, it is smaller in diameter compared to Yellow Tongkat Ali.
Unlike Yellow Tongkat Ali, Black Tongkat Ali is has not been clinically tested on humans and is often harvested illegally without sustainable practices. It has a fishy smell and a distinct bitter, earthy, and smoky aftertaste. Despite claims of its higher potency, the presence of any eurycomanone in Black Tongkat Ali is disputed in a 2023 study on the 3 subspecies. It does, however, contain a similar level of bioactive peptides (eurypeptides), according to the same study. Overall, Black Tongkat Ali's safety and utility is questionable due to high mercury content, lack of clinical validation, as well as the absence of key quassionoids like eurycomanone.
Key Features:
- Not clinically tested and often harvested illegally
- High mercury content, leading to potential health risks
- Banned by health authorities in some countries
- Studies show it has no eurcomanone content
- Studies show it has similar levels of bioactive peptides to Yellow Tongkat Ali
Red Tongkat Ali
Scientific Name: Stema Tuberosa
Colour: Brown with strong tones of brownish red at the centre of the root
Red Tongkat Ali, or Stema tuberosa, is commonly known as Malaysian Red Ginseng. It is usually found along rivers and in swampy soils of the Malaysian rainforests. This subspecies is less bitter in taste compared to Yellow and Black Tongkat Ali and has a hint of sweetness and smokiness.
Red Tongkat Ali is popular as an herbal tonic drink in Malaysia and Indonesia. However, it also has the least amount of research backing its health benefits. Most scientific studies focus on Yellow Tongkat Ali, leaving Red Tongkat Ali's effectiveness in humans largely unverified. It is worth noting that in one study comparing the three subspecies, Red Tongkat Ali, like Black Tongkat Ali, contains no eurycomanone according to HPLC analysis. The same study also notes that unlike Yellow or Black Tongkat Ali, Red Tongkat Ali contains no bioactive peptides (eurypeptides). This may indicate that it is the least potent and useful of the three subspecies.
Key Features:
- Less bitter with a sweet and smoky taste
- Popular as a tonic drink, but lacks scientific validation
- Potential heavy metal content is not well-documented
- Studies show it has no eurycomanone content
- Studies show it has no bioactive peptide (eurypeptides) content
Which Tongkat Ali Should You Buy?
When choosing a Tongkat Ali supplement in the UK, it's essential to consider the type and whether there are any clinically validated benefits. Yellow Tongkat Ali or Malaysian Ginseng stands out as the best option due to its extensive research, clinical validation, and established safety profile. Products like AKARALI's proprietary standardized hot-water Tongkat Ali root extract and to a lesser extent LJ100 offer a reliable choice, ensuring you receive a potent and safe supplement.
Black Tongkat Ali, despite its rumoured benefits, poses significant health risks due to high mercury content and lack of clinical testing. Black Tongkat Ali lacks key quassinoids like eurycomanone, which gives Yellow Tongkat Ali many of its health-boosting benefits. It is advisable to avoid this variant unless more substantial research is conducted to support its safety and efficacy.
Red Tongkat Ali, while less bitter and quite popular in traditional use, lacks the scientific backing necessary to recommend it confidently. Studies on the three subspecies show that it lacks both key quassinoids (eurycomanone) and bioactive peptides (eurypeptides). If you decide to try Red Tongkat Ali, please ensure you purchase from reputable sources and be cautious of potential contaminants.
Parting Words
To sum up, when it comes to Tongkat Ali supplements, standardized hot-water extracts of Yellow Tongkat Ali roots are the gold standard for ensuring consistent and optimal health benefits. It is the only subspecies of Tongkat Ali that has been widely tested on humans in a clinical setting, underscoring its safety, utility, and potency.
By understanding the differences between Yellow, Black, and Red Tongkat Ali, you can make an informed decision and select a product that best meets your needs. Always look for reputable brands that prioritize quality, safety, and scientific validation to get the most out of your the Tongkat Ali supplement of choice.