Medicine hunter, author, and educator Chris Kilham has conducted medicinal plant research throughout the world. Kilham is explorer in residence at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, where he teaches ethnobotany. He has written 13 books, including Psyche Delicacies; Tales From the Medicine Trail; Kava; Medicine Hunting in Paradise; and Hot Plants.

In densely shaded greenery in the sweltering hot Malaysian rainforest, I watched three aboriginal men chop a mature tongkat ali root, one of the most powerful aphrodisiac plants on Earth, out of dense soil. Researching sex-enhancing plants often puts me in marvellous and remote places, and in this instance, the trail led me to Malaysia to research tongkat ali.

The sex doctor
In the Malaysian capitol of Kuala Lumpur, I met with Dr. Ismail Tambi, who runs the Human Reproduction Specialist Centre. Dr. Tamby is one of Southeast Asia’s foremost experts in the field of reproductive health, and the leading medical expert on the effects of tongkat ali root extract on human subjects. In his work with men, Dr. Tamby found that tongkat ali extract significantly increases testosterone production. “In our studies, we found that tongkat ali extract increased the serum level of testosterone considerably.” I asked Dr. Tamby if the men in his study experienced renewed sexual vitality, or heightened sexual desire. “Oh, yes, most definitely. The men found that tongkat ali boosted their sex drive quite a lot. I think that for low libido, tongkat ali extract is very valuable. I have seen this result for myself, and can say that this plant really works.” I asked Dr. Tamby if the same would apply to women, who secrete only about five to 10 percent as much testosterone as men. “Yes, it certainly should boost libido in women as well, as testosterone is essential to a woman’s sexual desire. Women have used tongkat ali for a very long time in this culture,” he added.
Dr. Tamby conducted the PADAM study, in which he investigated partial androgen deficiency in males. He selected 30 adult males of various ages, assessed their testosterone levels, and gave them 100 mg of tongkat ali extract daily. In all the subjects, testosterone levels rose, resulting in a 91 percent improvement in libido, a reported 73 percent improvement in sexual function, and an 82 percent psychological improvement, relative to sex, among the men who participated in the study.
The testosterone builder
Tongkat ali holds up brilliantly under close, scientific scrutiny. The root contains a plethora of beneficial compounds, including potent, protective antioxidants that inhibit cellular aging. Other phytochemicals have anti-viral, anti-malarial, and anti-cancerous properties, and some combat high blood pressure and quell dysentery. Quassinoids in the root prove twice as potent as aspirin against fevers.
Nonetheless, what excites most people about tongkat ali is that the root significantly boosts sex drive and function in both men and women, by building testosterone. Glycoproteins appear to be the sex-promoting ingredients in the plant. This discovery, and years of painstaking research, is the work of Dr. Johari Saad, or King of Tongkat Ali, as he is commonly known.
Increasing testosterone is the big objective from a sex drive standpoint. Testosterone is the most important of the male sex hormones, which are known as androgens, and produced in the gonads. Testosterone plays a key role in the development and maturity of male sex organs and promotes secondary sex characteristics including the appearance of facial hair, enlargement of the larynx (producing a deeper voice), sexual desire, and sexual behaviour. However, testosterone is not just a sex booster for men. In women, this vital hormone also fans the flames of ardour, and increases sensitivity in the erogenous zones. In both sexes, testosterone stimulates metabolism, promotes lipogenesis (burning of fat), increases the formation of red blood cells, and accelerates muscle growth.
From age 30 or so, blood levels of the hormone decline at a rate of about two percent per year; the level varies from person to person. Regular exercise can help somewhat, but those who smoke or drink heavily will lose more of this hormone more quickly. For both sexes, sex drive, function, fat metabolism, and energy all decline into middle age, as blood testosterone drops.
In addition to boosting testosterone levels, Dr. Johari also found that tongkat ali extract inhibits sex hormone binding globulin. By inhibiting this agent, more free testosterone remains in the blood, which additionally stems the aging process, improves energy and sexual function, helps to reduce body fat, and reduces risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease.

Using tongkat ali
Dr. Johari, and other experts involved with this plant, recommend around 100 milligrams of concentrated tongkat ali standardized to approximately 22 percent glycoproteins daily for men, and around 50 milligrams for women.
Tongkat ali is the popular name for Eurycoma longifolia, a medium-size, slender tree reaching 10 metres in height. The name tongkat ali means “ali’s walking stick.” The plant is also commonly called longjack. Tongkat ali is native to Malaysia, lower Burma, Thailand, and Indonesia.
The root is employed as a traditional remedy for the treatment of malaria, high blood pressure, fevers, fatigue, loss of sexual desire, and impotence. Tongkat ali enjoys both a long history of traditional use, and a growing body of serious science corroborating its efficacy.
The difficulty of harvesting tongkat ali in the wild is a very good reason to cultivate the trees in plantations. Additionally, as this traditional plant remedy becomes more popular, supplies of tongkat ali in the wild will inevitably decrease. Over time, this tree could become endangered. To preserve the natural environment, and to protect remaining wild specimens of tongkat ali, Malaysia is currently establishing Eurycoma longifolia plantations. The Malaysian government is enthusiastic about the future of tongkat ali, and is providing economic support for its development.

Chris Kilham gives the keynote address at the 12th annual Vancouver Health Show, October 29, 1:30-3 pm, Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre. The VHS runs October 29-30. For more information, please call 800-471-1112, or visit www.healthshows.com