Tongkat Ali
There have also been reports that a standardized root water extract of Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali) may support immune health for middle-aged people
Tongkat ali extract comes from the root of a tree native to Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, and was dubbed the “Asian Viagra” by the New Sunday Times in 1999. Supplements containing the ingredient are often positioned for male libido, energy, weight loss, and sports performance.
A study published in 2016 in Phytotherapy Research (Vol. 30, No. 4, pp. 627–635) indicated potential immune health benefits, with a daily 200 mg dose of the Tongkat Ali extract for four weeks associated with significant increases in number of select immune cells, compared with placebo,
Researchers used Biotropics Malaysia’s propriety water extract of Tongkat Ali called Physta. The product was jointly developed by the Malaysian Government and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
“According to these findings, intake of the [Tongkat Ali] might contribute immunological improvement, which results in maintenance and improvement of health. Our findings indicate for the first time the immune-related improvements following the ingestion of the propriety water extract of [Tongkat Ali] (Physta),” wrote the researchers.
Image: Mokkie (Creative Commons)