When to take Tongkat Ali
Also known as Eurycoma longifolia
Any time; consistency matters more than timing. Trials gave a root extract daily for a few days up to 6 months, without testing morning versus night.
Last reviewed October 13, 2026
Timing
| Best time | Any time of day |
|---|---|
| Food | With or without food |
| Fat-soluble | No |
- Any time; consistency matters more than timing.
- The studies did not report a time of day or whether it was taken with food.
- Most trials used the same water-based root extract.
Check with your doctor first if…
- Side effects: one study reported stomach upset and itching.
- Limited research: the testosterone trials were few, small and done only in men. Most used one commercial extract, and not all products on the market meet the same quality standard.
- Long-term safety: trials lasted from a few days to 6 months, so longer use has not been studied.
- Medicines and health conditions: there is little safety data, so ask your doctor before use, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or take medicine.
Amounts studied
100–600 mg/day of root extract (mostly a water extract) for 3 days to 6 months; 200 mg/day for 4 weeks in a stress-and-mood trial.
Follow the serving size on your product’s label.
What the research says
| Area | Evidence | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Normal testosterone levels | Limited | Tongkat ali has been studied for supporting normal testosterone levels. A review of 5 small trials found higher total testosterone overall, but in healthy men the change was not significant, and the studies varied a lot.[1] |
| Stress | Limited | In one 4-week trial of 63 moderately stressed adults, 200 mg a day lowered the stress hormone cortisol in saliva compared with placebo. The study was small and funded by the extract maker.[2] |
| Mood | Limited | The same 4-week trial found less tension, anger and confusion than placebo. It found no change in fatigue or vigor.[2] |
Questions
When should I take tongkat ali?
No study has tested timing. Trials gave it daily, so pick a time you can keep every day.
How long does tongkat ali take to work?
Trials ran from a few days to 6 months. The stress-and-mood trial measured changes after 4 weeks.
Does tongkat ali work for healthy men?
The evidence is weak. In a 2022 review, the pooled change in testosterone for healthy men was not statistically significant, and the authors said more research is needed.
Can I take tongkat ali every day?
Trials gave it daily for up to 6 months. Longer use has not been studied, so talk to your doctor if you plan to take it long term.
Plan your whole routine
Add Tongkat Ali and everything else you take to the planner to see your morning, midday and evening, and what to keep apart.
Open the plannerFrom AT2A
Sources
- Eurycoma longifolia (Jack) Improves Serum Total Testosterone in Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials (Medicina, 2022), NIH NLM PubMed Central (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Effect of Tongkat Ali on stress hormones and psychological mood state in moderately stressed subjects (JISSN, 2013), NIH NLM PubMed Central (accessed October 13, 2026)
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is general information, not medical advice: talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting a supplement, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, take medicine or have a health condition.