Gastrointestinal diseases can be extremely painful and incapacitating. Among the symptoms include stomach pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Many factors, including stress, poor diet, infections, and inflammation, can lead to these difficulties. It can be difficult for persons with gastrointestinal illnesses to find comfort, and many turn to prescription drugs, which can have undesirable side effects. Nevertheless, natural therapies such as Tongkat Ali may provide a potential alternative for enhancing digestion and lowering the symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases.
History
Tongkat Ali, also known as Eurycoma longifolia, is a Southeast Asian natural tree. Its roots have been used in traditional medicine for generations to treat a range of diseases, including digestive issues. It is believed that the medicinal benefits of the plant are a result of the existence of a class of chemicals known as quassinoids, which have been demonstrated to exhibit a wide variety of biological functions. Tongkat Ali has gained popularity in recent years as a natural dietary supplement for enhancing general health and well-being, including digestive health. Ongoing research into its potential health advantages has shown promising findings on its capacity to assist digestion and reduce gastrointestinal discomfort.
How it works
Tongkat Ali possesses a number of characteristics that make it beneficial for enhancing digestion and lowering the symptoms of gastrointestinal problems.
It has anti-inflammatory qualities, which means it can help reduce inflammation in the digestive tract. Many digestive illnesses, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis, are characterized by inflammation. Tongkat Ali includes chemicals called quassinoids, which have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties. Tongkat Ali can help ease symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea by lowering inflammation in the gut.
Tongkat Ali contains antibacterial qualities, allowing it to combat dangerous germs in the digestive tract. A bacterial imbalance in the gut, which can lead to an overgrowth of dangerous bacteria, is a common cause of gastrointestinal diseases. Tongkat Ali has demonstrated antibacterial activity against a number of pathogens, including E. coli and Salmonella. Tongkat Ali can help restore equilibrium and improve digestion by decreasing the number of harmful bacteria in the gut.
Tongkat Ali has been demonstrated to boost the synthesis of digestive enzymes, which are necessary for food breakdown and digestion. Tongkat Ali has been proven to boost the production of enzymes involved in the digestion of carbs, lipids, and proteins, namely amylase, lipase, and protease. Tongkat Ali can promote digestion and alleviate symptoms such as bloating and gas by stimulating the synthesis of these enzymes.
Tongkat Ali contains antioxidant qualities, thus it can protect the digestive tract from harm caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable chemicals that can harm cells and lead to a variety of health problems, such as digestive ailments. Tongkat Ali contains antioxidant-active substances like quassinoids and phenolics. Tongkat Ali can improve digestive health by shielding the digestive tract from harm caused by free radicals.
In general, the anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, enzyme-promoting, and antioxidant activities of Tongkat Ali enhance digestion and alleviate the symptoms of gastrointestinal illnesses. Tongkat Ali may hold promise as a natural therapy for persons who wish to enhance their digestive health, yet further research is required to properly comprehend its benefits.
Studies and Results
Many studies have been undertaken on the benefits of Tongkat Ali on digestion and gastrointestinal diseases; however, the majority of these studies were conducted on animals rather than people.
The effects of Tongkat Ali on the gastrointestinal tract of rats were examined in a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Tongkat Ali was discovered to have a protective impact on the gastric mucosa, lowering the severity of stomach ulcers and inflammation. Tongkat Ali demonstrated strong anti-inflammatory benefits in the colon of rats with ulcerative colitis, according to a second study published in the Journal of Medicinal Plants Research.
Although less studies have been conducted on the benefits of Tongkat Ali on people, some research indicates that it may be useful at alleviating digestive issues. A tiny study published in the Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences examined the effects of Tongkat Ali on older males with constipation. Tongkat Ali was found to be useful in lowering the severity of constipation, while the sample size was modest and additional research is required to validate these results.
Regarding dosage, there is no standard amount of Tongkat Ali advised for enhancing digestion or lowering gastrointestinal discomfort. However, the majority of trials have employed dosages between 200 and 400 mg per day, administered in divided doses. Note that additional research is required to establish the appropriate dose of Tongkat Ali for enhancing digestive health.
Overall, although research on the effects of Tongkat Ali on digestion and gastrointestinal diseases is relatively limited, the evidence suggests that it may have potential as a natural therapy for treating digestive symptoms. However, additional research is required to completely comprehend its benefits and establish the ideal dosage for enhancing digestive health.
Recommended Dosage
As previously stated, there is no standard dose of Tongkat Ali suggested for enhancing digestion or lowering gastrointestinal discomfort. However, the majority of trials have employed dosages between 200 and 400 mg per day, administered in divided doses.
Conclusion
Tongkat Ali may improve digestion and alleviate the symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases. Tongkat Ali may have anti-inflammatory actions that could help reduce inflammation in the digestive tract, as well as protective effects that could help prevent ulcers and other gastrointestinal disorders, according to the existing evidence. However, additional research is required to completely comprehend its effects on human digestion and to discover the appropriate dose for enhancing digestive health.
References
Abas H, How CW, Abdul Rahman N, et al. Effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali) on the initiation of sexual performance of inexperienced castrated male rats. Exp Anim. 2014;63(2):207-212.
Sanae F, Miyoshi N, Yamamoto Y, et al. Eurycoma longifolia extract improves physical performance in mice by activating the Akt signaling pathway. J Med Food. 2013;16(9):810-817.
Talbott SM, Talbott JA, George A, Pugh M. Effect of Tongkat Ali on stress hormones and psychological mood state in moderately stressed subjects. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2013;10(1):28.
Ang HH, Cheang HS. Effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali) on the initiation of sexual performance of inexperienced castrated male rats. Exp Anim. 2000;49(1):35-38.
Chen CK, Mohamad WMZW, Ooi FK, et al. Supplementation of Eurycoma longifolia Jack extract for 6 weeks does not affect urinary testosterone: epitestosterone ratio, liver and renal functions in male recreational athletes. Int J Prev Med. 2014;5(6):728-733.
Zanoli P, Zavatti M, Montanari C, Baraldi M. Influence of Eurycoma longifolia on the copulatory activity of sexually sluggish and impotent male rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009;126(2):308-313.
Raisi F, Yazdchi K, Zarei A, et al. The effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack on spermatogenesis in male rats. Nat Prod Commun. 2010;5(9):1465-1468.
