Long jack is also known as Tongkat Ali that is a small tree in the Simaroubaceae family. It is inherent to the countries of Southeast Asia. It is also called Penawa Pahit or Ali’s Umbrella. The plant acts as an aid for stomachaches, fever, and various ailments. This plant possesses aphrodisiac properties. It is considered that the roots and bark of this plant help to enhance the man’s sexual virility and abilities. The evidence shows that this plant helps to treat minor health problems. Few research shows that this plant helps to improve sexual vitality only in animals.

Long jack, also known as Ali’s Walking Stick, Ali’s Umbrella, Long Jack, Tongkat Ali, Malaysian Ginseng, Picroxylon Siamese, Ma notes Asiatica, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Simaroubaceae. Long jack is a monoecious or dioecious shrub. Eurycoma longifolia is native to Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. It is adapted to grow in well-drained soils. The flowers are densely arranged which later turns into an ovoid and brownish-red fruit. Leaves are pinnately arranged with ovate to lanceolate leaflets.

History

It is indigenous to Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. It is primarily planted in Malaysia due to its medicinal properties for the conservation of wild plants. It is also locally known as Tongkat Ali which means “Ali’s walking stick”. In Malaysia, it is known as Malaysian ginseng which is also noticed as an adaptogen, an herb that helps to combat stress, disease and also enhances physical strength without any side effects.

Today, this plant is high in demand and has uncontrolled use of this resource. Eurycoma longifolia is regarded as a protected species. The high demand for this product has led Malaysia’s government to go as far as limited patents for this herb.

Plant

Long jack is a slender and evergreen shrub that is 10 m tall. The leaves are pinnate, green; 20-40 cm long with ovate to lanceolate leaflets. The tiny reddish flowers are unisexual and arranged densely. Later the flower turns into mericarps, bicarinate, ovoid fruit which is 1-2 cm long and 0.5-1 cm broad. The fruit is yellowish-brown when young and becomes brownish-red when ripened.

Health Benefits of Long jack

Traditional medicine is used to combat various health issues. It is used to enhance the healthy libido and maintain the hormone level. It helps to treat fever, ulcers, malaria, high blood pressure, bone pain, tuberculosis, cough, headache, diarrhea, syphilis, and cancer. Long jack helps to counteract the cancer cells such as breast cancer and lung cancer cells. It raises the level of testosterone in men.

1. Assist in losing weight

Hormones command metabolism and their imbalance results in weight gain. It is considered that fatigue and weight gain have become a part of aging. The reason for weight gain is due to the exposure to environmental toxins disordering with the hormonal equilibrium. Long jack helps to stabilize hormones that assist in the reduction of weight and is applicable to both females and males.

2. Provides energy

The low level of energy is caused due to the inadequate production of hormones. Long jack helps to balance the hormones as it has a positive effect on balancing metabolism and energy. The increase in energy assists endurance during exercise which is associated with maintenance and weight loss.

3. Supports libido

Testosterone helps to raise sexual desire and flame. Long jack helps to raise the sensitivity of a woman’s erogenous zones by raising the libido-enhancing qualities. The research shows that this herb enhances libido in male rats. The researchers consider that the effects can be replicated in females also.

4. Bone health

The low level of testosterone increases the risk of osteoporosis which is a debilitating disease caused due to fragile and weak bones. Vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium play a vital role in the maintenance of hormonal balance and bone health. Long jack stimulates the testosterone serum concentration. It is considered that this herb is used to improve and maintain bone health.

5. Assist mood

The research shows that Long jack helps to decrease cortisol which is the main stress hormone. In reaction to the stress, cortisol is produced and is the vital contributor to the weight gain associated with stress. Long jack helps to reduce anger, tension, and confusion. The herb helps to lower the stress related to sleep loss, diet, and exercise. The supplements of Long jack help to enhance memory.

6. Promotes blood sugar

Type II diabetes could be prevented with the maintenance of an adequate level of blood sugar through exercise and diet. The research shows that Long jack also assists in maintaining the blood sugar level. The blood sugar level could be maintained by increasing exercise, reducing carbohydrates, sound sleep, and exposure to sunlight.

Traditional uses

• The plant possesses antimalarial, antidiabetic, aphrodisiac, antipyretic, and antimicrobial properties.
• Long jack is commonly used as an aid to enhance sexual prowess, male libido, and fertility.
• Traditionally, it is used as an aphrodisiac agent and improves general health.
• It is also used to treat aches, malaria, persistent fever, glandular swelling, dysentery, edema, bleeding, hypertension, ulcers, and syphilitic sores.
• Long jack is used in Malay traditional medicine to treat the conditions such as an osteoporotic fractures.
• The inhabitants of Kalimantan and Sumatra use the roots as an antipyretic activity.
• It is used to treat dysentery in Belitung and Lampung.
• In Indonesia, Long jack is used to prepare jamu.
• In Sumatra, the plant is used to prevent the smallpox virus.
• The roots are used in Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia to cure mouth ulcers, fever, and intestinal worms.
• In Thai traditional medicine, it is used as an aphrodisiac, tonic, antimalarial, and anticancer agent.
• In Vietnam, the decoction of roots is used to treat rheumatism.
• In Vietnam, fruits and flowers are used to treat dysentery.
• The bark and root of the Long jack are used to treat erectile dysfunction, male infertility, increase interest in sex, bodybuilding, boost athletic performance, and reduce body fat.
• Long jack is used to treat fever, high blood pressure, malaria, bone pain, ulcers, tuberculosis, diarrhea, cough, syphilis, headache, and cancer.
• The leaves decoction of the Long jack is used to wash itches.
• The bark is used as a vermifuge and taproots are used to cure high blood pressure.
• The root extract of the Long jack is used in folk medicine as a cure for sexual dysfunction, malaria, aging, diabetes, cancer, anxiety, aches, exercise recovery, constipation, increase energy, fever, leukemia, increase strength, syphilis, osteoporosis, stress and glandular swelling.
• Long jack is used as a treatment for indigestion and lumbago.
• It is used as a tonic after the delivery.
• The roots help to restore vitality and energy and enhance blood flow.
• The leaves help to treat cure ulcers, malaria, gonorrhea, and syphilis, prevent gum diseases and provide relief from insect bites.
• In Vietnam, fruits and flower is used to treat dysentery, and roots are used to cure fever and malaria.
• The roots are used as a health supplement and appetite stimulant.
• In Kalimantan, the Banjarese men the root decoction is used as an aphrodisiac.
• In peninsular Thailand, the root is used as an aid for malaria.
• In Cambodia, the root is used as an antidote for intoxication.
• The high doses of Long jack stimulate vomiting.
• It is used as a tonic.
• The fruit, flowers, and roots are used to treat dysentery.

Precautions

• Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not use Long jack.
• The most common side effect is a hot headiness with facial flushing.
• Some people might experience mild fevers, light headaches,s, and rash.
• One should slowly introduce Long Jack to the diet in order to increase tolerance.
• Those who are allergic to Long jack should avoid its use.
• It could reduce the level of blood sugar.
• It may also reduce blood pressure.
• People with weak immune systems should be cautious to use Long jack.
• One should be cautious while taking propranolol.
• Those who have breast cancer, prostate cancer, heart disease, diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, or sleep apnea should avoid Long jack.
• The children should not use Long jack.
• It may cause restlessness, anxiety, and sleep problems.

How to Eat

• In Malaysia, the root and trunk base is used as drink and food additives.
• It is used as an ingredient for functional beverages and coffee as energy drinks.
• The traditional users use dried chips of root to brew tea.
• In Malaysia, candies and coffees possess Long jack.

References

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Long jack - Nutritional Value, Health Benefits

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