Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia), a medicinal plant native to Southeast Asia, has a long history of traditional use as an adaptogen and "anti-stress" remedy. In Malaysian and Indonesian folk medicine, tongkat ali is believed to help with fatigue, mood, and overall vitality, with anecdotal reports sometimes including mood elevation or relief of depressive symptoms. While not specifically or primarily used for clinical depression in traditional texts, its reputation for promoting energy and resilience has led to interest in its potential mental health benefits.

Scientific studies directly examining tongkat ali’s effects on depression are limited. A few small-scale studies and animal experiments suggest that tongkat ali extracts may influence mood by modulating cortisol levels and increasing testosterone. For example, a 2013 randomized placebo-controlled trial found that tongkat ali supplementation significantly reduced tension, anger, and confusion among moderately stressed subjects. Animal studies also suggest possible antidepressant-like effects, potentially mediated by the modulation of brain monoamines and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. However, these findings are preliminary, and robust clinical data specifically targeting depression are lacking.

Overall, tongkat ali’s use for depression is primarily supported by traditional use and indirect evidence from studies on stress and mood, but not by strong modern clinical trials. Its rating is “2” to reflect weak but suggestive evidence, mostly from tradition and early-stage studies.

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