FAQs: Purchasing & Legal Regulations of Tongkat Ali [Part 2]

This FAQ focuses on two key questions readers ask most frequently: how to verify that a Tongkat Ali product is genuine and safe, and how to choose reputable brands.

You’ll learn the essentials: Certificates of Analysis (CoAs), standardization, contaminants, and what drives price so that you can shop with confidence.

Related article:

• FAQ: The Benefits and Mechanism of Tongkat Ali [Part 1]
• FAQ: The Benefits and Mechanism of Tongkat Ali [Part 2]
• FAQs: Tongkat Ali Product Forms
• FAQs: Target Audience & Timing for Using Tongkat Ali
• FAQs: Tongkat Ali Dosage & Usage
• FAQs: Comparing and Combining Tongkat Ali [Part 1]
• FAQs: Comparing and Combining Tongkat Ali [Part 2]
  
• FAQs: Warnings and Side Effects of Tongkat Ali [Part 1]
• FAQs: Warnings and Side Effects of Tongkat Ali [Part 2]
• FAQs: Purchasing & Legal Regulations of Tongkat Ali [Part 1]
• FAQs: Common Questions & Discussions About Tongkat Ali

Product Authenticity & Quality Control

39. Can I Have Tongkat Ali Tested in the US?

Yes, but be aware it is expensive. You can send a sealed bottle to an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited lab for identity (DNA/HPLC), potency (eurycomanone), and contaminant screening.

However, third-party testing often costs more than the product itself, so ask the brand for their Certificate of Analysis (CoA) first.

40. How to Buy Quality Tongkat Ali?

Look for a Standardized Root Extract with a stated eurycomanone % (e.g., 1-2%), not just a vague "200:1" ratio.

Verify the quality by asking for a lot-specific CoA from an ISO-accredited lab that confirms identity, potency, and safety. Check for transparent extraction methods (e.g., hot water) and GMP manufacturing.

41. Where to Buy Best Quality Tongkat Ali?

Prioritize official brand websites or authorized retailers that transparently publish third-party CoAs (identity, eurycomanone %).

Ensure they list lab names/methods and offer a solid return policy. Rule of thumb: If the seller cannot provide a valid CoA, skip it.

42. How to Spot Fake Tongkat Ali?

Watch for red flags like missing CoAs, hidden amounts in "Proprietary Blends," miracle claims, or prices "too good to be true."

To be sure, verify the brand provides a third-party CoA confirming identity (DNA) and potency (eurycomanone %).

Sensory check: Real Tongkat Ali is intensely bitter; if it's sweet or bland, it's likely fake or heavily diluted.

43. Does Tongkat Ali Contain Mercury?

It can — especially if the product has not been properly tested [3].

Tongkat Ali is a root-based herb. Plant roots act like a sponge, absorbing nutrients and water directly from the soil.

If the plant grows in an area with industrial pollution or groundwater contaminated with impurities, the roots can accumulate these harmful elements (particularly Lead and Mercury).

To produce a highly concentrated supplement, manufacturers typically extract the herb at strong ratios (e.g., concentrating 100 kg of raw root into 1 kg of extract).

Without modern purification technology, this process can increase the concentration of contaminants many times higher than what was present in the raw root.

This is why a high extract ratio does not automatically mean better quality.

A product is only safe if it comes with a Contaminant CoA. Always ask for test results showing Lead and Mercury levels before using any Tongkat Ali supplement.

44. How Do I Know if the Tongkat Ali I Bought Online Is Real and Properly Standardized?

It’s difficult to determine whether Tongkat Ali purchased online is genuine or properly standardized just by looking at the packaging, but you can still assess product quality through a few key indicators.

First, be cautious of impressive-sounding extraction ratios like 100:1 or 200:1—these numbers cannot be verified and say nothing about quality if the manufacturer uses immature roots, poor-grade material, or even non-root parts of the plant.

What truly matters is whether the label discloses the eurycomanone content, the main active compound responsible for Tongkat Ali’s effects; reputable standardized extracts typically specify 1%–2%.

Another quick check is the taste: real Tongkat Ali powder is extremely bitter, with a lingering, harsh bitterness and absolutely no sweetness; if the powder tastes mild, slightly sweet, or herbal like traditional medicine, it may have been diluted with cheap fillers.

Lastly, the most reliable indicator is a third-party CoA that confirms the stated eurycomanone level and verifies the product is made without harmful levels of contaminants such as lead or mercury, as well as microbial contamination like E. coli. If the seller cannot provide a transparent CoA, the product’s authenticity and safety are questionable.

45. What Makes a Tongkat Ali Supplement “High Quality”?

A high-quality Tongkat Ali supplement always starts with the root of the plant, where the key bioactive compounds are concentrated.

It should also disclose its eurycomanone content clearly, allowing users to verify the product’s level of standardization.

A reputable brand must provide a CoA that shows batch-specific testing rather than generic claims. In addition, GMP certification is essential, reflecting that the manufacturing process follows international safety and quality standards.

Labels and accompanying documents should be transparent and consistent, clearly stating ingredients, dosages, and sourcing information, with all details matching across the label, website, and official documents.

Finally, a premium product will specify the name of the testing laboratory and use modern analytical methods to validate both the botanical identity and the active compound levels.

46. Why Is It So Hard to Find High-Quality Tongkat Ali, and How Do I Avoid Fake Products?

Limited supply vs. rapidly growing demand. Tongkat Ali roots require at least 2–3 years before they can be harvested [4], but many suppliers cut young plants early, resulting in weak potency.

Standardized extraction is expensive because a large amount of dried root is needed to obtain a small yield of eurycomanone.

To avoid fake or low-quality products, prioritize standardized extracts and check the color and taste — real Tongkat Ali is intensely bitter; if it tastes mild, sweet, or slightly sour, it is very likely adulterated.

47. Why Does Authentic Tongkat Ali Taste Extremely Bitter?

Tongkat Ali is naturally very bitter due to its bioactive compounds, especially quassinoids (e.g., eurycomanone) and alkaloids [1,2].

This bitterness is a primary indicator of authenticity in raw powder forms. If a raw powder tastes sweet, bland, or mild, it is a major red flag for dilution, substitution, or over-processing. Note: This sensory check applies mainly to powders.

Finished products like capsules or softgels effectively mask the taste, and excipients may blunt the bitterness. Therefore, while taste is a good quick check for powders, the only definitive proof of quality for any format is a valid CoA showing identity and potency.

48. How Do I Know if the Product Really Contains the Claimed % Eurycomanone?

Only a quantitative lab report on your exact lot can confirm it. Ask the brand for a CoA showing the eurycomanone % result, method (HPLC/LC–MS), accredited lab, acceptance limits, and your matching lot code. If any piece is missing, the claim isn’t verified.

Brands & Market Choices

49. Is LJ Tongkat Ali Good?

Yes, LJ100® (also marketed as Physta®) is a documented, standardized Eurycoma longifolia extract with regulatory references (e.g., Canadian NPN cases) [1].

It’s valued for consistent specs on key bioactives and tight quality controls. Users often report better energy, motivation, and focus with few side effects at label doses, but it’s typically priced higher.*

50. What Are the Best Brands of Tongkat Ali?

The top-rated Tongkat Ali brands today include Nootropics Depot (clearly standardized at 2%–10% eurycomanone), Momentous (Informed Sport certified for athlete safety), AKARALI (Physta® lab-verified extract), Double Wood (affordable with publicly available CoAs), and Solaray (easy-to-find whole-root option with a mild effect).

51. What Type of Tongkat Ali Is Best?

The best type of Tongkat Ali is a standardized hot-water extract, as it is cleanly processed, rich in bioactive compounds, and backed by well-documented research, making it suitable for long-term use.

Ratio extracts such as 100:1 or 200:1 do not accurately reflect potency because the quality depends entirely on the raw material and extraction process; a higher ratio number does not guarantee real effectiveness.

Regarding origin, Indonesian Tongkat Ali is often considered stronger for male vitality effects, while Malaysian Tongkat Ali is known for stricter quality-control processes.

However, the final effectiveness still depends on the manufacturer and extraction method rather than the country alone.

52. Which Brands of Tongkat Ali Are Tested for Mercury Safety?

The Tongkat Ali brands considered safe in terms of mercury levels—thanks to clear CoAs and comprehensive contaminant testing—include Nootropics Depot, Momentous, Solaray, and Double Wood Supplements.

These brands are trusted internationally for their transparency and for consistently passing strict safety tests.

53. Why Is Tongkat Ali So Expensive?

Tongkat Ali is expensive because its supply is extremely limited, growing mainly in Malaysia and a few Southeast Asian countries.

Producing a standardized extract is costly, as many brands rely on proprietary technology and make significant investments in R&D. Premium extract forms also deliver higher potency and more consistent quality compared with raw powder, which creates a large price gap [5].

In addition, global demand for natural supplements has been rising rapidly, pushing prices even higher [5]. In short, the high cost comes from scarcity, high production expenses, advanced extraction technology, and strong market demand.