By Amos Fox
Tongkat ali is a slender tree that grows to around forty feet tall. It is native to Malaysia, Indonesia, Burma and Thailand. The medicinal and health effects of the plant and its extracts have been known and used in traditional Asian medicinal practices for a long time. Its popularity as a natural herbal remedy with positive effects is growing in the western world.
A lot of research has been done on the effects of this plant and the different parts used in traditional medicine. People who are on immunosuppressant drugs should not take this herb. But, for others it is claimed it can be used to reduce fever. It has been used as a malarial preventative supplement and contains properties that fight bacteria. There is also some suggestion that it may be able to help fight some specific cancers.
The extracts are used by many bodybuilders for their ability to increase muscle mass. Many tests have shown that muscles increase in both size and strength. Unlike some other muscle building drugs this herbal extract does not generate dependency in the user. It has also been used as a dietary supplement and been proven to contain antioxidants.
The root in all its forms has a very bitter taste which is why the powder is often sold as a capsule. But, it is also available as a liquid extract and in powdered form. Traditional Asian usage also included eating small pieces of root. Both the liquid extract and powder are produced from the roots.
Harvesting the extract is very difficult. The slim trees have very deep roots that grow vertically into the ground. It is a manual process for two men to dig for hours just to get one root out. The trees are harvested when they are ten to twenty years old. Although the trees grow wild the Malaysian government has started plantations in order to meet more of the demand for this product. As they are slow to mature it will take some time however, before a lot more is available.
The time it takes for the trees and roots to grow and the difficult labor intensive harvesting process means the herbal remedy is not cheap. Add to this the manufacturing and distribution costs and the price escalates. Even so, it appears there is a large demand for this new herbal remedy that has so many beneficial effects.
Tongkat ali is one of the newer herbal supplements available to increase overall energy levels. It is proving popular as it also has benefits in preventing and treating specific maladies and helps to build up muscles.
A lot of research has been done on the effects of this plant and the different parts used in traditional medicine. People who are on immunosuppressant drugs should not take this herb. But, for others it is claimed it can be used to reduce fever. It has been used as a malarial preventative supplement and contains properties that fight bacteria. There is also some suggestion that it may be able to help fight some specific cancers.
The extracts are used by many bodybuilders for their ability to increase muscle mass. Many tests have shown that muscles increase in both size and strength. Unlike some other muscle building drugs this herbal extract does not generate dependency in the user. It has also been used as a dietary supplement and been proven to contain antioxidants.
The root in all its forms has a very bitter taste which is why the powder is often sold as a capsule. But, it is also available as a liquid extract and in powdered form. Traditional Asian usage also included eating small pieces of root. Both the liquid extract and powder are produced from the roots.
Harvesting the extract is very difficult. The slim trees have very deep roots that grow vertically into the ground. It is a manual process for two men to dig for hours just to get one root out. The trees are harvested when they are ten to twenty years old. Although the trees grow wild the Malaysian government has started plantations in order to meet more of the demand for this product. As they are slow to mature it will take some time however, before a lot more is available.
The time it takes for the trees and roots to grow and the difficult labor intensive harvesting process means the herbal remedy is not cheap. Add to this the manufacturing and distribution costs and the price escalates. Even so, it appears there is a large demand for this new herbal remedy that has so many beneficial effects.
Tongkat ali is one of the newer herbal supplements available to increase overall energy levels. It is proving popular as it also has benefits in preventing and treating specific maladies and helps to build up muscles.
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Learn what the fuss about tongkat ali is all about. Discover all you must know about tongkat ali at IndonesiaTongkatAli.com.
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