Tongkat ali and Fadogia agrestis are two popular herbs that are often compared to each other due to their similar health benefits for male hormone health.
It’s important to keep some key differences in mind before deciding which herb to buy.
We’ll dig deep into the similarities and differences between tongkat ali vs. Fadogia agrestis in this article.
Table of Contents
- Tongkat Ali vs. Fadogia agrestis: Similarities & Differences Explained
- Tongkat Ali vs. Fadogia agrestis: Which is right for you?
- Can You Take Tongkat Ali & Fadogia Together?
- The Best Tongkat Ali & Fadogia agrestis Supplements:
- Tongkat Ali Overview:
- Fadogia Overview:
- Potential Side Effects & Interactions:
- Conclusion:
Tongkat Ali vs. Fadogia agrestis: Similarities & Differences Explained
When it comes to comparing tongkat ali vs. Fadogia agrestis, there are a few key similarities and differences.
First, both Fadogia agrestis and tongkat ali are said to help improve hormone levels in women and men. In fact, both herbs are popular supplements for those looking to naturally boost their testosterone levels.
Each of these herbs has a different mechanism for increasing testosterone. Tongkat works by increasing the release rate of “free” testosterone from its binding hormone, sex-hormone-binding-globulin (SHBG). In this way, tongkat may be considered not so much a testosterone “booster”, but rather it helps to maintain and restore normal testosterone levels.
On the other hand, fadogia is thought to increase testosterone levels by increasing luteinizing hormones (LH) levels. Luteinizing hormone is produced by the pituitary gland and helps to maintain testosterone levels.
Aside from a shared benefit of supporting testosterone levels, the similarities between these two herbs start to differ. Tongkat has the ability to build stress resilience and improve body composition.
Fadogia doesn’t share these benefits. Though, it is possible that fadogia has other benefits, however these would need to be uncovered via additional research (which is limited as of now).
| Tongkat Ali Overview: | Fadogia agrestis Overview: | |
| Primary Benefit: | Tongkat Ali shows evidence of promoting testosterone production | Fadogia may work to increase levels of testosterone |
| Secondary Benefit(s): | Tongkat Ali may boost physical strength and power | Fadogia agrestis may lower pain perception |
| Part of the Plant Used: | Leaf, root, stem, and bark | Stem |
| Dosage Range: | 200-400mg | 200-400mg |
| Form: | Extract, powder or capsule | Extract, powder or capsule |
| Side Effects: | Low probability of headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and increased heart rate | High usage may cause anxiety, restlessness or hormonal imbalances |
| Recommended Products: | Lost Empire Herbs | Check Price | Momentous | Check Price |
Tongkat Ali vs. Fadogia agrestis: Which is right for you?
You may be asking, fadogia or tongkat ali, which is the best supplement for me?
Tongkat ali is a testosterone-boosting herb that can help to improve physical performance. It may also have the ability to reduce anxiety levels and support mental health.
Fadogia’s primary ability is to improve testosterone levels. Little else is known about this herb, including its safety.
If you are looking to improve your hormonal profile and increase your physical strength, then tongkat ali may be the best herb for you. Its mental stress-reducing properties are a great secondary benefit.
It also has a stimulating effect, which some users enjoy as a midday pick-me-up.
Tongkat ali also has a better safety profile. Thus, we recommend going with tongkat ali at this time.
Can You Take Tongkat Ali & Fadogia Together?
Yes, you can take tongkat ali and fadogia together. These two herbs do not have any known negative interactions when taken together.
In fact, these herbs may be a helpful combination for increasing testosterone levels, body composition, and mental health.
However, the safety of taking these two herbs together has also not been proven.
The popular scientist and educator Dr. Andrew Huberman is a fan of both tongkat and fadogia and regularly takes both herbs together.
The Best Tongkat Ali & Fadogia agrestis Supplements:
You can also click here for a complete guide going over the best tongkat ali supplements.
| Recommended Tongkat Ali | Recommended Fadogia agrestis |
|---|---|
 |  |
| Lost Empire Herbs | Lost Empire Herbs |
| •Available as a Powder or as Capsules •3rd Party Tested •Concentrated Dosage | •Concentrated Dosage •3rd Party Tested •Researched Formula |
| SHOP NOW ⮕ | SHOP NOW ⮕ |
Tongkat Ali Overview:
Tongkat ali is a tree that grows throughout Southeast Asia. It was used in traditional medicine to help increase sex drive.
This herb goes by a variety of other common names, including Longjack, Malaysian Ginseng, Pasak Bumi, and Tung Saw.
Tongkat contains a variety of plant chemicals that are thought to provide health benefits, including:
- eurycomanone
- eurycomaoside
- eurycolactone
Modern research – including clinical trials –indicates that this herb may help to improve libido and testosterone levels.
Below is a quick overview of the health benefits of Tongkat ali.
1. May Improve Testosterone Levels
Various clinical trials indicate that tongkat ali may help to support testosterone levels.
A study involving 76 older men with low testosterone found that taking tongkat ali extract daily increased testosterone levels to normal values in the majority of the study participants.
Another study involving 45 men found that tongkat ali supplementation coupled with daily exercise helped to improve testosterone levels and overall sexual function.
One other clinical trial with 109 men discovered that taking 300mg of tongkat ali helped to improve quality of life, erectile function, and sex drive.
2. May Improve Body Strength
Research indicates that tongkat ali may also help to boost athletic performance and increase total muscle mass.
This is because longjack contains compounds called phytochemicals, including eurycomaside, eurycolactone, and eurycomanone, which may help your body use energy more efficiently. This can help to reduce fatigue and improve endurance.
A small pilot study involving 14 men participating in a strength training program found that those who took tongkat ali extract daily experienced greater increases in lean body mass than those taking a placebo. The tongkat ali group also lost more body fat.
Additionally, another study in 25 active older adults discovered that supplementing with 400mg of tongkat ali extract increased muscular strength, compared to a placebo.
One other study found that daily exercise and supplementing with tongkat ali improved average, and peak, power output.
3. May Relieve Stress
Not only does tongkat ali improve your physical health, but it may also have some mental benefits like reducing stress and promoting a better mood.
A study in 63 stressed adults found that taking 200mg of tongkat ali extract per day reduced levels of the stress hormone cortisol in saliva by over 15%, compared to those who received a placebo.
One other study involving 93 high-stress individuals found that supplementing with tongkat ali alongside a multivitamin appeared to support mental health and reduce stress levels.
Fadogia Overview:
Fadogia agrestis is an herb that has recently gained popularity due to its numerous benefits.
As a plant, fadogia is a small shrub native to Nigeria, but it can be found growing throughout a few other African countries. It was traditionally used as an aphrodisiac herb and was used to treat erectile dysfunction.
It has been used as a natural remedy for several ailments and is thought to increase testosterone levels, reduce pain perception, and stabilize blood sugar levels.
Below is a quick overview of how Fadogia agrestis benefits the body.
1. May Increase Testosterone & Sex Drive
Fadogia agrestis is best known for its aphrodisiac effects.
In an animal study, taking Fadogia Agrestis extract led to significant increases in testosterone levels and sexual activity. The researchers noted that in some cases, testosterone increased up to five-fold.
Another animal study found that rats that were given Fadogia extract had an increase in sexual activity.
Finally, another animal study found that Fadogia extract increased antioxidant functions and nitric oxide pathways in rats, which appeared to help restore erectile function in rats with erectile dysfunction. Increased blood flow from elevated nitric oxide and antioxidant effects likely caused this purported benefit.
While these initial animal studies are promising, it’s important to keep in mind that no studies have been conducted to confirm that fadogia has testosterone-boosting effects in humans.
2. May Reduce Pain
One study looked at the analgesic (pain-reducing) effects of fadogia.
In this animal study, fadogia offered significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, comparable to aspirin. The reductions in pain appeared to be due to the effect of Fadogia Agrestis on the body’s ability to sense pain.
3. May Support Heart Health
There was also one small study done on rats regarding possible anti-diabetic effects.
In the study, the researchers found that diabetic rats who received fadogia extracts showed a decrease in glucose, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and other heart health markers compared to the control group.
Potential Side Effects & Interactions:
Herbs, like anything else, have the potential to interact negatively with your body.
Tongkat ali is generally well tolerated and generally safe to consume for most individuals.
However, a recent safety study indicated that tongkat ali may be harmful in large doses. Taking 200mg-400mg of an extract form per day is generally recommended.
It should be noted that tongkat ali has a stimulating effect on some individuals.
You can find our full safety review of tongkat ali here.
The safety of taking fadogia is currently in question.
Animal studies have shown negative impacts to testicular function in mice when given fadogia.
It’s not clear whether these effects could also impact human health.
More research is needed to fully understand the potential health benefits and risks of using Fadogia agrestis. It is not clear whether Fadogia agrestis is safe for long-term use, and it should not be used as a substitute for proven medical treatments.
If you are considering using Fadogia agrestis or any other herbal supplement, it is important to speak with a healthcare provider before starting any new treatment.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, although both Fadogia agrestis and tongkat ali have similar health benefits, they also differ in certain aspects.
Tongkat ali is better researched and deemed to be a safer option.
Fadogia shows promising benefits for testosterone, but its safety is currently in question.
Thus, we recommend staying away from fadogia and sticking with tongkat ali at this time.
