KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 28 (Kyodo) - By: Vivian Ho

Long before Viagra hit the headlines, a local herb known as ''Tongkat Ali,'' Eurycoma Longifolia Jack, has made many Malaysian men rise to the occasion. The root of the plant is said to have aphrodisiac properties and will enhance male sexual libido besides other medicinal values such as treatment for dysentery, glandular swelling, fever, malaria and other ailments.

In the old days, the roots, found only in the wild tropical forest of Southeast Asia , had to be brewed for long hours to get a bitter extract. Now, Tongkat Ali, which literally means Ali's cane, is conveniently packed in pill or ''tea-bag'' form and mixed with regular coffee or tea for an extra ''lift.''

Tongkat Ali coffee and tea are now the latest crazes to hit town, widely sold in Malaysia's ubiquitous roadside hawker stalls, supermarkets and even at eateries in posh hotels.

''It is my most popular drink now. Before, it used to be ginseng coffee, now it's Tongkat Ali drinks,'' hawker-stall operator Abdul Rahim said.

A company selling Tongkat Ali pills over the Internet touted that those who take the pills for a week will find their testosterone level increases up to 480%. ''It is five times stronger than ginseng,'' another company claimed. A bottle containing 60 capsules is sold for 148.16 ringgit (about 39 dollars).

Another company, selling Tongkat Ali pills claimed that Tongkat Ali is better than the famous blue pill Viagra.

''You don't need a doctor's prescription to buy Tongkat Ali pills and there is no side effect,'' President Yeo said.

And while Viagra could be fatal to some heart patients, Tongkat Ali is said to be good for them and those suffering from high blood pressure.

''This is not Viagra, which only makes a man 'ready' in a relatively short time. Intake of Tongkat Ali must be maintained daily to ensure a healthier lifestyle,'' Yeo said.

Local scientist, Johari M. Saad of Malaya University, maintains the aphrodisiac properties synonymous with the plant have been ''overly exploited commercially'' and with some ''misconceptions,'' agreed there are components that ''when prepared scientifically, do show testosterone enhancing properties.''

''If testosterone deficiency is the cause of mellowed 'man-ism' in you, then probably Tongkat Ali will provide you some extra push. However, if you are really 'padam' (Malay for burned out) then, see your doctor. Probably Viagra is for you,'' Johari said. PADAM is also an acronym for Partial Androgen Deficiency in Aging Men Syndrome, the medical term for male menopause. Johari and his team did a study on PADAM and the use of Tongkat Ali as an alternative to testosterone therapy.

''These early studies provide very promising data on the potential of this plant as an alternative to testosterone therapy in addressing the physiological changes in aging due to testosterone deficiency,'' he said.

Tongkat Ali pills is sold in Brunei , Taiwan , Thailand , Japan , and Singapore as well as in Malaysia . A 30-capsule bottle of Tongkat Ali pills costs 109.90 ringgit. Yeo believes Tongkat Ali has a market potential of about 5 million ringgit a month.

Men are not the only ones looking for stimulation. Alongside Tongkat Ali coffee are beverages laced with ''manjakani,'' touted as a way to keep vaginal muscles toned. The drink is also said to help regulate menstrual flow, but men are said likely to suffer constipation if they try the drink.

Then there is Kacip Fatimah (Labisia Pumila) drinks, made from a traditional herb and believed to cure problems such as irregular menstrual cycles and vaginal discharges.

But unlike Tongkat Ali drinks, drinks meant for women are not as widely available. They are mostly sold through the direct market.

Source: The Kyodo News Service
28 December 1999

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