Quick Info: Is Tongkat Ali Legal?
Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) is legal in many countries, but there are restrictions on its importation and sale in some locations.
What Is Tongkat Ali?
Tongkat Ali is an herbal supplement that has been used in Southeast Asia for a long time. It has also gained popularity in other parts of the world for its various potential benefits, including improved sexual function and testosterone, better athletic performance, and lower stress levels.
If you’re interested in trying Tonkat Ali, you first need to check its legal status and availability in your location. As an herbal supplement, it has the potential to be controlled by various legislation, but it’s likely to be treated differently compared to drugs and medications.
Whether Tongkat Ali is legal and available to buy where you live will entirely depend on your location.
Is Tongkat Ali Legal in North America?
In the United States, Tongkat Ali is classified by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a dietary supplement. This means that it can be bought, sold, and used in the country without any restrictions. However, it also means that it isn’t regulated or controlled in the same way as prescription medications or even over-the-counter medications.
Due to this, there can be a higher risk when choosing which products to buy. It’s important that when you are looking for Tongkat Ali supplements, you select brands that you know or that have reputations for manufacturing safe and reliable products. It’s also a good idea to check what other ingredients may be present in any supplements you plan to buy.
Some products containing Eurycoma longifolia have been banned in the US but this was due to them also containing prescription medications and untested analogs of prescription medications. There are no specific bans or restrictions on Tongkat Ali itself.
In Canada, Tongkat Ali is categorized as a natural health product. Health Canada has given approval for several health claims relating to the supplement, including that it helps to support healthy sexual interest and testosterone production, and that it’s a source of antioxidants. Tongkat Ali can be bought and sold in Canada providing it meets certain conditions that deem it safe and the product isn’t making any unsubstantiated claims.
Is Tongkat Ali Legal in Europe?
If you live in Europe, Tongkat Ali may or may not be legal. This will largely depend on whether you are located within the EU or not. In the European Union, it has not been approved for sale.
The European Commission asked the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to review the safety of Eurycoma longifolia, and the review concluded that it had not been established as safe under any use. Tongkat Ali is classified as an unauthorized novel food, which means that it’s not easily available within the EU. Products from the US containing Tongkat Ali have been rejected for importation into the EU. Despite the ban, some retailers do still attempt to sell products containing Tongkat Ali, but they may be quickly prevented from doing so.
In the UK, which is no longer part of the EU, things are a little different. Tongkat Ali isn’t on the list of banned or restricted herbal ingredients. This means it can be bought and sold without restriction. Other European countries not in the EU can also set their own rules and decide how they want to regulate (or not) the supplement.
Is Tongkat Ali Legal in Australia and New Zealand?
Tongkat Ali is legal in Australia. However, similar to other locations, the lack of regulation means that not all supplements will have the same high standards. As with elsewhere, you should make sure you buy from reputable brands and retailers to get safe and effective products. The Therapeutic Good Administration evaluates, assesses, and monitors products that have been defined as therapeutic goods. Their register of products includes Tongkat Ali supplements.
Tongkat Ali is also available in New Zealand and can be found in different forms from a range of sources.
Is Tongkat Ali Legal in Asia?
Tongkat Ali originates in Southeast Asia, where it has long been used as a traditional medicine. Today there have also been studies examining its effects and with that, there is the chance of regulations too.
There are often few restrictions on Tongkat Ali in Asia, but it’s obviously a large continent. The exact laws regulating the supplement vary by region, so it’s always important to check.
In Malaysia, there are hundreds of registered Tongkat Ali products. However, with many of them containing dangerously high levels of mercury, it’s essential to be vigilant about which products you choose to purchase. Malaysia also bans raw Eurycoma longifolia from export due to sustainability efforts. Harvesting wild trees is restricted to try and protect the species. However, the Malaysian government has encouraged the production of products using the plant, even providing grants for farmers.
Tongkat Ali is classified as a traditional medicine in Singapore and is also commonly used in countries including Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Its status as a traditional medicine in many countries means that it is often freely available to find and use. It has been used for a broad range of purported properties, including several that it is now recognized for around the world.
Where Tongkat Ali is legal, it can be found in a number of different forms. It’s often provided in capsules that can be taken orally but is also available as a powder or tincture. It can sometimes be found in products such as tea or energy drinks, especially in countries where it is a traditional remedy.
Some countries may have chosen to disallow or regulate Tongkat Ali, but it’s readily available in many locations.
Summary: Is Tongkat Ali Legal?
- The legal status of Tongkat Ali depends on the country
- It’s available in the US, Canada, and Australia
- It’s easy to buy in many Southeast Asian countries, where it originates
- Tongkat Ali isn’t readily available in the EU due to restrictions
