Study to tap medicinal value of Tongkat Ali

Daily Ekspress: 17/5/01

JOHOR BARU: Scientists are trying to establish if the three active components found in the root of "Tongkat Ali" (Eurycoma longifolia) are also found in other parts of the plant.

Initial findings revealed that a substantial amount of the components – eurycomanol, eurycomanone and eurycomalactone – are found in the stems and the some degree, the leaves.

Until now, these components are extracted only from the roots while other parts of the plant are often discarded.

Malaysian Herbal Corporation chief operating officer Syed Kamaruddin Syed Wazir said similar components could be found in the stems and leaves and the value was as good as that found in the root.

"The only difference is the concentration and quantity. It is three-fore commercially viable to extract and utilise the components from the stems and leaves to reduce wastage as the herb is scarce.

"Moreover, the cost of extraction is the same."

Tongkat Ali is a red-stemmed jungle plant that grows up to 10 metres in height. It has tuber-like roots that grow in long, gnarled twists. The root has been used for generations in traditional Malay medicine. It is now consumed more as an aphrodisiac.

Syed Kamaruddin said it was MHC’s aspiration to promote Tongkat Ali, or the ginseng of Malaysia, as a healthy tonic drink rather than as an aphrodisiac.

He said the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States, in collaboration with the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia, had been studying Tongkat Ali in an effort to find out more about the medicinal value of the plant.

"We believe Tongkat Ali can become the king of Malaysian Herbs."

It is therefore viable to plant the herbs in a commercial scale because of the lucrative returns and high demand.

"So far, only two of the farms, one in Malacca and another in Pagoh, Johor have ventured into big-scale Tongkat Ali cultivation."

Tongkat Ali is usually planted from seeds and takes up to four years before it could be harvested. The herb is commonly found in Sumatra, Thailand, Indo-China, Myanmar and the Philippines.

Syed Kamaruddin said MHC would facilitate the development of the herbal industry and co-ordinate research efforts in addition to marketing the herb in the country.