Eurycoma longifolia

Longjack

Eurycoma longifolia, commonly known as the long-leaved Eurycoma, is a remarkable medicinal plant native to the tropical rainforests of Africa. Renowned for its diverse therapeutic properties, it is traditionally utilized in herbal medicine to treat various ailments, offering significant potential for pharmacological research and natural healthcare advancements.

  • Scientific name: Eurycoma longifolia
  • Family: Simaroubaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Tropical

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Eurycoma longifolia, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Sapindaales and the family Simaroubaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic placement is defined by its membership in the genus Eurycoma.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Sapindales WCVP
Family Simaroubaceae WCVP
Genus Eurycoma WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Eurycoma longifolia, is widely recognized across various regions under different linguistic names. In Simplified Chinese, it is referred to as 东革阿里 (zh-hans) and 东革阿里 (zh-cn), while in the contexts of zh-sg, it is also called 东革阿里. In Traditional Chinese, the name is written as 東革阿里 (zh-hant), which is also the standard designation used in Hong Kong (zh-hk).
Language Common Name Source
zh-hans 东革阿里 Wikidata
zh-hant 東革阿里 Wikidata
zh-hk 東革阿里 Wikidata
zh-cn 东革阿里 Wikidata
zh-sg 东革阿里 Wikidata
zh-tw 東革阿里 Wikidata
ru Эврикома длиннолистая Wikidata
bjn Pasak bumi Wikidata
ms tongkat ali Wikidata
id Pasak bumi Wikidata

Distribution

This plant, known scientifically as Eurycoma longifolia, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across the Indo-China region. It is natively found within the tropical landscapes of Cambodia and Laos. Furthermore, its natural habitat extends into the territories of Myanmar and Thailand. The species also thrives throughout various parts of Vietnam. Consequently, its presence is well-established across these five distinct Southeast Asian nations.

Region Area Source
Indo-China Cambodia WCVP
Indo-China Laos WCVP
Indo-China Myanmar WCVP
Indo-China Thailand WCVP
Indo-China Vietnam WCVP
Malesia Borneo WCVP
Malesia Malaya WCVP
Malesia Philippines WCVP
Malesia Sumatera WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Eurycoma longifolia, commonly known as Tongkat Ali, utilizes various anatomical structures for its biological functions and medicinal properties. The most significant part is the roots, specifically the long, woody root system that is extensively harvested for its bioactive compounds. Above the ground, the plant features upright stems that provide structural support for the foliage. These stems serve as the conduit for nutrients traveling to the broad, green leaves, which are essential for photosynthesis.
Total parts
12
Scientific sources
21
Plant Part Sources Confidence
roots 6 ★★★☆☆
root 3 ★★☆☆☆
stems 2 ★☆☆☆☆
leaves 2 ★☆☆☆☆
stem 1 ★☆☆☆☆
intact roots 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hairy-root cultures 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hairy root 1 ★☆☆☆☆
bark 1 ★☆☆☆☆
TA roots 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Eurycoma longifolia has 29 reported phytochemicals identified across 47 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include eurycomanone, 9-hydroxycanthin-6-one, 9-methoxycanthin-6-one, eurycomalactone, eurycomanol.

Total chemicals
29
Scientific sources
47

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
eurycomanone 7 ★★★★☆
9-hydroxycanthin-6-one 4 ★★☆☆☆
9-methoxycanthin-6-one 4 ★★☆☆☆
eurycomalactone 3 ★★☆☆☆
eurycomanol 3 ★★☆☆☆
cortisol 2 ★☆☆☆☆
eurycomalide C 2 ★☆☆☆☆
11-Dehydroklaineanone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
14,15beta-dihydroxyklaineanone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
15beta-O-acetyl-14-hydroxyklaineanone 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Eurycoma longifolia has 20 reported activities identified across 49 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Aphrodisiac, Anticancer, Antimalarial, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Total activities
20
Scientific sources
49

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Aphrodisiac 7 ★★★★☆
Anticancer 6 ★★★☆☆
Antimalarial 6 ★★★☆☆
Antimicrobial 4 ★★☆☆☆
Antioxidant 4 ★★☆☆☆
Cytotoxic 4 ★★☆☆☆
Antibacterial 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antidiabetic 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antifungal 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiproliferative 2 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Eurycoma longifolia has 64 reported medicinal uses identified across 97 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include fever, malaria, cancer, anxiety, aphrodisiac.

Total uses
64
Scientific sources
97

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
fever 7 ★★★★☆
malaria 6 ★★★☆☆
cancer 5 ★★★☆☆
anxiety 3 ★★☆☆☆
aphrodisiac 3 ★★☆☆☆
hypertension 3 ★★☆☆☆
libido 3 ★★☆☆☆
Plasmodium falciparum 2 ★☆☆☆☆
aches 2 ★☆☆☆☆
antimalarial 2 ★☆☆☆☆