Shilajit and Tongkat Ali for Testosterone: Fact-Checked

Short answer: a few small randomised trials suggest tongkat ali and purified shilajit may raise testosterone modestly, mainly in men whose levels were already low. The evidence is limited, product quality varies widely, and raw shilajit can contain heavy metals such as lead. If you think your testosterone is low, a morning blood test and a conversation with your doctor will tell you far more than any supplement.

Testosterone has become a hot topic for men, driven by fitness influencers, podcasts and "men's health" ads. Searches for shilajit and tongkat ali have climbed alongside it. Here we fact-check the claims, explain the safety issues, and look at what actually affects testosterone.

Why are men searching for testosterone boosters?

Common reasons include tiredness, low sex drive, losing muscle, gaining belly fat or simply getting older. Testosterone does decline with age, but slowly: the NHS and Mayo Clinic both describe a fall of about 1% a year from around age 30 to 40. That gradual change is different from hypogonadism, a medical condition in which the testes or pituitary gland do not produce enough testosterone.

The NHS also points out that symptoms men blame on "low T" are often caused by stress, low mood, poor sleep, alcohol, smoking, too little exercise or weight gain. That matters, because a supplement will not fix those.

Do "testosterone boosters" work? The big picture

A 2024 systematic review in the International Journal of Impotence Research (Morgado and colleagues) examined 52 studies covering 27 ingredients marketed as testosterone boosters. Its main conclusion: most fail to increase total testosterone. A small number were rated "possibly effective" in specific groups, including tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia) and purified shilajit (the branded extract PrimaVie) in men with late-onset hypogonadism, and tongkat ali and ashwagandha in healthy men. The authors noted that loose regulation lets products make claims without good evidence.

Tongkat ali: what the trials show

Tongkat ali is the root of a Southeast Asian shrub, traditionally used in Malaysia and Indonesia as a men's tonic.

• A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis in Medicina (Leisegang and colleagues) pooled five randomised trials in 232 men. Tongkat ali raised total testosterone compared with control, with a clearer effect in men who started with low testosterone (below 300 ng/dL) than in men with normal levels.
• The authors flagged major limits: few studies, small samples, very different doses and durations, high variability between results and signs of publication bias. They concluded more research is needed before clinical use.
• Side effects reported in trials were few (mainly stomach upset and itching), but studies were short. Long-term safety data are limited.

Contamination is a real concern

A study of 100 tongkat ali products sold in Malaysia (Ang and colleagues, International Journal of Toxicology, 2004) found that 36% contained mercury above the country's legal limit. That study is older, but it shows why buying from brands that test every batch matters.

Shilajit: what the trials show

Shilajit is a sticky, tar-like substance that seeps from rocks in mountain ranges such as the Himalayas, thought to form slowly from decomposed plant matter. It has a long history in traditional Ayurvedic practice as a rejuvenating tonic.

• A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in Andrologia (Pandit and colleagues, 2016) gave healthy men aged 45 to 55 purified shilajit, 250 mg twice daily, for 90 days. Total testosterone, free testosterone and DHEAS rose significantly compared with placebo.
• That trial used one specific, purified, branded extract. Its results cannot be assumed for raw resin or other products, and it has not been widely replicated.

Heavy metals: why purification and testing matter

A 2024 review in Biological Trace Element Research (Hussain and Saeed) reported that raw shilajit can contain many metals, including toxic ones such as lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury. Most tested samples fell within WHO and US FDA limits, but some studies found levels above them. The authors warned that taking shilajit without knowing its metal content is not safe.

Practical rules:

• Avoid raw, unlabelled resin sold at markets or on social media.
• Choose purified shilajit from a brand that can show a heavy-metal test certificate (certificate of analysis) from an independent lab.
• Be wary of very cheap products and "pure Himalayan" claims with no testing details.

Supplements vs real causes of low testosterone

Factor	What the evidence says
Carrying excess weight, type 2 diabetes	The NHS notes late-onset hypogonadism is more common in men with obesity or type 2 diabetes
Poor sleep	Listed by the NHS as a contributing factor to symptoms
Stress, low mood, alcohol, smoking	Common causes of tiredness and low libido, with or without low testosterone
Lack of exercise	Mayo Clinic recommends weight loss and strength training as first steps
Medical causes	Problems with the testes or pituitary gland need medical assessment
Tongkat ali, purified shilajit	Small trials; possible modest effect, mainly in men with low levels

The blood test: how low testosterone is diagnosed

Testosterone is highest in the morning and varies from day to day. The American Urological Association guideline (2018, reaffirmed 2024) recommends:

• two total testosterone tests on separate days, both taken early in the morning;
• a total testosterone below about 300 ng/dL as a reasonable cut-off, combined with symptoms, to support a diagnosis;
• further tests to look for the cause if levels are low.

Your GP can arrange this through a pathology laboratory. Bring a list of your symptoms, medicines and any supplements you take, as some can affect results.

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT): the basics

TRT is a prescription treatment, given as injections or gels, for men with confirmed testosterone deficiency. It is not a lifestyle supplement. Mayo Clinic notes that for healthy men with normal age-related decline, the benefits are unclear. Risks include:

• worsening sleep apnoea;
• stimulating prostate growth;
• increased risk of blood clots;
• acne and breast enlargement;
• reduced sperm production and smaller testes: the AUA advises that men trying to conceive should not be given testosterone.

The AUA also states that it cannot be said definitively whether TRT raises or lowers heart risk, so regular monitoring is essential. Never use testosterone or steroids bought online or at the gym without a prescription.

Lifestyle: the foundations that matter most

• Sleep: aim for seven to nine hours with consistent times.
• Weight: if you carry extra weight around the middle, gradual loss through diet and activity is one of the most useful steps. If you are using a weight-loss medicine such as a GLP-1 injection, ask your doctor about combining it with strength training to help hold on to muscle.
• Strength training: two to three sessions a week working the major muscle groups.
• Alcohol and smoking: cut back on alcohol and stop smoking.
• Stress and mood: if you feel persistently low, talk to someone. Call SADAG on 0800 567 567.

Where Elevate fits

Our Shilajit Gummies contain 1000mg purified shilajit, and Tongkat Ali Gummies contain 1500mg tongkat ali. His Libido Gummies combine tongkat ali with gokshura (tribulus), eleuthero, horny goat weed and Mondia whitei. These are food supplements, not testosterone treatments. Tongkat ali has limited long-term safety data, so speak to your doctor first if you have a medical condition, take medication or are being investigated for low testosterone. Learn more in our shilajit and tongkat ali ingredient guides, or browse the For Him collection.

Who should avoid shilajit and tongkat ali?

• Men with prostate conditions or hormone-sensitive conditions, unless their doctor agrees.
• Men on TRT, or being tested for low testosterone (supplements can confuse results).
• Anyone with kidney or liver disease, heart conditions or high blood pressure, without medical advice.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women, and anyone under 18.
• Anyone taking regular prescription medicines: check with a pharmacist for interactions.

See a doctor if…

• you have low sex drive, erection problems, loss of morning erections or breast tenderness;
• you have unexplained tiredness, loss of muscle or reduced body hair;
• you and your partner have been trying to conceive for a year without success;
• you snore heavily or stop breathing at night;
• you have chest pain, sudden shortness of breath or a painful swollen leg (call 112 or 10177; these can signal a clot or heart problem).

Frequently asked questions

Does tongkat ali increase testosterone?

A 2022 meta-analysis of five small trials found it raised total testosterone, more clearly in men who started with low levels. The studies were small and varied, so the evidence is promising but limited.

Does shilajit increase testosterone?

One 2016 randomised trial of a purified extract in men aged 45 to 55 found increases in total and free testosterone after 90 days. Results may not apply to other shilajit products.

Is shilajit safe?

Raw shilajit can contain heavy metals such as lead. Only use purified products with independent heavy-metal testing, and speak to your doctor if you have a medical condition.

Can I take tongkat ali and shilajit together?

There are no good studies on combining them. Long-term safety data for tongkat ali are limited, so check with your doctor or pharmacist first.

Are testosterone boosters the same as TRT?

No. TRT is prescription testosterone for diagnosed deficiency. Herbal "boosters" are supplements; most have not been shown to raise testosterone in trials.

Sources

• Morgado A, Tsampoukas G, Sokolakis I, et al. Do "testosterone boosters" really increase serum total testosterone? A systematic review. International Journal of Impotence Research, 2024. Nature
• Leisegang K, et al. Eurycoma longifolia (Jack) improves serum total testosterone in men: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. Medicina, 2022. MDPI
• Ang HH, Lee EL, Cheang HS. Determination of mercury by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometer in tongkat ali preparations obtained in Malaysia. International Journal of Toxicology, 2004. SAGE
• Pandit S, Biswas S, Jana U, et al. Clinical evaluation of purified shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers. Andrologia, 2016. DOI
• Hussain A, Saeed A. Hazardous or advantageous: uncovering the roles of heavy metals and humic substances in shilajit. Biological Trace Element Research, 2024. SpringerLink
• American Urological Association. Testosterone deficiency guideline (2018, reaffirmed 2024). auanet.org
• Mayo Clinic. Testosterone therapy: potential benefits and risks as you age. mayoclinic.org
• NHS. The "male menopause". nhs.uk

This article is for general information only and isn't medical advice. Elevate gummies are food supplements and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before starting any supplement, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition.