We get a lot of questions for more details about cycling Pine Pollen Tincture and cycling Tongkat Ali, two of our more powerful hormonal herbs. This article aims to give you all the details you could possibly want to know on how to cycle pine pollen vs tongkat ali.
What is Cycling?
First of all, the whole concept of cycling is largely from steroids. The term anyway. Changing the use of herbs over time has been recommended ever since herbs were around.
While these herbs are far from steroids in their nature, there is an important lesson we can learn there. The hormones in the body work based on negative feedback loops. If one hormone goes too high, typically this will signal a different hormone to start increasing, which then acts as an inhibitor of the original hormone production.
That’s really an oversimplification. Sometimes more hormones mean more hormones. Other times more hormones mean fewer hormones. For example, typically high (normal) testosterone reinforces and helps keep itself there, but if other things go awry high testosterone can be converted into estrogen via the aromatase enzyme. This means you’ll end up with less testosterone and more estrogen, which is generally not what guys want.
So, the idea of cycling is that if you’re introducing a hormone into your body, or ramping up your own production based on something like an herb, your body may down-regulate what would be its normal production.
Then, you stop taking that thing and your body brings back it’s production to normal. At that point, you get back on it, and so the cycle repeats, hence the term cycling.
Will I Break My Natural Hormones?
No, I don’t think so. Maybe…if you did something like drank a shot or whole bottle of Pine Pollen Tincture at once!
The recommendations for cycling are made partly just as a precaution. After all, these are not steroids. Yet, we recommend doing it because it’s erring on the side of caution.
Secondly, we recommend it because most people can notice that there may be a build up and then fade away from the effects. When they cycle, i.e. give the herbs a break and then come back to them, they notice the strong effects once again.
Why Cycle Pine Pollen Tincture and Tongkat Ali But Not Others?
First off, why do we recommend cycling these two herbs, and only these two herbs, out of everything we have to offer?
It’s because both Pine Pollen Tincture and Tongkat Ali are potent endocrine stimulators. Many of our other herbs are also active on the endocrine system, but not to the degree that these are.
That includes not needing to cycle Pine Pollen Powder. We see this as more of a food. We talk about it as androgen balancing, while the tincture is more androgen boosting.
Is it Not Good to Cycle Other Herbs?
Does this mean you can’t cycle other herbs? Of course, you can. It is completely natural to take certain herbs on and off over time. While there is a time and a place for sticking to one herb every single day for even a year or more, you’re not likely to take anything every single day for the rest of your life.
As with all things, we want you to learn how to listen to your body, and trust its intuition to be your guide. Then there is a natural ebb and flow of consuming herbs. So it’s not really a cycle, but it kind of is.
How Do You Recommend Cycling?
For Pine Pollen Tincture we generally taking a dropperful or two per day and being consistent with that as you consume a whole bottle. Then, after you’ve finished the bottle lay off of it for a week or two. Then start again.
For Tongkat Ali, we generally recommend five days on, two days off approach. For example, you take the twice-daily dose Monday through Friday, then don’t take any on Saturday or Sunday. Repeat this cycle.
What is the Best Way to Cycle?
Two answers:
1. We don’t know.
2. What is best for one person, wouldn’t necessarily be for the next.
Can you reverse the above, that is, take Pine Pollen Tincture for five days on and two off, then Tongkat Ali for a month straight before laying off it? Sure, you can.
There is also the intuitive approach, where you take things when you feel you need them. If your intuition with herbs is just getting started you might think of this more as a random approach.
One of our partners, Mark Wilson, highly recommends taking one of seven herbs each day, and rotating them daily through the week. He swears by this and has many of his followers getting good results with it.
Again, which of these is best?
One, there really aren’t any scientific studies that have vetted one cycling method versus another around these herbs. (And combining it with other herbs would further complicate the manner.)
Second, just because some cycling method may be best for one person, doesn’t mean it would work the same for you. Everyone is individual. Your hormones may be better off with consistently taking these herbs for a month, then giving it a break. Another individual may get the best boost off a single dose once per week.
You’re going to have to experiment to find what works best for you. (I know some people don’t want to hear that, they want the best way to be handed to them on a silver platter. But I’d rather tell you the truth then lie to you so that you can be lazy about it.)
Can I Cycle These Herbs, While I Consistently Take Other Herbs?
Yes.
Should Adaptogen Herbs Be Cycled?
Adaptogens tend to work best when you stay on them for weeks or months. Laying off them for some period of time once in a while is probably good.
But this is best answered depending on how they work for you and which adaptogen you’re talking about. For example, Ashwagandha seems pretty gentle for me so I could do that longer and do so. Rhodiola I find strong and stimulating, so it probably wouldn’t work taking it too long for me.
Should Neurotransmitter-Influencing Herbs Be Cycled?
This would include herbs like Mucuna, Bacopa, Albizia, and others.
Neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and many others are like hormones in many aspects. They’re chemical messengers. And some operate on some similar feedback mechanisms in the body.
So, should these be cycled? Not in any way specifically that we can refer too. Again, it is likely good to lay off these herbs once in a while, but there is nothing definite we can say.
Because they’re neurotransmitters, and different people have different amounts, one herb could be very different in how it affects one person vs. another.
Any other questions about cycling Tongkat Ali, Pine Pollen Tincture, or our herbs? Ask your question in the comments below.
- Increasing Androgen Receptor Number and Capacity - April 19, 2024
- Yang, Qi, Mitochondria and Chronic Fatigue - March 27, 2024
- Eczema: A Natural Approach to Soothing Your Skin - March 10, 2024
Nick Taylor says
I am a new customer. I have purchased Tongkat Ali capsules, Pine Resin tincture and nettle root tincture. Assuming each is a one month supply, can I take all three on a 5 days on, two days off cycle? It would simplify re-orders. Also, can the two tinctures be taken at the same time?
Logan Christopher says
Note that they’re not all exactly one month supply. It’s variable because dosage can be so variable.
Yes you can take them all at once. There’s no issues with that.
Travis Redd says
I mix my Aongkat Ali with water in a bottle it very bitter but how much to swallow or measure. and I want to start taken pine pollen in the same day i have Thor’s Hammer as well can I also take one of those babies in the same day I have some ED problems and I’m trying to get the big bang for speal nights
Logan Christopher says
Generally don’t recommend mixing tongkat in a lot of water unless you really enjoy that taste. Easier to mix with like a shot of water with the dose you want then down it. All the herbs can be combined so expirement and find what works for you.
Mladen says
Hello there Logan, and happy Thanksgiving :)
Thank you for your priducts, insights and advice.
In very near future, I’m about to purchase some more T-boosting herbs and probably adaptogens too, so I’d like to ask some more questions in that regard…
#1
I purchased Pine pollen tincture, Tongkat Ali powder, Nettle root powder and Shilajit powder, and I’d like to know if it would be wise to start with either Pollen tincture or Tongkat Ali; or is it safe I take them both at the same days, right from the start?
#2
Should I take Pollen tincture and/or Tongkat ali strictly with the Nettle root, in order to balance each of them out (or both of them at the same time); or either of them is safe to take on their own, without Nettle root?
#3
Would Nettle root still have balancing effect on Pollen tincture and Tongkat ali, even if it would be taken individually on different days than those two; especially if I would take nettle with Shilajit (I’ve read that Mark Wilson says he takes Nettle root only once per week, individually)?
#4
I’ve read your interview with Mark, and he says that his cycling includes 7 different herbs, just one different herb each day, if I understood correctly – so could I get some good effects if I use each of those herbs individually on different days (perhaps in higher dosage in that case), or would it be bether to combine them?
#5
Could I use all those herbs individually or in different combos certain days of the week (at least over time); and could other Herbs and formulas be thrown into the mix, individually or in combos, consistently or by cycling (like Pine pollen powder, and Phoenix formula)?
Thank you very much, best regards
Mladen
Logan Christopher says
#1 – Many of our customers take both at the same time to good effect. Others prefer one or the other.
#2 – There are no hard and fast rules. It depends on what you’re going for. Some men take PPT or TKA by itself, some always take with Nettle Root.
#3 – Mark Wilson’s plan works for him and many of our customers. Nothing is so short acting that you would need it at the same exact time here, so different days should be fine.
#4 – I personally like to combine them, but as I said that plan works for Mark. Try both ways and see what seems to feel better for you.
#5 – As this article states we only recommend cycling with certain herbs that have the strong hormonal effects. Beyond that any and all mixes and matches can work.
almadany141594 says
CaN I take them all one time?
Logan Christopher says
Yes
Garret says
I have ED. Am looking to squash the
symptoms. Long have I suffered,I miss
intimacy. I feel TA is the strongest and so I choose it. Are there any cases where pine pollen works better than
TA? I’m a newbie at herbs.
Logan Christopher says
Sorry to hear that but best of luck on your journey. Different people are affected differently. Some of our customers prefer Tongkat to Pine Pollen. For others, they prefer Pine Pollen to Tongkat. Ultimately, the only way to know is to try both and see what happens for YOU. Though if you’re called to Tongkat more than start there.
Jody says
Just started taking pine pollen tincture. Is it good to cycle it at same time as tongak Ali?
Jody
JESSIE RAMSEY says
I WANT TO START CYCLING YOUR PRODUCTS, AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN. I HAVE SOME OF YOUR PRODUCTS…
I HAVE:
LIQUID NETTLE ROOT
LIQUID ASHWAGANDHA
POWDERED BLACK MACA GELATINIZED
SHILAJIT POWDER
TONGKAT ALI
HORNY GOAT WEED POWDER
RAW BLACK MACA POWDER
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD HAVE BEFORE STARTING TO CYCLE PRODUCTS?
ALL SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
THANK YOU
Logan Christopher says
The article above should cover everything you need to know.
Davidknoll says
Of these supplements which are the most important in helping my problem with ED.
David
Mtrus says
Logan or Zane…first off let me thank you for all the info and insight you offer…its awesome so thanks from all of us guys that seek this help and guidance.
1. With respect to pine pollen powder, has anyone been allergic to taking it?
I have general pollen allergies, so I’m wondering.
2. Do you or Can you take Thor’s Hammer daily as a supplement? Like in preparation of…would that work or no?
3. are there specific herbs you recommend to take to build up girth (length is fine) and ball size/ fluid for explosive “O’s”?
Logan Christopher says
1. Yes, some people are but not many. Have another article all about that coming real soon.
2. You can. I know some of our customers do, but as that has tongkat it is best to cycle it.
3. We hear from customers from time to time that some herb helped them with size, but nothing seems to work for a majority of people. They do call Cistanche the stalk enlarger. Overall, the herbs inside Thor’s Hammer are a good place to start.
Darron says
how to take the men’s hormone package; pine pollen powder, tonkat ali, nettle root. Do you mix herbs in water? or just swallow the poweder
Logan Christopher says
Tongkat ali is best taken straight as it tastes very bitter. Wash it down with water.
But pine pollen and nettle root can easily be mixed in water.
bweavers says
What do you think about cycling Spartan Formula, It’s constituents are adaptogenic for the most part.
Any recommendations
Barry
Logan Christopher says
That falls under what I said about adaptogens up above so “Adaptogens tend to work best when you stay on them for weeks or months. Laying off them for some period of time once in a while is probably good.”