Cistanche (rou cong rong)

Cistanche deserticola

Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens kidney yang, moistens the bowel and warms the uterus.

Safety notes

Not with yin deficiency with heat or with diarrhoea. The wild plant is under pressure (CITES Appendix II): choose cultivated cistanche. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Preparation

Fleshy stem. Usually as a decoction, together with other herbs.

Use in traditions

Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'tonics for kidney yang'. Cistanche (rou cong rong) is a desert parasite on the roots of saxaul, also called 'ginseng of the desert'. It warms kidney yang and moistens the bowels in constipation in the elderly. Because of overharvesting it is now cultivated in Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang.

Applications

Use by tradition

How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.

Chinese materia medica

Nature and taste: sweet, salty, warm
Meridians: kidney, large intestine

Attributed effects

For impotence, premature ejaculation, cold and pain in the lower back and knees and dribbling, constipation from a shortage of body fluids (also in older people) and cold in the uterus with infertility, white discharge and abnormal bleeding.

Preparation and amount

Traditional dosage: 6–12 g a day, usually in a decoction.

Combinations

With prepared rehmannia, cuscuta, ba ji tian and schisandra for impotence
With hemp seed and walnut for constipation

Ways to prepare herbs: Decoction
Formulas: Ji chuan jian

Sources

All herbs from Asia →