INDIVIDUAL HERBS

Pharmaceutical Latin: Herba Cistanches
Common English: Broomrape Stem
Fleshy Broomrape Herb
Cistanche
Desert-Living Cistanche
Herbs that Tonify the Yang
Taste Temperature Entering Meridians Dosage
Sweet
Salty
Warm
Large Intestine
Kidney
(Ren)
(Dai)
6-21g
Tincture: 2-4ml
Actions Indications/Syndromes

Tonifies the Kidneys, strengthens Yang,
b
enefits Jing and marrow and warms the Womb

Kidney Yang Deficiency with impotence, spermatorrhea, urinary incontinence, post-urinary dripping and Cold pain in the lower back and knees

Cold from Deficiency of the Womb with infertility, excessive uterine bleeding or vaginal discharge

Moistens the Intestines and facilitates the passage of stool

Constipation due to dry Intestines from inadequate fluids in elderly or debilitated people or people with Deficient Qi or Blood (with a large dosage, it can be used as a stand-alone herb)

CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • Contraindicated for those with diarrhea from Spleen and Stomach Deficiency.
  • Contraindicated for those with Deficient Yin with Heat signs or those easily aroused with premature ejaculation.
  • Contraindicated for those with Excess heat.
INCOMPATIBILITIES
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS
  • This herb increases the activities of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin in the hypothalamus and may interact with sympathomimetics, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants.

Hb. Cynomorii
Suo Yang

Fr. Corni
Shan Zhu Yu
Sm. Cuscutae Chinensis
Tu Si Zi
Fr. Schisandrae
Wu Wei Zi

Cx. Eucommiae
Du Zhong
Rx. Morindae Officinalis
Ba Ji Tian

Impotence, Cold and discomfort in the low back.

Impotence, spermatorrhea, and weakness in the lower back and lower extremities from severely Deficient Kidneys.

Deficient Kidney induced pain and weakness in the lower back with a feeling of weakness in the sinews and bones.

Colla Cervi Cornu
Lu Jiao Jiao
Rx. Angelicae Sinensis
Dang Gui
Placenta Hominis
Zi He Che

Sm. Cannabis
Huo Ma Ren
Lignum Aquilariae
Chen Xiang

Rx. Angelicae Sinensis
Dang Gui
Rx. Achyranthis Bidentatae
Niu Xi

Infertility due to exhaustion of Jing and Blood.

Constipation especially in the elderly from Qi and Blood Deficiency.

Constipation due to Kidney Qi and Yang Deficiency with clear, copious urine and a cold sensation in the back.

Cx. Eucommiae
Du Zhong

Rx. Angelicae Sinensis
Dang Gui

Rx. Morindae Officinalis
Ba Ji Tian

High blood pressure.

Constipation due to Dryness of the Intestines Blood Deficiency failing to supply the sinews of the Intestines, interfering with peristalsis.

Constipation in the elderly with insufficiency of Yin and Blood. (caution with Yin Deficiency Heat)

Tonifies Yang without injuring Yin.

Constipation in the elderly.

Cornu Cervi Pantotrichum
Lu Rong
Rz. Dioscoreae
Shan Yao
Poria
Fu Ling

Hb. Epimedii
Yin Yang Huo

Rx. Dipsaci
Xu Duan
Cornu Cervi Pantotrichum
Lu Rong

Forgetfulness and loss of hearing.

Impotence, spermatorrhea and infertility. (use a large dose of Rou Cong Rong)

 

Decreased sexual desire.

Soreness and weakness of the joints.

Sm. Cannabis
Huo Ma Ren
Sm. Sesame Nigrum
Hei Zhi Ma

 

 

Constipation.

 

 

  1. It tonifies Yang but is not drying.
  2. It is slow acting and gentle.
  3. It does not have the stagnating properties of other tonics.
  4. It is one of the most commonly used herbs in the treatment of impotence.
  5. The stem is used not the tops.
  6. Both Rou Cong Rong and Hb. Cynomorii Suo Yang tonify Yang, moisten the Intestines, unblock the bowels and are sweet, salty and warm. Rou Cong Rong is better able to augment Jing and Blood and is better to treat infertility but is less warming of the Kidney Yang. Suo Yang moistens Dryness and nourishes the sinews and treats impotence and is used for impotence and atrophy of the sinews and bones.
  7. Both Rou Cong Rong and Testes et Penis Callorhini Hai Gou Shen are salty, augment the Jing and tonify the Kidney Yang to treat impotence. Rou Cong Rong enters the large Intestine and treats constipation. Hai Gou Shen strengthens the lower back and knees and is more warming but less nourishing for the Jing and Blood.
  8. Wine-prepared Cistanches Jiu Cong Rong is better able to tonify the Kidney Yang but less moistening for the Intestines.