Cistanche, also known as Rou Cong Rong in mandarin, has long been considered one of the best Chinese herbs to strengthen kidneys, tonify Yang, and benefit essence and blood. It was once a routine demanded imperial tribute in ancient dynasties. This herb mainly comes from the Western Regions and resembles ginseng on healing properties. Hence, it is prized as the "desert ginseng". In recent years, thanks for the unique efficacy for fatigue and sexual potency, this tonic herb was given another title – "natural Viagra". That sounds like this is a kidney yang tonic for men only. In fact, it works for women and children as well since it is not that tonic as people think it should be. Just like the cistanche reviews from Li Shizhen, it is named Cong Rong, literally "unhurried", because it tonifies in a mild way. That being said, it tonifies while causing no endogenous heat and, more importantly, helps free movement of bowels. This is the exact uniqueness makes this herb what it is. No wonder it is one of the most widely used kidney tonic herbs of all time. And what is cistanche used for is more than just as one of jing tonic herbs. Besides of ED (erectile dysfunction), it also has a therapeutic effect for women’s infertility, excessive uterine bleeding, myoma of uterus, low back pain, and more.

CISTANCHE BENEFITS
1) Free bowel movement. It can significantly improve the speed of intestinal propulsion, shorten the bowel transit time, and obviously inhibit the large intestine’s absorption of water. As a result it can moisten the feces and stimulate evacuation of feces.

2) Enhance immune function. Its polysaccharides have a significant impact on the formation and activity of human lymphocytes. It can increase the proliferative response of lymphocytes, and thereby enhance the body’s immune function.

3) Adjust the circulatory system. It can protect the ischemic myocardium, lower blood fat levels, prevent atherosclerosis, stop thrombosis, reduce peripheral vascular resistance, expand peripheral vessel, lower blood pressure, protect the liver, and eliminate fatty liver.

4) Treat kidney-deficiency amenorrhea. It is rich in alkaloids, crystalline neutral substance, amino acids, trace elements, vitamins and other ingredients. It works as a yang herb as well as a jing herb, which can prevent the occurrence of yang deficiency and weight loss. Hence, it can effectively prevent and treat kidney-deficiency induced impotence, nocturnal emission, premature ejaculation, menstruation, amenorrhea, infertility and other diseases.

5) Defy aging. Cistanoside is an ingredient found only in cistanches and one of the most effective anti-aging ingredients. So, it can improve memory and slow the aging process on the pituitary gland, gonads, thymus and other parts of the human body.

6) Increase libido in men and women. It acts as one of potency herbs or aphrodisiac since it contains acteoside, salidroside and other chemical ingredients that can effectively promote the function of the central nervous system, enhance the secretion of hormones and release neurotransmitters, and thereby increase libido.

7) Nourish body. It is rich in a lot of amino acids, vitamins and minerals, which can greatly benefit human health.

8) Build up strength. It can enhance your muscle glycogen stores, reduce post-exercise muscle protein degradation, and promote adaptive hypertrophy and hyperplasia in mitochondria in order to meet the energy needed for muscle contraction and rehabilitation.

Cistanche

FORMULAS ON HERBAL REMEDIES 
The Chinese Materia Medica believes that it is sweet and salty in flavor and warm in nature. It acts on meridians of kidney and large intestine. Basic functions are tonifying kidney yang, invigorating essence and blood, and lubricating the intestines. Common cistanche uses and indications include kidney yang deficiency, ED (erectile dysfunction) due to asthenia of essence and blood, Nocturnal Emission, Gonorrhea, frequent urination, dribbling of urine after completion of urination, low back pain, weak legs, Tinnitus, blurred vision, delayed menses, infertility caused by uterus cold, and constipation due to dry intestine. Recommended cistanche dosage is from 10 to 15 grams. In addition, there are other cistanche products available, such as cistanche supplement, pills, powder, capsules, extract, etc.

1) Rou Cong Rong Wan from Yi Xin Fang (Prescriptions from the Heart of Medicine). It is combined with Tu Si Zi (Cuscuta), Xu Duan (Japanese Teasel Root), Du Zhong (Eucommia Bark), to treat weak and sickly men, impotence, and urine dribbling for some time after finishing urination.

2) Jin Gang Wan from the Zhang Shi Yi Tong (Comprehensive Medicine according to Master Zhang). It works with Eucommia, Ba Ji Tian (Morinda Root), Zi He Che (Placenta Hominis), etc. to cure Impotence caused by deficient kidney.

3) Ren Chang Wan from Ji Sheng Fang (Life-saving prescriptions). It is coupled with Chen Xiang (Agarwood) and Ma Zi Ren (hemp seeds) to heal constipation caused by excessive sweating and loss of body fluid.