What are the functions and effects of Cistanche (Rou Cong Rong)?

Nov 23, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Zhang Xiuhong

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, Cistanche (Rou Cong Rong) is a precious traditional Chinese medicinal herb that offers various health benefits and functions, primarily including nourishing the kidneys and supporting yang energy, moistening the intestines to relieve constipation, enhancing immunity, anti-aging properties, and regulating blood pressure. Although Cistanche has multiple nourishing effects, it is not suitable for everyone. Individuals with yin deficiency and excessive internal heat, those with loose stools or diarrhea, and people with allergic constitutions should avoid its use to prevent adverse reactions.

Generally speaking, Cistanche (Rou Cong Rong) is a precious traditional Chinese medicinal herb that has various functions and benefits, mainly including reinforcing kidney function and invigorating yang, moistening the intestines and relieving constipation, enhancing immunity, anti-aging effects, and regulating blood pressure. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Reinforce Kidney Function and Invigorate Yang

Cistanche contains various bioactive components such as phenylethanoid glycosides, iridoids, and lignins, which play significant roles in improving kidney function and enhancing kidney yang energy. Therefore, Cistanche is commonly used to treat male sexual dysfunction problems such as kidney deficiency-induced impotence, nocturnal emission, and premature ejaculation, showing evident effects in reinforcing kidney function and invigorating yang.

2. Moisturize the Intestines and Relieve Constipation

Cistanche has a slightly warm nature and a sweet and salty taste, affecting the large intestine meridian. It can moisturize the intestines, improving symptoms such as dry and hard stools and difficulty in defecation caused by intestinal dryness. Its various active components effectively regulate intestinal function, absorb water and swell to promote stool formation and excretion. At the same time, it can also stimulate intestinal peristalsis, improve intestinal muscle function, and alleviate constipation symptoms.

3. Enhance Immunity

Cistanche can increase the weight of the spleen and thymus, enhance the phagocytic capacity of peritoneal macrophages, and improve lymphocyte transformation rates, thereby enhancing immunity.

4. Anti-Aging

Extracts from Cistanche inhibit lipid peroxidation in the liver, exerting anti-aging effects. They can also prolong animal lifespan, protect body cells from oxidative and free radical damage, and make the skin more rosy, delicate, fair, and elastic through antioxidant effects.

5. Regulate Blood Pressure

Cistanche can regulate blood pressure and improve blood circulation, helping in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease and hypertension.

Although Cistanche offers various nourishing benefits, it is not suitable for everyone. It should be avoided by individuals with yin deficiency and excessive internal heat, those suffering from loose stools or diarrhea, and people with allergic constitutions, to prevent adverse reactions. When using Cistanche, it is recommended to follow medical advice or the guidance of a pharmacist, avoiding excessive or improper use.

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Can Cistanche (Rou Cong Rong) be steeped in water for consumption?

Under normal circumstances, Cistanche (Rou Cong Rong) can be steeped in water for consumption. As a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, Cistanche has various effects including warming and tonifying kidney yang, moistening the intestines, and relieving constipation. For individuals experiencing symptoms such as kidney yang deficiency and dry intestinal constipation, moderate consumption of Cistanche steeped in water may help in regulation. Meanwhile, Cistanche also helps improve immunity and promote blood circulation; moderate consumption is beneficial to health.

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Can Cistanche (Rou Cong Rong) be steeped in water for long-term consumption?

Under normal circumstances, Cistanche (Rou Cong Rong) is not recommended for long-term consumption as a herbal tea. Prolonged and excessive intake may affect the normal peristaltic function of the intestines, leading to dependency and weakening of the body's natural bowel movement capability. In addition, it may cause dysfunction of the spleen and stomach, resulting in symptoms such as indigestion, abdominal distension, and abdominal pain. Furthermore, individuals have different body constitutions and varying tolerances to herbal medications.

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What are the benefits of drinking water infused with Cistanche (Rou Cong Rong)?

Under normal circumstances, the efficacy of soaking Herba Cistanche (Cao Congrong) in water and drinking it includes lubricating the intestines and relieving constipation, improving sleep quality, enhancing physical health, nourishing the kidneys and strengthening yang, and anti-aging. Herba Cistanche has the function of nourishing yin and moistening dryness. Drinking an appropriate amount of its infusion can lubricate the intestines, accelerate bowel movements, and alleviate symptoms of constipation. It is suitable for treating constipation caused by deficiency of kidney yang and insufficiency of essence and blood in elderly patients, characterized by dryness of body fluids and intestinal dryness.

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What combinations of herbs can be used with Cistanche (Rou Cong Rong) to replenish both Yin and Yang?

Under normal circumstances, Cistanche can be combined with Lycium barbarum (goji berries), ginseng, Chinese yam, Cornus officinalis, and Polygonatum sibiricum to achieve simultaneous nourishment of both Yin and Yang. Goji berries have functions of nourishing the liver and kidneys, improving vision, and moistening the lungs. When used together with Cistanche, they can enhance the effect of nourishing the liver and kidneys, while balancing the warm and hot nature of Cistanche, thereby achieving the goal of harmonizing Yin and Yang. If combination use of Cistanche is required, it should be used properly under the guidance of a physician.