The Efficacy and Benefits of Drinking Water Infused with Cistanche (Rou Cong Rong)
Jan 07, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
Cistanche (Rou Cong Rong) enters the kidney meridian. Its property is sweet and warm, which helps to support yang energy. Due to its soft and moist texture, it can be used to treat conditions caused by kidney yang deficiency, such as cold pain in the lower back and knees, male impotence and premature ejaculation, and female infertility due to cold uterus. It effectively enhances kidney yang, strengthens kidney function, and improves cold deficiency symptoms of the reproductive system. Additionally, its oily and moist texture allows it to enter the large intestine meridian, helping to moisten intestinal dryness, relieve constipation, and improve bowel movements caused by dry intestines and fluid deficiency.
The efficacy and functions of drinking Cistanche (Roucongrong) steeped in water generally include nourishing the kidney and reinforcing yang, moistening the intestines and promoting bowel movements, enriching essence and nourishing blood, strengthening tendons and bones, and supporting the body's healthy qi to consolidate the fundamental constitution.
1. Nourishing the Kidney and Reinforcing Yang: Cistanche enters the kidney meridian, has a sweet and warm medicinal property that supports yang energy, and possesses a soft and moist texture. It can be used to treat symptoms caused by kidney yang deficiency, such as cold pain in the waist and knees, male impotence and premature ejaculation, and female cold uterus infertility. It effectively enhances kidney yang, strengthens kidney function, and improves cold-related symptoms in the reproductive system.
2. Moistening the Intestines and Promoting Bowel Movements: Due to its lubricating texture and high oil content, Cistanche enters the large intestine meridian, helping to moisten intestinal dryness and relieve constipation. For constipation caused by intestinal dryness and fluid deficiency, especially in elderly individuals or those with weakened physical conditions after illness or childbirth, drinking Cistanche-infused water can moisturize the intestines, promote intestinal motility, and facilitate smooth bowel movements without harming the body's healthy qi.
3. Enriching Essence and Nourishing Blood: Cistanche can nourish kidney essence and support liver blood. It is used to treat symptoms caused by deficiency of essence and blood, such as dizziness, blurred vision, weakness and soreness in the waist and knees, tinnitus, and hearing loss. It helps replenish and regulate the body's essence and blood, improving various symptoms caused by deficiency of essence and blood.
4. Strengthening Tendons and Bones: The kidney governs the bones, and the liver governs the tendons. Cistanche reinforces kidney yang and enriches essence and blood, thus nourishing the liver and kidney, and subsequently strengthening tendons and bones. For symptoms such as flaccid tendons and bones and weakness in movement caused by deficiency of liver and kidney, regular consumption of Cistanche tea may provide certain improvement, helping to enhance the flexibility and strength of tendons and bones and improve limb motor function.
5. Supporting the Body's Healthy Qi and Reinforcing the Constitution: Cistanche has the function of supporting and nourishing the body's healthy qi, enhancing the body's resistance to disease. It can be used for individuals with weakened conditions due to chronic illness or aging, whose healthy qi is insufficient, helping regulate bodily functions, improving overall health, and increasing disease resistance.
It is recommended that Cistanche be used under the guidance of a physician; self-administration without medical advice is not recommended. A bland diet should be maintained, and consumption of spicy or irritating foods such as garlic, spicy hotpot, and mustard should be avoided.
