Rou Cong Rong
Cistanche deserticola Y. C. Ma
โฏ TCM Properties
Tonifies Kidney Yang; Nourishes Essence and Blood; Moistens the Intestines and Unblocks the Bowels; Relaxes Sinews and Strengthens Bones
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Cistanche deserticola (Orobanchaceae), known as Rou Cong Rong or desert ginseng, is a holoparasitic flowering plant lacking chlorophyll that grows attached to the roots of the desert shrub Haloxylon ammodendron. The visible portion is a fleshy, scaly, club-shaped flowering stem 40-160 cm tall, 3-10 cm thick, covered in spirally arranged yellow-brown to purplish scale-leaves. Dense terminal spikes bear tubular, two-lipped, pale yellow to lavender flowers in spring. Native to arid sandy soils of Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Ningxia, and Xinjiang in China and adjacent Mongolia. The succulent stem is harvested in spring before flowering, salted, and dried for medicinal use. CITES-listed due to overharvest. (Sources: POWO; Wikipedia)
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 9-30g | Daily | โ | โ | โ |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Rou Cong Rong (cistanche, broomrape) is a warm, sweet herb considered one of the most important Kidney Yang tonics in Chinese medicine. It supplements Kidney Yang and essence for impotence, infertility, lower back weakness, and urinary incontinence, and its oily, moistening nature simultaneously lubricates the Intestines to relieve constipation from cold dryness. This combination of Yang-tonifying and moistening properties makes it uniquely suitable for elderly patients with Kidney Yang deficiency and dry constipation. It is known as "desert ginseng" in Inner Mongolian tradition.
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.