Cistanche, Broomrape, Rou Cong Rong 肉苁蓉

Rou Cong Rong (TCM)

von Ledebour, Icones plantarum novarum, vol. 4: 1833

Bunches of Wild Cistanche at the Chengdu Medicine Market (Adam, 2017)

Cistanche tubulosa
(Photo by Nikola, cropped) (Wikimedia)

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Botanical name:

Cistanche deserticola is the official species.
Other species used in China include:

C. salsa
C. sinensis
C. tubulosa

Some other members of the Orobanchaceae are used similarly including Boschniakia rossica (Cao Cong Rong).

Parts used:

Fleshy Stem of the parasitic plant.

Temperature & Taste:

Warm, moist. Sweet, Salty

Classifications:

N. Yang Tonic

Uses:

1. Tonifies Kidney Yang, Benefits Essence:
-Impotence, Spermatorrhea, Incontinence, dribbling Urine
-Cold pain in the Back and Knees, Lumbago
-Infertility, Excess Uterine Bleeding and Leukorrhea from Coldness of the Uterus
-‘treats the Five Overstrains and Seven Damages … Nourishes the Five Viscera’ (Ben Cao Gang Mu)
-‘long-term use makes one feel happy’. (Ben Cao Gang Mu)

2. Moistens the Intestines:
-constipation from intestinal dryness, especially in the weak or elderly.

3. Moves the Blood:
-dissolves hard masses in Women. (Ben Cao Gang Mu)

Dose:

Decoction: 9–20 grams
Powder: 1–4 grams

Comment:

… available in PRO version
Preparation:
… available in PRO version

Substitutes:

… available in PRO version

Main Combinations:

1. Impotence:
i. Cistanche Rou Cong Rong decocted with Mutton
ii. and cold pain of the Lower back, Cistanche Rou Cong Rong with … available in PRO version
iii. with Spermatorrhea, weakness and pain of the Lower Back, Cistanche Rou Cong Rong with … available in PRO version
iv. with dribbling Urine, Cistanche Rou Cong Rong with … available in PRO version
v. Cistanche Rou Cong Rong with … available in PRO version
2. Infertility from Blood and Essence deficiency, Cistanche Rou Cong Rong with … available in PRO version
3. Kidney weakness with abundant clear Urine, Cistanche Rou Cong Rong with … available in PRO version
4. Strengthen Kidneys and Essence, and for lower back pain and weakness:
i. Cistanche Rou Cong Rong with … available in PRO version
ii. Cistanche Rou Cong Rong with … available in PRO version
5. Nourish Essence and Blood, Cistanche Rou Cong Rong with … available in PRO version
6. Nourish the Tendons and Marrow, Cistanche Rou Cong Rong with … available in PRO version
7. Inability to gain weight, despite always hungry, Cistanche Rou Cong Rong with … available in PRO version
8. Constipation:
i. in the elderly, Cistanche Rou Cong Rong with … available in PRO version
ii. caused by excess sweating Cistanche Rou Cong Rong with … available in PRO version
9. As a tonic food, soak in wine to remove the black juice, then cut into slices and cook with Chinese Yam (Shan Yao) and Mutton.

Cautions:

1. Heavy and moist, so not used in Digestive weakness with loose stool.
CITES listing:
Cistanche deserticola is endangered in the wild, so is listed on CITES.