Cistanche

Due to demand, Cistanche has been overharvested and is on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix 2 list of species requiring monitoring but not banned from trade. Part of the reason for diminishing numbers however is due to the widespread use of its host tree Haloxylon ammodendron for firewood. [1] [2]

Cistanche is also used in Chinese Herbal Medicine as an ingredient in formulas to strengthen kidneys, as a laxative and sometimes to treat women's infertility. Dried leaves are used with boiling water to make tea and this is available in Asian markets. [3]

Cistanche - History

Cistanche was mentioned in ancient Chinese herbal / medicinal texts as a tonic, aphrodisiac and increaser of male potency. It is listed as a tonic in the Shennong Bencao Jing and Bencao Gangmu. [1]

Tamba Yasuyori's The Essence of Medical Prescriptions, a tenth century compilation, described many formulas to increase male potency, and the majority of these formulas included Cistanche. [4]

Although well known to Chinese Medicine since old times, Cistanche seems ot have remained obscure to the west until recently. It first begins to appear in Western literature in the early 19th century, and it begins to show up in botanical works of the period. The earliest mentions of it I have been able to find in western works appear in the 1820's - such as Heinrich Gottlieb Ludwig Reichenbach's 1829 Iconographia botanica seu plantae criticae (written in Latin and German), which mentions Cistanche lutea in its list of plants.

Heinrich Gottlieb Ludwig Reichenbach's 1828 Conspectus Regni vegetabilis per gradus naturales evoluti: Tentamen, Part 1 mentions Cistanche (p.121) and this references "Lk. Hgfgg." To the author, it was assumed that in those days, the reader of such a tome would have known who the botanists were, that were being referred to - but it took a little detective work. It is a reference to Heinrich Friedrich Link and Johann Centurius Hoffmannsegg, who traveled through Portugal in 1797-1799 and wrote a book about theri travels. I found a copy of this work dated 1801 and translated into Engliah at [5] - but could not at first glance (or search) uncover the reference to Cistanche.

Regardless, prior to around 1980, I can find no Western work that mentions any aphrodisiac quality of Cistanche - and then references to it begin to drift in from Chinese Herbal Medicine sources.

Is Cistanche an Aphrodisiac?

Cistanche has been the focus of a significant amount of scientific study - and a search of Pubmed [6] revealed 110 references in 2010. These studies include encouraging research into anti-aging, antifatigue, vasorelaxant, hepatoprotectant and antioxidant properties of the plant. Of these, I could find only two that focused on the effects of Cistanche on sexuality; not enough, but better than nothing! Of these, a 1996 study by the Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, found that weights of testes, seminal vesicle and prostate gland in mice and rats were increased by administration of alcohol-soluble extract from decoction of Cistanche deserticola. [7]

Cistanche has been shown to enhance energy levels, endurance and learning functions in animal studies. [8]

Cistanche safety

Is Cistanche safe to consume? This site is not medical advice, so we can only comment on other sources we find. Ray Sahelian includes it in his Passion Rx formula for "Supporting healthy sexuality in men and women. He notes potential side effects with high doses - of blurred vision, sleepiness and increased body temperature. [8] According to another web site, it is viewed as very safe when consumed appropriately. [3]

It also appears, from general observation of articles found online, that Cistanches may have been the subject of some fakery. I found one source which provides a link to their Certificate of Analysis - a nice touch - "Barlowe's", selling a 5:1 Cistanche salsa Extract on eBay.

Cistanche is listed in the AHPA's "Herbs of Commerce", p.40. [9]