Cistanche Deserticola

OTHER NAME(S): Desert broomrape, Desert ginseng, Cistanches Herba, Ginseng of the Desert, Rou Cong Rong., Cistanche deserticola, Jacinto del desierto (Cistanche deserticola)

Overview

Cistanche deserticola is a type of plant that must grow on another plant in order to survive. It grows in dry conditions around the world. The stem of Cistanche deserticola is used in medicine.

Cistanche deserticola is used for constipation, tetanus, infertility, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Cistanche deserticola contains chemicals that act as antioxidants. It also contains chemicals that might decrease swelling (inflammation), slow the breakdown of bones, and modify levels of hormones in the body.

Cistanche deserticola contains chemicals that act as antioxidants. It also contains chemicals that might decrease swelling (inflammation), slow the breakdown of bones, and modify levels of hormones in the body.

References
  1. Wang T, Zhang X, Xie W. Cistanche deserticola Y. C. Ma, "Desert ginseng": a review. Am J Chin Med. 2012;40(6):1123-41.
  2. Gao Y, Qin G, Wen P, Wang Y, Fu W, He L, Yao S, Zhao P. Safety assessment of powdered Cistanche deserticola Y. C. Ma by a 90-day feeding test in Sprague-Dawley rats. Drug Chem Toxicol. 2016 Oct 28:1-7.
  3. Li WL, Sun XM, Song H, Ding JX, Bai J, Chen Q. HPLC/Q-TOF-MS-Based Identification of Absorbed Constituents and Their Metabolites in Rat Serum and Urine after Oral Administration of Cistanche deserticola Extract. J Food Sci. 2015 Sep;80(9):H2079-87.
  4. Zhang H, Xiang Z, Duan X, et al. Antitumor and anti-inflammatory effects of oligosaccharides from Cistanche deserticola extract on spinal cord injury. Int J Biol Macromol 2019;124:360-7.
  5. Yang L, Ding S, Zhang B, et al. Beneficial effects of total phenylethanoid glycoside fraction isolated from Cistanche deserticola on bone microstructure in ovariectomized rats. Oxid Med Cell Longev 2019;2019:2370862.