A Review Of Clinical Research Evidence On The Improvement Of Fatigue, Constipation, And Sexual Function By Cistanche Tubulosa
Apr 27, 2026
Cistanche tubulosa is a dried fleshy stem with scaly leaves of the plants Cistanche tubulosa or Cistanche tubulosa in the family Rhamnaceae. It is mainly produced in Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Gansu, and other places. It is a classic nourishing herb in traditional Chinese medicine that "tonifies kidney yang, nourishes essence and blood, moistens intestines and promotes bowel movements", and is known as the "desert ginseng". Modern clinical research has gradually confirmed that it has clear pharmacological activity and clinical value in improving common problems such as fatigue, constipation, and sexual dysfunction, and has good safety. This article combines recent clinical research results at home and abroad to sort out the core evidence of Cistanche tubulosa in the above three aspects from different dimensions, providing a reference for its rational clinical application.
Chinese herb cistanche
Clinical research evidence on the improvement of fatigue symptoms by Cistanche tubulosa
Fatigue is a common non-specific symptom in clinical practice, often associated with abnormal energy metabolism, oxidative stress, decreased immune function, and endocrine disorders. It is highly prevalent in populations with chronic fatigue syndrome, postoperative recovery period, and middle-aged and elderly frailty. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that fatigue is often caused by "insufficient yang qi and deficiency of essence and blood", while the characteristic of Cistanche tubulosa, which is "warm but not dry, and nourishing but not greasy", perfectly meets its pathological regulation needs. Modern clinical research has further verified its anti-fatigue and anti-fatigue effects.
The anti-fatigue effect of Cistanche tubulosa has been fully confirmed in both basic experiments and human clinical trials. Animal experiments have shown that the decoction of Cistanche tubulosa can protect the liver cells of weight-bearing swimming mice, promote hepatic glycogen synthesis, upregulate the expression of nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3), and significantly prolong the swimming endurance of mice; The extract of Cistanche tubulosa, rich in phenylethanolic glycosides, can reduce serum creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and lactate levels in mice, increase hemoglobin and glucose levels, reduce muscle damage, delay lactate enrichment, and alleviate fatigue. Compound Guanhua Cistanche tubulosa tablets can also significantly prolong the weight-bearing swimming time of mice, increase liver glycogen reserves, and reduce serum urea levels after exercise, further supporting its anti-fatigue effect.
Effects of Cistanche-anti-fatigue
Click here to view Relieve Physical Fatigue Cistanche products
【Ask for more】 Email:cindy.xue@wecistanche.com / WhatsApp: 0086 18599088692 / Wechat: 18599088692
At the level of human clinical trials, a randomized double-blind controlled trial in 2025 showed that after taking 5g of Cistanche tubulosa extract daily for 8 consecutive weeks, the maximum weight of squats and bench presses significantly increased, and the number of endurance repetitions increased; At the same time, after exercise, the levels of blood cortisol (stress hormone), inflammatory markers (CRP), and creatine kinase (CK) decrease, muscle recovery accelerates, and testosterone levels in the body improve. Testosterone levels are positively correlated with physical strength and recovery ability, indirectly confirming its effectiveness in improving fatigue and enhancing physical strength. In addition, clinical observations on patients with chronic fatigue syndrome have found that continuous use of Cistanche tubulosa preparations can regulate the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis (HPA axis) function, enhance the body's ability to resist stress, improve lymphocyte transformation rate, regulate immune cytokine balance, and alleviate long-term fatigue and weakness symptoms. This is highly consistent with the traditional Chinese medicine theory of Cistanche tubulosa's "tonifying kidney yang and nourishing essence and blood", achieving overall improvement in "essence, qi, and spirit".
cistanche extract powder
Its mechanism of action is mainly reflected in three aspects: firstly, optimizing energy metabolism, promoting the synthesis and storage of liver glycogen and muscle glycogen, enhancing mitochondrial function, improving ATP production efficiency, and reducing energy depletion; Secondly, it is a potent antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative damage and delays fatigue by clearing free radicals, increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and reducing lipid peroxidation product (MDA) levels; The third is to regulate endocrine and immune functions, improve hormone levels such as testosterone, and enhance the body's tolerance and recovery ability to fatigue.
Clinical research evidence on the improvement of constipation symptoms by Cistanche tubulosa
Constipation is a common digestive system disorder, especially common in elderly people, postpartum women, and those with weak constitutions. Clinically, it is mainly characterized by dry stool, difficulty in defecation, and reduced frequency of bowel movements. Traditional Chinese medicine divides it into various types, among which the Yang deficiency type and intestinal dryness type constipation are the most common. The efficacy of Cistanche tubulosa, which is salty and moistens the large intestine, can nourish essence and blood, moisten dryness, and smooth the intestines, making it a commonly used medicinal herb for treating this type of constipation. Modern clinical research has also confirmed its effectiveness and safety in the treatment of constipation.
Effects of Cistanche on treating constipation
In recent years, multiple high-quality clinical studies have confirmed the significant efficacy of Cistanche tubulosa preparations in treating constipation. Among them, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter phase II clinical trial led by Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, affiliated with Capital Medical University, in collaboration with more than ten top hospitals across the country, included 180 patients who met the Rome IV constipation criteria and the traditional Chinese medicine Yang deficiency syndrome differentiation criteria to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Cistanche tubulosa Runtong oral solution (with Cistanche tubulosa as the core ingredient). The research results showed that the efficacy of the preparation was outstanding and dose-dependent. After 8 weeks of treatment, the complete spontaneous defecation response rate of the daily 6g dose group was as high as 60.7%, significantly better than the placebo group's 18.6%; The response rate of the 3-gram daily dose group (35.0%) was also significantly better than that of the placebo group; In terms of the number of completely autonomous bowel movements per week, stool consistency score, and quality of life assessment for constipation patients (PAC-QOL), significant advantages were also demonstrated, and the incidence of treatment-related adverse events was extremely low, with no serious adverse events occurring and good tolerability.
Other clinical studies have further supplemented relevant evidence: for the dry stool and difficulty in defecation caused by blood deficiency in elderly people, using Cistanche tubulosa alone can achieve certain therapeutic effects; For constipation, long and clear urine, and back pain caused by weak kidney qi, using Cistanche tubulosa in combination with Angelica sinensis, Achyranthes bidentata, and Alisma can significantly improve defecation symptoms; For constipation caused by excessive sweating and fluid loss, using Cistanche tubulosa together with agarwood and sesame seeds can effectively moisturize and smooth the intestines, and promote bowel movements. In addition, Cistanche tubulosa is widely used in digestive system medicine, such as Cistanche laxative oral solution, Shengmai Zengye Tong capsule, etc., all of which use it as the core ingredient to improve various symptoms of deficiency constipation. It has been clinically used for many years and has stable therapeutic effects.
Chinese medicinal materials such as cistanche, Astragalus
The core mechanism by which Cistanche tubulosa improves constipation is closely related to its effects of "nourishing essence and blood, moistening dryness and smoothing the intestines": on the one hand, its rich polysaccharides, phenylethanolic glycosides and other components can increase intestinal moisture, soften feces, reduce intestinal friction, and promote intestinal peristalsis; On the other hand, its effects of tonifying kidney yang and nourishing essence and blood can improve the intestinal function of physically weak individuals, solving the problem of "deficiency" from the root, especially suitable for long-term regulation of physically weak populations such as the elderly and postpartum women, avoiding the problems of intestinal dependence and electrolyte imbalance that may be caused by irritating laxatives.
Clinical research evidence on the improvement of sexual function by Cistanche tubulosa
Abnormal sexual function (such as male impotence, premature ejaculation, decreased libido, female uterine cold infertility, low libido, etc.) is a common reproductive system problem in clinical practice, often related to insufficient kidney yang, deficiency of essence and blood, and reproductive endocrine disorders. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that Cistanche tubulosa "tonifies kidney yang and benefits essence and blood", and can be used to treat reproductive dysfunction caused by insufficient kidney yang and deficiency of essence and blood. Modern pharmacological and clinical research also provides a scientific basis for this traditional effect, proving that it can regulate reproductive endocrine and improve male and female sexual function.
Effects of Cistanche: Improve Kidney Function
In terms of improving male sexual function, multiple clinical studies have shown that Cistanche tubulosa and its preparations can effectively improve symptoms such as impotence, premature ejaculation, and decreased libido. A clinical study on male patients with erectile dysfunction found that after taking Cistanche tubulosa extract for 3 months, patients' erectile function scores significantly improved, sexual desire significantly increased, and there were no significant adverse reactions. Another study showed that Cistanche tubulosa, when used in combination with Cuscuta chinensis, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Eucommia ulmoides, can effectively treat male erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence caused by fatigue, significantly improving the sexual function status of patients. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that Cistanche tubulosa has sex hormone like effects, and its active ingredients such as phenylethanoid glycosides (such as pineal glycoside and verbascoside) and polysaccharides can regulate the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis function, improve testosterone levels, promote reproductive organ development, enhance sexual function, and provide modern biological basis for the traditional Chinese medicine theory of "Cistanche tubulosa tonifying kidney yang".
In terms of improving female sexual function, Cistanche tubulosa has also shown good regulatory effects. Clinical studies have found that Cistanche tubulosa can improve symptoms such as uterine cold infertility, low libido, and menstrual disorders caused by insufficient kidney yang and deficiency of essence and blood in women, especially suitable for menopausal women. It can alleviate reproductive function decline related to menopausal syndrome, such as vaginal dryness and decreased libido. In addition, polysaccharides from Cistanche tubulosa have a regulatory effect on the endocrine function of menopausal women, which can improve hormone levels in the body, alleviate discomfort caused by the decline of reproductive system function, and further demonstrate its protective effect on female reproductive health.
It should be noted that the role of Cistanche tubulosa in improving sexual function is mostly based on the regulatory mechanism of "tonifying kidney yang and nourishing essence and blood". The effect is relatively mild, and it needs to be taken regularly for a long time to show significant effects. In clinical applications, it is often used in combination with other traditional Chinese medicines, such as Cistanche tubulosa pills (Cistanche tubulosa, Dodder seed, Snake bed seed, etc.), to enhance efficacy. The specific formula should be formulated according to the patient's condition and constitution, reflecting the principle of individualized treatment.
The efficacy of Cistanche tubulosa- enhancing sexual function
Based on existing clinical research evidence, Cistanche tubulosa has clear clinical value in improving fatigue, constipation, and sexual dysfunction. It effectively alleviates fatigue and anti fatigue by regulating energy metabolism, antioxidation, and enhancing immunity; By nourishing essence and blood, moistening dryness and smoothing the intestines, it can safely improve various types of deficiency constipation, especially suitable for people with weak constitution; By regulating reproductive endocrine and improving hormone levels, regulating male and female sexual function, it is in line with the core efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine's "tonifying kidney yang and nourishing essence and blood". Meanwhile, multiple clinical studies have confirmed that Cistanche tubulosa preparations have fewer adverse reactions, good tolerability, high clinical safety, and clear active ingredients and mechanisms of action, laying the foundation for their modern application.
At present, there are still some shortcomings in the clinical research of Cistanche tubulosa: some studies have small sample sizes, short follow-up times, and lack long-term efficacy and safety data; Further in-depth research is needed on the specific targets of its active ingredients and the differences in therapeutic effects among different compatibility schemes; In addition, as a national second-class protected plant, the sustainable utilization and standardized cultivation of Cistanche tubulosa resources are also important prerequisites for ensuring its widespread clinical application.
In the future, more large-scale, multi center, long-term follow-up clinical studies are needed to further clarify the optimal dosage, treatment course, and compatibility scheme of Cistanche tubulosa in different populations and diseases; At the same time, we will strengthen the pharmacological research of its active ingredients, explore its multi-target mechanism of action, promote the modern processing and formulation research and development of Cistanche tubulosa, and make this traditional nourishing herb better serve clinical practice, providing better treatment options for improving human health and relieving common discomforts. In addition, in clinical application, it is necessary to strictly follow the principle of syndrome differentiation and treatment, avoid blind medication, especially for those with yin deficiency and excessive fire, loose stools and diarrhea, and constipation caused by heat, to ensure the rationality and safety of its clinical application.
