1. Cultural Story

 

In the legend, Cistanche was a divine object given to Genghis Khan by the god's horse. The famous "Battle of Thirteen Wings" in history was an important battle during the time when Temujin (Genghis Khan) unified the various tribes of the Mongolian grassland. In the first year of Jin Mingchang (1190), Jamukha, Temujin's sworn brother, out of jealousy of Temujin's strength, united with thirteen tribes including the Tayichi'ud and a total of 30,000 people to attack Temujin. After receiving the report, Temujin gathered 30,000 of his troops and formed thirteen wings (camps) to meet the enemy.

 

In the battle, Temujin was defeated and besieged on a sandy hill covered with Haloxylon ammodendron forests. He was extremely hungry, thirsty, and exhausted. Jamukha cruelly boiled and killed the captives in seventy large pots in public, which angered the god. The god sent a divine horse. The horse leaped in front of Genghis Khan, looked up to the sky and neighed, shot its essence blood at the roots of the Haloxylon ammodendron trees, and then dug out root blocks like the genital organs of the horse with its hooves. Genghis Khan and his generals ate the root blocks and gained divine power. They rushed down the sandy hill and defeated Jamukha's tribe in one fell swoop, looted the property and women, laying the foundation for the unification of Mongolia. Since then, Genghis Khan opened an era of conquering Eurasia.

2. Growth and Processing

 

Cistanche is an endangered species. It is a tall herb, 40 - 160 cm high, and most of it grows underground. The flowering period is from May to June, and the fruiting period is from June to August. It is mainly produced in Xinjiang, Alxa League in Inner Mongolia, and also distributed in Gansu and Ningxia. Every April, Cistanche enters its peak growth period, which is also the peak period for illegal poaching. Driven by economic interests, some lawbreakers even go so far as to obstruct law enforcement and have direct confrontations with law enforcers.

Cistanche cooked slices: Cooked slices are a traditional slicing technique. After the fresh Cistanche is dug up, it is dried, then steamed, sliced, and dried again to obtain traditional cooked slices. Although the production process is simple, the loss of components is relatively serious.

 

Cistanche glycoside-preserving slices: Only modern farms can process them. The fresh products are processed with unique glycoside-preserving technology within 48 hours after being picked from the ground, sliced, and then dried by rapid cold air (without destroying the total glycoside content). When leaving the warehouse, to ensure insect and mildew prevention, they are quickly dried at 58 degrees Celsius for about 3 minutes to obtain glycoside-preserving slices. Importantly, it can only be produced once a year, only in November of the current year, and is processed immediately after production.

 

Total glycoside content: The content of echinacoside and acteoside in glycoside-preserving slices is generally around 8% - 15%, about 10 times higher than the national standard. Its consumption effect is also better than that of traditional cooked slices.

 

Characteristics of glycoside-preserving slices: The product is very hard, the surface is black, the slices are irregular, and there is no flat cross-section. When broken by force, the fracture surface is crystal clear, and the crystals are dark yellow and shiny. It is a high-quality glycoside-preserving slice.

 

Cistanche glycoside-preserving shreds: The production process of Cistanche glycoside-preserving shreds is similar to that of Cistanche glycoside-preserving slices. However, the advantage of Cistanche shreds is that they are more convenient to use. They can be soaked in small wine bottles, and it is easier to soak out the components when making tea.

3. Identification Method of Cistanche

 

The Cistanche tubulosa in Xinjiang is relatively short and thick, hard after drying, and not easy to break. Therefore, generally, we buy Cistanche slices for convenience. The shape of Cistanche tubulosa is irregular, such as flat-cylindrical, flat-spindle-shaped, flat-ovate, or flat-round, 6 - 8 cm long, and 4 - 6.5 cm in diameter. The surface is reddish-brown, grayish-yellow-brown, or brownish, and mostly twisted. It is densely covered with fleshy scales arranged in an approximately imbricate pattern. The upper part is dense, and the lower part is sparse. The tips of the scales have mostly fallen off, and the residual base width is mostly more than 1 cm. The whole scale is slightly long-triangular, about 1 cm high. It is heavy, hard, without toughness, difficult to break, the cross-section is granular, mostly grayish-brown, and some outer rings are black and hard like glue. There are many blackish-brown dotted vascular bundles, irregularly scattered, and some have small cracks. It has a slight odor, and the taste is sweet and slightly bitter.

4. The Efficacy of Cistanche

 

Cistanche is one of the most frequently used tonic drugs in prescriptions for tonifying the kidney and invigorating yang throughout history. It can tonify kidney yang, nourish essence and blood, and moisten the intestines and relieve constipation. It is used for insufficient kidney yang, deficiency of essence and blood, impotence or infertility, weakness and soreness in the lower back and knees, lack of strength in the tendons and bones, and dryness and constipation of the intestines. In addition, it can also enhance immunity, regulate the endocrine system, promote metabolism, promote growth and development, lower blood pressure, have an anti-atherosclerotic effect, and have a certain anti-aging effect.

Properties and taste: Sweet, salty, and warm.

 

Meridian tropism: It enters the kidney and large intestine meridians.

 

"Xinjiang Dayun" Cistanche tubulosa can treat kidney essence deficiency. Mostly due to excessive indulgence in sexual desires, or masturbation mistakes in adolescence, resulting in decline of the fire of the life-gate and deficiency-cold of essence and qi; or excessive thinking and melancholy, damaging the heart and spleen; or fear injuring the kidney, and there are also cases of downward flow of damp-heat, causing flaccidity of the penis. But mainly it is due to decline of kidney yang and flaccidity. Kidney yang is the root of all yang qi in the body, having functions such as warming the body, vaporizing water fluid, and promoting reproductive development. When kidney yang declines, the warming function fails, and the qi transformation is powerless. Therefore, symptoms such as aversion to cold, cold limbs, and decreased sexual function occur. So, men may have impotence or weak erection, accompanied by dizziness, weakness and soreness in the lower back and legs, palpitations, insomnia, pale complexion, and listlessness.

 

"Compendium of Materia Medica": This substance tonifies without being harsh, so it is named "Congrong". When using it, it must first be soaked in clear wine overnight. The next day, use a palm brush to remove the sand, soil, and floating scales, split it open in the center, and remove a layer of white membrane like bamboo grass. If this is not done, it can block the qi in front of the heart and cause shortness of breath. Then steam it in a steamer from noon to evening and then roast it with butter until it is properly processed.

 

"Compendium of Materia Medica Collections": Cistanche is a medicine for nourishing the life-gate, nourishing kidney qi, and tonifying essence and blood. When a man's Dan yuan is deficient and cold and the yang channel has been sluggish for a long time, and when a woman's thoroughfare and conception vessels are out of balance and the yin qi is not regulated, this is a mild tonic. It is warm but not hot, tonifies without being harsh, warms without being dry, and lubricates without being laxative, so it is called "Congrong".

5. The Edible Method of Cistanche

 

Cistanche is a food that can be used both as medicine and food. The edible method is also very common. Generally, the simplest method is to soak the sliced Cistanche directly in water. Use 15 - 20 grams of Cistanche (about 2 slices), soak the sliced Cistanche in boiling water for about 10 minutes. When the warm water cools down to a drinkable temperature, it can be drunk directly. It can be continuously soaked in 4 - 5 cups of water.

Cistanche can also be used to make wine. 1 catty of Cistanche can be soaked in 8 - 10 catties of wine. It is best to use high-concentration white wine for soaking. It can be drunk after soaking for 7 - 14 days. Drink about 100 milliliters per day in the first week, and then the dosage can be slightly adjusted according to your physical condition. If there is no obvious effect on the body, you can increase the dosage a little. If there are symptoms such as getting angry, you can appropriately reduce the dosage. Friends who like my content are welcome to follow me. I will share more good content for you every day!

6. Cistanche and Constipation: A Natural Solution

 

One of the common concerns among patients is constipation. It can cause a great deal of discomfort, including abdominal pain, bloating, and a general feeling of sluggishness. In modern medicine, constipation can be caused by a variety of factors such as an unbalanced diet, lack of physical activity, and stress.

 

Cistanche offers a natural and effective way to address constipation. It contains certain substances that can have a beneficial effect on the digestive system. It can help to increase the water content in the feces, making it softer and easier to pass. This is especially important for those who struggle with hard and dry stools. Additionally, Cistanche can stimulate the peristalsis of the intestines, promoting the regular movement of feces through the digestive tract. This gentle yet effective action can provide relief for constipation without the harsh side effects that some chemical laxatives may have.

7. Beyond Constipation: Other Potential Benefits and Considerations

 

In addition to its constipation-relieving properties, Cistanche holds great potential in other aspects of health. Its ability to enhance immunity and regulate the endocrine system can have a significant impact on overall well-being. By improving the function of the immune system, it helps the body fend off diseases more effectively, while its regulatory effect on the endocrine system can help maintain hormonal balance.

 

The fact that it has been used in traditional medicine for centuries adds to its allure. In a world where people are increasingly looking for natural alternatives to synthetic medications, Cistanche represents a connection to ancient healing traditions. Its long history of use suggests that it may have a holistic approach to health that goes beyond just treating symptoms.

However, it is important to note that like any herbal remedy, Cistanche should be used with caution. While it has many potential benefits, it may interact with certain medications or have different effects on different individuals. For example, it is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before using Cistanche, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking other medications.

 

In conclusion,

is a remarkable herb with a rich history and a promising future in modern health. Its unique properties and potential benefits make it a subject worthy of further exploration. Whether you are interested in its traditional uses or its modern applications, Cistanche has the potential to offer a natural and effective solution for various health concerns. By understanding its value and using it responsibly, we can tap into the power of nature to enhance our well-being. But always remember to prioritize your health and make informed decisions when it comes to using herbal remedies.