肉苁蓉

Naming

Rou Cong Rong (Herba Cistanche) ——Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Shen Nong’s Herbal)

The Processing of 肉苁蓉

Origin

The pilp stem with scales of the perennial parasitic plants Cistanche deserticola Y. C. Ma of family Orobanchaceae.

Location

Mainly produced in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Xinjiang Vygar Autonomous Region and Gansu provinces in China.

Harvest

Dug in spring when its seedling still does not or just come out from the earth.

The actual smell and taste

Slight smell, sweet but slightly bitter.

Best quality

Thickness, scaly, moist, and brown color.

Processing

Sliced, unprocessed or prepared with wine.

The Effect of 肉苁蓉

Property

Sweet, salty, warm; kidney and large intestine meridians entered.

Actions

Tonify kidney yang, supplement essence and blood, moisten intestines to smooth stool.

Indications

A. Deficiency of kidney yang, insufficiency of essence and blood

It is indicated for impotence, premature ejaculation, sterility due to cold in womb, soreness and pain of lumbar and knees and atrophy-flaccidity caused by kidney yang deficiency because it can tonify kidney yang, supplement essence and blood, and it is warm, moist and sweet without dryness in properties. It also can be used for dizziness and dizzy vision, tinnitus and deafness, early white of beard and hair which caused by kidney yang deficiency and insufficiency of blood and essence. For it is mild in actions wirhout quick effect, it is combined with other herbs to tonify kidney yang, supplement essence and blood, for instance, it is used with Du Zhong, Gui Zhi, Shu Di Huang and Zi He Che etc.

B. Constipation due to intestinal fluid consumption

It is very suitable for senile constipation due to blood deficiency and fluid consumption with intestinal dryness or kidney yin deficiency, because it can tonify kidney yang, supplement essence and blood, and moisten intestines to smooth stool. For dry stool and constipation due to yin deficiency, it is combined with Suo Yang in mutual reinforcement, such as in the formula Cong Rong Suo Yang Zhou, these two herbs are made with rice into gruel, from Chi Shui Xuan Zhu (Black Pearl in Red River). It is also combined with blood and yin-nourishing and stool-smoothing herbs, for instance, it is used in Dang Gui, and Zhi Qiao in the formula Ji Chuan Jian from Jing Yue Quan Shu.

Dosage and Administrations

Decoct 10~15 g.

Cautions

It is contraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with effulgent fire, stagnation of excess heat, and loose stool because it can tonify yang and smooth stool.