Botanical Name: Cistanches Herba
Rou Cong Rong
Category: Tonify the Yang
Taste: Sweet, Salty
Temperature: Warm
Channels Entered: Large Intestine, Kidney
Dosage: 9-21g
Key Characteristics: Tonifies the Kidney yang, enriches the essence and blood, and moistens the Intestines.
Cautions & Contraindications:
- Contraindicated in those with diarrhea from weak Stomach or Spleen, and in those with patterns of yin deficiency and heat signs.
Actions & Indications:
- Tonifies the Kidney yang and augments the essence and blood: for patterns of Kidney yang deficiency with such symptoms as impotence, spermatorrhea, urinary incontinence, post-urinary dripping, and cold pains in the lower back and knees. Used in women for cold from deficiency of the Womb with infertility, excessive uterine bleeding, or vaginal discharge.
- Moistens the Intestines and facilitates passage of stool: for constipation involving dry Intestines from inadequate fluids, especially in the elderly, but also in the debilitated or those with deficient blood or qi. Can be used as a stand-along herb for this purpose, but the dosage must be large.
