Rou Cong Rong

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.