Cistanche tubulosa

BotanicalBest with a meal

What is it

Cistanche tubulosa is a parasitic desert plant used in traditional Chinese medicine (rou cong rong) for kidney/yang tonification, sexual function, energy, and aging-related concerns.

Evidence for 2 uses

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Sexual function / male vitality

Limited Evidence

Small studies suggest possible improvements in erectile function and libido. Evidence is preliminary; larger independent trials are needed.

Cognitive support / immunomodulation

Mixed Evidence

Preclinical and small clinical signals exist for cognitive and immune effects, but no robust replicated evidence in Western trials.

How it works

Cistanche contains phenylethanoid glycosides (echinacoside, acteoside/verbascoside) and oligosaccharides. Preclinical studies report neuroprotective, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and pro-erectile effects in animal models. Human studies are mostly small and many are conducted in China. Some trials of standardized extracts (such as proprietary preparations marketed under brand names) report improvements in cognitive markers, fatigue, and sexual function, but evidence quality varies and independent replication is limited.

Dosage

Common supplement doses: 500-1000 mg of standardized extract per day, typically standardized to a percentage of total phenylethanoid glycosides (e.g., 20-50%).

When and how to take it

Time of day is not well established. Take with food to reduce potential GI effects.

1 commercial form

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Standardized stem extract

Typically standardized to total phenylethanoid glycosides; widely used in TCM and adaptogen formulas.

Echinacoside and acteoside have modest oral bioavailability.

Safety

Generally well tolerated in short-term studies. Mild GI side effects reported. Long-term safety data is limited.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to limited safety data. Use cautiously with hormone-sensitive conditions.

Interactions

Insufficient human data on drug interactions. Theoretical interactions with hormonal medications are possible.

Food sources

Not a typical food source

Amount
N/A
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

Is cistanche the same as ginseng?⌄

No. Both are TCM tonics but they are different plants with different active compounds and traditional uses.

References

Cistanche tubulosa on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Cistanche tubulosa on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Cistanche tubulosa (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.