Cynomorium

BotanicalBest with a meal

What is it

Cynomorium (most commonly Cynomorium songaricum, also called desert thumb or suo yang) is a parasitic flowering plant used in traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine as a kidney tonic and for sexual and skeletal support.

Evidence for 1 use

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

Sexual function support

Mixed Evidence

Animal and small human studies suggest possible benefits for erectile function and libido, but human evidence is preliminary and not robust enough to support clinical recommendations.

How it works

Cynomorium contains triterpenes, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and tannins. Preclinical studies in animals report effects on testosterone-related pathways, bone density, antioxidant activity, and erectile function. Human clinical evidence is limited and largely from traditional medicine contexts; well-controlled trials in Western populations are sparse.

Dosage

No standardized dose. Traditional preparations use 5-15 g of dried stem in decoction. Supplement extracts vary widely.

When and how to take it

Time of day is not well established. Take with food to minimize GI upset.

1 commercial form

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

Stem extract (suo yang)

Used in TCM formulas; available as standalone extract or in blends.

Limited PK data.

Safety

Limited modern safety data. Traditional use suggests good tolerability at typical preparation doses. People with hormone-sensitive conditions or kidney disease should consult a clinician.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to lack of safety data. Use cautiously if you have hormone-sensitive conditions.

Interactions

Insufficient data on drug interactions. Theoretical interactions with hormone-modulating drugs are possible.

Food sources

Not a food source

Amount
N/A
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

Does cynomorium boost testosterone?⌄

Animal studies suggest possible effects, but reliable human data showing testosterone increases in healthy adults is lacking.

References

Cynomorium on Wikidata — Wikidata link

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

Research on Cynomorium (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.