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Introduction

1. Bletilla

Other names: Cistanche deserticola, single-root grass, rabbit crutch, mountain corn (Northeast China)

Genus name: Monophyllaceae

Nature and flavor: sweet, warm.

Functions and indications: tonifying the kidney and boosting yang, strengthening tendons and bones. Used for sexual neurasthenia, soreness of waist and legs; externally used to treat diarrhea, enteritis and dysentery in children.

Dosage and administration: 2-3 qian; for external use, decoct in water and use for foot washing.

Source: The whole herb and root of Orobanchaceae

Ecological environment: 1. It grows on sand dunes, hillsides and ditchside grasslands, and often parasitizes on the roots of Artemisia plants . 2. It grows on sand dunes, hillsides and grasslands, and parasitizes on the roots of Artemisia plants .

2. Single-root grass

Chinese name: single root grass

Synonyms: rock flower, small rock flower, mountain grass, creeper

Family name: Saxifragaceae

Plant morphology: Herbaceous; Rhizome is thick and scaly; Flower stem is leafless, bractless, and covered with glandular hairs; Leaves emerge late, single at the base, with thick petioles, ovate-cordate, and serrated; Flowers have short petioles and are arranged in bifurcated cymes; Calyx tube is very short. The base is fused with the ovary, with 5-7 lobes, petal-like;

 

Petals absent; 10-14 stamens, inserted at the base of the calyx; ovary superior, 1-chambered, 2-lobed; few ovules, inserted on 2 2-piece parietal placentas; capsule leathery, 1-chambered, with 2 beaks. Solitary grass is mostly distributed in Shidu, Fangshan District, wild hillsides in Hebei Province, and rock walls near water in Mentougou District. It blooms in spring from late March to mid-April, and is pink.

^[1] Higher Plant Information System

Plant morphology

Oleander is a biennial or perennial parasitic herb, 10-40cm tall. The whole plant is densely covered with long, spider-like hairs. The stem is erect, unbranched, and often swollen at the base. The leaves turn yellow-brown after drying, growing densely at the bottom of the stem and gradually becoming sparse at the top; ovate-lanceolate, 1.5-2cm long, 5-7mm wide. Flowers are numerous, arranged in spikes, 10-20cm long; bracts are 2, ovate-lanceolate, with sharp tips; calyx is 5-parted, sepals are lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, about 1/2 the length of the corolla; corolla is blue-purple, 1.5-2cm long, tubular at the bottom, slightly curved at the top, with 2 lips, the upper lip is wide, the tip is often concave into 2 lobes, the lower lip is 3-lobed, and the lobes are oval; stamens are 4, didyna, anthers are glabrous, filaments are hairy; pistil is 1; ovary is superior, style filaments and corolla are slightly short or slightly equal in length, stigma is swollen, yellow, capsule is equal in length, stigma is swollen, yellow, capsule is 2-lobed, ovate-elliptical, with many seeds. Flowering period is April-July, and fruiting period is July-September. 2. The difference between this species and the yellow-flowered Orobanche is that the whole plant is densely covered with glandular hairs. The corolla is yellow; the anthers are hairy, and the base of the filaments is sparsely covered with short glandular hairs.

[Original form] Cistanche deserticola is an annual parasitic herb, 15-35cm tall. The whole plant is almost hairless. The rhizome is horizontal, cylindrical, usually with 2-3 upright stems, which are unbranched, sturdy, 1.5-2cm in diameter in the middle, and thickened at the base. The leaves are densely grown near the base of the stem, gradually becoming sparse upwards, triangular or broadly ovate-triangular, 6-8 (-10) mm long and wide. Inflorescence spike, cylindrical, 7-22cm long, 1.5-2.5cm in diameter; 1 bract, broadly ovate or nearly circular; pedicel 1-2mm long or almost sessile; calyx cup-shaped, 5-7mm long, apex irregularly 3-5-toothed; corolla broadly campanulate, dark purple or dark purple-red, tube swollen into a sac, upper lip erect, nearly helmet-shaped, lower lip very short, 3-lobed, lobes triangular or triangular-lanceolate; 4 stamens, slightly extending outside the corolla, anther ovate, connective wider; 2 carpels; ovary nearly spherical, style 5-7mm long, stigma 2 shallowly lobed. Capsule nearly spherical, 8-10mm long, 6-8mm in diameter, 2-valve dehiscence. Seeds small, elliptic, numerous. Flowering period May-July, fruiting period July-September. ^[2]

Pharmacological Action

⒈ Effect on the immune function of mice: 50mg/kg or 100mg/kg ig of the aqueous solution of Orobancha was given to mice to observe various immune function indicators. Results: The weights of spleen and thymus increased from 85±12 and 37±6 mg/kg to 140±12 and 53±6 mg/kg; the phagocytic rate of macrophages increased from 53±5% to 78±3%; the values ​​of hemolysin and hemolytic plaques increased from 147±47 and 0.05±0.1 to 361±62 and 0.18±0.01, respectively; the CAMP content in peritoneal macrophages increased from 100±8.6pmol/ml to 152±10.9, and the cGMP content decreased from 62±12 (pmol/ml) to 39±7; the lymphocyte transformation rate was improved, and the amount of 3H-TdR involved in lymphocytes increased from 178±19 (cpm) to 589±139; the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction increased from 0.54±0.15 (mm) to 0.82±0.12. This indicates that the water-soluble components of the product have an enhancing effect on the humoral and cellular immunity of mice. 2. Effect on human lymphocyte E rosetting and acid α-acetate naphtholase esterase (ANAE) activity: Normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes were incubated with the drug at 37°C in vitro for 1 hour to determine the active E (Ea) and total E (Et) rosetting rates. The rosetting smear was stained with ANAE. The results showed that the positive control drugs porcine thymosin F5 (500ug/ml), levamisole (10ug/ml) and low concentrations of astragalus (5mg/ml), and the kidney-tonifying drug leptin at low concentrations (5mg/ml) could increase the Ea rosetting rate, but had no effect on the Et rosetting rate. However, high concentrations of leptin (50mg/ml) could reduce the Et rosetting rate. In the experiment, it was not found that porcine thymosin F5 and levamisole could increase the percentage of ANAE+ lymphocytes, but oleander could reduce the percentage of ANAE+ lymphocytes at high or low concentrations. It can be seen that the kidney-tonifying drug oleander can promote the formation of Ea rosettes at a certain concentration. The E rosette test is a common method for determining the number of human T cells, which can reflect the body's cellular immune function to a certain extent.

⒊ Effect of Ophiopogon japonicus on delayed footpad reaction in mice: Mice were given Chinese medicine decoction (60%, 0.5ml) for 8 consecutive days, and challenged with SRBC on d4ip. The footpad swelling value was measured 24 hours later. The results showed that the relative intensity of the footpad reaction in the Ophiopogon japonicus group 24 hours after the challenge was higher than that in the control group, and Ophiopogon japonicus has the effect of promoting cellular immune function in vivo.

4. Effects on the digestive system:

⒋1. Promoting defecation: All groups of Ophiopogon japonicus can significantly shorten the defecation time of mice, which has the effect of promoting defecation. The experiment also observed the morphology of excrement. Most of the feces in the Ophiopogon japonicus groups were normal or slightly larger, and some mice (5%) had loose watery stools.

Oleander

⒋2. Effect on the propulsion function of the small intestine of mice: Female mice weighing 33±39, the drug solution and distilled water control solution used were mixed with charcoal powder (the dosage was 5% of the drug solution) before administration. After 16 hours of fasting and water supply, the mice were given 0.6ml/mouse each test solution ig, and were killed 20 minutes later. The small intestine was removed by laparotomy for measurement. The propulsion was taken from the pylorus to the farthest distance of the charcoal powder, and the pylorus to the ileocecal valve was the total length, and the former was divided by the latter. Each group of Osmanthus can significantly improve the propulsion of the small intestine of mice, proving that the drug can enhance intestinal peristalsis and improve the motor function of intestinal muscles. 4.3. Antagonistic effect of Osmanthus on atropine inhibition of defecation: Male mice weighing 42±39 (8mo) and female mice weighing 46±4g (8mo) were randomly divided into 4 groups according to body weight, half of which were male and half were female. After 16 hours of fasting and water supply, the water-only group was given 0.15ml/10g body weight each test solution ig. The ip atropine time, ig each test solution time, and the time when the mice discharged the first red feces were recorded, and the defecation time was calculated. The results showed that 0.025% atropine had a significant defecation inhibitory effect on mice, and Orobancha could effectively counteract this defecation inhibitory effect of atropine, and its antagonistic intensity was not significantly different from that of metoclopramide (P>0.47).

⒋4. Effect of Osmanthus on water absorption of large and small intestines in mice: 20 male mice (8mo) weighing 43±3g and 20 female mice (8mo) weighing 43±3g were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups according to body weight, half of which were male and half were female. After 16 hours of fasting and water supply, the control group was given ig distilled water at 0.15ml/10g body weight, and the Osmanthus group was given ig an equal amount of 50% Osmanthus original medicinal material decoction. Half of the mice were killed 3 hours and 5 hours after administration, and the laparotomy was performed. The large and small intestines were clamped at both ends with hemostatic clamps, and the large and small intestines were separated and cut off, and placed on weighing paper respectively. The hemostatic clamps were released and the wet weight was immediately weighed on the balance. After drying at 105℃ in an oven for 2 hours, the dry weight of the large and small intestines was weighed. The results in Table 4 show that 5 hours after administration, the water content of the large intestine in the Osmanthus group was significantly different from that in the control group, indicating that the meat paste has an inhibitory effect on the water absorption of the large intestine.

5. Pharmacological effects of processed products: Ophiopogon japonicus prepared by different processing methods (processing methods see Chemical Composition 2) was given to mice at a dose of 0.5g/mouse for 10 days, and the DNA synthesis rate of liver and spleen was compared with that of mice with yang deficiency (model made by hydrocortisone acetate). The results showed that the DNA synthesis rate of the yang deficiency group decreased, and the DNA synthesis rate of the drug treatment group increased, with P values ​​of <0.05 and <0.01, etc.

effect

Nourishes the kidneys and strengthens the tendons. Treats cold pain in the waist and knees due to kidney deficiency, impotence, and spermatorrhea. ① "Kaibao Materia Medica": It is used to treat the five kinds of labor and seven kinds of injuries in men, nourishes the waist and kidneys, makes people have children, and removes wind and blood.

② "Kunming Medicinal Plant Survey Report": Treats malaria.

③ "Hebei Medicinal Materials": Treats mental disorders.

④ "Shaanxi Chinese Materia Medica": Treats spermatorrhea and cystitis.

⑤ "Handbook of Commonly Used Chinese Herbal Medicines in Liaoning": Nourishes the kidneys.

It can treat cold pain in waist and knees, impotence, and spermatorrhea; it can be used externally for foot washing to treat chronic diarrhea in children.

Selection

① The treatment of yang is not popular

Take two catties of Radix Angelicae Pubescentis, pound and sieve it, add one dou of wine, soak it overnight, and then drink it. ("The Mirror of Food and Medicine")

②Treat kidney cold and low back pain

5 liang of Radix Codonopsis pilosulae and 2 jin of white wine. Put them in a pot and stew for 30 minutes. Take one cup every night after dinner. (Jilin Chinese Herbal Medicine)

Sunflower row

Sunflower broomrape, also known as poisonous root grass and rabbit's walking stick, is an annual herb belonging to the dicotyledonous plant family Orobanchaceae. It is distributed in Hebei, Beijing, Xinjiang, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Liaoning, Jilin and other provinces in China. It mainly harms sunflowers, watermelons, melons, peas, broad beans, carrots, celery, tobacco, flax, tomatoes, etc. It parasitizes on the roots. It causes the plant to be short and weak, unable to form a flower disk, and finally the whole plant dies. The pathogen Orobanchecumana Wallr. is called sunflower broomrape, which is an annual fully parasitic herb. The stem is upright, solitary, fleshy, yellow-brown to brown, and has no chlorophyll; it has no real roots, and relies on short whisker-like false roots to invade the fibrous root tissue of sunflowers to parasitize. The plant height is generally 20cm, and the highest is 54cm. The stem has longitudinal ridges. The leaves degenerate into scales and are arranged spirally on the stem. Bisexual flowers are arranged in a tight spike inflorescence, with 50-70 flowers per plant, up to 207. The flowers are blue-purple, 10-20mm long, the corolla is valent, two-lipped, the upper lip is two-lobed, and the lower lip is three-lobed. The calyx is five-lobed. There are four stamens, two long and two short, and the two long ones are located between the two short ones, growing on the inner wall of the corolla. The filaments are white, and turn yellow-brown after dying. The anthers are two-chambered, pointed downward, yellow, and longitudinally fissured. There is one pistil, and the stigma is enlarged and head-shaped. The stigma is mostly two-lobed, and some are three-lobed. The style is curved downward, and the ovary is superior, with four carpels combined into one chamber, and there are also five, six or eight carpels combined into one chamber. The capsule is 3-4 longitudinally cracked, containing a large number of tiny dark brown powdery seeds. The seeds are irregularly shaped, hard, with vertical and horizontal reticular patterns on the surface, and the size is 0.25×0.3 (mm). The seed size varies greatly. In addition, O. aegyptica is also known as Orobancha or branched Orobancha, which causes serious damage in Xinjiang; O. coerulescens is also known as Baicheng Orobancha, which also harms sunflowers.

Transmission route and disease conditions: Seeds overwinter in the soil or mixed with sunflower seeds. When the seeds fall into the soil and contact the roots of the host plant, the seeds of Oleander germinate, form young shoots, grow seedlings, and form suckers at the bottom to absorb nutrients and water from the host roots. When the seeds of Oleander fall into the soil without contacting the host plant, they can still maintain germination power for 5-10 years in the soil. The occurrence period of Oleander is irregular. From early July to mid-September, Oleander emerges from the soil, blooms, and bears fruit every day. Oleander is most common at 5-10cm in the soil, followed by 1-5cm, and the deepest is 10-12cm. Most of them parasitize on the lateral roots of sunflowers at 5-10cm, and the damage is serious. The young shoots and seedlings parasitized on the main roots or deep roots are not easy to emerge from the soil. The Changling Daka variety is easily infected with Oleander, while white sunflower and black oil Ka are less infected. It occurs more frequently in continuous cropping and inter-cropping.

Prevention and control methods ⑴ Choose varieties resistant to Orobancha such as Hungary No. 2, Sino-Soviet No. 3, and Advanced Worker. ⑵ Implement 6-7 years of crop rotation for continuous and intercropping land. ⑶ Timely cultivate and weed 2-3 times during the peak period of Orobancha emergence and before fruiting. Uproot or manually remove and burn or bury it before flowering. ⑷ Strictly implement quarantine system, and it is strictly forbidden to transport sunflower seeds mixed with Orobancha from the diseased area. ⑸ For chemical control, spray 0.2% 2.4-D butyl resin aqueous solution on Orobancha plants and soil surface, 300-350L of liquid per 667m2, and about 80% of Orobancha can be killed after 8-12 days. However, it must be noted that field spraying can only be carried out when the diameter of the sunflower disk generally exceeds 10cm, otherwise it is easy to cause drug damage. Drugs cannot be applied in intercropping of sunflowers and beans, because beans are easily killed by drug damage.

Identification

Identification of raw medicinal materials

⒈ Identification of properties: The stem is fleshy, long cylindrical, sometimes slightly flat, slightly curved, 3-15cm long, 5-15cm in diameter, tapering upwards to 2-5cm in diameter. Some are cut into sections with similar diameters. The surface is gray-brown or brown-brown, with longitudinal grooves, densely covered with fleshy scales arranged in a shingle-like manner, the scales are rhombus or triangular, 0.5-1.5cm wide, about 2mm thick, and the crescent-shaped leaf marks left after the scales fall off can still be seen. The texture is solid and not easy to break. The cross section is brown, with light brown vascular bundles, arranged in deep waves or serrated shapes. The wood accounts for about 4/5, sometimes hollow. Small crystalline bright spots can sometimes be seen on the surface and cross section in bright places. The smell is slight, the taste is sweet, and slightly bitter.

The best ones are those with thick stripes, densely covered scaly leaves and a soft texture.

Microscopic identification of stem cross section: epidermis is a row of flat cells, covered with cuticle. Cortex is composed of dozens of thin-walled cells, arranged closely, cells near vascular bundles have pits, scattered with leaf-marked vascular bundles. The vascular bundles are tough, often 16-22 arranged in deep wavy or serrated rings; phloem thin-walled cells are arranged closely, sometimes with a decadent shape; cambium is not obvious; non-lignified fibers can be seen in xylem. Rays are obvious. Pith is mostly fractal. Cortical and pith thin-walled cells contain starch granules.

Cross section of scale leaf: upper and lower epidermal cells are in one row, flat and rectangular, with thin cuticle. Hypodermic cells are in one row, slightly larger. Mesophyll tissue is spongy tissue, cells are round, thin-walled, contain chloroplasts, and small intercellular spaces. Vascular bundles are 5-7, exo-tough, and arranged tangentially.

Chemical Identification of Traditional Chinese Medicine

⑴ Take 0.5g of the powder, add 5ml of 70% ethanol, warm in a water bath for 10min, and filter. Evaporate the filtrate to dryness, add 1ml of glacial acetic acid and pour it into a test tube, add 1ml of sulfuric acid along the tube wall, and there will be a brown-red ring at the interface of the two liquids. (Check for steroids)

⑵Take 0.5g of the powder, add 5ml of 1% hydrochloric acid solution, warm in a water bath for 20min, and filter. Add potassium bismuth iodide reagent to the filtrate to generate a brown-red precipitate. (Check for alkaloids)

⑶ Thin layer chromatography Take 1g of the powder, add 10ml of ethanol and soak for 2h, filter. Evaporate the filtrate and dissolve it in 1ml of ethanol as the test solution. Take mannitol and dissolve it in ethanol to make a solution containing 1mg per ml as the reference solution. Take 10μm of each of the above two solutions and spot them on the same silica gel H thin plate, develop them with n-butanol-glacial acetic acid ethanol-water (4:1:1:2), with a development distance of 12cm, take them out and dry them, and spray 10% cerium ammonium nitrate ethanol solution for color development. There are the same brown-yellow spots at the corresponding positions of the test solution chromatogram and the reference chromatogram.

Clinical Application

For the treatment of enteritis and diarrhea, take 1 liang of whole herb of Purple Flowered Osmanthus, boil it in water for half an hour, and get 1000 ml of decoction. Use it for foot soaking for 10 minutes each time, once a day.

More than 1,000 cases have been observed, and all showed varying degrees of efficacy.

Distribution area

It is distributed in Inner Mongolia, Jilin, Heilongjiang, and grows at an altitude of 520-1900m. It is also distributed in the Korean Peninsula, Japan, the former Soviet Union, and North America. It is a precious medicinal material.

other

National third-level protected endangered species

Cistanche deserticola
morphological characteristics:
Perennial parasitic herb, rhizome tubercle swelling, the whole plant is nearly hairless. Stem erect, sturdy, cylindrical, fleshy, purple-brown, 15-50 cm high, 1-2 cm thick, leaves scale-like, usually densely distributed at the base of the stem, triangular or ovate-triangular. Spike inflorescence 5-16 cm long, 2-3 cm in diameter; flowers numerous, dark purple; bracts ovate, sharp; calyx cup-shaped, with irregular 3-5 teeth; corolla lip-shaped, the base of the flower tube swells into a capsule, the upper lip erect, slender, helmet-shaped, nearly entire or slightly 2-lobed, the lower lip is very short, obvious 3-lobed; two strong stamens, extending out of the corolla; 2 carpels, flower heads are obvious, the main head is 2 shallowly lobed. Capsule nearly spherical, two-valved; seeds are small and numerous. Distribution

and habits:
The distribution of clover is relatively narrow, mainly distributed in the Yuequ forest belt at an altitude of 1700-1900 meters in Changbai Mountain, Jilin, Huma County, Heilongjiang, Ergun Left Banner and Ergun Right Banner of Hulunbuir League, Inner Mongolia, at an altitude of 520-1200 meters in the Greater Khingan Range. It is also distributed in Northeast Asia and North America. The climate in the distribution area of ​​clover is characterized by cold and wet, strong winds and low temperatures. In the Changbai Mountain production area, the average temperature in January is -19-20℃, the average temperature in July is 10-14℃, the annual precipitation is 800-1100 mm, there are often strong winds during the growing season, and the soil is subalpine coarse bone grass forest. In the Greater Khingan Range production area, the summer is dry and cool, and the daily temperature difference is large, often reaching more than 20℃. The winter is very cold, and the soil is curved coniferous forest soil. Because the grass Rong parasitizes on the roots of the northeastern alder, it often grows with the host in rock crevices or steep slopes, so it is cold-resistant and barren-resistant. The flowering period is July-August, and the fruiting period is August-September.

Reproduction and cultivation:
The grass Rong is a parasitic plant. Its ecological environment and parasitic biological properties are special. It has very strict requirements for growth conditions and is not easy to live in other places. At present, the artificial domestication and cultivation experiment is in the initial exploratory stage, and there is no successful experience. We should actively study the biological characteristics of the growth and development of grass Rong and its parasitic mechanism, and explore ways to artificially cultivate it.

Application:
Endangered species. Grass Rong belongs to a single genus and is a relatively precious medicinal plant. It is a good medicine for strengthening yang and tonifying the kidney.

[Other name] Cistanche

[Source] Boschniakia rossica (Cham. et Schlecht.) B. Fedtsch. et Flerov [B. glabra CA Mey.], a plant of the genus Boschniakia in the family Orobanchaceae, is used as medicine in its entirety. It is harvested in spring, dried in the sun, and cut into sections.

【Nature and flavor and meridians】Sweet, salty, warm.

【Functions and indications】Tonifies the kidney and strengthens yang, moistens the intestines and promotes bowel movements. Used for impotence due to kidney deficiency, cold pain in the waist and knees, and constipation due to dry intestines.

【Usage and Dosage】 2 to 6 coins.

【Excerpt】National Compendium of Chinese Herbal Medicines

Cistanche deserticola

Cistanche deserticola Also known as immortal grass, angiosperm, orchid family, Cistanche genus. Immortal grass grows on steep walls or cliffs at an altitude of 1300-2000 meters. It is a perennial parasitic herb, up to 0.5 meters high and 3 cm in diameter, erect, with a swollen base and thick flesh. The whole plant is brown-purple, with spike-shaped inflorescence and a thick main axis. The flowers are small, the corolla is dark red-purple, and the tube is swollen in a bundle. The fruit is ovoid. The whole herb of Cistanche deserticola is used as medicine. Function: It has the miraculous effect of nourishing the kidney and strengthening yang, moistening the intestines and relieving constipation. Indications: impotence due to kidney deficiency, pain in the waist, knees and legs, constipation due to dry intestines, and cystitis. Folk legend has it that it has the effect of immortality, hence the name "immortal grass". Usage: It can be used as medicine for soaking wine, stewing chicken, boiling soup, and brewing tea.

, angiosperm, orchid family, genus Cistanche. The immortal grass grows on steep walls or cliffs at an altitude of 1300-2000 meters. It is a perennial parasitic herb, up to 0.5 meters high and 3 cm in diameter, erect, with a swollen base and thick flesh. The whole plant is brown-purple, with spike-shaped inflorescences and a thick main axis. The flowers are small, the corolla is dark red-purple, and the tube is swollen and bundled. The fruit is ovoid. The whole herb of Cistanche is used as medicine. Function: It has the miraculous effect of nourishing the kidney and strengthening yang, moistening the intestines and relieving constipation. Indications: impotence due to kidney deficiency, pain in the waist, knees and legs, constipation due to dry intestines, and cystitis. Folk legends say that it has the effect of immortality, and the name "immortal grass" comes from this. Usage: soaking wine, stewing chicken, boiling soup, and brewing tea as medicine.

Boschniakia rossica is a parasitic higher plant that parasitizes on the roots of Alnus plants. It is native to Northeast China and is also distributed in North Korea, Japan and Russia. In addition to a small amount of distribution in Changbai Mountain area, Boschniakia rossica is mainly concentrated in the northern mountainous area of ​​Daxing'anling.

Due to its parasitic nature, Cistanche deserticola has a small natural distribution and is listed as a national second-class protected plant in the "List of Rare and Endangered Protected Plants". In the distribution area of ​​Changbai Mountain, the development of Changbai Mountain's tourism resources in recent years has brought unprecedented disasters to the survival of Cistanche deserticola. At present, the resources of Cistanche deserticola in Changbai Mountain are almost exhausted, and only a certain amount is distributed in the tundra near Tianchi Lake at an altitude of about 2,000 meters. In the Greater Khingan Range, the density of Cistanche deserticola in the red alder forest where it grows can reach 400-700 plants/hectare, while the average density in its distribution area is only 10-30 plants/hectare, and the estimated reserves in the entire area are 30 tons.

Cistanche deserticola is sweet, sour and moist in nature. It is mainly used to treat kidney deficiency, impotence, cold pain in the waist and knees, urinary incontinence, metrorrhagia, leukorrhea, dry intestines and constipation, cystitis and other symptoms. It has the effects of tonifying the kidney and strengthening yang, moistening the intestines and relieving constipation. Combined with other medicines, it can treat nocturnal emissions, female infertility and other reproductive system diseases, habitual constipation in the elderly, cystitis, hematuria and other diseases. It also has a certain effect on rheumatoid arthritis.

In recent years, studies have found that Cistanche deserticola can not only improve and promote learning and memory abilities in the human body, but also effectively eliminate free radicals generated by aging and various diseases associated with aging. Therefore, Cistanche deserticola is used as a tonic in traditional Chinese medicine. It is also used by the public to strengthen the nervous system to treat dizziness, stimulate heart vitality, increase body tension and eliminate fatigue. Therefore, the public calls it "the grass of immortality" based on its longevity effect.

Cistanche
(Jilin Chinese Herbal Medicine)
[Source] The whole herb of Cistanche, a plant of the Orobanchaceae family.
[Plant morphology] Cistanche
is a parasitic herb, glabrous. The stem is single and erect. It is thick, 15 to 25 cm high, 1.5 to 2 cm in diameter, and brown-purple. There are many scale leaves, which are triangular or ovate, with sharp tips. The spike inflorescence is 8 to 14 cm long and 2 to 2.5 cm in diameter; the calyx is smooth, cup-shaped, and has 5 irregular tooth cracks; the corolla is dark red-purple, the tube is swollen into a capsule, the upper lip is slightly concave, and the lower lip is 3-lobed; there are 4 stamens, 2 of which are strong, and they all stand out of the corolla tube with the stigma. The fruit is ovoid. The flowering period is July to August.
It mostly parasitizes on the roots of plants of the genus Alnus in the Betula family. It is distributed in Jilin and Heilongjiang.
[Chemical composition] The aboveground part contains Cistanche aldehyde and Cistanche lactone. It also contains C9, C10 and C11 terpene lactones. The rhizome contains mannitol and alkaloids.
[Functions and indications] Tonify the kidney and strengthen yang, moisten the intestines, and stop bleeding. Treat kidney deficiency impotence, cold pain in the waist and knees, habitual constipation in the elderly, and cystitis.
① "Changbai Mountain Medicinal Plant Survey": "Nourishes yin and yang, stops bleeding. Treats cystitis, bladder bleeding and kidney bleeding."
② "Jilin Chinese Herbal Medicine": "Tonify the kidney and strengthen yang, moisten the intestines and promote bowel movements. Treat kidney deficiency impotence, cold pain in the waist and knees, dry intestine constipation, cystitis,"
[Usage and Dosage] Oral administration: decoction, 0.5-1 liang; or soak in wine.
[Selected prescriptions] ① Treat habitual constipation in the elderly: 1 liang of Cistanche deserticola, 5 qian of hemp seeds. Decoction in water, take twice a day. ("Jilin Chinese Herbal Medicine")
② Treat impotence: 1 liang of Cistanche deserticola. 4 qian of Acorus calamus, 8 qian of Cuscuta australis. Decoction, take twice a day. (Jilin Chinese Herbal Medicine)
③ Treat infertility and strengthen the heart: 2 liang of Cistanche deserticola. 1 jin of white wine, soak and take. (Survey of Medicinal Plants in Changbai Mountain)