Supplement
Cistanche is a desert plant whose fleshy stem has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine, and it contains compounds with antioxidant and nerve-protecting properties. With no single main use, the best-supported finding comes from an eight-week trial in 48 men doing resistance training, where testosterone and strength rose and cortisol and muscle-damage markers fell. That was one small trial, and effects were stronger in people already trained. Evidence for fatigue and Alzheimer's is less settled, and much of the brain work comes from animals.
- Updated
- How we grade
- 1 study cited
- Best evidence
- Grade B
- Conditions studied
- 6
- Outcomes
- 6
- Graded outcomes
- 0420
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
Testosterone
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Testosterone and Hormonal Response RCT (n=48, 8 weeks): 5g/day Cistanche deserticola significantly improved testosterone levels (p<0.05) and reduced cortisol (p<0.05) in both trained and untrained males during resistance training. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect |
Exercise Performance
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muscle Strength and Recovery RCT (n=48, 8 weeks): Significant increases in 1RM squat and MVIC (p<0.05). Enhanced post-exercise recovery with reduced CRP and CK markers (p<0.01). Effects stronger in resistance-trained individuals. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect |
Fatigue
- Chronic Fatigue Symptoms: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chronic Fatigue Symptoms RCT (n=190, 60 days): Cistanche (300-450mg) + Ginkgo combination improved chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms in adults aged 35-60. Double-blind, placebo-controlled design. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect |
Cognitive Function
- Cognitive Function in Alzheimer's: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Function in Alzheimer's Clinical study (48 weeks, 300mg/day): Improved cognitive function in patients with moderate Alzheimer's disease. No exacerbation of symptoms. Preclinical review (20 studies): Strong neuroprotective evidence. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect |
Neurological Health
- Neuroprotection (Preclinical): improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neuroprotection (Preclinical) Systematic review (20 studies, n=1696 animals): Significant neuroprotective effects in AD models. Mechanisms include reduced Aβ deposition, tau inhibition, antioxidant effects, and synapse protection. Candidate for clinical trials. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Large effect |
Sexual Health
- Sexual Function: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sexual Function Traditional use for sexual vitality. Animal studies show improved erectile response and testosterone synthesis pathway restoration. Limited human RCT data for this specific outcome. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect |
Key findings
- Testosterone and Hormonal ResponseImproves (the measure goes up)
- Muscle Strength and RecoveryImproves (the measure goes up)
- Chronic Fatigue SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)
Studies cited
1 study from PubMed