Compound or practice · Supplement
Cistanche
A desert 'tonic' herb for vigor and libido with mostly traditional and preclinical backing.
- Overall grade
- Grade D
- Last revised
- 1
- graded outcome
- 0
- references listed
A structured monograph in Prometheus's bundled library. Its grades are the monograph's own reading of the evidence, not a peer-reviewed review.
1 at grade D — 1 graded row
What is known
Each outcome with its grade (how strong the evidence is, A to D), the size of the effect where the entry records one, and how often studies agree.
- Vigor / libidoEvidence grade D
Traditional/preclinical
Unclearlow
What is uncertain
Read off the same rows as above. Nothing here is added that the entry does not itself record.
- Thin evidence: Vigor / libido (grade D).
The evidence in words
What it is
Cistanche is a parasitic desert plant used in Chinese medicine for vitality, libido, and cognition.
How it works
Phenylethanoid glycosides with proposed neuroprotective, hormonal, and immune effects.
What the evidence shows
Human evidence is thin; most support is traditional and animal-based, with small signals for cognition and vigor. Unproven.
Safety & interactions
Generally tolerated; limited safety data.
Bottom line
A traditional tonic with little rigorous human evidence. Early at best.
Related reading
Entries that share this one's tags or conditions.
- Cistanche for Vigor / libidoEvidence grade D — Traditional/preclinicalEvidence grade D
- Cistanche: side effects, safety & interactionsGenerally tolerated; limited safety data.Evidence grade D
- Panax GinsengA classic tonic with scattered small wins for fatigue, cognition, and erectile function — rarely dramatic, watch drug interactions.Evidence grade C
- Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng)A gentle adaptogen for fatigue and stress — not a true ginseng, and modestly evidenced.Evidence grade C
Sources
This entry lists no references of its own.
Last revised . A grade is this entry's reading of the evidence, not medical advice.