This is our potent, standardized extract of cistanche, which is the most potent on the market right now. Almost everywhere online you'll find 10:1,20:1, or something similar, and we carry another extract that's a 30:1. This extract is much more potent when it comes to the nutrients in cistanche that show many the powerful benefits associated with it. Cistanche is an interesting substance originating from China, and has documented usage from over 1800 years ago! Modern research has shown positive effects on the brain, aging, sexual health, kidney functioning, skin health, DNA, immune system, fatigue, cancer, cholesterol, and is a potent antioxidant.
Most people that use cistanche do so for it's sexual effects. It is even rumored to be Genghis Khan's favorite herb! Genghis Khan is said have left the largest genetic trail then any other person in the history of the earth. It's not exactly clear the mechanism that causes the sexual effects in cistanche, but it is highly valued and praised for that purpose. Some preliminary research actually shows that echinacoside and acteoside may increase testosterone levels, and other nutrients increase blood flow. Research shows that cistanche can increase neurotransmitters such as noradrenaline, serotonin (a metabolite), and dopamine. (1)
Animal studies with cistanche on brain health have been surprisingly powerful so far. One study in mice demonstrated it's effects on learning, memory, and the ability to increase the important internal antioxidant, SOD. (2) It also helped significantly reduce lipid peroxidation, increase GSH-Px activity, and reduce brain MAO activity. (3) It seems that cistanche has the ability to restore neurons damaged by apoptosis, and increases oxygen supply to the brain. Research has also shown a powerful anti-fatigue effect with animal studies. Some of the parameters affected were decreased lactic acid levels and increased hemoglobin and glucose levels. These actions together led to significantly longer swimming times, and may have an ergogenic effect in people. (4)
Research conducted by a pharmaceutical lab in Shanghai at the University of Beijing showed that cistanche helps prevent aging of the brain, skin, increases sexual vigor, and accelerates fat metabolism. A piece of research shows that it improves skin by inhibiting hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid. (3) Cistanche also affects an aspect of the immune system (adaptive immune system) that helps promote a stronger and longer immune response. Echinacoside stimulates the creation of T helper cells, and stimulates a growth factor the promotion of naive T-cells, and also minimizes autoimmune reactions. Cistanche also increased the ratio of beneficial CD4 T-cells to CD8 T-cells, a sign of a youthful immune system. These actions together make cistanche an incredible immune herb. Together with it's other effects make cistanche much more powerful than previously believed. (5,6)
Suggested use 200mgs twice per day on an empty stomach with water.
References
- Influence of Cistancheon the amount of monoaminergic neurotransmitters in rat brain.
Chinese Herb24 (8), 417-419, 1993
- http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.2927/abstract
- Kapitein B, Tiemessen MM, Liu WM, et al. The interleukin-10 inducing effect of transforming growth factor-beta on human naive CD4+ T cells from cord blood is restricted to the TH1 subset. Clin Exp Immunol. 2007 Feb;147(2):352-8.
