What is the difference between Cynomorium songaricum and Cistanche deserticola

Cynomorium songaricum and Cistanche deserticola are both Chinese medicinal materials. The appearance of these two Chinese medicinal materials is somewhat similar, so many people don’t know what the difference is between Cynomorium songaricum and Cistanche deserticola. In fact, there is a big difference between Cynomorium songaricum and Cistanche deserticola. Judging from the shapes alone, Cynomorium songaricum and Cistanche deserticola can be distinguished.

1. Shape

Cistanche is oblate and slightly curved, 3 to 15 cm long and 2 to 8 cm in diameter. The surface is brown or gray-brown, densely covered with fleshy scales arranged in a shingle-like pattern, usually with the tips of the scales broken off. It is heavy, hard, slightly flexible and not easy to break. The cross section is brown with light brown dot-like vascular bundles arranged in wavy rings. It has a slight odor and tastes sweet and slightly bitter.

Cynomorium songaricum is oblate cylindrical, slightly curved, 5 to 15 cm long and 1.5 to 5 cm in diameter. The surface is brown or tan, rough, with obvious longitudinal grooves and irregular depressions. Some have remaining triangular black-brown scales. It is heavy, hard and difficult to break. The cross section is light brown or tan, with yellow triangular vascular bundles, a faint odor, and a sweet and astringent taste.

2. Efficacy

Cynomorium songaricum effect: sweet and warm in nature. It enters the liver and kidney meridians. Nourishes the kidneys and moistens the intestines. Treat impotence, hematuria, constipation due to blood deficiency, and weakness of the waist and knees.

Effects of Cistanche deserticola: sweet and salty in nature; warm in nature and enters the kidney meridians; replenishes kidney yang; benefits essence and blood; moisturizes the intestines. It is used to treat kidney yang deficiency, impotence due to insufficient essence and blood, spermatorrhea, leukorrhea, frequent urination, weak legs, tinnitus, blurred vision, delayed menstruation, infertility due to uterine cold, and constipation due to dry intestines.

3. Others

From the overall perspective, it is not difficult to find that the functions of these two medicinal materials are similar, but there are still some differences in the details. The effects of the medicines are also different, one is stronger and the other is lighter. So it may be that these two herbs are targeted at different groups of people. The use of Cistanche deserticola is more targeted at the elderly, so Cynomorium songaricum may not be suitable for the elderly.