Cynomorii Herba
Aliases：Suǒ Yáng (Cynomorium Herb); Bù Lǎo Yào (Herb of Immortality); Xiù Tiě Bàng (Rusty Iron Rod); Dì Máo Qiú (Earth Hairball); Huáng Gǔ Láng (Yellow Bone Wolf); Suǒ Yán Zǐ (Locked Seed); Yáng Suǒ Bù Lā (Goat Not Latching).
Suǒ Yáng (Cynomorium Herb) is a Chinese medicinal substance. It is a yang-tonifying medicinal material and is the fleshy stem of Cynomorium songaricum Rupr., a plant of the Cynomoriaceae family. It appears as a扁圆柱形 (flattened cylindrical shape), slightly curved, with a brown or brownish-brown surface that is rough, with obvious longitudinal grooves and irregular depressions. It has a faint odor and a sweet, astringent taste. Suǒ Yáng is a commonly used kidney yang-tonifying herb, first recorded in the Ben Cao Yan Yi Bu Yi (Supplement to the Derivative of Materia Medica) by the Yuan dynasty physician Zhu Zhenheng.
Efficacy & Actions
Tonifies kidney yang, benefits essence and blood, and moistens the intestines to relieve constipation.
Indications
Primarily used for kidney yang deficiency, essence-blood deficiency, lumbar and knee weakness and flaccidity, impotence and spermatorrhea, and constipation due to intestinal dryness, among other conditions. It is also used for constipation in the elderly with weakness and essence-blood depletion.
Modern Pharmacology
Anti-osteoporosis: Cynomorium polysaccharides activate Keap1/Nrf2, enhance osteoblast antioxidant capacity, and protect against oxidative stress. Antioxidant and anti-aging: Scavenges free radicals, with antioxidant and anti-aging effects. Immunomodulation: Enhances immune function. Anti-fatigue and hypoxia tolerance: Possesses anti-fatigue, anti-hypoxia, and anti-stress effects. Hormonal effects: Regulates hormone levels and improves bodily functions. Glucose metabolism regulation: Regulates glucose metabolism and shows good effects in diabetes prevention. Antidepressant: Exhibits antidepressant effects. Anticancer: Possesses anticancer activity. Anti-liver fibrosis: Exhibits anti-liver fibrosis effects. Gastrointestinal regulation: Regulates gastrointestinal function.
Ingredients
Polysaccharides: Content approximately 10%–30%, one of its main active components. Three polysaccharide fractions have been isolated from Suǒ Yáng: CSRP-50, CSRP-70, and CSRP-90, all of which are naturally methylated α-(1→4),(1→6)-D-glucans. Triterpenoids: Suoyangterpenoid, acetylursolic acid, ursolic acid, etc. Flavonoids. Steroids. Volatile Oils: 2-heptanone, nonanal, 1,1-diethoxyethane, etc. Organic Acids. Amino Acids.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, the standard dosage is 5–10g. May also be prepared in pills or powder. The daily dosage should not exceed 15g.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with yin deficiency and yang excess. Contraindicated in patients with spleen deficiency and diarrhea. Contraindicated in patients with constipation due to excess heat. Should not be used together with salicylic acid derivatives such as aspirin and sodium salicylate, as concurrent use may induce or worsen peptic ulcers. Should not be used together with adrenocorticosteroids, as it may exacerbate side effects such as hypertension and edema. Contraindicated in those with easy erection but unstable semen.
Selected Formulas
For kidney-deficiency spermatorrhea with weakness of lower back and knees (National Compilation of Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 9g each of Suoyang (Cynomorium), Sangpiaoxiao (Mantis egg-case), and Fuling (Poria), plus 3g of Longgu (Dragon bone). Decoct in water and drink. For kidney-deficiency nocturnal emission and impotence (Ningxia Chinese Herbal Medicine Manual) Take equal parts of Suoyang, Longgu, Roucongrong (Cistanche), Sangpiaoxiao, and Fuling. Grind into powder, mix with honey to make pills. Take 15g each time, morning and evening. For impotence and premature ejaculation (Shaan-Gan-Ning-Qing Chinese Herbal Medicine Selection) Take 15g of Suoyang, 12g each of Dangshen (Codonopsis) and Shanyao (Chinese yam), and 9g of Fupenzi (Rubus fruit). Decoct in water and drink. For elderly qi weakness with yin deficiency and constipation (Ningxia Chinese Herbal Medicine Manual) Take 15g each of Suoyang and Sangshenzi (Mulberry fruit). Decoct in water to obtain concentrated liquid, add 30g of white honey, and take in two divided doses. For yang deficiency with essence depletion, constipation (Bencao Qieyao) Take 3 jin of Suoyang, add 5 dou of water, decoct twice to obtain concentrated liquid. Combine and boil in a clay pot to make a paste, then add 8 liang of honey to solidify. Take over 10 teaspoons before each meal, dissolved in warm wine. For leukorrhea (Shaan-Gan-Ning-Qing Chinese Herbal Medicine Selection) Take 15g of Suoyang and 9g of Shazaoshupi (Elaeagnus bark). Decoct in water and drink. For hematuria (Ningxia Chinese Herbal Medicine Manual) Take 15g each of Suoyang and Rendongteng (Honeysuckle vine), and 30g of Maogen (Imperata rhizome). Decoct in water and drink. For gastric ulcer (Shaan-Gan-Ning-Qing Chinese Herbal Medicine Selection) Take 9g each of Suoyang and Zhuyaliao (Polygonum viviparum). Decoct in water and drink.
Daily Consumption
Soaking in water Take 5–10g of sliced Suoyang (Cynomorium), steep in boiling water for 10–15 minutes with the lid on. Drink and repeat until flavor fades. Daily dose should not exceed 15g. Suoyang Yang-strengthening Congee (from Zhongyao Beiwanglu) Ingredients: 15g each of Suoyang and walnut kernel, 100g of rice. Preparation: Decoct Suoyang to obtain liquid; crush the walnut kernel, and cook together with the rice into congee. Indication: Suitable for kidney-deficiency impotence, soreness of lower back and knees, or constipation due to intestinal dryness. Suoyang stewed soup Take sliced Suoyang, stew with chicken, pork ribs, or pigeon, with optional additions of goji berries and red dates to enhance nourishing effects. Suoyang medicinal wine Take Suoyang, optionally with Roucongrong (Cistanche) and goji berries, soak in wine and drink.
Medicinal Parts
Dried fleshy stem.
Selection & Storage
Store in a well-ventilated, dry place.
