Cistanche salsa
Cistanche salsa, commonly known as desert stemroot, is a unique parasitic medicinal plant native to arid regions. Renowned in traditional medicine, it is highly valued for its ability to combat fatigue, enhance vitality, and support kidney function. Its bioactive compounds offer significant potential for modern therapeutic and wellness applications.
- Scientific name: Cistanche salsa
- Family: Orobanchaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Lamiales, it is classified under the family Orobanchaceae. Its scientific name is defined by the genus Cistanche, specifically as Cistanche salsa.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Orobanchaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Cistanche | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Cistanche salsa, is known by various regional names across different languages. In Chinese, it is referred to as 盐生肉苁蓉 (yánshēng ròucóngróng), while in Japanese, its common name is ホンオニク (hononiku). In Azerbaijan, it is called Şoranlıq sistanxesi, and in Arabic, it is identified as ذؤنون تتاري (ðuʾnūn tatārī). Additionally, in Kazakh, the plant is known as Сортаң цистанхе.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 盐生肉苁蓉 | Wikidata |
| ja | ホンオニク | Wikidata |
| az | Şoranlıq sistanxesi | Wikidata |
| ar | ذؤنون تتاري | Wikidata |
| kk | Сортаң цистанхе | Wikidata |
| hy | Դևագի աղուտային | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 肉苁蓉 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 肉苁蓉 | Wikidata |
| he | יחנוק המלחות | Wikidata |
| zh | 肉苁蓉 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions of Eurasia. In Eastern Europe, its presence is noted throughout East European Russia and South European Russia. Moving into Central Asia, the species can be found within the borders of Kazakhstan. It also inhabits the landscapes of Kirgizstan, extending its reach further into the continent. Finally, the distribution includes the territory of Turkmenistan, completing its range across these diverse areas.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Europe | East European Russia | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | South European Russia | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Kazakhstan | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Kirgizstan | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Turkmenistan | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Tadzhikistan | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Uzbekistan | WCVP |
| Caucasus | Transcaucasus | WCVP |
| Western Asia | Afghanistan | WCVP |
| Western Asia | Iran | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Cistanche salsa, is a parasitic species that lacks chlorophyll, meaning it does not possess traditional green leaves; instead, its most prominent feature is its thick, fleshy, yellowish-brown stems that emerge directly from the soil. These succulent stems serve as the primary structure for transporting nutrients gathered from the roots of host plants. From these robust stems, the plant produces large, showy flowers that are typically yellowish or brownish in color, which are essential for its reproductive cycle.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stems | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flowers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Cistanche salsa has 17 reported phytochemicals identified across 22 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include acteoside, Echinacoside, betaine, echinacoside, 2'-Acetylacteoside.
- Total chemicals
- 17
- Scientific sources
- 22
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| acteoside | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Echinacoside | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| betaine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| echinacoside | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2'-Acetylacteoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 6-deoxycatalpol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 8-epi-loganic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acteoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cistanoside A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Isoacteoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Cistanche salsa has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Laxative, Neuroprotective.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Laxative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Cistanche salsa has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include benign prostatic hyperplasia, impotence, infertility, neurasthenia, neurodegenerative diseases.
- Total uses
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| benign prostatic hyperplasia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| impotence | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| infertility | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| neurasthenia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| neurodegenerative diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |