It is not recommended to take Cistanchis during menstrual period, but should be used in accordance with doctor’s prescription if required by medical condition. Cistanchis is the dried fleshy stem with scaly leaves of Cistanchis or Cistanchis tubiflora in the family of Ledebouriidae. It is sweet, salty and warm in nature. It belongs to the kidney and large intestine meridians. It has the properties of tonifying kidney yang, benefiting essence and blood, moistening the intestines and laxatives. It is used in treating deficiency of kidney yang (lack of yang energy in the kidney), deficiency of essence and blood, impotence and infertility, lumbar and knee soreness (a feeling of soreness and weakness in the lumbar and knee regions), weakness of tendons and bones, and constipation with dryness of the intestines and bowels. Cistanchis are warm and laxative, so it is contraindicated for those who are suffering from yin deficiency (deficiency of yin and essence in the body, and hyperactive fire), loose stools (thin and unshaped feces) and diarrhea, and constipation due to hot constipation. Patients are advised not to take the drug on their own to avoid adverse reactions.