Both of them have their own strengths, Cistanchis tubulosa is better in tonifying kidney yang and benefiting essence and blood, while Cistanchis lubricates the intestinal tract of the plant in the family of Ledebouriaceae.
Cistanchis are the dried fleshy stems with scaly leaves of Cistanchis or Cistanche tubiflora of the family Ledebouriaceae. Cistanchis tubulosa and Cistanchis littoralis have their own strengths. Cistanchis tubulosa is better in tonifying kidney yang and benefiting essence and blood, while Cistanchis littoralis is better in moistening the intestinal tract.
Cistanchis tubiflora refers to the Cistanchis growing in the southern region of Xinjiang, parasitized on the root of Multi-branched Strange Willow, which contains not less than 1.5% of the total amount of pineal chrysanthemum glycosides and mullein glycosides. Therefore its effect of tonifying kidney yang and benefiting essence and blood is stronger.
Cistanchis, which grows in Nengmengolia and Qinghai, contains not less than 0.30% of the total amount of pineal chrysin and gossypol glycosides, but the content of hydrophilic colloidal polysaccharides is higher, and the laxative effect is more powerful.
Both Cistanchis tubiflora and Cistanchis littoralis need to be used under the guidance of professional doctors.