Cistanchis can be taken as decoction in water or in pills or powder under the guidance of a physician. Cistanchis has the effect of tonifying kidney yang, benefiting essence and blood, moistening the intestines and laxatives. Cistanchis is sweet, salty and warm in nature. It belongs to the kidney and large intestine meridians. Clinically, it is mainly used for deficiency of kidney yang (lack of yang energy in the kidneys), deficiency of essence and blood, impotence and infertility, lumbar and knee soreness (a feeling of soreness and weakness in the lumbar and knee areas), weakness of the muscles and bones, and constipation with dryness of the intestines and bowels. The adverse effects of Cistanchia are still unclear. It is prohibited for people with yin deficiency (deficiency of yin and essence in the body with hyperactive deficiency fire) and diarrhea, and should not be used by people with heat knot constipation. When using Cistanchis for treatment, it is important to consult a Chinese medicine practitioner for evidence-based guidance on the use of medication, and not to use medication arbitrarily.