Cistanche deserticola: A Homology-of-Medicine-and-Food Herb with Intestinal-Moistening and Laxative Effects

Cistanche deserticola is a perennial parasitic herb of the Orobanchaceae family and a traditional Chinese medicinal material included in the homology-of-medicine-and-food category. It has traditionally been used to nourish the kidney and essence and to relieve constipation. Recent studies have investigated its potential effects on intestinal motility, gut microbiota, and fecal water regulation. This review summarizes the reported chemical constituents of C. deserticola, including phenylethanoid glycosides, polysaccharides, flavonoids, and sugar alcohols, and examines the available evidence regarding their potential contributions to laxative effects. Possible mechanisms involving intestinal motility, neurotransmitter-related signaling, gut microbiota and microbial metabolites, and aquaporin expression are discussed. Evidence is considered hierarchically: findings from identified C. deserticola preparations are distinguished from indirect findings involving other Cistanche species, isolated compounds, or multi-component herbal formulations, while proposed causal pathways are treated as hypotheses unless directly tested. The evidence base is predominantly preclinical, and human studies are limited; the specific contributions of individual constituents, the causal relationships underlying the proposed mechanisms, and the long-term safety of different preparations remain insufficiently established. This review also discusses challenges in raw-material standardization, evidence-based quality control, and functional food development, highlighting the need for further mechanistic, toxicological, and clinical studies to support the rational development of C. deserticola-based products.