Cuscuta herb and seed
supplement health benefit
July 12 2016 by
Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Cuscuta, or Dodder plant, is a parasitic vine that wraps around other plants for nourishment. Also known as Tu-Si-Zi, it is used in China for kidney deficiency and is one of the commonly used Chinese Herbs. Cuscuta seed has a high content of flavonoids and has strong antioxidant properties. It has been found in studies to have positive effects on sperm health and motility, invigorates the reproductive system, and has antioxidant benefits. I could not find any human studies involving cuscuta seed. Below you will find research articles on semen cuscutae. Semen in Chinese herbology means seed. You can find this herb in a sexual enhancing product called Passion Rx.
Cuscuta chinensis has found its use as a traditional medicine in China, Korea, Pakistan, Vietnam, India and Thailand. It is commonly used as an anti-aging agent, anti-inflammatory agent, pain reliever and aphrodisiac or sexual enhancer.
Cuscuta side effects,
safety, caution and risk
Cuscuta seed extract has not been studied to any great extent in the
Western medical literature, and hence we don't have much information on it
potential benefits and harm. One side effect that could occur when used in high dosages is
insomnia or shallow sleep.
Use for erectile dysfunction
A product for this condition that could help is Passion Rx.
The potent herbal extracts in Passion Rx include Ashwagandha, Aspallum purificata, Catuaba, Cuscutae, Muira puama, Cnidium, Coleus forskohlii, Damiana, Horny goat weed, Maca, Mucuna pruriens, Passion flower, Pfaffia paniculata, Rehmannia, Rhodiola, Tongkat Ali and Tribulus.
Another combination formula
Aging Male. 2014. Improvement of symptoms of aging in males by a
preparation LEOPIN ROYAL containing aged garlic extract and other five
of natural medicines - comparison with traditional herbal medicines (Kampo).
LEOPIN ROYAL, a non-prescription health-promoting medication in Japan,
is a preparation containing six natural medicines, namely, aged garlic
extract, ginseng, oriental bezoar, velvet antler, cuscuta seed and
epimedium herb. The present results indicate that LER is possibly
superior to mainly kamishoyosan on the rate of improvement of symptoms
of aging, including erectile dysfunction, in males.
Reproductive health
Effects of Semen cuscutae, rhizoma Curculiginis, radix Morindae officinalis on
human sperm motility and membrane function in vitro
Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1997.
To observe the effects of cuscuta and Radix Morindae Officinalis
on human sperm motility in vitro and cytomembrane function. The sperm
motility improved markedly and sperm membrane function became more stabilized
after incubation, the cuscuta had best effect, Radix Morindae Officinalis was relatively poor. Cuscuta decoction is an effective promoting preparation for
sperm motility and the membrane function stabilized. Therefore, cuscuta
may be beneficial in treating male sterility and may raise success rate in
artificial insemination.
Cuscuta protects the
liver from acetaminophen damage
Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Cuscuta chinensis against
acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2007. Graduate Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
School of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Tu-Si-Zi, the seeds of Cuscuta chinensis, is a traditional
Chinese medicine that is commonly used to nourish and improve the liver and
kidney conditions in China and other Asian countries. As oxidative stress
promotes the development of acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity, the aim of the
present study was to evaluate and compare the hepatoprotective effect and
antioxidant activities of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Cuscuta
chinensis on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Our data suggest that
the ethanolic extract of Cuscuta chinensis can prevent hepatic injuries from
acetaminophen-induced liver toxicity in rats and this is likely mediated through
its antioxidant activities.
Skin cancer
Effect of Cuscuta chinensis water extract on
7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced
skin papillomas and carcinomas in mice.
J Ethnopharmacol. 1986.
Cuscuta chinensis, known as Aftimun, is reputed to have antitumour activity
in the Unani system of medicine in India. The effect of a hot water extract of
Cuscuta chinensis on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced skin papillomas
and carcinomas in Swiss albino mice was studied. Oral administration of the
extract delayed the
appearance and retarded the growth of papillomas and the incidence of carcinoma.
Flavone content and constituents
Quantitative analysis of Semen cuscutae
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1991.
Second Military Medical University, Shanghai.
In this paper, the quantitative analysis of the total flavone in 7 species
revealed the contents: Cuscuta Chinensis (3%), Cuscuta Australis
(3%) as compared with Cuscuta Europaea (4.5%). Cuscuta Chinensis has the
highest content of polysaccharide of about 5-6%. The experimental results
provide a scientific basis the rational use of Cuscuta.
Cuscuta chinensis study
Study of quality control on Cuscuta chinensis and C.
australia
Zhong Yao Cai. 2007. Shandong Institute of TCM, Jinan,
China.
To study the estimate method of Cuscuta chinensis and Cuscuta australia. HPLC
was used to determine the contents of four kinds of flavones of Cuscuta
chinensis and australia growing on different hosts. Cuscuta chinensis
and australia growing on different hosts both had hyperoside, quercetin,
kaempferol and isorhamnetin. The contents of hyperoside and quercetin are higher in
chinensis than in australia. The contents of kaempferol and
isorhamnetin are lower in chinensis than in australia.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2014. Cuscuta chinensis Lam.: A systematic review on ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology of an important traditional herbal medicine. Cuscuta chinensis has found its use as a traditional medicine in China, Korea, Pakistan, Vietnam, India and Thailand. It is commonly used as an anti-aging agent, anti-inflammatory agent, pain reliever and aphrodisiac. This present review offers primary information for further studies of Cuscuta chinensis. The in vitro studies and in vivo models have provided a bioscientific explanation for its various ethnopharmacological uses and pharmacological activities (most notably antioxidant effects) especially in the prevention of hepatic disease and renal failure.
Systematics and plastid genome evolution of the
cryptically photosynthetic parasitic plant genus Cuscuta.
BMC Biol. 2007. McNeal JR, Arumugunathan K, Kuehl JV, Boore JL,
Depamphilis CW.
The genus Cuscuta commonly known as dodders, are epiphytic
vines that invade the stems of their host with haustorial feeding structures at
the points of contact. Although they lack expanded leaves, some species are
noticeably chlorophyllous, especially as seedlings and in maturing fruits. Some
species are reported as crop pests of worldwide distribution, whereas others are
extremely rare and have local distributions and apparent niche specificity.
Cuscuta reflexa study
Swarnalin and cis-swarnalin, two new tetrahydrofuran derivatives with
free radical scavenging activity, from the aerial parts of Cuscuta reflexa.
Nat Prod Res. 2007. Pharmacy Discipline, Life Science School, Khulna
University, Khulna, Bangladesh.
Cuscuta reflexa has tetrahydrofuran derivatives, named swarnalin and
cis-swarnalin, and a known coumarin, 5,6,7-trimethoxycoumarin.
Questions
Q. 2008 - About cuscuta (Dodder seed) for muscle and joint problems. I have had
trouble with what I call a trick hip, which is most likely a bursitis from what
I can read up on it. Certain movements set it off. Later the whole leg would get
to aching. I studied herbs and then it came to me, try 1 tsp (5 ml) of 5:1
cuscuta concentrate (Mayway’s Plum Flower Brand) and ¼ tsp of Epimedium
Grandiflorum 5:1 concentrate taken daily. The concentrates are cold water
extracts that are flash dried in a tower; thus they resemble the traditional hot
water decoctions. I disperse it in ¼ cup of hot water previously heated in a
microwave and then diluted with tomato juice to 1 cup and take it upon rising in
the morning. The tomato juice is for covering the taste. I have been using the
epimedium previously for acid reflux. The result was some relief in 2 days and
then gradual recovery over about a month. I tried going down on the dosage;
however when I did so the pain would return. I have now been on it for 3 months
and there is no sign of the problem. I have noted in the literature that cuscuta
retards cataracts in laboratory animals. I am hoping for a slowing or reversal
of cataracts. They have been present for about 10 years but have not interfered
with vision. In April of 2006 I was examined and a picture was taken of my eye
to establish a record. It showed the cataract just beginning to interfere with
vision. The visual effect is slight and usually not noticeable. When I get back
to the United States in the summer of 2008 I will go to the same doctor for a
check up. In the meantime I am going to stay on the cuscuta and epimedium
treatment. Also I am on prescription drops for glaucoma. I hope for improvement
in that area also. Will let you know what the eye man finds. As for side
effects, I have not noticed any; however my wife has noted a slight darkening of
my hair. This has happened all over my body. It is not enough to be worth
writing home about; however if the active item responsible for the darkening can
be isolated and concentrated, you might have something of interest. I am 76
years old. The hair on my head has been white, but some of the hairs are dark
now. Another effect is in the male function department. The cuscuta helps with performance. A week ago I added ¼ tsp of jiaogulan 5:1 concentrate,
Plum Flower Brand to the mix. I noticed an immediate improvement in male
function. Time between orgasms dropped to 24 hours (from 1 1/2 to 2 days). I
have used jiaogulan before, but not in the above mix. Jiaogulan by its self
gives a greater feeling of well being without stimulation. My wife uses it daily
because it gives her more stamina or endurance and energy. It has vasodilation
and bronchiole dilation properties as well as a blood pressure lowering effects.
She takes it in capsule form in the Solaray brand.
Follow up April 2009: Dear Dr. Ray Sahelian: I have been to the
United States, and while there I got my eyes checked. The cataracts are stable.
They have not grown. I do not notice any problems with my eyes. Head lights are
no problem on the road. I have been back in Micronesia since September 2008. I
have worked up a quick way of evaluating LH effect (I say effect because this is
an indirect measurement). I have discovered that scrotal volume adjusts quickly
to LH or LH effect, with most of the increase in a matter of days with a lesser
gradual increase trailing off over a period of weeks. I measure the volume by
water displacement using a 100 mm wide can filled with warm water. I push it up
over my scrotum several times till no more water comes out, using my finger to
break the seal (the finger is part of the measurement and can be subtracted).
This yields a number in milliliters or cubic centimeters. It is reproducible. I
don’t know the meaning of the number in a single measurement, but I do know the
meaning of the variations in the measurement. There is no comparative
information out there. Right off the bat I got some interesting results. There
is a daily variation in the measurement. It is highest in the morning and
declines through the day. Getting too tired from excessive exercise will make it
lower the next morning. A bad night’s sleep will lower it. Its ups and downs
make it appear to be a barometer of one’s well being. The daily variation is 5
to 8 % of the morning reading. I have found that cuscuta raises the scrotal
volume; however there is a maximum point on the curve as you go up on cuscuta.
For me the max occurs at 1 metric teaspoon daily with food. Fenugreek is an
other substance that raises scrotal volume in a hurry. Some body builders use it
to get there nuts back after being on steroids. With fenugreek I also found a
maxima at 1 tsp daily with food. Going beyond that is counter productive.
Cnidium has no noticeable effect when taken with the usual dose of cuscuta. I do
not know if it would be active when no other herbs are present. When doing these
measurements I vary only one herb at a time. So far I have noticed no effect
from epimedium; however I have not tried epimedium in the absence of other
herbs. In the presence of the cuscuta it does not seem to have an effect.
Fenugreek is additive to cuscuta. I have been using epimedium (1/2 tsp of 20 %
Icariin concentrate daily in addition to the other herbs. When I stopped
epimedium, there was only a small effect, it was an increase! I use 5:1
concentrate of cuscuta and fenugreek, Plum flower brand from 1stchineseherbs dot
com. as described above.
Follow up May 2009 - I have not noticed any side effect. I have used it steady since January 2007 (at 1/2 teaspoon of 5:1 twice
daily) and off and on for about 4 years before then. It does not lose its
effectiveness. With cuscuta I breath easily and have no trouble doing vigorous
exercise. It does not interfere with sleep. The benefits appear to be similar to
those of cordyceps and jiaogulan. I have used cordyceps off and on. Cordyceps
seems to somewhat augment the cuscuta in the male performance department. By its
self cuscuta helps considerable in that area. The effects of epimedium on male
performance for me have not been anything worth writing home about. I kept using
it over the years because it moderated acid reflux. Now I find that cuscuta has
sufficient moderating effect so that I can dispense with epimedium. I noticed
little change in the male department when I dropped epimedium other than the
observation that the LH effect declined a little. I suspect that cuscuta swamps
out the epimedium benefits. Fenugreek goes well with cuscuta and augments the
male performance. I note in the literature that cuscuta and epimedium go well
together. However, my conclusion is that when the cuscuta dose is high enough,
epimedium is nothing more than a commotion, which you are better off without. I
and my wife are well pleased with the results. No need for Viagra.
My age is 78 years.
Q. I was doing a search for Passion Rx on yahoo and came across a website
called Penis Review. This website was claiming that VigRx is a
number one pick and had ranked Passion Rx lower. Can you tell me more about
VigRx.
There are several
so called sexual product review sites on the internet that make it appear that
they are independent but are actually a front for the company that sells the top
listed product. One such notorious site is Penis Review. See
VigRx for more information.
Other website that have done similar improper comparisons include
zenerx erectile dysfunction
product,
stamazide and
vigorelle.