Alxa Cynomorium

Alxa Cynomorium

Alxa Cynomorium is a geographical indication certification trademark.

Alxa Cynomorium is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Cynomorium is a parasitic plant that grows on the roots of Nitraria. Nitraria thrives in the western Gobi Desert and sandy regions. The reproductive process of Cynomorium differs from that of most plants and closely resembles that of humans and animals. Around May and June, Cynomorium begins to emerge from the ground, and by July and August, it matures. The male and female parts on the same plant pollinate each other and produce seeds. Cynomorium seeds are extremely tiny; under a microscope, their shape resembles a human fertilized egg, and their thousand-seed weight is only about 2 grams.

　　Because the top of the Cynomorium is covered with armor-like scales, the seeds are tightly enclosed and cannot fall off. At this time, a small white

　　insect emerges from the root of the Cynomorium. Experts have named it the Cynomorium insect. The Cynomorium insect starts from the bottom and gradually moves upward inside the Cynomorium, eating its way up bit by bit until it reaches the top. This creates a hollow cavity inside the Cynomorium, and the seeds fall through the cavity to the bottom. Along with the reverse flow of moisture inside the Cynomorium, the seeds enter the Nitraria root through a channel about 2 millimeters in diameter that connects the Cynomorium and the Nitraria. The seeds then follow the flow of water within the Nitraria root to a suitable parasitic location. By this time, winter arrives, and the growth of Nitraria stops. The Cynomorium seeds absorb nutrients from the Nitraria and grow rapidly, forming a fist-sized bulge in the parasitic area. After a winter of gestation, the seeds begin to sprout in March of the following year, breaking through the soil in a burst of growth. Within dozens of days, they mature, pollinate, produce seeds, and begin a new growth cycle.

　　Growth Characteristics and Functions of Cynomorium

　　Also known as "longevity herb," Cynomorium grows wild in deserts and Gobi regions, thriving best at temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius, where snow does not accumulate and the ground does not freeze. Cynomorium is a fleshy parasitic herb that attaches to the roots of Nitraria (also called bubble thorn). It is mainly produced in the Hexi Corridor of Gansu, Alxa League of Inner Mongolia, Altay of Xinjiang, and Haixi of Qinghai. As a purely natural sand-grown medicinal herb, Cynomorium belongs to the Cynomoriaceae family and is a perennial fleshy parasitic herbaceous plant. Rich in various active compounds and 15 amino acids beneficial to the human body, it commonly parasitizes the roots of Zygophyllaceae Nitraria plants in desert areas. It can nourish both yin and yang and is suitable for both men and women. Due to its miraculous therapeutic effects, it has been highly valued by famous physicians throughout history. Records of Cynomorium date back to the pre-Qin period, and it began to be used in medicine during the Han Dynasty, treasured by famous physicians and medical cases through the ages. "Compendium of Materia Medica": "Sweet, warm, non-toxic. Greatly nourishes yin energy, benefits essence and blood, and aids bowel movements. Moistens dryness and nourishes tendons, treats weakness and atrophy." "Collected Records of Farming": "Its efficacy is a hundred times that of Cistanche." "Newly Revised Materia Medica": "Benefits essence and invigorates yang, moistens dryness and nourishes tendons, treats weakness and atrophy, and lubricates the intestines." "Illustrated Materia Medica": "Nourishes yin and benefits essence, moistens dryness and nourishes tendons. Essential for treating constipation, weak waist and knees." "Chinese Herbal Medicine": "Nourishes kidney, lubricates intestines, strengthens waist and knees. Treats male impotence, female infertility, blood deficiency constipation, and weak waist and knees."

　　Chemical Composition of Cynomorium

　　Modern scientific research shows that the chemical components of Cynomorium mainly include the following categories: organic acids, flavonoids, citrusin, sterols, triterpenes, polyphenols, amino acids, and mineral elements.

　　Alxa Cynomorium

　　Geographic Scope

　　Alxa Cynomorium is primarily produced in Alxa League, located at the westernmost part of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The protected production area includes three administrative regions: Alxa Left Banner, Alxa Right Banner, and Ejin Banner. These cover 23 banners and towns, including Bayanhot Town, Ekhenhuduote Town, and Dalaihubu Town. The league borders Jiuquan City, Zhangye City, Jinchang City, Wuwei City, and Baiyin City of Gansu Province to the west; faces Zhongwei City, Wuzhong City, Yinchuan City, and Shizuishan City of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region across the Helan Mountains to the southeast; adjoins Bayannur City, Wuhai City, and Ordos City to the northeast; and shares a border with Mongolia to the north. The geographic coordinates are between 97°10′–106°52′ east longitude and 37°21′–42°47′ north latitude, covering a total area of 270,000 square kilometers.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. Botanical Characteristics: Alxa Cynomorium is a root-parasitic perennial fleshy herbaceous plant, entirely reddish-brown in color and lacking chlorophyll. Its stem is cylindrical, fleshy, branched or unbranched, with spiral-deciduous scale-like leaves. The flowers are bisexual, extremely small, densely clustered into terminal spadix inflorescences consisting of numerous male, female, and hermaphroditic flowers, interspersed with scale-like leaves; perianth segments usually number 4–6, sometimes 1–3 or 7–8; male flowers have one stamen and one nectar gland; female flowers have two carpels, with the ovary inferior, one-chambered, containing one pendulous ovule; hermaphroditic flowers have one stamen and one carpel. The fruit is small and nut-like. The seed contains endosperm. China has only one genus and one species, with Inner Mongolia’s Alxa League being the main production area. 2. Intrinsic Quality: The surface of Alxa Cynomorium is brown or brownish, rough, with distinct longitudinal grooves and irregular depressions, sometimes retaining triangular blackish-brown scales. It is heavy, hard, and difficult to break. The cross-section is light brown or brownish with yellow triangular vascular bundles. It is highly nutritious—per 100 grams of dry matter, amino acid content is ≥8.5%, and total flavonoids ≥55%. 3. Properties and Efficacy: Cynomorium tastes sweet and is warm in nature. It enters the spleen, kidney, and large intestine meridians. It functions to tonify kidney yang, nourish essence and blood, and moisten the intestines for bowel movement. It is used for weak waist and knees, impotence with seminal emission, and intestinal dryness with constipation. Clinically, it is also used for peripheral flaccid paralysis, peripheral nerve disorders, spinal nerve root inflammation, and post-polio sequelae. 4. Safety Requirements: Production follows laws and regulations such as the "People's Republic of China Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Law" and the "Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China."