The herb of interest is Cistanche deserticola, commonly known as Roucongrong (肉苁蓉）or desert ginseng in China.
The herb has garnered interest in recent years in China as it has been added by the authorities into the “List of Substances Traditionally Used as Both Food and TCM in China” in November 2023.
This means that the herb can be used as an ingredient in food products, opening new opportunities for new product development and further research into TCM ingredients.
Recorded in the Compendium of Materia Medica, it is known for its ability to “tonify the liver and kidneys, nourish essence and blood, and strengthen muscles and bones”.
As of August 2024, China has approved 102 ingredients into the list as part of its efforts in promoting the concept of “foods as medicines”.
Dong-E-E-Jiao, part of China Resources Pharmaceutical Group Limited (CR Pharma), has set up a new company based in the deserts of Alxa League, Inner Mongolia, where the herb is sourced from for running the new business.
It officially launched the business last Oct. So far, it has launched three products made from desert ginseng under the brand Zhuangben (壮本).
The products include: 1) a concentrate of the herb, 2) a tonic drink containing the herb and donkey hide gelatin, and 3) a paste containing the herb, donkey hide gelatin, and prebiotics for a “modern touch”.
Speaking at the Healthplex Expo held in Shanghai from June 24 to 26, Bei Guang, GM of the new business, outlined the reasons for investing in the desert ginseng business.
The goal is to uplift and continue the legacy of TCM via the two-pronged strategy of building both its pharmaceutical and consumer health goods - especially since there is a growing trend of health products consumption.
“People may not be familiar with the herb, but it has a rich history, being recorded as one of the nine greatest herbs in the Taoist scriptures, alongside ginseng and the Noble Dendrobium Stem herb,” she said.
She said that the herb was commonly taken as a tea among the Alxa league communities, and the company hoped to uplift local livelihoods with the commercialisation of the herb as a functional food product.
Building industry standards and science
As the Cistanche deserticola sector is still at a nascent stage with a lack of industry regulations, the company is therefore planning to drive the development of industry standards to ensure the quality of products made from desert ginseng.
At the same time, it is also working with researchers like Peking University professor Tu Pengfei - also known as “the father of Roucongrong” in advancing the science behind the herb.
Some of the research that it is interesting in include the herb’s immunity and anti-fatigue benefits, its provenance, and synergies between Ejiao and the herb.
Other health benefits that it is also interested in include men’s health and anti-ageing.
“Roucongrong is our second channel of growth and in the long run, we hope to establish a full supply chain control and develop products that cut across foods, health foods, and medicines,” said Bei.
