Semen Cuscutae herb benefit and side effects by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Semen Cuscutae, or Cuscuta seed, is a parasitic vine that wraps around other plants for nourishment. Cuscuta seed is used in China for kidney deficiency. Semen Cuscutae has a high content of flavonoids and has strong antioxidant properties. Cuscuta seed has been found in studies to have positive effects on sperm health and motility, and invigorates the reproductive system. I could not find any human studies involving cuscuta seed.

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Semen Cuscutae research studies
Effects of flavonoids from Semen Cuscutae on the reproductive system in male rats.
Shantou University School of Medicine, China. Asian J Androl. 2000.
Flavonoids were obtained from the semen of Cuscuta sinensis through solvent extraction and polyamide columnar chromatography; Effect of Semen Cuscutae on the reproductive organs was assessed in immature rats. Rats were administered Semen Cuscutae through gastric gavage at a dose of 300 mg/kg per day for 7 days and the weights of testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle and pituitary gland were then observed; To observe the effect of Semen Cuscutae on the reproductive endocrine function: same dose level of Semen Cuscutae was given to male rats of different age groups for 7 days; on day 8, the plasma testosterone (T), estradiol (E2) and LH were determined by RIA, the specific binding of LH was estimated and the testes were weighed. Effect of Semen Cuscutae on LH secretion was assessed in vitro on cultured adenohypophysis. (Effect of Semen Cuscutae on T secretion was assessed in vitro on Leydig cell culture. Semen Cuscutae increased the weights of testis, epididymis and pituitary gland, and stimulated T and LH secretion both in vitro and in immature rats. Semen Cuscutae invigorates the reproductive system and reproductive endocrine function in male rats.

Effects of semen Cuscutae, rhizoma Curculiginis, radix Morindae officinalis on human spermatozoan's motility and membrane function in vitro
Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1997.
To observe the effects of Semen Cuscutae and Radix Morindae Officinalis (RMO) on human sperm motility in vitro and cytomembrane function. The sperm motility improved markedly and sperm membrane function became more stabilized after incubation, the Semen Cuscutae had best effect, RMO was relatively poor. Semen Cuscutae decoction is an effective promoting preparation for sperm motility and the membrane function stabilized. Therefore, Semen Cuscutae may be beneficial in treating male sterility and may raise success rate in artificial insemination.

Quantitative analysis of semen Cuscutae
Second Military Medical University, Shanghai.
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1991.
In this paper, the quantitative analysis of the total flavone in 7 species revealed the contents: Semen Cuscutae Chinensis (3.0%), Semen Cuscutae Australis (3.2%) as compared with Semen Cuscutae Europaea (4.5%). Semen Cuscutae Chinensis has the highest content of polysaccharide of about 5-6%. The experimental results provide a scientific basis the rational use of Semen Cuscutae.

Additional articles of interest
Resveratrol is becoming quite popular due to some studies in mice that showed it to enhance lifespan. Rhodiola is an herb used for energy, so is Royal jelly. Saw palmetto has several phytosterols and is found in prostate products. dmae is a methyl donor. 5-HTP can cause sexual inhibition.