Dodder seed extract health benefit, Chinese herbal supplement by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
June 20 2015

Dodder plant is a parasitic vine that wraps around other plants for nourishment. Dodder seed is used in China for kidney deficiency and is one of the commonly used Chinese Herbs. Dodder seed has a high content of flavonoids and has strong antioxidant properties. Dodder 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 it as of 2013. Below you will find research articles on dodder that I found.

Research studies
Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol. 2013. Effects of flavonoids from semen cuscutae on the hippocampal-hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian sex hormone receptors in female rats exposed to psychological stress. Flavonoids from dodder seed are an effective medicine in the treatment of ovarian endocrine dysfunction in psychologically stressed rats.

Fertility and reproduction
Effects of flavonoids from Dodder seed on the reproductive system in male rats.
Asian J Androl. 2000.
To evaluate the effects of the flavonoids extracted from dodder seed on the reproductive and endocrine functions in male rats. Effect of dodder seed extract on the reproductive organs was assessed in immature rats. Dodder seed extract  increased the weights of testis, epididymis and pituitary gland, and stimulated testosterone and luteinizing secretion both in vitro and in immature rats. Dodder 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 dodder 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, dodder seed had best effect, Radix Morindae Officinalis was relatively poor. Dodder decoction is an effective promoting preparation for sperm motility and the membrane function stabilized. Therefore, Dodder seed may be beneficial in treating male sterility and may raise success rate in artificial insemination.

Dozens of herbs from a number or raw material suppliers, have aphrodisiac properties without serious adverse reactions including Epimedium Extract.They can increase libido and sexual thoughts. In recent years science has made breakthroughs in the understanding of sexual dysfunction. But, for hundreds of years, civilizations around the world have known about locally grown aphrodisiac herbs that achieve wonderful results with far fewer side effects than prescription drugs. These Natural Sex Boosters, and exotic herbs from the Amazon jungle, India, China, Malaysia, and Africa, provide a natural solution for those seeking an alternative to synthetic drugs. The potent herbal extracts include: Ashwagandha, Aspallum purificata, Catuaba, Cnidium, Coleus forskohlii, Damiana, Dodder or cuscuta seed extract, Horny goat weed, maca, Mucuna pruriens, Muira puama, passion flower, Pfaffia paniculata, Rehmannia, rhodiola, Tongkat Ali and Thribulus and also yohimbe.

Kidney function
Am J Chin Med. 2011. Effect of Cuscuta chinensis on renal function in ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute renal failure rats. The kidneys play a central role in regulating water, ion composition and excretion of metabolic waste products in the urine. Cuscuta chinensis has been known as an important traditional Oriental medicine for the treatment of liver and kidney disorders. Thus, we studied whether an aqueous extract of dodder seeds has an effect on renal function parameters in ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute renal failure (ARF) rats. Administration of 250 mg/kg/day ACC showed that renal functional parameters including urinary excretion rate, osmolality, Na(+), K(+), Cl(-), creatinine clearance, solute-free water reabsorption were significantly recovered in ischemia/reperfusion-induced ARF. Periodic acid Schiff staining showed that administration of ACC improved tubular damage in ischemia/reperfusion-induced ARF. In immunoblot and immunohistological examinations, ischemia/reperfusion-induced ARF decreased the expressions of water channel AQP 2, 3 and sodium potassium pump Na,K-ATPase in the renal medulla. However, administration of dodder seed extract markedly incremented AQP 2, 3 and Na,K-ATPase expressions. Therefore, these data indicate that administration of dodder seed extract ameliorates regulation of the urine concentration and renal functions in rats with ischemia/reperfusion-induced ARF.

Questions
Q. Hi, I was doing a search on yahoo and came across a website called Penis Review. This website was claiming that VigRx is a number one pick. Can you tell me more about VigRx.
   A. 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 unfair comparisons include stamazide, zenerx, and another product that seems to be made by the same company as Vigrx, vigorelle.

Q. Does dodder seed help with erectile dysfunction?
   A. We have not seen any studies regarding the connection between dodder seed and impotence.