In the remote desert in Xinjiang and Inner Mongolian Provinces, scatter some plants, no leaves but beautiful pink or violet flowers. In the soil underneath, a white succulent bulb covered with scales is the fleshy stem. It is herb Cistanche, a miraculous and valuable traditional Chinese medicinal herb.

    Herb Cistanche has no root, no leaf, no chlorophyll and living on parasitism. Different species of herb Cistanche take different plants as host. Cistanche tubulosa, also called South Xinjiang Cistanche, grows in the southern side of Tianshan Mountains, and parasitizes on Tamarix plant . Herb Cistanche, named the Ginseng in desert, is one of the most important tonic herbs prescribed by Chinese traditional doctor.