Cistanche is a parasitic desert plant long revered in traditional Chinese medicine for its energizing and restorative properties. Often referred to as the "ginseng of the desert," it has been used for centuries to support vitality, stamina, and longevity. Cistanche is particularly prized for its ability to nourish the kidneys and promote healthy aging, as well as for its reputed effects on libido and physical performance. Our CistaMAX formulation builds on this ancient wisdom by using a potent, standardized extract designed to deliver consistent and powerful results—honoring the plant’s traditional use while bringing it into the modern era with precision and quality.

Shilajit is a mineral-rich resin that oozes from high-altitude rocks in the Himalayas, and it has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for millennia to support strength, recovery, and overall vitality. PrimaVie® is a high-purity, clinically studied form of Shilajit that delivers fulvic acid and over 40 trace minerals in a bioactive matrix. Traditionally believed to be a rejuvenator or “rasayana,” Shilajit is thought to promote mitochondrial energy production and endocrine function—key reasons it's included in CistaMAX as a foundational adaptogenic and metabolic enhancer.

Pregnenolone is a naturally occurring neurosteroid and the primary precursor—or “mother hormone”—for a wide range of other steroid hormones, including DHEA, progesterone, and testosterone. One of the most interesting sources of its synthesis is diosgenin, a plant compound found in Dioscorea nipponica (a species of wild yam). Diosgenin has historically been used in the commercial synthesis of pregnenolone, cortisone, and progesterone due to its structural similarity to human steroid hormones. In CistaMAX, we use a micronized form of pregnenolone for enhanced bioavailability, supporting hormonal balance, cognitive function, and mood, while staying rooted in the botanical origins that helped pave the way for modern steroid research.

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a key adrenal hormone and steroid precursor involved in the production of both androgens and estrogens. As with pregnenolone, the compound diosgenin—naturally found in Dioscorea nipponica—has played a foundational role in the commercial synthesis of DHEA and related steroid hormones. Diosgenin’s plant-based structure allows for its transformation into bioidentical hormones through lab-based processes, bridging nature and science. In the context of CistaMAX, DHEA complements pregnenolone by helping to restore youthful hormone levels, supporting energy, libido, mental clarity, and overall metabolic resilience.