Our study demonstrated Cistanches Herba could improve cognitive abilities in AD and slow down patient's hippocampus atrophy, suppress the expressions of T-tau, TNF-α, and IL-1β in CSF of AD patients as the similar efficacy as Donepezil, but Cistanches Herba was much cheaper and easier to get, so it might be a kind of accessible substitute for Donepezil, especially in China or other developing countries. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is Alzheimer disease.