Fu Pen Zi is one of the major constituent herbs of Nature Rising. It is considered one of the most precise herbs for boosting libido and reducing premature ejaculation among other issues. Fu Pen Zi, the dried fruit of Rubus Chingii, is a species of raspberry native to China. Fu Pen Zi is grown mainly in the Zhejiang, Fujian, Hubei and Guizhou provinces of  China and is collected and dried in early summer. The berries are traditionally prepared by dipping them in boiling hot water and then drying them in the sun.

Rubus has been historically used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as part of formulas to restore and regenerate the body’s vital energy.  It is also used in TCM in combination with other herbs for very specific purposes including seminal emissions, infertility and impotence. Fu Pen Zi is used for these purposes because of its effects along the kidney/liver energy meridian. Fu Pen Zi is said to be ‘warming and toning’ to the kidney vital force.  Through its ability to enhance the kidney vital essence and its slightly astringent properties, Fu Pen Zi is often used in combination with Lycii and Cornus  for  premature ejaculation and seminal emissions in TCM. Modern scientific research has found that Fu Pen Zi is rich in citric acid (Vitamin C), Beta Sitosterol, and Ellagic acid.[i] Research in animals indicates that Fu Pen Zi has activities on the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Gonad axis. In rats, water- soluble extract of Fu Pen Zi was found to have decreased LHRH (luteinizing hormone releasing hormone) levels in the hypothalamus, LH (luteinizing hormone) and FSH (follicle -stimulating hormone) levels in the pituitary gland, and E₂ levels (estradiol) in the gonad and blood plasma of rats.[ii] Additional animal studies in rats have found that Fu Pen Zi extract has promoted the activity of steroid synthesizing enzymes and inhibits their degradation. The consequence of the Fu Pen Zi activity was that more testosterone was synthesized and blood testosterone levels were enhanced in the tested rats.[iii]The potential effect along the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Gonadal axis in humans is particularly significant given that these individual glands working cooperatively have an important role to play in male sexual hormone development specifically and sexual health in general. We hope to be able to report additional research on Fu Pen Zi in the near future.

The Foundation of Sexual Energy and Vitality

The basis of a strong sexual libido (sex drive) in Traditional Chinese Medicine is an abundant life energy called ‘Jing’ or ‘Ching’. Jing energy is the fundamental life force also known as ‘Essence’ and is basis of all good health. Jing energy is both inherited from our parents and also revitalized through the food we eat and air we breathe. Jing is stored in the kidneys and kidney meridian energy system. It is said in Chinese medicine that the kidneys are the gate of life. Therefore a strong sexual force can only be maintained through conservation and cultivation of Jing energy. The contradiction of this for a man is that Jing energy is lost through the aging process, stress and most abundantly through ejaculation. Ejaculation leads to a direct loss of a man’s life force. This is why many men feel tired after sex even if intercourse lasts only a few minutes. So the first step in recovering sexual potency is the revitalization of the kidney energy.

Kidney Yin and Yang: The Basis For Male Sexual Libido

Restoring Jing/Essence is done through nourishing Kidney Yin energy. Many people have heard of the duality of energy known as Yin and Yang. A fundamental tenent of TCM is the balancing of the body’s energetic forces called Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang energies are two distinct components of an integrated whole of energy. Yin and Yang energies are opposing yet interdependent forces active in the body. Yin and Yang energies interact rhythmically through cycles where one force may be predominant while the other is in recession. However, no permanent state of imbalance of forces should ever be achieved, as the cycle must repeat itself. This rhythm and cyclical of interaction of Yin and Yang forces is a metaphor of a larger cycle of forces at play throughout Nature and the Universe itself. Therefore, the human body is but a microcosm of the larger order.

On its most basic level Yin may be understood as the part of the energetic cycle wherein energy is being accumulated, assimilated and stored, while Yang can be thought of as the part of the cycle in which active expression or manifestation is taking place. Thus Yin can be thought of as being water (receptivity, ‘feminine,’ quiet, passive) and Yang as Fire (activity, ‘male’ and movement). While these forces are in direct opposition, they cannot exist in and of themselves. They are dependent on the other for existence.

As stated earlier a man loses his Kidney Yin or life force through excessive ejaculation. Ejaculation weakens the Kidney Yin energy. Excessive ejaculation coupled with aging will severely diminish this force and open the door to the dreaded premature ejaculation. Kidney yin energy is responsible for a man’s ability to maintain an erection. Therefore if he is weakened through excess sex a man must enhance his life force/kidney yin in order to stay hard and stop premature ejaculation. There are a number of Chinese tonic herbs which nourish kidney yin energy and are known to promote male sexual energy. These herbs have a known safety profile and have been a part of the traditional Chinese materia medica for thousands of years. Chinese tonic herbs that nurture kidney yin include Rehmannia, Lycii Fruit, and Cornus Fruit.

So the old phrase “Behind every strong man there is a good woman” is actually true. Without a strong Kidney yin energy, a man is a sexual weakling!