Fu Pen zi: A Premier Herb for Male Sexual Well Being

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.