Fructus Rubi (Fupenzi)

Naming
Fu Pen Zi (Fructus Rubi)-Ming Yi Bie Lu (Miscellaneous Records of Famous physicians)

Origin
The unripe fruit of the perennial woody plant Rubus chingii Hu. of the family Rosaceae.

Location
Zhejiang and Fujian provinces in China.

Harvest
The green fruit plucked in early summer. Dipped in boiling water and sun-dried.

The actual smell and taste
Sweet smell and slightly sour.

Best quality
Whole, full, green-yellow and sour.

Processing
Unprocessed.

Property
Sweet, sour, slightly warm; liver and kidney meridians entered.

Actions
Secure essence and reduce urination, tonify liver and kidney, improve vision.

Indications
A. Seminal Emission, spermatorrhea, enuresis, frequent urination

It mainly enters liver and kidney meridians, therefore, it can tonify kidney yang, and also secure essence and reduce urination. For impotence and seminal emission due to kidney deficiency, it could be smashed into powder and applied singly. For seminal emission, spermatorrhea, impotence and sterility due to kidney deficiency, it is combined with kidney tonics and essence-securing herbs. For instance, it is used with Fructus Lycii (Gouqizi), Semen Cuscutae (Tusizi), Fructus Schisandrae (Wuweizi), in the formula Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan from Dan Xi Xin Fa. For enuresis, frequent urination due to kidney deficiency and insecurity of bladder, it is combined with herbs to tonify kidney and reduce urination. For instance, it is used with Sang Piao Xiao, Fructus Alpiniae Oxyphyllae (Yizhiren), Fructus Psoraleae (Buguzhi).

B. Liver and kidney deficiency, dim and poor vision

It can improve vision through tonifying liver and kidney. For dim and poor vision due to liver and kidney deficiency, it could be applied singly for a long term, or combined with herbs of tonifying liver and kidney, improving vision. For instance, it is used with Gou Qi Zi, Sang Shen Zi and Tu Si Zi.

Dosage and Administrations
Decoct 5~10 g, it also can be prepared for medicated wine or decoction plaster.