Search in medicinals
Rubus [berry]
覆盆子 〔覆盆子〕fù pén zǐ
Latin pharmacognostic name: Rubi Fructus
Alternate English names: Chinese raspberry
Alternate Chinese names: 小托盘 xiǎo tuō pán; 覆盆 fù pén; 乌藨子 wū biāo zǐ; 竻藨子 lè biāo zǐ
Kingdom: Plant
Origin in PRC Pharmacopoeia: Rubus chingii Hu. (PRC Pharmacopoeia)
Origin (other sources): Rubus chingii Hu*; Rubus coreanus Miq.
Use: Medicinal
Category: Astringing agents / Intestine-astringing diarrhea-checking agents
Properties: Sweet, sour; slightly warm.
Channel entry: Liver and kidney channels.
Indications:
- Boosts the kidney, secures essence, reduces urination: Insecurity of kidney qì, manifesting in seminal emission, seminal efflux, enuresis, or frequent urination.
- Brightens the eyes: Dim vision due to liver and kidney vacuity.
Dosage & Method: Oral: 5–10g in decoctions.
Warnings: Use fù pén zǐ with care in when treating short rough urinary voidings due to kidney vacuity with fire.
Product Description: This unripened aggregate fruit is spheroid or spherical shape, 4–9 cm in diameter and 5–12 cm high. It is truncated at the bottom with a five-lobed brown involucre covered with brown hairs. The fruit stalk is often attached and is easily removed. The little fruits are densely covered with grayish-white hairs on their dorsal surface and have reticular markings on the inner surface.
Quality: Large, firm, unbroken, green-gray fruits without petioles are the best.
Product Area: Zhèjiāng, Húběi.
Etymology: The name fù pén zǐ 覆盆子, interpreted either as upturned pot seed
or as cover-the-pot seed.
The first interpretation is descriptive of the form, while the second hints at the action of reducing urine (no longer having to use the chamber pot).