Palmleaf Raspberry Fruit (Rubus Chingii Hu)

Palmleaf Raspberry Fruit (fu pen zi, 覆盆子), also known as Rubus Chingii Hu, is a sub-species of Golden Leaf Raspberry. Native to China, it is very similar in appearance to the traditional Raspberry plant, often reaching a height of up to seven feet, with green, spade-shaped leaves and thin, brown stems. Palmleaf Raspberry Fruits are small, and their colour range from reddish-yellow to pale-brown. Cone-shaped with a hard texture, Palmleaf Raspberry Fruit is used in herbal preparations after being cleaned and dried.

In China, Palmleaf Raspberry Fruit is plucked in early Summer, dipped in boiling water and Sun-dried before being used medicinally. The best quality Palmleaf Raspberry Fruit is whole, green-yellow and sour.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Palmleaf Raspberry Fruit falls under the category of ‘Herbs that stabilize and bind’. Such herbs are used to treat symptoms of abnormal discharges and the displacement of organs, such as diarrhoea, heavy sweating, discharges from the vagina, penis or rectum, as well as prolapse of the uterus or rectum.

Warm in nature, Palmleaf Raspberry Fruit can help individuals who have too much Cold in their body, such as those experiencing a Yin Excess or a Yang Deficiency, to restore a healthy yin-yang balance in the human body. Sour and sweet, the herb can aid digestion, restrain abnormal discharges of body fluids, slow down acute reactions, detoxify the body, and has a tonic effect on the body by replenishing qi and blood. In particular, the herb targets the bladder and the Kidneys.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) shows that Palmleaf Raspberry Fruit has the following health benefits.

Palmleaf Raspberry Fruit can secure essence and reduce urination by tonifying Kidney yang. It can address impotence, premature ejaculation, urinary incontinence, seminal emission, enuresis and frequent urination. It may help to improve sperm health too.

Through tonifying the Liver and Kidneys, Palmleaf Raspberry Fruit can also improve vision, For dim and poor vision caused by Liver and Kidney Deficiency, the herb can be used alone for a long period of time, or combined with other Liver or Kidney-tonifying herbs for consumption. In addition, the herb can address back pain and soreness as well.

Studies have also indicated that Palmleaf Raspberry Fruit may contain estrogen-like effects. Palmleaf Raspberry Fruit may be able to protect your heart by maintaining the health of your cardiovascular tissue and keeping your blood pressure stable. With high levels of oestrogen, your body can help to keep blood triglycerides low, increase HDL cholesterol and lower LDL cholesterol.

Palmleaf Raspberry Fruit may also protect your brain by maintaining a proper blood flow in your body. It can protect against inflammation, improve memory, increase focus and fine motor skills. The herb may also be able to improve muscle mass and bone density to protect against osteoporosis. In addition, Palmleaf Raspberry Fruit may help to boost your mood by preventing mood swings, regulating serotonin levels and encouraging nerve growth.

Palmleaf Raspberry Fruit is available in a variety of forms. In addition to dried Palmleaf Raspberry Fruit, it is also available as pills, powders, extracts and decoctions. They are usually available in Asian markets and herbal shops.

The recommended daily dosage of Palmleaf Raspberry Fruit is 5 – 10g, when decocted, prepared for medicated wine or decoction plaster. For Palmleaf Raspberry Fruit in the form of extracts, the recommended dosage is a 5:1 concentrate, at a rate of 1-2g per day.

Palmleaf Raspberry Fruit should not be used by patients who are experiencing Yin Deficiency, scanty and dark urine, burning urination caused by Damp-Heat in the Lower Jiao, or frequent erections.

While there are no known side effects from high dosage or chronic use of Palmleaf Raspberry Fruit, it is best to consult your healthcare provider before deciding to add the herb to your healthcare routine.

Here is a summary for Palmleaf Raspberry Fruit (Rubus Chingii Hu):

• Herb name (Chinese): 覆盆子
• Herb name (Pin Yin): fù pén zǐ
• Herb name (English): Palmleaf Raspberry Fruit
• Herb name (Botanical): Fructus Rubi
• Origin of species: Rubus chingii Hu
• Part(s) of herb used: Fruit
• Geo-specific habitat(s): Zhejiang, Fujian
• Taste(s) & Properties: Sweet, sour; Slightly warm; Administrates the Kidney and Liver Meridians
• Actions: Eases symptoms of erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, frequent urination and bed-wetting; Relieves eye discomforts

Huo, Y., Zhao, X., Zhao, J., Kong, X., Li, L., Yuan, T., & Xu, J. (2021). Hypoglycemic effects of Fu-Pen-Zi (Rubus chingii Hu) fruit extracts in streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic mice. Journal of Functional Foods, 87, 104837. [Accessed on 23rd November 2022]

Sheng, J. Y., Si-Qi, W. A. N. G., Kao-Hua, L. I. U., Bo, Z. H. U., Zhang, Q. Y., Lu-Ping, Q. I. N., & Jian-Jun, W. U. (2020). Rubus chingii Hu: An overview of botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology. Chinese journal of natural medicines, 18(6), 401-416. [Accessed on 23rd November 2022]

Yu, G., Luo, Z., Wang, W., Li, Y., Zhou, Y., & Shi, Y. (2019). Rubus chingii Hu: a review of the phytochemistry and pharmacology. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 10, 799. [Accessed on 23rd November 2022]

Zhang, T. T., Yang, L., & Jiang, J. G. (2015). Bioactive comparison of main components from unripe fruits of Rubus chingii Hu and identification of the effective component. Food & function, 6(7), 2205-2214. [Accessed on 23rd November 2022]