Vital Essence™

TCM herbal formula for male infertility and reproductive disorders — regulates sex organs and hormone production; antiaging and adaptogenic; tonifies Kidney yin and Liver blood; replenishes Kidney jing (essence); revitalizes Kidney yang and ming men (life-gate) fire

⚠️ Does not offer protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Many drugs impair healthy sperm — including anabolic steroids, corticosteroids, androgens, estrogens, aspirin, opioid analgesics, cimetidine, methotrexate, spirolactone, and sulfasalazine — consult physician about substitution or discontinuation. Contains Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) — patients on anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapies such as Coumadin (warfarin) should use with caution or not at all. Contains Zhi He Shou Wu (Radix Polygoni Multiflori Praeparata) — do not use in patients with pre-existing or risk factors of liver disease.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Male infertility

* Male sexual and reproductive disorders: low sperm count, poor sperm motility, mobility and morphology, premature ejaculation, and spermatorrhea

Background: Infertility is the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse. Causes include sperm disorder (35%), decreased ovarian reserve or ovulatory dysfunction (20%), tubal dysfunction and pelvic lesions (30%), abnormal cervical mucus (5%), and unidentified causes (10%). Sperm disorders refer to defects in quality or quantity of sperm caused by endocrine disorders, genetic disorders, and drugs and toxins (anabolic steroids, corticosteroids, androgens, estrogens, aspirin, opioids, alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, and others). As men age, sperm density and testosterone levels decrease while estradiol and estrone levels increase — herbs must regulate the endocrine system, balance hormones, and promote blood circulation. There is no drug treatment for male infertility — those with sperm disorders are usually treated with artificial insemination, with no pharmaceutical options to increase sperm quantity or quality.

TCM differentiation: Tonifying Kidney yin boosts sperm count. Warming Kidney yang increases sperm mobility and motility. Replenishing Kidney jing (essence) improves sperm morphology. Vital Essence addresses all three simultaneously through four functional herb groups: (1) tonify Kidney yin and Liver blood; (2) vitalize Kidney yang; (3) replenish Kidney jing; (4) support circulation and prevent stagnation.

Clinical notes: Vitality and Vital Essence are two formulas frequently combined together — Vitality tonifies Kidney yang to treat sexual dysfunction; Vital Essence replenishes Kidney yin and jing to treat reproductive disorders; together they complement and enhance each other's clinical success. Semen analysis is extremely important — parameters include ejaculate volume, viscosity, appearance, pH, sperm count, motility, and morphology. Fructose less than 120 mg/dL is indicative of ejaculatory duct obstruction or agenesis of seminal vesicles. Patients should re-test and compare results after 2–3 months of herbal therapy. Hormonal analysis is also important — testosterone level studies are indicated for patients with loss of libido and possible hypogonadotropic abnormality; normal FSH at baseline correlates with improvement in semen parameters. Testicular volume estimation should be performed for impaired spermatogenic function or oligospermia.

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Yin Yang Huo (Herba Epimedii / Epimedium / Horny Goat Weed): increases production and release of testosterone; stimulates sensory nerves; increases sexual desire and activity; increases sperm production; 95.3% rate of effectiveness in 129 males with poor sperm count (formula including Yin Yang Huo, Zhi He Shou Wu, Huang Jing, Huang Qi, Gou Qi Zi, Tu Si Zi, Zi He Che)

— Fu Pen Zi (Fructus Rubi / Chinese Raspberry / Rubus): increases production and release of testosterone via hypothalamus-pituitary-sex gland axis; essential Kidney jing tonic for male infertility

— Xian Mao (Rhizoma Curculiginis / Curculigo / Golden Eye-Grass): stimulates reproductive system — increases weight of testicles; aphrodisiac — increases penile erection, mating performance, mount frequency, mount latency, and ejaculation frequency

— Jiu Cai Zi (Semen Allii Tuberosi / Chinese Chive Seed / Allium Tuberosum): aphrodisiac — increases penile erection, mating performance, mount frequency, mount latency, and ejaculation frequency; vitalizes Kidney yang

— Gou Qi Zi (Fructus Lycii / Goji Berry / Wolfberry / Lycium): tonifies Kidney yin and Liver blood; clinical study — fresh Gou Qi Zi formula effectively increased sperm count and improved sperm motility; of 42 patients, 33 successfully conceived children

— Zhi He Shou Wu (Radix Polygoni Multiflori Praeparata / Prepared Fo-Ti / Prepared Polygonum): essential Kidney jing tonic for male infertility; antiaging — marked effect to improve general health and increase life expectancy; 95.3% rate of effectiveness in 129 males (formula); Note: prepared (Zhi) form only — the unprepared Sheng Shou Wu is a stimulant laxative with risk of liver disorder; preparation with Hei Dou (Semen Sojae) through repeated blending, cooking, and drying causes Maillard reaction (generating new compounds) and significantly changes chemical composition, eliminating adverse reactions of the unprepared root; do not use in patients with pre-existing or risk factors of liver disease

— Tu Si Zi (Semen Cuscutae / Cuscuta / Dodder Seed): Kidney jing tonic; adaptogenic — improves both mental and physical health; addresses underlying deficiencies associated with infertility

— Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis / Angelica Sinensis / Dong Quai): tonifies Kidney yin and Liver blood; angiogenesis — promotes blood vessel formation; improves overall blood circulation by decreasing whole blood specific viscosity and improving hemorrheological changes associated with blood stagnation

— Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong / Chuanxiong / Ligusticum): moves blood; prevents tonic herbs from creating stagnation; increases blood perfusion; inhibits thrombus formation and platelet aggregation

— Shu Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata / Prepared Rehmannia): tonifies Kidney yin and Liver blood; replenishes the foundation of the Kidney

— Huang Qi (Radix Astragali / Astragalus): tonifies zhong (central) qi; enhances energy; 95.3% effectiveness formula ingredient

— Wu Wei Zi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis / Schisandra / Five-Flavor Berry): astringent — prevents further leakage of jing (essence)

— Fu Ling (Poria): eliminates dampness; offsets cloying properties of yin and jing tonics; strengthens Spleen to ensure maximum absorption of Kidney tonics

— Che Qian Zi (Semen Plantaginis / Plantago Seed): eliminates dampness; ensures absence of blockage in the lower jiao

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Testosterone regulation / sperm production — Yin Yang Huo (testosterone↑, sperm production↑, sensory nerves↑); Fu Pen Zi (testosterone↑, hypothalamus-pituitary-sex gland axis); Xian Mao (testicular weight↑, reproductive system stimulation)

* Aphrodisiac — Jiu Cai Zi + Xian Mao (penile erection↑, mating performance↑, mount frequency↑, ejaculation frequency↑)

* Sperm count / motility — Gou Qi Zi (42 patients, 33 conceived); Yin Yang Huo + Zhi He Shou Wu formula (95.3% effective, 129 males)

* Blood circulation / angiogenesis — Dang Gui (angiogenesis, blood viscosity↓, hemorrheology); Chuan Xiong (blood perfusion↑, thrombus↓, platelet aggregation↓)

* Antiaging / adaptogenic — Zhi He Shou Wu (general health↑, life expectancy↑); Tu Si Zi (mental and physical health, adaptogenic)

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Tonifies Kidney yin and Liver blood (Gou Qi Zi, Shu Di Huang, Dang Gui)

* Replenishes Kidney jing (essence) — improves sperm morphology (Fu Pen Zi, Zhi He Shou Wu, Wu Wei Zi)

* Revitalizes Kidney yang and ming men fire — improves sperm mobility and motility (Jiu Cai Zi, Tu Si Zi, Xian Mao, Yin Yang Huo)

* Tonifies zhong qi; enhances energy (Huang Qi)

* Moves blood; prevents stagnation (Chuan Xiong, Dang Gui)

* Eliminates dampness; offsets cloying tonics; strengthens Spleen (Fu Ling, Che Qian Zi)

DOSAGE

Standard: 3–4 capsules three times daily. Dosage may be increased to 6–8 capsules three times daily. For optimal results, take continuously for 2–3 months, or until successful pregnancy of partner. Reduce sexual activity to once weekly while taking herbs until sperm lab report is normal.

Supplementary formulas: Impotence, erectile dysfunction, or low libido — add Vitality. Decreased sperm motility or mobility — add Kidney Tonic (Yang). Low sperm count — add Kidney Tonic (Yin). Premature ejaculation or spermatorrhea — add Vitality and Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan (Metal Lock Pill to Stabilize the Essence). Stress and anxiety — add Calm or Calm (ES). IVF / in vitro fertilization — add Polygonum 14 to improve sperm quality. Difficulty in ejaculation — add Wei Ling Xian (Radix et Rhizoma Clematidis) and Shi Chang Pu (Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii) with Resolve (Lower). Thick or condensed semen from Kidney deficiency fire — add Nourish. Prostatitis — add P-Support. Varicocele — add Resolve (Lower) and P-Support.

Nutrition: Eat more clams, oysters, sea cucumbers, and lamb. Selenium 200–400 mcg daily — deficiency associated with reduced sperm count and sterility. Vitamin C and bioflavonoids 2,000–6,000 mg daily — important for sperm production. Vitamin E 200–400 IU daily — helps balance hormone production. Zinc 80 mg daily — important for normal functioning of reproductive organs. Avoid alcohol, coffee, and cigarette smoking. Avoid excessive use of echinacea, ginkgo biloba, and St. John's Wort — associated with infertility. Tao of Nutrition (Dr. Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease): eat 3 quail eggs before bedtime daily for one month.

Lifestyle: Avoid excessive sexual intercourse or ejaculation — reduce to once weekly while taking herbs until sperm lab report is normal. Avoid certain artificial lubricants and saliva, which may have a negative effect on spermatozoa. Avoid alcohol (reduces sperm count). Avoid smoking cigarettes and marijuana and exposure to secondhand smoke (impairs sperm production). Avoid stress as much as possible.

Related Reading

Also see: Vitality – for erectile dysfunction, impotence, and low libido (frequently combined with Vital Essence) | Kidney Tonic (Yang) – for decreased sperm motility | Kidney Tonic (Yin) – for low sperm count | Polygonum 14 – for IVF sperm quality improvement | P-Support – for prostatitis and varicocele | Resolve (Lower) – for varicocele and ejaculation difficulty | Nourish – for thick or condensed semen from Kidney deficiency fire | Men's Health & Vitality Collection.