Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan (五子衍宗丸) — Five-Seed Lineage Pill
Quick answer: Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan is the classical Ming-dynasty Chinese herbal formula for male fertility[21]. Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan combines five seed-herbs (Gou Qi Zi, Tu Si Zi, Fu Pen Zi, Wu Wei Zi and Che Qian Zi) to tonify Kidney essence (Jing) and Yang, treating low sperm count, poor sperm motility, poor morphology, low libido, erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation arising from Kidney essence deficiency.
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What is Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan?
Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan — literally "Five-Seed Lineage-Continuing Pill" — is a Ming-dynasty Chinese herbal formula made from five seed-herbs that tonify Kidney essence and Yang to support male fertility.
Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan (“Five-Seed Lineage-Continuing Pill”) is the classical Chinese formula for male fertility. Its name reflects its purpose: five seed-herbs to support the continuation of the family lineage. Dating to the Ming Dynasty, the formula tonifies Kidney essence and Yang while gently nourishing Yin, addressing the underlying TCM patterns most commonly responsible for low sperm count, poor motility and morphology, impotence and low libido. Modern research demonstrates improvements in sperm parameters in oligozoospermic and asthenozoospermic patients.
What TCM pattern does Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan treat?
Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan treats Kidney essence (Jing) deficiency with mild Kidney Yang and Yin deficiency — the pattern responsible for most cases of male sub-fertility and Kidney-deficient sexual dysfunction.
Prescribed for Kidney essence deficiency with mild Kidney Yang and Yin deficiency, characterised by (in men): low sperm count, poor sperm motility, low libido, premature ejaculation, lumbar soreness, fatigue[9], dizziness[22], tinnitus, and a thin or weak pulse. Also used in women for fertility support where Kidney essence deficiency predominates.
What seeds are in Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan?
Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan contains five seed-herbs: Gou Qi Zi (lycium fruit), Tu Si Zi (cuscuta seed), Fu Pen Zi (Chinese raspberry), Wu Wei Zi (schisandra) and Che Qian Zi (plantago seed) — four tonify the Kidney while Che Qian Zi balances the formula by draining damp.
Gou Qi Zi (Lycium fruit, 5-18g)
nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin, brightens the eyes
Tu Si Zi (Cuscuta seed, 6-18g)
tonifies Yang, nourishes essence, secures the Kidney
Fu Pen Zi (Chinese raspberry, 2-12g)
tonifies Kidney essence, secures the Kidney
Wu Wei Zi (schisandra, 1.5-9g)
secures the Kidney essence; calms the Shen
Che Qian Zi (plantago seed, 4-15g)
balances the formula by leaching out Damp
What does Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan do?
Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan tonifies Kidney essence (Jing), tonifies Kidney Yang and Yin in balance, and secures the Kidney essence — supporting sperm production, sperm maturation, libido and ejaculatory function.
- Tonifies Kidney essence (Jing)
- Tonifies Kidney Yang and Yin in balance
- Secures the Kidney essence
What conditions does Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan treat?
Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan is the leading Chinese herbal formula for male sub-fertility, used to treat low sperm count (oligozoospermia), poor sperm motility (asthenozoospermia), poor morphology (teratozoospermia), erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and low libido in men.
- Male fertility — oligozoospermia (low sperm count), asthenozoospermia (poor motility), teratozoospermia (poor morphology)
- Erectile dysfunction and impotence from Kidney essence deficiency
- Premature ejaculation
- Low libido in men and women
- Female fertility support where Kidney essence deficiency predominates
- Recurrent miscarriage[15] from Kidney essence deficiency
Are there any cautions with Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan?
Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan is contraindicated in Damp-Heat patterns and acute infections, and requires sleep, exercise and alcohol reduction alongside it for results in male fertility.
Use cautiously in Damp-Heat patterns and acute infections. Combined dietary and lifestyle changes (sleep, exercise, alcohol reduction) are essential for results in male fertility. Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM. Online herbal consultations are available.
Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide. After a full video consultation, Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto formulates a bespoke herbal prescription and posts your Chinese herbs directly to your door.
References
[9] Wang YY, Li XX, Liu JP, Luo H, Ma LX, Alraek T. Traditional Chinese medicine for chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Complement Ther Med. 2014 Aug;22(4):826-33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2014.06.004. PMID: 25146086.
[15] Xie H, Zhang A, Mou X, He T, Li J, Wang CC, Fan X, Li L. Chinese herbal medicine for threatened miscarriage: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Pharmacol. 2023 Feb 14;14:1083746. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2023.1083746. PMID: 36865912.
[21] Ried K. Chinese herbal medicine for female infertility: an updated meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med. 2015 Feb;23(1):116-28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2014.12.004. PMID: 25637159.
[22] Guo Z, Su Z, Wang Z, Luo X, Lai R. The effect of Chinese herbal medicine Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction for the treatment of vertebrobasilar insufficiency vertigo: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Complement Ther Med. 2017 Apr;31:27-38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2017.01.004. PMID: 28434468.
What is Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan used for?
Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan (Five Seeds for Robust Descendants) is the principal Chinese herbal formula for male factor infertility — particularly low sperm count, poor sperm motility, and sperm DNA fragmentation. The formula combines five seed-medicines (Gou Qi Zi, Tu Si Zi, Fu Pen Zi, Wu Wei Zi, Che Qian Zi) that together tonify Kidney Jing and Yang, the TCM foundation of male reproductive function. It is also used for impotence and premature ejaculation on the Kidney-deficient pattern.
How long does Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan take to improve sperm parameters?
Sperm production takes 74–90 days from spermatogonia to mature sperm, so 3 months is the minimum meaningful treatment window. Most clinical trials show semen parameter improvement (count, motility, morphology, DNA fragmentation) at the 3-month assessment, with continued improvement at 6 months. Treatment continues for at least 3–6 months at intensive dose, with maintenance dose if needed thereafter.
Can Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan help female fertility too?
Yes — despite the name (literally ‘Five Seeds for Robust Descendants’), Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan is also used in female fertility for Kidney-deficient picture: low AMH, diminished ovarian reserve, perimenopausal infertility. In women the formula is often modified with additional Yin-nourishing herbs (Shu Di Huang, Bai Shao) and Blood-tonifying herbs (Dang Gui). The Kidney-Jing tonification benefits both male and female reproductive function.
Does Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan interact with Clomid or other fertility medication?
No clinically significant pharmacokinetic interactions have been reported between Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan and Clomid, Letrozole, or IVF stimulation medications. The formula is widely used alongside conventional fertility treatment in TCM clinical practice. The Yang-tonifying action may complement ovulation induction. Always disclose all herbs to your reproductive endocrinology team for coordinated care.
Is Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan safe during early pregnancy?
The formula is typically stopped at positive pregnancy test and replaced with pregnancy-safe formulas like Tai Shan Pan Shi San for first-trimester support. Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan is pre-conception focused and not specifically tested for safety during pregnancy itself; the conservative approach is to discontinue at pregnancy and restart only post-partum if needed.
