Poria
Aliases：Futu、Songyu、Bumian (Immortal Noodle/Everlasting Flour)、Songshu、Songling、Songmushu
Fuling (Poria) is a commonly used Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried sclerotium of the fungus Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf (family Polyporaceae). Specimens produced in Yunnan Province are known as “Yun Ling” and are considered to be of superior quality.
Efficacy & Actions
promote diuresis and drain dampness, fortify the spleen, calm the heart
Indications
It is mainly used for edema, phlegm-fluid retention (phlegm rheum), diarrhea due to Spleen deficiency, palpitations, insomnia, and other conditions.
Modern Pharmacology
11. Effects on the Digestive System Poria exerts a direct relaxant effect on isolated rabbit intestinal strips. In a rat model of gastric ulcer induced by pyloric ligation, Poria inhibits ulcer formation, reduces gastric juice secretion, and lowers free gastric acid content. Additionally, Poria protects against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats by significantly reducing serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and attenuating hepatocyte necrosis. 2. Effects on the Cardiovascular System Water, ethanol, and ether extracts of Poria increase myocardial contractility and heart rate in experimental animals in vitro. Poria substance (an active component) inhibits capillary permeability and enhances rubidium (Rb) uptake in the mouse myocardium. 3. Effects on the Central Nervous System Intraperitoneal injection of a decoction of Fushen (the portion of Poria sclerotium attached to pine root) significantly reduces spontaneous locomotor activity in mice and antagonizes caffeine-induced hyperexcitability. Intraperitoneal administration of Poria decoction synergistically potentiates the anesthetic effect of pentobarbital sodium in mice and also enhances the central inhibitory action of thiopental sodium. 4. Effects on the Urinary System An alcohol extract of Poria exhibits a notable diuretic effect. 5. Effects on Immune Function Oral administration of a decoction containing a Poria-based formula (e.g., Dangshen, Baizhu, and Fuling) significantly elevates the natural rosette formation rate and phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced lymphocyte transformation rate, while also markedly increasing serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels. These findings indicate that Poria promotes both cell-mediated and humoral immunity. 6. Other Effects Poria also demonstrates hypoglycemic, antitumor, antimicrobial, and hematopoietic activity, among other actions.
Ingredients
This product contains β-pachyman, accounting for approximately 93% of its dry weight, as well as pachymic acid, tumulosic acid, eburicoic acid, ergosterol, protein, fat, lecithin, adenine, and others.
Usage & Dosage
Internal use: 10–15 g in decoction; or used in pills or powders. For calming the Heart and soothing the mind, it is prepared with cinnabar (i.e., processed as “Zhu Fuling” – Poria coated with cinnabar).
Contraindications
1. Incompatibilities with other Chinese medicinals Mutually antagonistic (Evil): incompatible with Ampelopsis Radix (Bailian) Mutually fearful (Fear): should not be used together with Sanguisorbae Radix (Diyu), Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix (Qinjiao), Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum (Guijia), or Realgar (Xionghuang) Mutually enhancing (Envoy): Polyporus (Zhuling) serves as an envoy (guiding herb) to enhance its effects 2. Dietary incompatibilities Avoid vinegar and acidic foods Avoid scallion (green onion)
Selected Formulas
1 For edema and difficult urination due to internal retention of water-dampness: Often combined with Alismatis Rhizoma (Zexie), Polyporus (Zhuling), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu), and Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guizhi), as in Wuling San (Treatise on Cold Damage). 2 For edema due to Spleen-Kidney Yang deficiency: Can be combined with Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi) and Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Shengjiang), as in Zhenwu Tang (Treatise on Cold Damage). 3 For interplay of water and heat with Yin deficiency manifesting as difficult urination and edema: Combined with Talcum (Huashi), Asini Corii Colla (Ejiao), and Alismatis Rhizoma (Zexie), as in Zhuling Tang (Treatise on Cold Damage). 4 For phlegm-fluid retention with dizziness and palpitations: Combined with Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guizhi), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu), and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao), as in Linggui Zhugan Tang (Synopsis of the Golden Chamber). For fluid retention in the stomach with vomiting: Often combined with Pinelliae Rhizoma (Banxia) and Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Shengjiang), as in Xiao Banxia Jia Fuling Tang (Synopsis of the Golden Chamber). 5 For diarrhea due to Spleen deficiency with dampness retention: Combined with Dioscoreae Rhizoma (Shanyao), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu), and Coicis Semen (Yiyiren), as in Shenling Baizhu San (Peaceful Holy Benevolent Prescriptions). 6 For Spleen and Stomach weakness with fatigue, poor appetite, and loose stools: Combined with Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu), and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao), as in Sijunzi Tang (Peaceful Holy Benevolent Prescriptions). 7 For deficiency of both Heart and Spleen with insufficient Qi and Blood, manifesting as palpitations, insomnia, and poor memory: Often combined with Astragali Radix (Huangqi), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), and Polygalae Radix (Yuanzhi), as in Guipi Tang (Jisheng Fang). 8 For Heart Qi deficiency with failure to house the spirit (Shen), resulting in fright, fear, and restless sleep: Combined with Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), Draconis Dens (Longchi), and Polygalae Radix (Yuanzhi), as in Anshen Dingzhi Wan (Medical Insights).
Daily Consumption
I. Infusions and Decoctions 1. Simple Poria Water Take 10–15 g of Poria chunks or slices. Rinse, add 500 mL water, bring to a boil, then simmer for 15–20 minutes. Strain and drink as tea. Can be decocted twice. Helps promote urination, leach dampness, strengthen the spleen, and calm the mind. Suitable for edema, difficult urination, or spleen-deficiency loose stools. 2. Poria and Coix Seed Drink Ingredients: 15 g Poria, 30 g Coix seed (Yiyiren). Rinse and soak for 30 minutes, then boil and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain and drink. May add a little rock sugar. Enhances dampness-removing effect – ideal for heavy dampness, heavy limbs, sticky stools. 3. Poria and Chenpi Drink Ingredients: 15 g Poria, 5 g Chenpi (dried tangerine peel). Simmer together for 15 minutes and drink as tea. Regulates qi, harmonizes the stomach, resolves dampness, and strengthens the spleen – for poor appetite, abdominal distension, or phlegm. II. Congee (Rice Porridge) 1. Basic Poria Congee Ingredients: 15–30 g Poria powder (or crushed pieces), 100 g Japonica rice. Cook together with water until porridge forms. Add rock sugar or red dates to taste. Strengthens the spleen, leaches dampness, calms the mind – suitable for spleen-deficiency edema, loose stools, palpitations, insomnia. 2. Poria and Yam Congee Ingredients: 20 g Poria, 30 g yam (fresh or dried), 100 g Japonica rice. Peel and cut fresh yam. Crush Poria, then cook all ingredients together. Add brown sugar or honey. Tonifies spleen and kidney, boosts qi, nourishes yin – for spleen-kidney deficiency with poor appetite, fatigue, sore lower back and knees. 3. Poria and Lotus Seed Congee Ingredients: 15 g Poria, 30 g lotus seeds (de‑heart), 100 g Japonica rice, rock sugar to taste. Soak lotus seeds until soft. Cook everything into thick congee. Calms the heart, strengthens the spleen, stops diarrhea – for heart‑spleen deficiency with palpitations, insomnia, diarrhea. III. Soups and Stews 1. Poria Pork Rib Soup Ingredients: 20 g Poria, 300 g pork ribs, 3 ginger slices, salt. Blanch the ribs, then simmer with Poria and ginger for 1 hour. Season with salt. Strengthens the spleen, leaches dampness, tonifies deficiency – for spleen-deficiency with dampness and fatigue. 2. Poria Bone Dampness‑Removing Soup Ingredients: 30 g Poria, 30 g Coix seed, 30 g adzuki beans, 400 g pork bones, 5 g Chenpi, 2 honey dates. Soak Poria, Coix seed, and adzuki beans for 2 hours. Blanch bones. Simmer all ingredients for 2 hours. Removes dampness and strengthens the spleen – for heavy dampness, loose stools, heavy sensation in body and head. 3. Poria Silkie Chicken Soup Ingredients: 20 g Poria, 400 g silkie chicken, 5 red dates, 10 g goji berries, 3 ginger slices. Blanch chicken pieces. Simmer with Poria, dates, and ginger for 1.5 hours. Add goji berries in the last 10 minutes. Season with salt. Tonifies qi and blood, strengthens spleen, calms mind – for qi‑blood deficiency, restlessness, insomnia. 4. Four‑Spirit Soup (modified classic) Ingredients: 20 g Poria, 20 g yam, 20 g lotus seeds, 20 g Euryale seed (or Coix seed), pork stomach or ribs. Soak herbs for 30 minutes. Simmer with blanched pork stomach/ribs for 1.5–2 hours. Strengthens spleen, removes dampness, stops chronic diarrhea, calms mind – for spleen deficiency with dampness, poor digestion, chronic diarrhea, poor sleep. IV. Pastries and Baked Goods 1. Poria Cake (Beijing-style) Ingredients: 50 g Poria powder, 100 g glutinous rice flour, sugar to taste, milk or water. Mix powders and sugar, knead with warm milk/water into dough. Roll thin, pan‑fry or steam. Strengthens spleen, harmonizes stomach, leaches dampness, calms mind – as a daily snack. 2. Poria Steamed Bun Add 10–15 g Poria powder to 500 g flour, then prepare buns as usual. Helps strengthen spleen and boost qi – for long‑term use in spleen‑deficient individuals. 3. Poria Pudding Cake Ingredients: 30 g Poria powder, 150 g rice flour, 50 g glutinous rice flour, 30 g sugar, water. Mix dry ingredients, add sugar and water to form moist crumbs. Sift, steam for 20–25 minutes. Soft, light, sweet – strengthens spleen and leaches dampness. V. Other Methods 1. Poria Soybean Milk Add 10 g Poria powder to soaked soybeans before blending. Cook thoroughly. Enhances the spleen‑strengthening and dampness‑leaching effect of soy milk. 2. Poria Yogurt Stir 5 g Poria powder into plain yogurt, or add during yogurt fermentation. Helps improve gut health, strengthen spleen, calm mind. 3. Poria Boiled Eggs Ingredients: 20 g Poria, 2–3 eggs. Hard‑boil eggs, remove shells, then simmer with Poria in water for 20 minutes. Drink the liquid and eat the eggs. Strengthens spleen, leaches dampness, tonifies deficiency. Precautions Suitable for: Spleen deficiency with dampness, edema, difficult urination, palpitations, insomnia, loose stools. Avoid or use with caution in: Yin deficiency with fluid depletion (dry mouth, red tongue with little coating), deficient‑cold with spermatorrhea, sinking of qi. Pregnant women should use only under practitioner guidance. Daily dosage: 10–20 g of crude Poria in cooking; 3–10 g of Poria powder. Quality: Prefer dense, heavy pieces with brownish‑red outer skin, white fine interior, and sticky texture when chewed.
Medicinal Parts
Medicinal part of Poria: Dried sclerotium (fungal sclerotium). According to different processed specifications, it can be divided into: Poria (White Poria): The inner white part of the sclerotium. Promotes diuresis, drains dampness, fortifies the Spleen, and calms the Heart. Rubra Poria: The reddish part near the outer layer of the sclerotium. Tends to drain damp‑heat. Poria Cutis: The outer peel of the sclerotium. Promotes diuresis to reduce edema. Poria cum Radix Pini (Fushen): The sclerotium that surrounds a pine root. Calms the Heart and quiets the spirit.
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry container in a cool, dry place.