Source China Root is the scierotium of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf; (Fam. Polyporaceae.)
Producing Areas Hubei, Henan, Anhui, Shaanxi, Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan, etc.
Properties Sweet, Bland, Neutral
Channels Heart, Spleen, Kidney
ACTION
- Drains dampness and reduces swelling
Promotes diuresis, especially for edema of any etiology. - Promotes urination
For difficult urination and scanty urination due to dampness-heat. - Tonifies spleen-qi
Aids in treating loose stool, lethargy, and low appetite. - Relieves phlegm
For spleen deficiency when congested fluids move upward, with symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, and a thick and greasy tongue coat. - Tranquillises the mind, especially in the case of deficiency of both the heart and spleen
Suitable for listlessness, palpitation and insomnia.
Usage and Dosage
It should be moistened before it is sliced.
9−15 is used in decoction for oral use.
Storage
Keep in a cool and dry place, and protect from moths and mould.
Note
Use with caution in the patient with spermatorrhea due to deficiency of the kidney, dampness and turbidity syndrome due to yin-deficiency.
Description of Quality Herb
The good one is heavy, hard and compact, sticky, with a white fine core; the outer skin is brown, with striations but no fissures.
Professional Tips
Fakes:
Some fake Fushen are made of Fuling powder.
Some fake Fuling are made of starch. Their broken surfaces are white and fine but not granular. It becomes blue when in contact with thin iodine liquid.
- Fulingpi (Exoeineum Poriae) is the skin of the sclerotium of Poria cocos (schw) Wolf. Suitable for edema, dysuria.
Chi Fuling (Poria Rubra) is the peeled Fuling in pink colour. Suitable for oliguria with brownish urine, stranguria and diarrhoea.
Fushen (Poria cum Ligno Hospite) is for restlessness, palpitation, insomnia, forgetfulness and dizziness. They all have the same medicinal properties as Fuling. - Identifying Fuling and Tu Fuling (Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae)
Similarities: Both are sweet and bland in flavour, mild in nature, and can promote diuresis to resolve dampness.
Differences: Fuling can strengthen the spleen and invigorate the middle energiser, as well as promote diuresis to relieve swelling. Tu Fuling can eliminate dampness and toxic materials, dredge the joints, as well as remove heat, promote diuresis and eliminate toxic materials.