Today, I want to share with you an incredibly important herb that has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years—Fu Ling (Poria).
Fu Ling is one of the nine divine herbs, known as “immortal food.” The Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing classifies Fu Ling as a top-grade health supplement, which can prolong life with long-term use. It is not only a high-quality medicinal material but also an essential health ingredient for home use. The primary function of Fu Ling is to eliminate dampness and strengthen the spleen. In modern times, many people suffer from excessive dampness, so it is crucial to learn how to use Fu Ling.
Fu Ling is a fungus that grows under the roots of pine trees. Why is it classified as a top-grade herb? It differs from ordinary herbs; Fu Ling is a type of fungus. It absorbs the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, combined with the essence of the pine tree, resulting in a Fu Ling that possesses unique vitality.
What are the benefits of Fu Ling? Let’s take a look.
The most prominent effect of Fu Ling is its ability to “eliminate dampness and strengthen the spleen.” It is particularly suitable for individuals with excessive dampness and those with heavy turbidity in their bodies. How do we understand the term “eliminate dampness”? When you buy Fu Ling from a pharmacy, whether soaking it or boiling it in water, you will find that Fu Ling is difficult to dissolve in water. This insolubility is its characteristic of “eliminating dampness.” It is akin to a wet towel being pressed by a stone, which can squeeze the water out of the towel; this is the “eliminating dampness” effect of Fu Ling.
The spleen prefers dryness and dislikes dampness. Fu Ling helps to expel dampness from the spleen and stomach, thereby strengthening the spleen. Almost all formulas that strengthen the spleen include Fu Ling, such as Shen Ling Bai Zhu San (Ginseng, Poria, and Atractylodes Powder), Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction), and Wu Xing Jian Pi Fen (Five Elements Spleen Strengthening Powder), all utilize Fu Ling to “eliminate dampness and strengthen the spleen.”
The second effect of Fu Ling is its ability to promote urination and expel excess water from the body. It is beneficial for conditions such as difficulty urinating, water retention in the stomach, and edema. Whenever there is water in the body that cannot be expelled, Fu Ling can be used. For example, formulas like Wu Ling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) and Zhen Wu Tang (True Warrior Decoction) also include Fu Ling to promote urination.
If you are unsure about the formulas, a simple method is to boil Fu Ling in water. However, a larger quantity is needed for effective results, at least 50g, and up to 200g can be used. The properties of Fu Ling are very mild, promoting urination without harming Qi, which is quite rare. Therefore, if there is excess water in the body, you can try boiling Fu Ling in water.
The third effect of Fu Ling is its ability to eliminate body fat. It is particularly suitable for individuals with oily hair, oily skin, and those suffering from seborrheic alopecia. Fu Ling grows under pine trees, absorbing strong wood energy, and possesses powerful cleansing and purifying properties, making it a natural “cleanser” that can scrape away the turbid energy and substances from the body.
The cleansing effect of Fu Ling is extremely needed in modern times. Many people have unhealthy lifestyles and diets, leading to excessive turbidity and blockage in their bodies, making Fu Ling an essential cleansing agent. Long-term consumption of Fu Ling can lead to a clean and refreshing body.
The fourth effect of Fu Ling is its ability to calm the mind and assist with sleep. In TCM, there are not many herbs that can calm the spirit, and Fu Ling is one of them. For better calming effects, it is recommended to use Fu Shen (Poria Sclerotium), which is more precious and is the “core” of the Fu Ling fungus.
Why can Fu Shen calm the mind and assist with sleep? There are many reasons for insomnia, and one important reason is the excessive desires and distractions in the heart. Fu Ling has a purifying effect on both body and mind, capable of eliminating the turbid energy from the body and even purifying the desires and distractions in the heart.
This “purifying” function of Fu Ling is something many people need. In our worldly lives, our bodies and minds can become very turbid, and we need a clean space. Consuming more Fu Ling can restore a clean and free body and mind.
The fifth effect of Fu Ling is its ability to promote skin whitening. It is well-known that there is a “Seven-Ingredient White Face Mask Powder” made from seven types of white herbs that can whiten the skin, and Fu Ling is one of them, which is an external application method. Why can Fu Ling promote skin whitening? It is still due to its “purifying” effect. When we wash our faces, it does not necessarily mean that we are cleaning them thoroughly; there are many impurities on the face, and Fu Ling can purify these impurities, resulting in a brighter complexion.
In fact, regularly consuming Fu Ling to cleanse the body will also lead to a clean and bright face.
With such great benefits, how should we consume Fu Ling? One method is to boil it in water, using small pieces of Fu Ling and simmering for 30 minutes to drink Fu Ling water. For health maintenance, a daily dosage of 30g is recommended. For body conditioning, a dosage of 50-100g is suggested.
Another method is to grind it into powder and make Fu Ling cakes, Fu Ling pastries, or incorporate it into Wu Xing Jian Pi Fen (Five Elements Spleen Strengthening Powder). Since Fu Ling does not dissolve in water, its medicinal properties are not easily released, so consuming Fu Ling powder is more easily absorbed. The recommended daily dosage of Fu Ling powder is 10-20g. With consistent consumption over time, the body will become clean and refreshing.
Additionally, it is important to note that there are several types of Fu Ling, and it is essential to distinguish between them. The Fu Ling introduced today is Bai Fu Ling (White Poria), primarily produced in Anhui and Yunnan provinces. The Tu Fu Ling (Earth Poria), favored by people in Guangdong, also has excellent dampness-eliminating effects, but Bai Fu Ling and Tu Fu Ling are entirely different. There is also Chi Fu Ling (Red Poria), which is slightly different from Bai Fu Ling. The most commonly used and needed by the public is still Bai Fu Ling.
Furthermore, it is crucial to be aware that Fu Ling is often counterfeited. Fake Fu Ling is often made from rice flour or substituted with cassava. If you find that the Fu Ling you used did not yield good results, it is likely that it was fake, so be cautious in distinguishing the authenticity.
Recommended Learning
1. Introduction to Basic TCM
2. Nine Major Constitution Conditioning Plans
3. Popular Interpretation of 100 Chinese Medicinal Herbs
4. 100 Classic Common Formulas
5. 365 Common Disease Conditioning
As a moderate person, I do not know the heavens above or the earth below. This account aims to promote TCM culture and is not a platform for seeking medical advice. The formulas shared here are for learning and exchange purposes; please do not blindly try medications.
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