Alias: Fuling, Songyu, Busi Mian, Songshu, Songmushu, Songling.
Historical Sources: 1. Shennong Bencao Jing: Fuling, Fushen, grows under large pines in the Taishan valley. Harvested in February and August, dried in the shade.
2. Tao Hongjing: Fuling is now found in Yuzhou. Naturally formed ones are as large as three to four sheng containers, with a black, finely wrinkled outer skin, and a firm white interior, resembling birds or turtles. Those with pine roots attached are called Fushen, which are secondary to Fuling.
3. Bencao Tujing: Fuling, the method of collection by people in the east involves cutting down ancient pines in the mountains, where the dead branches and leaves no longer grow, referred to as Fuling Bo, found within a radius of about ten meters.
Source of Medicinal Material: The dried sclerotium of the fungus Poria cocos. Wild Poria is generally harvested from July to March of the following year in pine forests. The ground where Poria grows typically has the following characteristics: (1) Cracks around the stumps of pine trees that produce a hollow sound when struck; (2) White mycelium (appearing as a powdery white membrane or grayish-white) on the ground near pine trees; (3) Black-red horizontal cracks on the stump after decay; (4) The ground around the stump dries quickly after light rain, or there are areas where grass does not grow.
Morphology: The common form is its sclerotium, which is often irregularly shaped, spherical, flat, elongated, or oval, varying in size from as small as a fist to a diameter of 20-30 centimeters or larger. The outer skin is light gray-brown or black-brown, with a lumpy, wrinkled appearance, while the interior is white with a slight pink hue, composed of numerous mycelia. The fruiting body is umbrella-shaped, with a diameter of 0.5-2 millimeters, with slightly serrated edges; the sexual generation is rarely seen, honeycomb-like, usually growing on the outer skin of the sclerotium, initially white, gradually turning light brown, with holes that are polygonal, and the basidia are rod-shaped, with spores that are oval to cylindrical, slightly curved, one end pointed, smooth, and colorless. It has a distinctive odor.
Habitat Distribution: Parasitic on the roots of Pinaceae plants such as red pine or masson pine, extending 20-30 centimeters underground.
Resource Distribution: Mainly produced in Anhui, Hubei, Henan, and Yunnan. Additionally, it is found in Guizhou, Sichuan, Guangxi, Fujian, Hunan, Zhejiang, and Hebei, with the best quality from Yunnan and larger quantities from Anhui and Hubei.
Harvesting: Cultivated Poria is generally harvested in the second or third year after inoculation, with the best quality harvested after the beginning of autumn; harvesting too early affects quality and yield.
Cultivation: Poria is a facultative parasitic fungus, found in the roots of tree species such as masson pine, Huangshan pine, red pine, Yunnan pine, and black pine on dry, sunny slopes at altitudes of 600-1000 meters.
Identification: Complete Poria appears round, oval, flat, or irregularly lumped, varying in size. The outer skin is thin, brown or black-brown, rough, with wrinkles and constrictions, sometimes partially peeling off. It is solid, with a granular fracture surface, pale red near the edge, with small honeycomb-like holes, and the interior is white, with some pale red. Some have pine roots attached, commonly referred to as “Fushen block.” It has a faint odor, a bland taste, and is sticky when chewed. The best quality is firm in weight, with a brown outer skin, fine skin texture, no cracks, and a delicate white fracture surface with strong stickiness.
Pharmacological Effects: 1. Diuretic effect 2. Antibacterial effect 3. Effects on the digestive system 4. Antitumor effect 5. Effects of Poria polysaccharides on immune function 6. Effects on the blood system 7. Effects on the central nervous system.
Processing: After harvesting, wash the Poria to remove soil, pile it in a corner of the room where there is no ventilation, or store it in a ceramic jar, layering with pine needles or straw, and placing Poria and straw in layers, covering with thick burlap to allow it to “sweat” and release moisture. Then take it out, wipe off the water droplets, spread it in a cool place, and wait for the surface to dry before sweating again. Repeat this process 3-4 times until the surface shrinks and the skin color turns brown, then place it in a cool, dry place to air dry completely, which is known as “Fuling Ge.” Cutting: After sweating, cut while still moist, or take dried Poria and moisten it with water before cutting. Cut the white part of the sclerotium into thin slices or small cubes, which is known as Bai Fuling (White Poria); the black outer skin cut off is known as Fuling Pi (Poria Skin); the red part beneath the Poria skin is known as Chi Fuling (Red Poria); the white part with pine roots cut into square thin slices is known as Fushen. All processed products must be air-dried, not sun-dried, and should be placed in a cool place, avoiding excessive dryness or ventilation to prevent loss of stickiness or cracking.
Taste and Properties: Sweet, bland, neutral
Meridians Entered: Heart, Spleen, Lung, Kidney meridians
1. Tangye Bencao: “Enters the Hand Taiyin, Foot Yangming, Shaoyang meridians.”
2. Bencao Mengquan: “Enters the Bladder, Kidney, Lung.”
3. Leigong Paozhi Yao Xing Jie: “Enters the Lung, Spleen, Small Intestine meridians.”
4. Bencao Jing Shu: “Enters the Hand and Foot Shaoyin, Hand Taiyang, Foot Taiyin, Yangming meridians.”
Main Functions and Indications: Promotes diuresis and relieves edema, strengthens the spleen and harmonizes the stomach, calms the mind and settles the spirit. Indicated for difficulty in urination, edema and fullness, phlegm and cough, vomiting, spleen deficiency with poor appetite, diarrhea, palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness, nocturnal emissions, and turbid urine.
Dosage: Internal use: decoction, 10-15g; or in pills or powders. For calming the mind and settling the spirit, mix with cinnabar.
Precautions: Use with caution in cases of Yin deficiency without damp-heat, deficiency-cold with slippery essence, or Qi deficiency with sinking.
1. Bencao Jing Jizhu: “Mali is used as a guide. Avoid white astringents. Be cautious with Mu Meng, Dihuang, Xiong Huang, Qinjiao, and Turtle Shell.”
2. Yao Xing Lun: “Avoid rice vinegar.”
3. Zhang Yuanshu: “If there is frequent urination or diarrhea, it can harm the eyes. If taken with excessive sweating, it can damage the vital energy.”
4. Bencao Jing Shu: “Patients with kidney deficiency, frequent urination, or slippery essence should not take it.”
5. De Pei Bencao: “Avoid in cases of Qi deficiency with sinking, or dry mouth and thirst.”
Various Perspectives:
1. Tao Hongjing: “Fuling, the white one nourishes, the red one promotes urination.”
2. Bencao Yanyi: “Fuling and Fushen have significant diuretic effects and are essential for benefiting the heart and spleen.”
3. Yong Yao Xin Fa: “Fuling, bland can open the orifices, sweet can assist Yang, is a sacred medicine for eliminating dampness. Its sweet and neutral properties nourish Yang, benefit the spleen, promote fluid production, and guide Qi.”
4. Tangye Bencao: “Fuling can eliminate kidney evil, can stop frequent urination, and can relieve difficult urination. When used with Cinnabar, it can conceal the true essence.”
5. Bencao Yanyi Buzhi: “Fuling is often used for frequent urination, this is a key medicine for treating acute new diseases, but if there is Yin deficiency, it may not be appropriate.”
6. Gangmu: “Fuling, Bencao also states it promotes urination, eliminates kidney evil, and according to Dongyuan and Wang Haizang, it can stop frequent urination and relieve difficult urination. When used with Cinnabar, it can conceal the true essence. However, Zhu Danxi states that it is not suitable for Yin deficiency, which seems contradictory. Why is that?” Fuling is bland and permeates, its nature ascends, generating fluids, opening the orifices, nourishing the source of water and descending, promoting urination, hence Zhang Jiegu said it belongs to Yang, floating and ascending, referring to its nature; Dongyuan said it is Yin within Yang, descending and lowering, referring to its function. Suwen states that food enters the stomach, overflows with essence, ascends to the lungs, regulates the water pathways, and descends to the bladder. From this, it is known that bland and permeating medicines all ascend before descending, not merely descending. Frequent urination has different sources. Suwen states that if lung Qi is abundant, urination is frequent and insufficient; if deficient, it is insufficient with cough and frequent urination; if heart Qi is deficient, it is insufficient with urination; if the lower burner is deficient, it leads to frequent urination; if heat moves to the bladder, it leads to frequent urination; if the bladder is not functioning, it leads to retention, and if there is a blockage, it leads to retention. The so-called abundant lung Qi is actually heat, and such a person must have strong Qi and pulse, suitable for using Fuling to sweeten and permeate the heat, hence it is said that it can stop frequent urination. However, if there is lung deficiency, heart deficiency, heat in the bladder, or blockage, these are all deficient heat, and such a person must have heat above and cold below, with a weak pulse, and should use warming medicines to boost the lower burner, balancing the Yin and Yang. If the bladder is not functioning, and the lower burner is deficient, it is a case of fire attacking water, where water cannot be stored, leading to symptoms of Yang deficiency, hence it is said that Fuling is not suitable for those with Yin deficiency.
7. Bencao Jing Shu: “Fuling, its taste is sweet and neutral, its nature is non-toxic, entering the Hand and Foot Shaoyin, Hand Yangming, Foot Taiyin, and Yangming meridians, it is Yin within Yang. Chest and flank Qi reversal, evil in the Hand Shaoyin; worry and anger evil, all due to insufficient heart Qi; fear and palpitations are due to insufficient kidney spirit; chest fullness, cold and heat, cough, dry mouth, and dry tongue are also due to evil in the Hand Shaoyin. Sweet can tonify the middle, bland can open the orifices, tonifying the middle strengthens the heart and spleen, opening the orifices resolves evil heat, strengthening the heart and spleen stops worry and evil, resolving evil heat alleviates chest fullness, cold and heat, cough, dry mouth, and dry tongue. If the middle burner is affected by damp-heat, it leads to thirst; if the spleen is weak, it leads to sleepiness; if the abdomen is distended, it is due to spleen deficiency failing to promote water, hence abdominal distension. If there is dripping, it is due to damp evil affecting the spleen, leading to water pathways not functioning. Phlegm and water in the diaphragm, and edema are all due to spleen deficiency. The middle burner is where the spleen governs, hence if the middle burner is not treated, these diseases will manifest. Promoting diuresis and strengthening the spleen will resolve these symptoms. Opening the chest, regulating the organ Qi, and eliminating kidney evil are all functions of promoting diuresis and eliminating dampness, resolving heat and dispersing masses. The white one enters the Qi aspect, the red one enters the blood aspect, tonifying the heart and benefiting the spleen, with white being superior to red, promoting the small intestine, specifically eliminating damp-heat, while red also surpasses white.
8. Bencao Zheng: “Fuling can open the orifices and eliminate dampness, opening the orifices can enhance intelligence and guide turbid fluids; eliminating dampness can dry the spleen and strengthen the stomach; dispelling fright and convulsions, thickening the intestines, treating the root of phlegm, and assisting the descending of medicines. Its taste is slightly sweet, hence it is said to tonify Yang. However, it tonifies less and promotes more, hence excessive use can harm the eyes, and prolonged weakness is extremely inappropriate. If mixed with human milk, it can also nourish Yin effectively.”
9. Yao Pin Hua Yi: “Bai Fuling, its taste is uniquely sweet and bland, sweet can tonify, bland can permeate, sweet and bland belong to the earth, used to tonify spleen Yin, earth is strong and generates metal, also benefiting lung Qi. Indicated for disharmony of the spleen and stomach, diarrhea and abdominal distension, chest and flank Qi reversal, worry and fullness, fetal Qi instability, spirit agitation, and phlegm Qi in the diaphragm. Sweet tonifies the spleen, hence the spleen benefits, and when the middle Qi is harmonized, fluids are naturally produced, alleviating dry mouth and tongue. It also treats lower damp-heat, dripping, and edema. Yellowish urine, waist and abdomen discomfort, and retention of evil water. Since blandness nourishes the bladder, when kidney Qi is strong, blood in the waist and abdomen will flow, and fluids will circulate, benefiting the lungs from above and tonifying the spleen from the middle, allowing the Qi of the spleen and lungs to flow from above to below, regulating the water pathways to the bladder, hence frequent urination can be stopped, and difficulty can be relieved.
10. Bencao Qiuzhen: “Fuling enters the Four Gentlemen, assisting Ren and Bai Zhu to permeate the dampness of the spleen, entering the Six Flavors, allowing Ze Xie to eliminate the remaining kidney evil, being the key medicine for promoting diuresis and eliminating dampness. The text states that tonifying the spleen means that when water is eliminated, the spleen will naturally strengthen… When water is eliminated, frequent urination will open, how can there be concerns about retention? When water is eliminated, the chest and diaphragm will widen, and fullness and pain will not occur; when water is eliminated, fluids will be generated, and dry mouth and tongue will be resolved.”
11. Bencao Jizheng: “Qi moistens and moves, water operates with Qi, when water is stagnant, Qi is obstructed, and when Qi is obstructed, water accumulates. Fuling is purely used for Qi, hence its treatment is based on water. Observing the writings of Zhongjing, it is evident that it can promote water when Qi is obstructed (Fuling and Licorice Decoction); it can transform Qi when water is stagnant (Wuling San); when Qi is reversed with water, it can guide water downwards (Fuling, Guizhi, Licorice, and Da Zao Decoction, Fuling, Guizhi, Baizhu, and Licorice Decoction); when water surges with Qi, it can first guide water downwards and then Qi follows (Guizhi, Wuwei, Licorice, and various modifications); when water and Qi are both obstructed above, it can be released from the side without harming the Yang (Fuling, Xingren, Licorice Decoction, Fuling, Rongyan Decoction, Fuling, Zexie Decoction); when Qi is consumed externally, water is forced internally, hence it is the monarch in the Yang-raising formula (Fuling, Si Ni Decoction); when Qi is obstructed below, water is stagnant, hence it is effective in treating pregnancy-related diseases (Guizhi, Fuling Wan, Kuizi, Fuling San). All of these arise from Yin following Yang, distributing Yang to transform Yin, allowing the requesting party to be unblocked, and the turbid to naturally retreat, whether from below or externally, hence the purpose of using Fuling is to tonify rather than drain, and its use is to drain rather than tonify.
Compatibility:
1. For diarrhea and leukorrhea caused by spleen deficiency and impaired transportation, Fuling can be effective in addressing both the root and branch, often combined with Dangshen, Baizhu, and Shan Yao. It can be used as an auxiliary herb to tonify the lung and spleen, treating Qi deficiency.
2. For spleen deficiency unable to transform water and dampness, leading to phlegm and fluid accumulation, it can be used with Banxia and Chenpi, or combined with Guizhi and Baizhu.
3. For phlegm and dampness entering the channels, causing shoulder and back pain, it can be combined with Banxia and Zhike.
4. For anxiety, palpitations, and insomnia, it is often combined with Ren Shen, Yuan Zhi, and Suan Zao Ren.
5. Fuling combined with Cheqianzi: Both herbs have diuretic effects. However, Fuling strengthens the spleen and permeates dampness, while Cheqianzi promotes urination and unblocks the bladder. When used together, their diuretic and unblocking effects are enhanced, treating internal dampness stagnation and excessive urination with reduced urine output.
6. Fuling combined with Suan Zao Ren: Fuling nourishes the heart and spleen while calming the spirit; Suan Zao Ren nourishes liver blood and calms the spirit. Together, they have the effect of nourishing the heart and spleen, nourishing blood, and calming the spirit, used for treating heart and spleen deficiency, insufficient Qi and blood, palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness, and poor appetite.
7. Fuling combined with Zexie: Both are sweet and bland, promoting water downwards and unblocking the bladder. However, Fuling is neutral and leans towards strengthening the spleen and permeating dampness; Zexie is cold and good at draining heat from the kidney and bladder to eliminate lower burner damp-heat. The combination of these two herbs is particularly effective for promoting diuresis and permeating dampness, especially for treating lower burner damp stagnation, edema, difficulty in urination, and diarrhea with heat symptoms.
Additional Formulas:
1. For Taiyang disease, after sweating, with profuse sweating, dry stomach, restlessness, floating pulse, and difficulty in urination, slight heat and thirst: 18 zhu of Zhu Ling (peeled), 1.6 liang of Zexie, 18 zhu of Baizhu, 18 zhu of Fuling, and half a liang of Guizhi (peeled). Combine the five ingredients, pound into a powder, and take with white drink, 1 tablespoon, three times a day. (Shanghan Lun Wuling San)
2. For frequent urination, slippery and frequent: Bai Fuling (peeled), and dried Shan Yao (peeled, soaked in alum water, and baked slowly until dry). Combine the two ingredients in equal parts, grind into a fine powder, and take with thin rice drink. (Rumen Shiqin)
3. For edema: 2 qian of pure water, 3 qian of Fuling, and 1.5 qian of Yuli Ren (crushed). Add ginger juice and decoct. (Buzhi Yiyao Fuling Decoction)
4. For skin edema, swelling of the limbs, and water retention in the skin, with limbs feeling heavy: 3 liang of Fangji, 3 liang of Huangqi, 3 liang of Guizhi, 6 liang of Fuling, and 2 liang of Licorice. Combine the five ingredients, boil with 6 sheng of water, and take 2 sheng in three warm doses. (Jinkui Yaolue Fangji Fuling Decoction)
5. For phlegm and fluid in the chest, fullness in the chest and flanks, and dizziness: 4 liang of Fuling, 3 liang each of Guizhi and Baizhu, and 2 liang of Licorice. Combine the four ingredients, boil with 6 sheng of water, and take 3 sheng in three warm doses, which will promote urination. (Jinkui Yaolue Fuling Guizhi Baizhu Decoction)
6. For sudden vomiting, fullness in the chest, and water in the diaphragm, causing dizziness: 1 sheng of Banxia, half a jin of fresh ginger, and 3 liang of Fuling (or 4 liang). Combine the three ingredients, boil with 7 sheng of water until 1.5 sheng remains, and take warm in two doses. (Jinkui Yaolue Xiaobanjia Fuling Decoction)
7. For persistent diarrhea and continuous watery stools: 2 liang of Bai Fuling, and half a liang of Namu Xiang (wrapped in paper and roasted). Combine the two ingredients into a fine powder, and take with Zisu and Papaya decoction. (Baijia Xuanfang)
8. For damp diarrhea: 1 liang of Baizhu, and 7.5 qian of Fuling (peeled). Cut finely, decoct with 1 liang of water, and take before meals. (Yuan Bing Shi Fuling Decoction)
9. For gastric reflux and thirst, desiring to drink water: 0.5 jin of Fuling, 4 liang of Zexie, 2 liang of Licorice, 2 liang of Guizhi, 3 liang of Baizhu, and 4 liang of fresh ginger. Combine the six ingredients, boil with 10 dou of water, take 3 sheng, and after boiling Zexie again, take 2.5 sheng warm, three times a day. (Jinkui Yaolue Fuling Zexie Decoction)
10. For male Yang deficiency, weak essence, frequent nocturnal emissions, and turbid urine, or for women with prolonged cold in the blood sea, leukorrhea, and constant dampness, with urination resembling rice wash or infertility: 4 liang of yellow wax, and 4 liang of Bai Fuling (peeled, cut into pieces, boiled with 1 fen of Zhu Ling for over twenty boils, then dried without Zhu Ling). Grind Fuling into powder, melt yellow wax into pills the size of a walnut. Chew slowly and swallow, using clear urine as a measure. (Jufang Weixi Wan)
11. For heart deficiency with nocturnal emissions, or turbid urine: 2 qian of Bai Fuling powder. Take with rice soup, twice a day. (Renzhai Zhizhi Fang)
12. For heart sweat, with no sweat elsewhere, only sweating at the heart or with excessive thinking: take Fuling powder with mugwort soup. (Zhengzhi Yaojue)
13. For lower deficiency with thirst, upper excess and lower deficiency, heart fire blazing, kidney water dried up, unable to balance and causing thirst: 1 jin of Bai Fuling, and 1 jin of Huanglian. Grind into powder, mix with Tianhuafen to form a paste, and make pills the size of Wutong seeds. Take 50 pills with warm soup. (Desheng Tang Experience Formula)
14. For head wind and dizziness, warming the waist and knees, treating five labors and seven injuries: Fuling powder mixed with rice wine. (Gangmu Fuling Wine)
15. For skin lesions: mix white honey with Fuling and apply, leave for seven days. (Buque Zhouhou Fang)