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Poria, commonly known as Yunling, Songling, or Fuling, is a fungus that grows on the roots of pine trees. It resembles a sweet potato, with a black-brown outer skin and white or pink interior. The dried sclerotium of the fungus, belonging to the Polyporaceae family, is primarily found on the roots of Pinus massoniana or Pinus tabulaeformis. It is produced in regions such as Yunnan, Anhui, Hubei, Henan, and Sichuan.
In ancient times, Poria was referred to as the “Divine Medicine of All Seasons” due to its extensive benefits, which are applicable in all seasons. It can be combined with various herbs to treat ailments caused by cold, heat, wind, and dampness, showcasing its unique efficacy. Poria has a sweet, bland taste and a neutral nature, and its medicinal properties include promoting urination and leaching out dampness, benefiting the spleen and stomach, and calming the mind. Modern medical research indicates that Poria can enhance immune function, and Poria polysaccharides have significant anti-tumor and liver-protective effects.
Nutritional Value of Poria
Poria contains Poria polysaccharides, poria acid, fatty acids, lecithin, adenine, protease, and triterpenes, as well as minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, sulfur, and silicon dioxide.
Effects of Consuming Poria
Spleen deficiency with diarrhea and leukorrhea: Poria can strengthen the spleen and leach out dampness. For diarrhea and leukorrhea caused by spleen deficiency and improper transformation, Poria can address both the root and the symptoms, often combined with Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes), and Shan Yao (Chinese Yam). It can also be used as an adjunct herb to tonify the lung and spleen, treating qi deficiency.
Phlegm-damp cough: With phlegm-damp obstructing the channels and causing shoulder and back pain, Poria can promote urination and leach out dampness while also strengthening the spleen. It is effective for symptoms where the spleen fails to transform water and dampness, leading to phlegm accumulation. It can be used with Ban Xia (Pinellia) and Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel), or combined with Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig) and Bai Zhu (Atractylodes). For phlegm-damp obstructing the channels and shoulder pain, it can be used with Ban Xia and Zhi Ke (Bitter Orange).
Palpitations and insomnia: Poria nourishes the heart and calms the spirit, making it suitable for symptoms of restlessness, palpitations, and insomnia, often combined with Ren Shen (Ginseng), Yuan Zhi (Polygala), and Suan Zao Ren (Sour Jujube Seed).
Anti-cancer: Clinically, it is commonly used to treat esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, tongue cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, lung cancer, and ulcerative melanoma, particularly in cases of spleen deficiency with excess dampness, phlegm stagnation, and damp-heat obstruction.
Urinary difficulties and edema: Poria functions to promote urination and leach out dampness, and its neutral nature allows it to benefit without harming the vital qi. It is a key herb for promoting urination and leaching out dampness. For symptoms of urinary difficulty and water retention, regardless of whether they lean towards cold-damp or damp-heat, or belong to spleen deficiency with damp accumulation, it can be used in combination. For cold-damp, it can be combined with Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig) and Bai Zhu (Atractylodes); for damp-heat, it can be combined with Zhu Ling (Polyporus) and Ze Xie (Alisma); for spleen qi deficiency, it can be combined with Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Huang Qi (Astragalus), and Bai Zhu (Atractylodes); for deficiency-cold, it can also be combined with Fu Zi (Aconite) and Bai Zhu (Atractylodes).
Methods of Consuming Poria
1 Poria and Job’s Tears Congee
Ingredients: 15 grams of Poria, 60 grams of Job’s Tears.
Method: Grind into a fine powder, place in a pot, add an appropriate amount of water, and cook until done.
Effect: Has heat-clearing and spleen-damp regulating effects. Suitable for those with cough and phlegm, chest fullness, or rheumatic joint pain.
2 Lotus Seed and Poria Cake
Ingredients: Equal parts of Poria, lotus seeds, and Mai Dong (Ophiopogon).
Method: Grind into a powder, mix with an appropriate amount of sugar and osmanthus, add water to form a dough, and steam to make a cake.
Effect: Nourishes the heart and strengthens the spleen. Suitable for those with heart yin deficiency and spleen qi weakness leading to thirst, palpitations, anxiety, reduced appetite, and fatigue.
3 Poria Paste
Ingredients: 500 grams of Poria, 1000 grams of honey.
Method: Grind Poria into a fine powder, mix with honey, and simmer over low heat until it becomes a paste. Cool and store in a porcelain jar. Take 10 grams with warm water, twice a day.
Effect: Strengthens the spleen, leaches out dampness, aids in weight loss, and prevents cancer. Suitable for elderly edema, obesity, and cancer prevention.
4 Poria Wine
Ingredients: 60 grams of Poria, 500 grams of white liquor.
Method: Soak Poria in liquor for 7 days before consuming.
Effect: Promotes dampness elimination, strengthens muscles, calms the mind. Suitable for muscle numbness in the limbs, palpitations, and insomnia.
5 Poria Mushroom Rice
Ingredients: 10 grams of Poria, a small amount of mushrooms.
Method: Soak Poria until soft, mash into powder, then cook (steam) with mushrooms and white rice.
Effect: Calms the mind, benefits the intellect, strengthens the spleen, and stops diarrhea. Suitable for those with anxiety, dizziness, weak stomach, and neurasthenia.
6 Poria and Sesame Powder
Ingredients: Equal parts of Poria and sesame (preferably black sesame).
Method: Grind Poria into a fine powder. Roast sesame, cool, and grind into fine powder. Mix both and store in a porcelain jar. Take 20-30 grams each morning and evening with water (or honey water).
Effect: Strengthens the spleen, benefits the intellect, and has anti-aging effects. Regular consumption can delay aging and prevent senile dementia.
7 Goji Berry and Poria Tea
Ingredients: 50 grams of Goji berries, 100 grams of Poria, 100 grams of black tea.
Method: Grind Goji berries and Poria into a coarse powder, take 5-10 grams each time, add 6 grams of black tea, and steep in boiling water for 10 minutes. Drink twice daily as a tea.
Effect: Strengthens the spleen and kidneys, promotes urination, and alleviates urinary issues. Suitable for chronic nephritis, oliguria, painful urination, and urethritis.
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