Library

Fuling (Poria): It can secrete and remove dampness from the Spleen and Lungs, and attack water pathogenic factors in the Liver and Stomach.

Fuling primarily enters the Spleen and Stomach meridians, and concurrently enters the Lung and Liver meridians. Its color is white, thus entering the Lung meridian; its taste is sweet, thus entering the Spleen meridian; its taste is bland, possessing a diuretic and damp-draining action. Therefore, medical texts record that it can upper-secrete dampness from the Spleen and Lungs, and lower-attack pathogenic factors of the Liver and Kidneys. Its Qi first ascends (clearing Lung Qi to transform the source), then descends (descending to promote urination). For any disease caused by water-dampness manifesting as rebellious Qi, vexation and fullness, knotting and pain below the heart, hiccups and vomiting, bitter taste in the mouth and dry tongue, edema, strangury with stagnation, worry and anger, fright and terror, as well as urine that is either obstructed or frequent (these diseases are all discussed from the perspective of being generated by water-dampness), taking Fuling will be effective. (Thus, treatment also follows the principle of removing water-dampness.)

Therefore, when added to Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction), it assists Renshen (Ginseng Radix) and Baizhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) to secrete dampness from the Spleen; when added to Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia), it guides Zexie (Alisma Rhizome) to circulate residual pathogenic factors in the Kidney. It is the most important herb for promoting urination and removing dampness. Texts say it "strengthens the Spleen," which means that once water-dampness is removed, the Spleen naturally becomes strong. It is also said to "stabilize the Po" (The Lung stores the Po spirit), which means that once water-dampness is removed, the Po naturally becomes tranquil. Moreover, once water-dampness is removed, urination naturally opens; how could there be concern about strangury (obstructed urination)? Once water-dampness is removed, internal dampness is already eliminated; how could there still be excessive urination? Thus, once water-dampness is removed, the chest and diaphragm naturally become relaxed, and knotting, pain, vexation, and fullness do not occur; once water-dampness is removed, body fluids naturally generate, and bitter taste in the mouth and dry tongue are completely eliminated. (Thus, efficacy is also seen after water-dampness has been removed.) Only when there is deficiency of water leading to seminal emission and slippery essence, or involuntary urination, not caused by water-dampness, should it be strictly contraindicated. This is to avoid the fear of it dispersing the exterior and leaking Qi.

Fuling comes in red and white varieties. Red Fuling enters the Small Intestine meridian; white Fuling enters the Bladder meridian. White Fuling has slight tonifying properties, while red Fuling only stops diarrhea due to damp-heat. One governs Qi, the other governs Blood; they naturally cannot be confused. As for Fuling Pi (Poria Peel), it specifically treats edema and abdominal distension, based on the principle of "using peel to treat skin." (Generally, swelling accompanied by vexation and thirst, constipation, and dark urine belongs to Yang Edema, treated with Wupi San (Five-Peel Powder) or Shuozao Yin (Scouring Drink); without vexation and thirst, with loose stools, frequent urination, and urine that is not red or painful/burning, belongs to Yin Edema, treated with Shipi Yin (Spleen-Solidifying Drink) or Shuqi Yin (Qi-Circulating Drink); swelling above the waist should be treated with sweating methods, while swelling below the waist should be treated with methods to promote urination.) Large, firm, and pure white pieces are considered superior. (This is because it is formed from the spiritual energy of pine roots.) Fuling is incompatible with Bailian (Ampelopsis Radix), and fears Diyu (Sanguisorbae Radix), Qinjiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix), Guijia (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum), and Xionghuang (Realgar). Vinegar is contraindicated.