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[Polyporus] (Pronounced "yi". Cited from the Song Dynasty *Jiayou Bencao*).

[Names] Po.
Li Xun states: It is the leader among various ambers, hence named "Po".
Li Shizhen states: It is also written as "Dai". Its color is black, thus the name.

[Collection and Explanation] Su Gong states: Since ancient times, it has been passed down that pine resin turns into Poria after a thousand years, then into amber after another thousand years, and finally into Po after yet another thousand years. Both of these substances emit a pine scent when burned. They resemble black jade but are light in weight. They originate from the Western Regions; however, where Poria exists, this substance is absent. Those obtained today from the desert three hundred li south of Xizhou are up to one square foot in size, black, moist, and light, emitting a fishy odor when burned. People in Gaochang call it "Wood Po" and refer to black jade as "Stone Po". Those found in the soil and rocks of Hongzhou emit a pine scent when burned, have efficacy similar to amber, but crack upon exposure to wind and are unsuitable for making vessels. It is feared that these two types, along with amber, may not be formed from pine resin. Shen Wei states: The *Records of Lord Liang's Four Generals* records: Lord Jie said, "In the flat sands between Jiaohe, digging ten zhang deep reveals Po beneath, blacker than pure lacquer, some as large as a chariot wheel. Taken as powder, it attacks diseases such as zheng jia (abdominal masses) in women's small intestines." Li Shizhen states: Po is simply black amber, possibly stained by earth colors or formed from the sinking and condensation of another type of wood, rather than necessarily being a re-transformation of thousand-year-old amber. The *Yu Ce Jing* states: Pine resin becomes Poria after a millennium, Poria becomes amber after another millennium, amber becomes Shi Dan (Mineral Gall) after another, and Shi Dan becomes Wei Xi after another. Generally, these are miraculous and strange claims that should not be deeply relied upon. One may refer to the descriptions of various ambers under Amber in Lei Xiao's *Paoshu Lun*.

[Flavor and Toxicity] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.

[Indications] Nourishes the heart and calms the spirit, breaks blood stasis and generates flesh, treats zheng jia (abdominal masses) in women (*Tang Ben Zhu*). Carried by children, it wards off evil influences; ground and applied to eyes, it removes nebulae and red obstructions (Chen Cangqi).

(Cited from *Shennong Ben Cao Jing*, Middle Grade)

[Names] Pig Dung (*Ben Jing*), Shi Tuo (*Zhuangzi*), Di Wu Tao (*Tu Jing*).
Tao Hongjing states: Its lumps are black like pig dung, hence the name. Sima Bao, annotating *Zhuangzi*, says: Shi Tuo is also called Ling, and its root resembles pig feces. This is correct.
Li Shizhen states: Horse dung is called "Tong", pig dung is called "Ling" (the character for Ling), because its lumps fall off in pieces.

[Collection and Explanation] *Mingyi Bielu* states: Polyporus grows in the valleys of Hengshan, and in Yuanju County, Ji Yin Commandery. Collected in February and August.
Tao Hongjing states: This is the Ling growing under maple trees. The skin is black, and the flesh is white; those that are solid are best. The outer skin is peeled off before use.
Su Song states: It is now also produced in Shuzhou and Meizhou. It grows at the bottom of the soil and does not necessarily require maple roots.
Li Shizhen states: Polyporus is also condensed from the residual qi of trees, similar to how the residual qi of pines condenses into Poria. Other trees produce it, but maple trees are the most common.

[Processing] Lei Xiao states: After collection, peel off the coarse skin with a copper knife, slice thinly, and soak overnight in running water from the east. The next day, drain and cut finely. Steam for one day against Schisandra chinensis leaves, remove the leaves, and dry in the sun for use.
Li Shizhen states: Polyporus is used for its damp-draining properties; raw use is better.

[Flavor and Toxicity] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
Li Dang states: Shennong considered it sweet. Lei Gong considered it bitter and non-toxic.
Li Quan states: Slightly warm.
Zhang Yuansu states: Neutral in qi, sweet in flavor. Both qi and flavor are thin. It ascends slightly and descends slightly, similar to Poria.
Wang Haogu states: Pale and sweet, neutral, descending. It is yin within yang.
Li Gao states: Sweetness outweighs bitterness, belonging to yang. Enters the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian and Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian.

[Indications] Treats malaria, detoxifies gu zhu (miasma diseases), and promotes urination. Long-term use makes the body light and delays aging (*Ben Jing*).
Resolves severe heat from cold damage and warm epidemics, induces sweating, and treats abdominal swelling, fullness, and acute pain (Zhen Quan). Treats thirst and drains dampness, removes mental restlessness and oppression (Zhang Yuansu). Drains the bladder.

[Elucidation] Su Song states: Zhang Zhongjing treated patients with xiao ke (wasting-thirst) presenting with floating pulse, difficulty in urination, and slight fever using Polyporus Powder to dissipate sweat. If a patient desires water but vomits immediately, it is called Water Reversal. Patients with winter cold coughs resembling malaria are also treated with Polyporus Powder, which is actually the Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria). Polyporus, Poria, and Atractylodes macrocephala each 3 fen, Alisma orientale 5 fen, and Cinnamomum cassia 2 fen are finely ground and sifted. Take one cun bi (measure) with water, three times daily. Drink plenty of warm water; recovery occurs with sweating. Among all diuretic decoctions, none acts faster than this; it is widely used today.
Li Gao states: Bitterness drains stagnation, sweetness assists yang, and paleness opens orifices; thus, it can drain dampness and promote urination.
Zhu Zhenheng states: Polyporus has strong water-moving effects. Long-term use will inevitably damage kidney qi and cloud the vision. Those using it long-term should exercise caution.
Zhang Yuansu states: Polyporus is pale and permeating; its drying nature can destroy body fluids. Do not use it in those without dampness patterns.
Li Shizhen states: Polyporus is pale and permeating; its qi ascends yet it can also descend. Thus, it can open the interstices (cou li) and promote urination, having the same effect as Poria. However, it is inferior to Poria when included in tonifying prescriptions.

[Attached Prescriptions] Five old prescriptions.
Cold Damage with Thirst: Pathogen is in the zang organs; treat with Zhuling Tang. Polyporus, Poria, Alisma orientale, Talcum, and Donkey-hide gelatin each 1 liang. Decoct in four sheng of water to obtain two sheng. Take seven ge per dose, three times daily. Also indicated for vomiting with desire for water. (Prescription of Zhang Zhongjing).
Pediatric Constipation: Polyporus 1 liang, boiled with a small amount of water with Chicken Droppings White (Ji Shi Bai) 1 qian. Mix and take orally for immediate relief. (*Waitai Miyao*).
Generalized Edema and Fullness with Difficulty in Urination: Polyporus 5 liang, powdered. Take one cun bi with cooked water, three times daily. (Yang Shi *Chanru Fang*).
Pregnancy Edema and Thirst: Swelling from feet to abdomen, difficulty in urination, mild thirst with desire to drink. Formula same as above method. (*Zimu Milu*).
Pregnancy Dysuria (Zi Lin): Formula same as above method, three times daily and twice at night, until patent. (*Duanju Fang*)
Nocturnal Emission in Young Adults: See prescription under Pinellia ternata in the Grass Section.