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Poria (Fuling)
Taste: sweet, bland. Nature: neutral. Element: Metal. Action: descending; Yin within Yang. Non-toxic. Available in many regions, but those from Yunnan and Guizhou are considered the best.
It grows in deep mountain valleys, beneath the roots of dead pine trees. When trees are chopped by axes or broken by wind and hail due to old age, their branches and leaves no longer grow upward, and their fluids and Qi turn downward to leak out. These condense into lumps, which are named Poria. Because its substance separates from the host tree, it takes on the meaning of "attachment" (Fu). Small ones are like goose eggs, large ones like gourds. Some resemble turtles, tortoises, or human forms, and they are heavy and solid. (Those weighing four or five jin per piece are superior.) Long-term storage prevents rotting and insect damage; freshly harvested pieces must be dried in the shade. For decoction after slicing, the black skin should be cleaned and peeled off. For powder and pill administration, red fibrous strands must be thoroughly washed away. (Poria contains red fibrous strands that are most harmful to the eyes. If used in pills or powders for long-term consumption, grind into fine powder, place in a fine cloth bag, rub and shake with cold water as if making kudzu starch, clarify to obtain the powder, and discard the fibrous residue remaining in the bag; this step is unnecessary for decoctions.) Formulations containing Poria benefit the Heart and Spleen without damaging the eyes. Avoid sour foods. It is incompatible with Ampelopsis japonica (Bailian), and fears Dendrobiopsis affinis (Mumeng), Sanguisorba officinalis (Diyu), Realgar (Xionghuang), Gentiana macrophylla (Qinjiao), and Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum (Guijia). Cultivated Red Poria and White Poria have slightly different therapeutic indications, and their pathways of action within the body differ. Red Poria enters the Heart, Spleen, and Small Intestine meridians, corresponds to Ji, Bing, and Ding, and specifically treats diarrhea and dysentery;
White Poria enters the Bladder
and Plantaginis Semen (Cheqianzi); its blood-moving effect is mainly located in the waist and umbilical region, with efficacy similar to
Atractylodis Rhizoma (Baizhu). It is the supreme herb for removing dampness and promoting water metabolism, and a divine elixir for nourishing the spirit and enhancing intelligence. It generates body fluids, moderates the Spleen, expels phlegm-fire, and benefits the Lungs. It harmonizes the soul and refines the魄 (Po), opens the stomach, and thickens the intestines.
It eliminates convulsions and epilepsy, calms the fetus. Long-term use delays aging, extends life, and suppresses hunger. However, if mistakenly decocted and taken by patients with excessive sweating and Yin deficiency, it will damage Yuan Qi and shorten lifespan; if overused by those whose urination is normally clear and copious, it will aggravate dryness and impair vision. It is suitable for acute excess syndromes but strictly contraindicated in chronic deficiency syndromes. Medication must be carefully examined before administration; do not prescribe recklessly. Fushen attaches to the root system, because fluid leakage is less; since it does not leave its origin, it is named accordingly. Its texture is slightly looser than Poria,
and the bark and wood must be removed. The herbs it fears or is incompatible with are exactly as described previously. It specifically regulates the Heart meridian and is good at tonifying Heart Qi. It stops mental confusion, palpitations, and fright; removes anger and forgetfulness.
The heartwood of the pine tree, named Huangsongjie, is recorded in medical classics as having verified efficacy in treating hemiplegia causing deviation of the mouth and eye.
(Chen Jiamo) Commentary: Medical annotations state: "Since the pine wood is scorched, why can the roots still generate life?" This is because the essence has not dissipated, and by absorbing earth Qi, it inevitably becomes a living organism. This is just like Phallus impudicus (Mabo), Clavaria coralloides (Jundian),
the Five Mushrooms (Wuzhi), Auricularia auricula-judae (Mu'er), and Umbilicaria esculenta (Shier), which mostly grow on dead wood, moist stones, and manure-rich soil; thus, this can be understood. The theory above stating that Cuscuta chinensis (Tusizi) lies beneath Poria is highly credulous. It is also said: "Poria belongs to the Yang of Heaven; Yang should ascend, so why does it promote urination and drain downward?" The classics say: "Subtle Qi is Yin within Yang." Therefore, Poria's ability to promote urination and drain downward also adheres to the nature of Yang, hence entering the Hand and Foot Taiyang meridians. Zhu Danxi also stated: "Poria, Polyporus (Zhuling), and Alisma orientale (Zexie) all have the ability to move water, but long-term use damages the human body." In Ba Wei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia Root), they are used merely to guide other herbs, targeting
long-accumulated stale turbidity, serving as a transportive function.
After the entry for Atractylodis Rhizoma (Baizhu) in Volume One (Chen Jiamo) Commentary: Suitable for reference.