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Taste: Sweet; Nature: Neutral; Toxicity: Non-toxic.
Indications: Malaria (Nüe), detoxification, Gu Zhu (a chronic wasting disease caused by insect toxins or evil qi) and inauspicious conditions, promoting the flow of water passages. Long-term consumption lightens the body and delays aging.

Chen Xiuyuan states: Zhu Ling (Polyporus) has a neutral Qi, inheriting Metal Qi to enter the Lung Meridian. Its taste is sweet and non-toxic, obtaining Earth flavor to enter the Spleen Meridian. The Lung governs regulation (adjusting the body's Qi mechanism and fluid metabolism), and the Spleen governs transportation and transformation (transporting essence from food and drink); therefore, it can promote the flow of water passages. Furthermore, observing this substance, it carries sweetness when unearthed, but becomes bland after a long time. Blandness returns to the Bladder. The Bladder belongs to the Taiyang (Greater Yang) stage. There are two interpretations of this: one refers to the Taiyang of the meridians, and the other to the Taiyang of the Six Qi. What is meant by the Taiyang of the meridians? Its fu-organ is located in the lower jiao and governs water. Upon receiving the transformation of Upper Jiao Lung Qi and the transportation of Middle Jiao Spleen Qi, the Lower Jiao fluids are properly regulated. As stated, "The Upper Jiao is like mist" (dispensing Wei Qi and spreading essences), "the Middle Jiao is like a fermenting vat" (rotting and ripening food and drink), and "the Lower Jiao is like a ditch" (draining water channels). When the function of draining (Jue Du) operates in the Zhou Du (referring to the Bladder), there naturally arises the scene of clouds moving and rain falling (normal fluid metabolism) within the Bladder. Its diuretic effect is miraculous, which has its origins, and it does not merely benefit the water passages. The Taiyang of the Six Qi is called Ju Yang (Great Yang). It corresponds to the Heavenly Dao, resides high, and protects the exterior; it serves as the fence for the Monarch Heart. Whenever Wind-Cold initially invades, it inevitably enters the realm of the Taiyang first. If treatment is delayed, it evolves into cold damage or miscellaneous diseases resembling malaria but not being malaria, all of which fall under this category. By utilizing Zhu Ling to promote the flow of water passages, water movement facilitates Qi transformation, water essences distribute in all directions, and profuse sweating occurs. Consequently, Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) harmonize, and all pathogenic factors are resolved. Did Zhang Zhongjing derive his insight from this principle in Wu Ling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) and Gui Zhi Qu Gui Jia Fu Ling Bai Zhu Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction with Cinnamon Removed plus Poria and Atractylodes Macrocephala Decoction)? If there is thirst and desire to drink water with difficulty in urination in the Yangming stage, or cough, vomiting, thirst, restlessness, and insomnia in the Shaoyin stage, and these symptoms often accompany heat malaria, the general approach is to promote the flow of water passages, disseminate the Qi of the Taiyang stage, allow the cycle of Heaven and Water to circulate, and moisten dryness. This is the meaning behind Zhang Zhongjing's Zhu Ling Tang (Poria Decoction). Moreover, Taiyang represents Heaven, bright and clear. Clarity resolves various toxins; brightness causes Gu Zhu to disappear without active expulsion. It is also said that long-term consumption lightens the body and delays aging because urine gains strength only through the transformation of Yang Qi. If urine cannot shoot far, it indicates deficiency of Yang Qi in the lower part; if the head shakes during or after urination, since the head is the meeting point of all Yang meridians, this reflects upper-body decline verified from below. These are all signs of old age. With the assistance of Zhu Ling in supporting the Qi of the Taiyang stage, one can endure them. However, this is merely the therapeutic method for the Taiyang stage initiated by the Sage, and does not imply that the bland nature of Zhu Ling alone is sufficient to rely upon.