Library

Poria (Fuling) has a bland taste with a slight sweetness, is neutral in nature and non-toxic. It enters the Lung, Spleen, and Small Intestine meridians. Its primary functions are to tonify Spleen Qi (Spleen energy), promote urination, relieve thirst and restlessness, calm palpitations and fright, and prolong life with long-term use. Before use, the outer skin and inner core should be removed, and it should be ground into fine powder. When stirred in water, the floating parts are its fibrous strands (筋), which should be discarded; accidental ingestion may damage vision. Red Poria specifically focuses on promoting diuresis. Poria that grows wrapped around the pine roots is called Shenma (Poria with Hostwood). It primarily tonifies the Heart and calms the Spirit (Shen), eliminates palpitations and fright, and treats amnesia. Horse tansy (Malan) serves as an guiding herb. It is incompatible with Amur Peony Root (Bailian) and fears Mumen, Pericarpium Evodiae (Duyu), Realgar (Xionghuang), Gentian (Qinjiao), and Turtle Shell (Guijia). Vinegar and sour foods are contraindicated.

Commentary: The white color of Poria corresponds to the image of Metal of the West (Lung). Its bland taste characterizes it as a draining and leaching agent of the Taiyang (Greater Yang) level. Its slight sweetness corresponds to the flavor of Earth of the Center (Spleen); therefore, it enters both. The Spleen most detests Dampness, and when urination is unobstructed, Dampness is naturally eliminated. Thus, while tonifying the Spleen through draining and leaching, it appears unable to generate Body Fluids (Jin Ye). Why did Zhang Jiegu (Zhang Congzheng's teacher, Liu Wansu's contemporary, often cited for his theories on dampness/thirst) claim it stops thirst? This is likely because its white color belongs to Metal, which can nourish the Lung. Once Lung Metal is nourished, it can naturally generate Water (Body Fluids). Furthermore, the Classic states: "The Bladder is the official of the capital, storing Body Fluids; only through Qi transformation can they be excreted." Indeed, since it connects superiorly to the Lung, it relies on Lung Qi to transform them, allowing Body Fluids to exit accordingly. The pharmacological principle stating "White enters Ren and Gui (Water/Kidney)" implies this same meaning. How then can thirst not cease? As for palpitations and fright, these stem from deficiency of the Heart meridian. Since the Heart and Small Intestine are exterior-interior partners, by draining the Small Intestine, Heart Fire is also cleared, thus calming the condition. Zhu Danxi stated: "It is not suitable for Yin deficiency, as one must fear its draining and leaching effects." However, since its taste is still sweet, and Sweetness governs moderation/slackening, it causes no great harm, unlike Polyporus (Zhuling), which is purely bland-draining and severely injures the Yin aspect. *Yao Xing Lun* claims it can stop polyuria and unblock constipation, which contradicts its actual functions; such claims should not be readily believed. Red Poria belongs to Bing and Ding (Fire), specifically entering the Bladder to drain Fire, so apart from promoting diuresis, it has no other merits. Shenma grows wrapped around the root, symbolizing attachment. Palpitations occur when the Hun (Ethereal Soul) cannot attach; amnesia occurs when the Shen (Spirit) cannot reside. Hence, it is appropriate for treating these conditions. *Guang Zhi* states: "Shenma is made of pine resin and is superior to Poria." *Bencao Yan Yi* states: "Where Qi is abundant, moisture leaks outwards, not wrapping the root, condensing into Poria; where there is fluid Qi but not too abundant, staying close to the root, it condenses into Shenma." Examining these two books, their statements contradict each other. However, Daoist elixir texts mostly require Poria for consumption, excluding Shenma. The validity of these two theories is thereby distinguished.