The efficacy and function of Poria cocos[picture]

The essence of traditional Chinese medicine is to treat both the symptoms and the root cause. Compared with Western medicine, the effects and efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine are much better. The same is true for the traditional Chinese medicine Poria cocos [picture]. Here we will introduce the effects and functions of the traditional Chinese medicine Poria cocos [picture].

【English name】 PORIA

[Other names] Poria cocos, Poria cocos peel, Poria cocos block, red Poria cocos, white Poria cocos

[Source] This product is the dried sclerotium of the Polyporaceae fungus Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf. It is usually dug up from July to September. After digging out, the mud and sand are removed, and the plants are piled up to "sweat". Then they are spread out to dry on the surface, and then "sweated" again. This process is repeated several times until wrinkles appear and most of the internal moisture is lost. Then they are dried in the shade and are called "Poria cocos pieces". Or fresh Poria cocos is cut into different parts and dried in the shade, which are called "Poria cocos peels" and "Poria cocos blocks" respectively.

[Properties] Poria cocos: spherical, elliptical, oblate or irregular lumps of varying sizes. The outer skin is thin and rough, brown to dark brown, with obvious wrinkled texture. It is heavy, solid, granular in cross section, some with cracks, light brown on the outside, white on the inside, a few light red, and some with pine roots in the middle. Odorless, light taste, sticky to teeth when chewed.

【Identification】 (1) The powder of this product is off-white. Irregular granular masses and branched masses are colorless and gradually dissolve in chloral hydrate solution. The hyphae are colorless or light brown, slender, slightly curved, branched, and 3 to 8 μm in diameter, and a few up to 16 μm in diameter.

[Preparation] Take Poria cocos, soak it, wash it, steam it slightly after moistening it, cut the skin and pieces or cut it into thick slices in time, and dry it in the sun.

【Nature and flavor】 Sweet, light, neutral.

[return through] return the heart, lung, spleen and kidney meridians.

【Functions and indications】Promotes diuresis and eliminates dampness, strengthens the spleen and calms the mind. It is used for edema, oliguria, phlegm and fluid, dizziness and palpitations, spleen deficiency, poor appetite, loose stools and diarrhea, restlessness, palpitations and insomnia.

【Usage and Dosage】 9-15g.

【Storage】 Store in a dry place away from moisture.

[Remarks] (1) If the syndrome is characterized by cold and dampness, it can be used in combination with cinnamon twig, white atractylodes, etc.; if the syndrome is characterized by damp-heat, it can be used in combination with umbellate polypore, oriental water chestnuts, etc.; if the syndrome is characterized by spleen deficiency, it can be used in combination with codonopsis pilosula, astragalus, white atractylodes, etc.; if the syndrome is characterized by deficiency-cold, it can also be used in combination with aconite root, white atractylodes, etc. For diarrhea and leukorrhea caused by spleen deficiency and dysfunction, the use of Poria cocos has the effect of treating both the symptoms and the root cause, and is often used in combination with Codonopsis pilosula, Atractylodes macrocephala, and Dioscorea opposita. It can be used as an auxiliary medicine for nourishing the lungs and spleen and treating qi deficiency. For symptoms of spleen deficiency that is unable to transport and transform water and dampness, which results in the accumulation of phlegm and fluid, Pinellia ternata and dried tangerine peel can be used together, or they can be used together with cinnamon twig and white atractylodes. It can be used together with Pinellia ternata and Citrus aurantium to treat phlegm and dampness entering the meridians, shoulder and back pain. It is used for symptoms such as restlessness, palpitations, insomnia, etc., and is often used in combination with ginseng, polygala, and spinach seed.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Pharmacopoeia

[Source] "Ben Jing"

Through the introduction in the above article, I believe everyone has a certain understanding of Poria cocos [picture]. This is a medicinal material we are very familiar with, but it has many medicinal properties and functions. Therefore, I hope everyone will consume it based on their own situation.