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More
Information:
Other
Common Names
Hoelen (note: the name Hoelen is not used in China but
has recently taken hold in America only
Page
Number In Radiant Health
207
Pinyin
Fu Ling
Treasures
Qi
Treasure
Rating
****
Atmospheric
Energy
Neutral
Taste
Bland or very mildly sweet
Organ
Meridian Systems
HHeart, Spleen and Kidney
Part
Used and Form
Whole fungus
Primary
Functions
To strengthen the Spleen and transform dampness, to
stabilize Shen and calm the mind
Qualities
Poria is very widely used in Chinese herbalism. It is
traditionally used as a Qi tonic to benefit the internal
organs. It is a solid fungus which grows on the roots of
old pine trees. The Spirit Farmers Pharmacopoeia said
that Poria is tranquilizing to the mind, and that long
term taking of Poria can relieve hunger and lengthen the
life.
It is a mild, safe and effective diuretic. It is used in
hundreds of classical formulas to improve the flow of
water through the body. It is especially commonly used
in Qi tonics for this purpose.
Poria is also mildly sedative. And is considered to be
highly nourishing. It is one of the primary longevity
herbs and is included in most longevity tonics. Recent
research has discovered that Poria is a powerful immune
system tonic. Poria has been found to induce the
production in human beings of a-interferon. It is common
in Fu Zheng therapy in China and Japan formulas used to
build the immune systems of cancer patients.
There was a tradition in the Imperial Palace during the
Qing Dynasty of "taking Poria in the winter and
drinking plum soup in the summer." A very popular
tonic herb among the common folks, Poria was also
commonly used in the imperial cuisine during the Ming
and Qing Dynasties. It was made into buns, which was
eaten daily as a snack. "Black fish and Poria
soup" was a famous dish in the imperial cuisine.
There is also a famous imperial cake: Poria sandwich
cake. This was invented by Ci Xi, the last Empress of
China. Ci Xi ruled China for over fifty years in the
latter half of the nineteenth century. The palace used
to make plain Poria cake, without any fillings. But one
time, Ci Xi was very sick, and the normal Poria cake
(snow white, paper thin, round cakes ) was tasteless to
her palette. She was about to show her famous temper
when all of sudden, she caught sight of her honey
preserved fruits, so she asked her servant to add some
honey pine nuts and walnuts between two cakes. This was
how the famous Poria sandwich pancake was invented. You
can still buy this famous imperial cake at stalls in
Beijing and in Beijing's grocery shops. Since Poria was
a popular food among the imperial concubines, there are
still two huge Poria from Qing Dynasty kept on display
in the Forbidden City.
Primary
Combinations
Combine with:
1. Atractylodes (white and red), Ginseng Root,
Codonopsis, Astragalus and Ginger to tonify the Spleen,
build qi and eliminate excess moisture
Varieties
and Grading
Poria is not an expensive herb. But some Poria is better
than others. Try to find large, white pieces. The best
Poria is still slightly moist---or at least, not very
dry and brittle. There is also a variety known as pink
Poria, which has stronger Shen tonic effects. It has a
slight pink tint.
Contraindications
Poria is a very safe herb.
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Poria
is very widely used in Chinese herbalism. It is
traditionally used as a Qi tonic to benefit the internal
organs. It is a solid fungus which grows on the roots of
old pine trees. It is mildly diuretic and sedative, and
is considered to be highly nourishing. It is a mild Shen
tonic. Poria has significant immune enhancing ability,
similar to the other mushrooms in the tonic class.