Poria Mushroom, Fú Líng, 茯苓, Scierotium Poriae Cocos

Disclaimer    For educational purposes only.  Do not use as medical advice

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Health Benefits
For: Insomnia • Poor appetite • Allergy • Food poisoning • Difficulty urination • Water retention • Edema • Urinary Track Infection
Attributes: Diuretic • Antibacterial • Anti-inflammatory • Anti-allergic • Hypoglycemic • Antacid • Sedative • Immunity booster
Products (online examples)

Fu Ling

Fu Ling Pi

Fu Shen

Chi Fu Ling

Fu Ling Granules

Fu Ling Tincture

Fu Shen Extracts

Fu Ling Pi Granules
Research (sample)
Articles:
Constituents: 
Triterpenoids • Ergosterol • Undecanoic acid • Polysaccharide • Lauric acid • Dodecenoic acid • Caprylic acid • Palmitic acid • Dodecanoate • Caprylate

Photos (Click to enlarge)
Fun Facts
Other Names: Wolfiporia Cocos • China Root • Poria cocos • Poria Mushroom • Chinese Tuckahoe
Plant Family: Polyporacea
Fu Ling  is a fungus that grows on the roots of Japanese Red Pine trees (pinus densiflora) and Chinese Red Pine trees (pinus massoniana).  
Growth
Wolfiporia extensa is NOT in the USDA Plant Database.  

USA: Wolfiporia extensa is not available in the wild.    USDA Zones:

Native: China

Habitats: The fungus prefers Japanese red pine, fir trees, and Masson pine.

 Category: Drain Dampness 
English: Poria Mushroom    Pinyin:  Fu Ling      Pharmaceutical: Scierotium Poriae Cocos  
Organs: Heart • Lung • Spleen      Temperature: Neutral       Taste: Sweet • Bland  Toxicity: None noted  
Actions:  Dry dampness • Tonify spleen • Calm spirit • Relief edema • Detox food poisoning • Promote urination
Indications: Thick greasy tongue coat • Swelling • Edema • Poor appetite • Hives • Scanty urination • Insomnia
Contraindications: Foods: Vinegar, pickled food
Typical Dosage: 9g - 15g          Guidelines
Parts Used: The entire fungus (skin, white innards, heart)  
Other:
Combine With Purpose
Ban Xia + Chen Pi + Sheng Jiang Stomach bloating, nausea, and vomiting  [17]
Mu Xiang Diarrhea from dampness [5]
Chao Bai Zhi + Rou Dou Kou +Che Qian Zi Watery diarrhea  [17]
Ze Xie + Gui Zhi + Bai Zhu Dampness blockage.  Edema and difficult urination [5]
Dang Gui + Bai Zhu + Bai Zi Ren + Suan Zao Ren + Zhu Sha Heat and Spleen deficiency, insomnia  [17]
Gui Zhi + Ze Xie + Bai Zhu Dampness leading to edema, urination difficulty.  [17]
Shan Yao + Chen Pi + Bai Zhu + Jiao San Xian Spleen and stomach deficiency leading to poor appetite, indigestion, and loose stool [17]
Ren Shen + Long Gu + Shi Chang Pu + Yuan Zhi Heart-kidney disconnect leading to insomnia and palpitations  [17]
Gan Cao Spleen and Heart deficiency.  Shortness of breath, heart palpitations [5]
Che Qian Zi + Huang Bai + Mu Tong Cloudy and painful urination [17]
Suan Zao Ren + Yuan Zhi + Wu Wei Zi Insomnia, irritation, and palpitations [17]
Dui Yao Pairs Purpose
Fu Ling+ Yi Zhi Ren Watering diarrhea.  Eliminate dampness.  [15]
Formulas with Fu Ling
Fu Ling: Ba Zhen Tang • Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang • Ban Xia Hou Po Tang • Bao He Wan • Bei Mu Gua Lou San • Bu Dai Wan • Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang • Dang Gui Shao Yao San • Di Huang Yin Zi • Di Tan Tang • Ding Xian Wan • Ding Zhi Wan • Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang • Er Chen Tang • Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin • Gui Pi Tang • Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan • Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang • Hou Po Wen Zhong Tang • Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San • Jian Pi Wan • Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan • Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang • Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang • Liu Wei Di Huang Wan • Nuan Gan Jian • Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan • Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan • Ren Shen Bai Du San • Ren Shen Ge Jie San • Shen Ling Bai Zhu San • Sheng Tie Luo Yin • Shi Pi Yin • Shi Quan Da Bu Tang • Si Jun Zi Tang • Suan Zao Ren Tang • Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan • Wen Dan Tang • Wu Ji San • Wu Ling San • Xiang Fu Xuan Fu Hua Tang • Xiao Yao San • Xing Su San • Zhen Wu Tang • Zhi Shi Xiao Pi Wan • Zhong Man Fen Xiao Wan • Zhu Ling Tang • Zuo Gui Yin Fu Ling Pi: Wu Pi San, Wu Pi Yin Fu Shen: Ding Xian Wan • e Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang • Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang • Sang Piao Xiao San • Sheng Tie Luo Yin • Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
Variations for Fu Ling

Fu Ling/ Bai Fu Ling/ Yun fu Ling (Sclerotium Album Poriae Cocos) - the middle part (white flesh) of the fungus

Fu Ling Pi (Cortex Sclerotii Poriae Cocos) - The epidermis (dark skin) of the fungus - Stronger diuretic.   Often used to treat edema in combination with Sheng Jiang Pi, Sang Bai Pi, Chen Pi, and Da Fu Pi.  Dosage: 10g to 15g. [18]

Fu Shen (Sclerotium Pararadicis Poriae Cocos) - The thick, white part of the fungus.  It is a potent sedative, often used for irritability and insomnia.  Dosage: 6g to 10g

Fu Shen Xin (Centrum Sclerotii Pararadicis Poriae Cocos) - the dark center or heart of the fungus

Chi Fu Ling/ Chi Ling (Sclerotium Rubrum Poriae cocos) - The initial pink layer of flesh right under the fungus epidermis - targets damp heat.

Note: Tu Fu Ling is not related to Fu Ling.  It is a root of the Sarsaparilla Plant (Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae)

Alert
Be cautions with all medicine.
Potential Drug Interactions

Herbal medicine may interact negatively with pharma drugs and other herbs.  Examples below:

Herbs: ♦ Diuretic: Heal All, Bai Zhu, Huang Qi, Da Fu Pi, Ma huang, Du Zhong, Plantago

Pharma Drugs:♦ Diuretic: Acetazolamide, Aldactone, Amiloride Hydrochloride, Bumex, Diuril, Diulo, Demadex, Dyrenium, Edecrin, Enduron, Hydrodiuril, Hygroton, Lasix, Lozol, Methazolamide, Mykrox, Zaroxolyn

[3], [5], [15], [18]

Information in this post came from many sources, including class notes, practitioners, websites, webinars, books, magazines, and editor's personal experience.  While the original source often came from historical Chinese texts,  variations may result from the numerous English translations.   Always consult a doctor prior to using these drugs.  The information here is strictly for educational purposes. 

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