Fu Ling - Poria, China Root
TCM Materia Medica
Fu Ling TCM Herb Classifications and Usages
The TCM herb "fu ling" which in english is 
"poria, china root", is categorized within the "herbs that drain dampness" functional grouping. It is thought to enter the heart, lung and spleen channels and exhibits neutral (ping) and sweet (gan) taste/temperature properties.
Dosages and preparations will vary according to each individual and the overall approach of a formula, but generally this herb has the following dosage and/or preparation guidelines:
- Dosage: 9-15g
Of many possible clinical applications, it may be considered to influence the following issues/symptoms:
- Promotes urination, drains dampness, transforms phlegm - urinary difficulty, diarrhea, edema, headache, dizziness, greasy tongue coat.
- Strengthens the spleen, harmonizes the middle jiao - diarrhea, loss of appetite.
- Quiets the heart and calms the spirit - palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness.
Fu Ling has some precautions to be considered (see our precautions list).
- Avoid Vinegar While Using This Herb.
Fu Ling may potentially be used, in coordination with a well tailored formula (in most cases), to influence the following conditions: diarrhea, dizziness (vertigo), edema, forgetfulness, headache, insomnia and/or urinary disorders (lin disease)
While it may not always be included depending on the manufacturer or herbalist making the formula, fu ling is generally included in the following 53 formulas:
ViewBan Xia Hou Po Wan (Pinellia & Magnolia Pills)
Plum pit qi (globus hystericus) and/or difficulty with swallowing from liver qi stagnation. Coughing, hiccups, nausea and possible vomitting from rebellious qi and phlegm.
ViewBao He Wan (Preserve Harmony Pills)
Epigastric and or abdominal fullness or painful distention after meals. Acid reflux, belching, vomiting with possible aversion to food due to food stagnation. This formula can also be used for acut…
ViewBao Ji Wan (Protect and Relieve Pills)
Cramping and/or painful distension of the abdomen. Foul smelling belching or gas with diarrhea due to heat in the intestine. May alleviate some hangover symptoms. Also useful to treat food poisoni…
ViewBa Wei Dai Xia Fang (Eight Herb Powder for Vaginal Discharge)
Clearing damp heat in the lower warmer, particularly with underlying blood deficiency - vaginal disharge, vaginal itching, vaginal inflammation along with constipation, possibly anemia, low back pain…
ViewBa Zhen Wan (Eight Treasure Combination)
For recovery of qi and blood after acute trauma or accident For frequent heavy menstrual cycles Pale complexion, fatigue, dizziness from qi deficiency Vertigo, palpitations, anxiety from blood def…
ViewChai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Wan (Bupleurum, Dragon Bone, and Oyster Shell Formula)
Palpitations, anxiety, restlessness, agitation/irritibility, and insomnia from heat due to liver yang or fire. Mental disorders such as including biopolar and schizophrenia resulting from distrubed …
ViewChu Kou Wei Wan (Chu Kou Wei Wan)
Acid reflux and/or burning sensation in the epigastrium, throat, or mouth from stomach fire. Ulcers, sores, or other types of abcess in the mouth due to persistent stomach heat. Constant sense of h…
ViewDan Gui Shao Yao Wan (Dang Gui And Peony Powder)
Blood deficiency with poor water circulation - generally used for abdominal pain during pregnancy - mild to moderate possibly with cramps, lower body edema and difficult urination. Above issues wi…
ViewDing Chuan Wan (Calm Wheezing Pills)
Directs the lung qi downward and clears phlegm heat from the lungs. Typically used for the condition of wind cold blocking the exterior with internal accumulation of phlegm heat - which may involve …
ViewDu Huo Ji Sheng Wan (Solitary Hermit Teapills)
For chronic pain due to obstruction (bi zheng) with liver and kidney deficiency. For lower back pain often with weakness and/or pain in the knees. For arthritis, especially the type affected by col…
ViewEr Chen He San Zi Yang Qin Wan (Two Aged Herbs & Three Seeds Nursing Pills)
Modified version of er chen wan - formula for clearing phlegm in both acute and chronic cases - seasonal colds and flus with phlegm, chronic wet cough, sinus issues and more physical signs such as di…
ViewEr Chen Wan (Two Aged Herbs)
The primary base formula to resolve phlegm damp, particularly in the lungs and GI system - cough (with white mucus), plugged ears, sinus blockage - along with GI symptoms of nausea, vomiting. Upper …
ViewEr Long Zuo Ci Wan (Deafness Left Supporting Pills)
Ringing in the ears/tinnitus. Unblocks the ears - useful for diminished hearing or temporary hearing loss. Red/dry eyes with blurry vision.
ViewGeng Nian An Wan (Peaceful Menopause)
Menopause symtpoms including hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, restlessness and anxiety as a result of yin deficiency. Can be used for other yin deficient symtpoms such as tinnitus, dry skin…
ViewGui Pi Wan (Restore the Spleen Formula)
The formula is used to tonify both the spleen and heart which can be damaged from excessive overthinking, compulsions, etc. along with poor dietary habits and stressful lifestyle. Anxiety, phobias…
ViewGui Zhi Fu Ling Wan (Cinnamon and Poria Teapills)
For abdominal masses such as uterine cysts, ovarian cysts, benign tumors. May be used when blood stagnation symptoms appear during pregnancy. Uterine bleeding especially if the color is dark.
ViewHuo Xiang Zheng Qi Wan (Agastache Powder to Correct the Qi)
Acute flu or cold symptoms including fever, aversion to cold, headaches, sinus pressure, runny nose. Vomitting and diarrhea from interior damp with possible abdominal cramps or pains.
ViewJiang Tang Wan (Lower Blood Sugar Pill)
Nourish the yin and tonify qi with particular emphasis on diabetes (primarily type II, but in some cases type I would benefit as well) when the underlying tcm diagnosis fits. Symptoms may include st…
ViewJian Pi Wan (Strengthen Spleen Pills)
For stomach and spleen qi deficiency with dampness that has potentially generated mild interior-heat - diarrhea, abdominal pain, poor appetite, epigastric pain. May be used in early pregnancy for mo…
ViewJia Wei Gui Pi Wan (Augmented Restore The Spleen Decoction)
A combination of jia wei xiao yao wan and gui pi wan - similar effects but with more spleen qi and blood tonification. A range of stress related issues - essentially mixes of stagnation with underly…
ViewJia Wei Xiao Yao Wan (Free and Easy Wanderer Pills)
Derived from the base formula, xiao yao wan, an important formula for liver qi stagnation with herbs added to clear heat. Liver qi stagnation - menstrual issues, painful cycles, irregular cycles, br…
ViewJing Fang Bai Du Wan (Schizonepeta and Siler Powder to Overcome Pathogenic Influences)
Early stages of disease arising from wind cold damp - common cold, flu, bronchitis, mumps. Early stages of skin diseases - boils, carbuncles, eczema, dermatitis with the right underlying factors. M…
ViewJin Gui Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill from the Golden Cabinet)
Lethargy, low libedo, frequent urination with possible incontinence resulting from kidney yang deficiency. Sensation of cold, especially in the lower half.
ViewLiu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia)
Dizziness, tinnitus, possibly vertigo as a result of kidney and liver yin deficiency. Insomnia especially with night sweats, hot flashes, irritability. Spontaneous/nocturnal emissions. Menopaus…
ViewMai Men Dong Yin Zi Wan (Ophiopogon and Trichosanthes Combination)
Lung and stomach yin deficiency - this is a modified version of Mai Men Dong Tang - fei wei (lung atrophy) syndrome in Chinese Medicine - dry cough from yin fluid damage, generally arises from defici…
ViewPing Gan Liu Qi Yin Wan (Dang Gui And Pinellia Combination)
Liver qi stagnation with blood deficiency heat - signs of heat, red eyes, possibly anxiety and/or irritability, etc. along with digestive issues such as gastritis, cirrhosis, cholecystitis, hernia.…
ViewQi Ju Di Huang Wan (Lycii Chrysanthemum Teapills)
Yin deficiency symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, night sweats, hot flashes, heat in the soles and dryness. Blurry vision, possibly with dry eyes.
ViewQing Fei Wan (Clear The Lungs Decoction)
Clears heat and phlegm and replenishes lung yin - chronic cough, generally with thicker yellow mucus, sore throat. With the right factors aspiration pneumonia, pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis,…
ViewQing Qi Hua Tan Wan (Clear the Qi and Transform Phlegm Pill)
Cough with thick yellow or green phlegm, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and possible fullness of the chest due to damp heat accumulation in the lungs.
ViewRen Shen Bai Du Wan (Ginseng Detoxification Pills)
Coming Soon...
ViewRen Shen Yang Rong Wan (Ginseng Decoction to Nourish the Nutritive Qi)
Tonifies both qi and blood and nourishes the heart and calms the spirit - generally used for weakness from longer term or deep diseases such as cancer and for a host of other conditions affecting a b…
ViewSang Piao Xiao Wan (Mantis Egg Case Powder)
Frequent urination, possibly incontinent from weakness in the heart and kidney systems. Pang Guang Shi Yue (bladder losing restraint). Other kidney deficiency signs possible such as spermatorrhea, …
ViewShen Ling Bai Zhu Wan (Ginseng, Poria & Atractylodes Pills)
Diarrhea, loose stools, or mucus/greasy stools from damp accumulation in the spleen/stomach. Borborygmus, low appetite, fatigue, and/or pale complexion resulting from spleen qi deficiency. Colitis,…
ViewShi Quan Da Bu Wan (Ten Tonics Nourishment Pills)
Coming Soon...
ViewShu Gan Wan (Liver Comfort Pills)
Abdominal and/or Hypochondriac pain, cramps or spasms resulting from liver qi stagnation. Alternating chills and fever. Nausea, bloating, acid reflux, alternating stools, or IBS like symptoms cause…
ViewShu Jing Huo Xue Wan (Relax The Channels and Invigorate The Blood Decoction)
Primarily used for blood stasis with wind-damp in the channels and collaterals characterized by internal deficiency with external excesses - joint pain, muscle aches, numbness and/or pain in the lowe…
ViewSi Jun Zi Tang Wan (Four Gentlemen Teapills)
General qi tonification formula - weak extremities, lassitude, pale face, poor appetite, loose stools. Due to the strenghtening functions can bolster immunity. Spleen qi deficiency is the backdro…
ViewSuan Zao Ren Wan (Sour Jujube Decoction)
Shen related issues when arising from liver blood deficiency - anxiety, insomnia. Menopausal heat contributing to sleep and/or anxiety issues. Palpitations, night sweats, and general dryness.
ViewTe Xiao Zao Ren An Mian Wan (Peaceful Sleep Tablets)
Insomnia, vivid dreaming, nightmares. Acute emotional instability. May be used to treat convulsions or spasms that are caused by a combination of blood deficiency with wind.
ViewTian Ma Gou Teng Wan (Gastrodia and Uncaria Formula)
Headaches, vertigo, dizziness, tinnitis, floaters or blurry vision, insomnia as a result of liver yang rising. Siezures, spasms, convulsions or other types of involuntary muscle activity due to liv…
ViewTian Wang Bu Xin Wan (Emperor of Heavens Special Pill to Tonify the Heart)
Anxiety, insomnia, irritability, night sweats, hot flashes, flushing or sensation of heat in the palms due to deficiency heat. Insomnia, poor memory, poor focus and concentration due to yin deficien…
ViewWen Dan Wan (Warm the Gallbladder Formula)
Anxiety, depression, insomnia, and other shen disturbances caused by phlegm misting the mind. Seizures, convulsions or other types of involuntary muscle contractions that are caused by phlegm and he…
ViewWu Ling San Wan (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria)
Generally used, often in conjunction with other formulas, as a mild-diuretic and mild spleen strengthening formula - for edema from spleen qi deficiency primarily.
ViewWu Lin San Wan (Gardenia & Hoelen Formula)
Painful urination with cloudy or dark urine due to heat. Possibly blood in the urine -bright red blood not occult.
ViewXiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Wan (Aucklandia, Amomi & Six Gentlemen Pills)
A modified version of the base, zhi zhu wan, which is used to treat qi stagnation and food retention from qi deficiency. This modification includes herbs which add more movement and damp drying. Di…
ViewXiang Sha Yang Wei Wan (Aucklandia Amomi Nurture Stomach Pills)
Low appetite, apathy towards eating due to spleen qi deficiency. Acid reflux, indigestion, epigastric pain, tendency to feel full even with small quantities of food. Food stagnation due to overeati…
ViewXiao Yao Wan (Free and Easy Wanderer)
Depression, anxiety, loss of motivation - resulting from liver qi stagnation. Fatigue, bloating, changes in appetite from the combination of spleen qi deficiency with liver qi stagnation. PMS, brea…
ViewXi Guan Jie Bi Tong Wan (Knee Joint Pain Relief)
Arthritis from damp heat in Chinese Medicine terms. Knee issues with kidney and liver systems involvement. Lower body pain and/or inflammation - hips, knees, ankles, toes especially when the pain m…
ViewYi Gan Wan (Restrain The Liver Powder)
Anxiety, palpitations, easily frightened, alternating fevers/chills; heat from deficiency in the liver.Originally designed for Children who had issues such as anger, fright, fevers, insomnia, digesti…
ViewYu Quan Wan (Jade Spring Pills)
Xiao Ke (wasting and thirsting syndrome), qi and yin deficiencies of the kidney and spleen most commonly seen in the advanced forms of diabetes type II - excessive thirst, excessive urination, strong…
ViewZhi Bai Di Huang Wan (Eight Flavor Rehmannia Teapills)
Steaming bone syndrome - dry and intensive persuasive sensation of heat possibly with flushing and tidal fever. Dizziness, vertigo, tinnitis, anxiety and restlessness resulting from yin deficiency. …
ViewZhong Feng Hui Chun Wan (Stroke Recovery Pills)
Bell's Palsy, facial paralysis, slurry of speech, difficulty swallowing. Stroke, Transient Ischemic Attack.
ViewZuo Gui Wan (Right Returning Pills)
Infertility, low libedo, impotence due to kidney yin deficiency. Low sperm count, abnormal sperm morphology resulting from jing deficiency. Irregular menstruation, vaginal dryness.
As noted above, fu ling is within the herbs that drain dampness functional group. All the herbs in this category are listed below.
(truncated intro "... there are two main types of dampness: accumulation of fluids in the body - edema, congested fluids (respiratory and digestive system). these herbs are good for edema below the wais…)".
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