The Functions and Benefits of Poria cocos (Fu Shen Mu)
Sep 13, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhao Haiming
Introduction
Effects and Benefits of Poria Cocos (Fuling Shenmu):
1. Calms the heart and nourishes the spirit. Fuling Shenmu has a sweet and bland taste, with a slightly warm nature, effective for treating heat in the heart due to deficiency and cold conditions. In cases of physical weakness, restlessness of spirit, palpitations, anxiety, fearfulness, and forgetfulness, Fuling Shenmu can be used to treat symptoms such as insomnia, epilepsy, and poor memory.
2. Promotes diuresis and reduces edema. When the body's fluid metabolism is disrupted, leading to dysfunction of organs such as the lungs, spleen, and kidneys, edema often occurs.
Fu Shen Mu refers to the loose central part within the Poria cocos sclerotium, hence it is called Fu Shen Mu. It is a type of traditional Chinese medicinal herb. What then are the functions and benefits of Fu Shen Mu?
Functions and Benefits of Fu Shen Mu
1. Calms the heart and nourishes the spirit. Fu Shen Mu has a sweet and bland taste, with a slightly warm nature, effective for treating heart heat with underlying deficiency-cold. In cases of physical weakness, restlessness of spirit, palpitations, anxiety, timidity, and forgetfulness, Fu Shen Mu can warm the heart. It is commonly used to treat symptoms such as insomnia, convulsions, and poor memory.
2. Promotes diuresis and reduces edema. When the body's fluid metabolism becomes disordered, leading to edema involving organs such as the lungs, spleen, and kidneys, Fu Shen Mu can be used. It promotes urination without damaging the heart, serves as a primary treatment, and also has spleen-strengthening properties.
3. Tonifies deficiencies and treats fatigue. Fu Shen Mu enters the heart and spleen meridians, tonifying both organs and treating conditions arising from deficiency. Spleen and heart deficiencies often result from prolonged illness causing functional imbalances or excessive mental strain. Common symptoms include palpitations, insomnia, poor appetite, and fatigue. Fu Shen Mu is effective in treating these conditions and may therefore be used accordingly.
Fu Shen Mu typically consists of irregularly shaped pine roots, with residual Poria visible on the exterior, appearing white or grayish-white, while the interior resembles woody tissue. It is light in weight, soft in texture, barkless, and resembles decayed wood. Fu Shen Mu is the pine root embedded within the central portion of the sclerotium of Poria cocos, a species belonging to the Polyporaceae family of fungi.
Although Fu Shen Mu is beneficial, it is not suitable for everyone. Its use is contraindicated in individuals with kidney deficiency, difficulty in urination, or those experiencing unexpected deficiency-cold with slippery conditions. We hope this answer has been helpful to you. Wishing you good health and happiness!
