Jiuzhihe Poria

Jiuzhihe Poria

　　[Overview] Poria is a fungus that parasitizes the roots of pine trees. It resembles sweet potato in shape, with a dark brown outer skin and white or pinkish interior. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is used for its diuretic and sedative effects.

　　 　　[Medicine] It is the dried sclerotium of the fungus Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf from the Polyporaceae family, mostly parasitic on the roots of Masson's pine or red pine. It is produced in Yunnan, Anhui, Hubei, Henan, Sichuan, and other regions.

　　 　　It is harvested in autumn and spring, and cultivated varieties are typically collected three years after inoculation. The harvested material is cleaned, steamed, layered, and the top is covered with thick hemp bags to induce sweating, allowing moisture to be released. Afterward, the water droplets are wiped off, and the material is spread out in a cool place until the surface dries before inducing sweating again. This process is repeated 3–4 times until the surface becomes wrinkled, the skin color turns brownish, then it is air-dried to semi-dryness, cut into sections, dried in the shade, and used raw.

　　 　　Poria Skin: The outer skin of the Poria sclerotium, which has the function of promoting urination and reducing edema.

　　 　　Red Poria: The light red part remaining after removing the outer skin, which helps to drain damp-heat.

　　 　　White Poria: The white part remaining after cutting away the red Poria, also simply called Poria, cut into small cubes, which drains dampness and strengthens the spleen.

　　 　　Poria Spirit: The part of white Poria that encloses fine pine roots, cut into square thin slices, which calms the mind and spirit.

　　 　　[Pharmacological Composition] Contains β-Pachyman, pachymic acid, lecithin, and sterols.

　　 　　[Pharmacological Effects] 1: Diuretic Effect

　　 　　The mechanism of Poria’s diuretic action is unclear, and compound formulas show more potent effects than the single herb.

　　 　　2: Sedative Effect

　　 　　An aqueous decoction of Poria, when injected intraperitoneally in mice, can inhibit spontaneous activity and counteract caffeine-induced hyperactivity, as well as synergize with barbiturate anesthesia.

　　 　　3: Cardiovascular System

　　 　　Ethanol extracts enhance myocardial contractility and increase heart rate.

　　 　　4: Digestive System

　　 　　Poria has a significant protective effect against liver damage in mice caused by carbon tetrachloride.

　　 　　5: Antitumor Effect

　　 　　Poria polysaccharides inhibit sarcoma in mice, and their action is related to the thymus, activating local complement.

　　 　　(1) It exhibits anti-cancer activity in vivo and enhances human immune function; the contained Poria polysaccharides can inhibit sarcoma S-180 with an efficiency of up to 96.88%.

　　 　　(2) The infusion shows a diuretic effect when injected intraperitoneally in normal rabbits; ether or ethanol extracts strengthen the contraction of isolated frog hearts and initially raise then lower blood sugar levels in rabbits.

　　 　　(3) A decoction of Poria Spirit has a sedative effect on mice, though the sedative effect of Poria is slightly weaker than that of Poria Spirit.

　　 　　[Medicinal Properties] Sweet, bland, neutral; enters the lung, stomach, and kidney meridians.

　　 　　[Medicinal Efficacy] Detoxifies and fights cancer, promotes urination and resolves fluid retention, strengthens the spleen and calms the mind.

　　 　　Promotes urination and drains dampness, strengthens the spleen, resolves phlegm, and calms the mind and spirit.

　　 　　[Medicinal Uses] (1) Detoxifies and fights cancer, used for cancerous accumulation and toxicity, lung cancer: 15g each of Poria, Ophiopogon, and Fritillaria cirrhosa; 12g each of Placenta Hominis, Rehmannia glutinosa (prepared), Rehmannia glutinosa (raw), Alisma, Polyporus, Eupolyphaga seu Steleophaga, Polygonum multiflorum, Dragon Bone; 9g each of Angelica sinensis, Paeonia lactiflora, Ligustrum lucidum, Atractylodes macrocephala, Syzygium aromaticum, Massa Medicata Fermentata, Hordeum vulgare, Crataegus pinnatifida, Gallus gallus domesticus Endothelium Corneum, Colla Corii Asini (melted), Testudinis Plastrum Powder, Aloe; 6g each of Amomum villosum and Ginseng; 3g each of Cinnabar, Amber, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis; 30g each of Ostrea gigas and Limonitum. Decoct in water, take 1 dose per day. After taking for one week, follow with: 30g each of Scutellaria barbata and Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum. Decoct in water, take 1 dose per day. Alternate between the two formulas weekly until symptoms such as coughing with phlegm and chest pain are alleviated, and X-ray rechecks show shadows disappearing. Stomach Cancer: 15g each of Poria, Solanum nigrum, and Scutellaria barbata; 9g each of Red Ginseng, Atractylodes macrocephala, and Astragalus membranaceus; 6g of Chebulae Fructus; 3g each of Zingiber officinale (dried), Syzygium aromaticum, and Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata. Decoct in water, take 1 dose per day. Symptoms such as facial and limb swelling, abdominal distension, and loose stools gradually improve, and appetite increases. Esophageal Cancer: 45g of Poria, 30g each of Hematite, Pinellia ternata (processed), and Rhizoma et Radix Tetrastigmas; 18g each of Perilla Stem and Chinese Olive; 15g of Aurantii Fructus Immaturus; 9g each of Citrus reticulata (blanched) and Zingiber officinale (fresh); 3g of Borax. Decoct twice, take in divided doses morning and evening, 1 dose per day. Continued use leads to symptom relief, smoother eating, and significant shrinkage of cancer lesions in X-ray rechecks. Liver Cancer: 45g each of Poria and Solanum nigrum; 15g each of Solanum lyratum and Scutellaria barbata; 9g each of Paeonia lactiflora and Moutan Cortex; 6g of Scrophularia ningpoensis. Decoct twice and divide into doses. Symptoms gradually disappear, liver returns to normal size. Isotope scan shows uniform radioactive distribution. Lymphosarcoma: 30g each of Poria, Salvia miltiorrhiza, and Ostrea gigas (raw); 15g of Turtle Shell; 9g each of Curcuma aromatica, Aurantii Fructus Immaturus, Atractylodes macrocephala, Bupleurum chinense, Carthamus tinctorius, Resina Draconis, Gallus gallus domesticus Endothelium Corneum, Paeonia lactiflora; 6g each of Aucklandia lappa and Amomum villosum; 4.5g of Glycyrrhiza uralensis. Decoct in water. Symptoms are relieved, and after 3 months, imaging shows lymph node shrinkage. Cervical Cancer: 30g each of Poria, Scutellaria barbata, and Paris polyphylla; 15g each of Dioscorea opposita and Rehmannia glutinosa (raw); 9g each of Anemarrhena asphodeloides, Phellodendron chinense, and Alisma orientale; 6g of Moutan Cortex; 10 pieces of Jujube. Decoct in water. Symptoms such as leukorrhea, frequent urination, and sore waist improve, and local lesions disappear. Uterine Fibroids: 180g each of Poria, Cinnamomum cassia, Angelica sinensis, and Moutan Cortex; 120g each of Persica, Paeonia rubra, Sargassum, Ostrea gigas, and Turtle Shell; 75g of Carthamus tinctorius; 60g each of Sparganium stoloniferum, Curcuma zedoaria, Olibanum, Myrrha; ground into powder, mixed with honey to form Guizhi Fuling Pills, each pill weighing 9g. Take 1 pill 3 times per day with warm water. Continue for one year to regulate menstruation and eliminate fibroids. Leukemia: 15g each of Poria and Camptotheca acuminata Root Bark; 9g each of Plumbago zeylanica, Hedyotis diffusa, Verbena officinalis, and Helianthus tuberosus. Decoct in water. Symptoms are completely or partially relieved, survival time is prolonged, suitable for acute types.

　　 　　(2) Promotes urination and resolves fluid retention, used for water-dampness and phlegm-fluid retention: Treating water-dampness retention: 30g of Poria, 15g of Atractylodes macrocephala, 12g each of Polyporus, Areca peel, and Chaenomeles speciosa; 9g each of Areca catechu, Perilla Stem, Alisma, Mori Cortex, and Citrus reticulata (dried); 3g each of Ginseng and Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata. Decoct in water. For spleen deficiency and poor transformation: 60g each of Poria, Codonopsis pilosula, and Atractylodes macrocephala; 30g each of Massa Medicata Fermentata, Hordeum vulgare, Crataegus pinnatifida, Dioscorea opposita, Amomum villosum, Citrus reticulata (dried), and Myristica fragrans (powder); 22g each of Aucklandia lappa, Coptis chinensis, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis. Grind into powder, make into water pills as Jianpi Pills, take 9g 2 times per day with warm water. For loss of nourishment in the spirit: 9g of Poria, 15g of Ziziphus jujuba Seed, 6g of Anemarrhena asphodeloides, 4.5g of Chuanxiong rhizome, 3g of Glycyrrhiza uralensis. Decoct in water as Suanzaoren Tang. Also suitable for insomnia due to deficiency, palpitations, and dizziness.

　　 　　[Medicinal Dosage] Decoction: 3–45g. Pills/Powders: 3.18–9g