The Poria cocos of Panxi can grow as big as a bushel

The Poria cocos of Panxi can grow as big as a bushel

　　"Green shades stretch for miles where pines and poplars stand tall; Their rugged trunks like dragons ancient and call. Young herbalists venture deep in mountain wilds, And harvest Poria cocos as big as gourds and shields." This is an ancient ode to the Poria cocos of Panzhihua. The local chronicles of Panzhihua once recorded a tribute list presented to the emperor by a local chieftain: "One silver-mounted copper Buddha, five hadas; five Poria cocos, five boxes of grass-leaved sweetflag..." In the 38th year of the Republic of China (1949), Zhuge Shihuai, a local tyrant from Yanbian County (now part of Panzhihua City), sought the position of garrison commander along the upper reaches of the Jinsha River. Among the gifts he offered to Hu Zongnan, who was in charge of the region at the time, were Poria cocos, bear gallbladder, and snake gallbladder. Poria cocos has a sweet and mild flavor, and affects the heart, lungs, spleen, and kidneys. It helps promote urination, eliminate dampness, and calm the mind. Though Poria cocos can be found across the country, why did both chieftains and bribers prefer those from the Panzhihua area? It turns out that Poria cocos from Yunnan, known as "Yunling," has long been considered a premium variety, and the Poria cocos from Panzhihua ranks among the best of Yunling. It grows under the towering, resin-rich roots of Yunnan pines, yielding thick, finely textured, snow-white flesh. Moreover, locals often harvest it from century-old pine roots, where it can grow surprisingly large—sometimes reaching weights of 20 to 30 kilograms. Nutrient-rich and highly medicinal, production could peak at tens of thousands of kilograms per year. In ancient times, Poria cocos was often regarded as the food of immortals. In classic Chinese novels, Taoist immortals were typically depicted drinking celestial dew and consuming Poria cocos. Ancient people believed it could prolong life. Su Dongpo wrote: "Now, a hundred days a guest I stay, / Nurturing this thousand-year-old tree each day. / No word of Poria cocos yet I see, / While my temples gray night and day." Cao Xueqin also described Poria cocos cream in "Dream of the Red Chamber." Among medicated diets, there are Poria cocos pastes and Poria cocos porridge. It's commonly included in nutritious foods for children, and it's ubiquitous in traditional Chinese medicine. So remember: the finest Poria cocos of all can still be found in Panzhihua. (Panzhihua)