The Benefits and Effects of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Fushen, Its Dietary Contraindications, and How It Differs from Fuling

Everyone knows Fuling, a common traditional Chinese medicine that strengthens the spleen and harmonizes the stomach and calms the heart and soothes the nerves. But have you heard of Fushen? The two differ by only one character. Today I will introduce the benefits and effects of Fushen as well as the differences between Fushen and Fuling.

1. Introduction to Fushen

1. [Source] Fushen is the sclerotium of the fungus Fuling (Wolfiporia cocos), a polypore of the family Polyporaceae, genus Wolfiporia, that parasitizes pine trees. The medicinal part is the white portion of the dried sclerotium that encloses a pine root in the middle, usually cut into thin square blocks, firm, and distributed throughout the world.

2. [Characteristics] The dried sclerotium has the same form as Fuling, except that a pine root runs through the middle. Fushen is generally cut into square thin slices, firm in texture and powdery; the cut pine root is brownish-yellow and has ring-like markings (annual rings) on the surface, with a faint odor and a bland taste. Those with a thick, substantial interior and a small pine root are considered best.

2. The Benefits and Effects of Fushen and Its Dietary Contraindications

1. The benefits and effects of Fushen

(1) Fushen calms the heart and soothes the nerves: Fushen is sweet and bland in taste and neutral in nature, and enters the Heart meridian. It has the effect of calming the heart and soothing the nerves, and has a certain auxiliary effect on conditions such as insomnia with many dreams, dizziness and forgetfulness, and mental fatigue and weakness.

(2) Fushen treats deficiency and damage: Fushen is sweet and bland in taste and neutral in nature, and enters the Heart and Spleen meridians. It has a certain auxiliary effect on treating deficiency and damage (mostly caused by prolonged illness and loss of regulation, dual deficiency of the heart and spleen, fatigue and overthinking, and palpitations), sallow complexion, poor appetite, abdominal distension and loose stools, and other conditions.

(3) Fushen promotes water metabolism and boosts qi and strengthens the spleen: Pachymic acid in Fuling is the main component for promoting water metabolism and reducing swelling.

(4) Fushen has sedative and tumor-inhibiting effects: Modern research shows that Fushen contains polysaccharides, triterpenes, gum, protein and fatty acids, as well as inorganic elements such as ergosterol, choline and adenine, and has effects such as sedation, hypnosis, nourishing the heart, inhibiting tumors, promoting water metabolism and reducing swelling, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial action, protecting the liver, and anti-aging.

2. Dietary contraindications for Fushen

(1) People with kidney deficiency causing difficult or uncontrollable urination, or with deficiency-cold and spermatorrhea, should not use Fushen.

(2) Those who develop an allergic reaction after consuming Fushen should stop taking it promptly.

(3) Pregnant women should consult a doctor before taking it.

3. The differences between Fushen and Fuling

Many people cannot tell the difference between Fuling and Fushen. In fact, the two differ in both source and effects, as shown in the table below:

4. How to consume Fushen

Note: The following formulas should be used under a doctor's guidance.

1. To treat an unsettled mind and mental恍惚: Fushen 100g (peeled), Chenxiang 25g, ground into powder and made into pills the size of small beans, taken 30 pills each time.

2. To treat wind dizziness and vomiting: Fushen and Duhuo 12g each, Huangqi, Yuanzhi and Fangfeng 15g each, Shengjiang 9g, Gancao, Renshen, Danggui, Muli, Baizhu, Congrong and Fuzi 6g each, decocted in water and taken.

Conclusion: That is all for the benefits and effects of Fushen. Fushen has a very good effect on calming the heart and soothing the nerves, and is very suitable for office workers to consume. However, those who need to use Fushen to treat illness must use it under a doctor's guidance and must not consume it at will.