Poria (Fu Ling): Benefits, Uses and How to Eat It - Can You Eat It Long-Term?

Every year from July to September is the harvesting season for the Chinese medicinal herb Poria. After the harvested Poria is processed, it is made into chunks or slices, and it is cultivated in most regions of China.Let us now learn about the benefits and uses of Poria. How do you eat it? Can you eat it long-term?

1. What are the benefits and uses of Poria?

1. Poria has a diuretic effect: because Poria, when used as medicine, enters the kidney meridian, thereby affecting the process of urine formation in the kidneys and increasing urine output.

2. Poria has the effect of tonifying the lungs and spleen and treating qi deficiency: Poria has the effect of strengthening the spleen and tonifying the kidneys, and has a good therapeutic effect on symptoms of abnormal transformation and transportation due to spleen deficiency.

3. Poria has the effect of eliminating phlegm and relieving cough, and promoting diuresis to drain dampness: taking Poria can help the spleen in the transformation and transportation of water and dampness. It can be taken together with the Chinese herbs Banxia (Pinellia ternata) and Chenpi (dried tangerine peel), or with Guizhi (cassia twig) combined with Baizhu (Atractylodes macrocephala).

4. Poria has the effect of treating palpitations and insomnia with frequent dreams: if you have symptoms of palpitations and insomnia with frequent dreams, it can be used together with Renshen (ginseng), Yuanzhi (Polygala tenuifolia) and Suanzaoren (Ziziphus jujuba seed).

5. Poria has an anti-cancer effect: the Chinese medicinal herb Poria is often used to treat conditions such as esophageal cancer, stomach cancer and liver cancer.

6. Poria has the effect of enhancing immunity: the white Poria polysaccharides found in Poria can enhance the cytotoxic effect of T lymphocytes in the human body.

7. Poria has a sedative effect: Poria has a good sedative effect on our central nervous system.

2. How do you eat Poria?

1. Poria can be eaten together with purslane: eating these two together can treat symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhea and loss of appetite caused by acute enteritis. You can use fresh Tu Fuling (Smilax glabra) and purslane, add water and simmer, remove the medicinal residue after simmering for half an hour, then add an appropriate amount of japonica rice and cook into porridge, and finally add salt to season. In addition to treating symptoms such as diarrhea, this method can also nourish the stomach.

2. Poria can be used with Baizhu (Atractylodes macrocephala) to stew crucian carp soup: the method is exactly the same as ordinary crucian carp soup, and a small amount of Chenpi (dried tangerine peel) can also be added to the soup. This method treats symptoms such as weakness of the limbs and sallow complexion.

3. Poria can be mixed with water and drunk: grind Poria into powder and take it with cool boiled water. It is best to drink it on an empty stomach every morning. Taking it persistently over the long term can strengthen the body and delay aging!

3. Can Poria be eaten long-term?

Poria is a warm-natured medicine, so eating it in appropriate amounts is no problem, but you should pay attention to the following points:

1. If you have kidney deficiency with frequent urination, or qi deficiency with a cold-deficient constitution, then you should eat less.

2. People with diabetes should preferably not eat Poria.

3. Do not eat Poria together with rice vinegar and strong tea, so as to avoid affecting the medicinal effect or causing poisoning.

4. How much does Poria sell for per jin on the market?

1. At present, the supply of Poria in the Puning market is stable, but sales are average, and prices have not changed much. The current selling price is 18 to 20 yuan/jin; in Anqing, general-grade Poria is about 23 yuan/jin, while selected goods sell for 24 to 25 yuan/jin.

2. Below are the currently selling prices of Poria compiled from several medicinal herb markets: