Poria Cum Radix Pin
Aliases：Fú Shén Mù (Poria Hostwood); Bào Mù Shén (Tree-Embracing Spirit); Bào Fú Shén (Embracing Poria); Zhū Fú Shén (Cinnabar-Mixed Poria, processed with cinnabar).
Fú Shén (Poria with Hostwood) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the white portion of the dried sclerotium of the fungus Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf (Polyporaceae) that contains an embedded pine root (known as “Fú Shén Mù”).
Efficacy & Actions
Calms the mind, promotes diuresis to reduce edema, and strengthens the spleen to tonify deficiency.
Indications
Used for palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness, epilepsy (convulsive disorders), dysuria, edema, and fatigue due to deficiency.
Modern Pharmacology
Sedative and hypnotic: Poria cum Radix Pini (Fushen) extracts prolong sleep time and reduce spontaneous activity in mice, with mechanism related to GABAergic system. Anticonvulsant: Inhibits both electroshock and chemically induced convulsion models, serving as an adjunctive treatment for epilepsy. Antidepressant: Triterpenoids regulate monoamine neurotransmitters (5-HT, DA, NE) to exert antidepressant activity. Learning and memory enhancement: Improves learning and memory ability in mice, with ameliorative effects on Alzheimer's disease models. Immunomodulatory: Fushen polysaccharides enhance macrophage phagocytosis, promote lymphocyte proliferation, and boost immunity. Diuretic: Exhibits mild diuretic effect, increasing urine output and promoting fluid metabolism. Antioxidant: Extracts scavenge free radicals and protect cells from oxidative damage. Antitumor: Certain components inhibit the growth of tumor cells.
Ingredients
Triterpenoids: Pachymic acid, dehydropachymic acid, dehydrotumulosic acid C, poricoic acid, etc. Polysaccharides: β-pachyman, pachymaran (with immunomodulatory activity). Sterols: Ergosterol, ergosterol peroxide, etc. Other Components: Histidine, adenine, adenosine, choline, and various trace elements (potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, etc.).
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, 10–15 g; or prepared in pills or powder. Topical Administration: Appropriate amount, ground into powder for external application. For calming the mind, it may be mixed with cinnabar (processed as Zhu Fú Shén). For promoting diuresis, it is mostly used in its raw form.
Contraindications
Use with caution in patients with cold spermatorrhea and urinary incontinence. Not suitable for use alone in large amounts in patients with yin deficiency and fire excess. Pregnant and lactating women should use it under the guidance of a physician. Do not combine arbitrarily with certain Western medications (e.g., diuretics, sedatives); follow medical advice.
Selected Formulas
1、 For heart deficiency with blood insufficiency, palpitations and insomnia (Bai Yi Xuan Fang) Take equal parts of Fushen, Renshen (Ginseng), and Suanzaoren (Ziziphus seed), grind into powder. Take 3g each time, mixed with warm wine. 2、 For restlessness and forgetfulness (Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang, Fushen Wan) Take Fushen, Yuanzhi (Polygala root), Shichangpu (Acorus rhizome), Renshen, and Gancao (Licorice), refine with honey to make pills. 3、 For consumptive irritability and insomnia (Sheng Ji Zong Lu, Fushen Tang) Take Fushen, Renshen, Suanzaoren, Maidong (Ophiopogon root), and Wuweizi (Schisandra fruit), decoct in water and drink. 4、 For difficult urination and edema (empirical formula) Take 15g Fushen, 12g Zhuling (Polyporus), 9g Zexie (Alisma), and 12g Baizhu (Atractylodes), decoct in water and drink. 5、 For epilepsy (empirical formula) Take 10g each of Fushen, Yuanzhi, Tianma (Gastrodia), and Gouteng (Uncaria stem), decoct in water and drink. 6、 For palpitations, insomnia, and restlessness (empirical formula) Take 10g Fushen, 10g Suanzaoren, and 5g Longyanrou (Longan aril), add 500ml water, boil for 10 minutes, and drink as tea. 7、 For nourishing the heart, calming the spirit, strengthening the spleen and stopping diarrhea (empirical formula) Take 15g Fushen (wrapped in cloth), 30g Lianzi (Lotus seed), and 50g Japonica rice, cook into congee, remove the herb bag, and eat. 8、 For palpitations and insomnia due to heart blood deficiency (empirical formula) Take 15g Fushen, 10g Suanzaoren, half a pig heart, and 3 slices of fresh ginger, stew for 1-2 hours, season with salt.
Daily Consumption
1、 Fushen Soothing Tea (for palpitations, insomnia, and restlessness) Ingredients: 10g Fushen, 10g Suanzaoren (Ziziphus seed), 5g Longyanrou (Longan aril). Preparation: Add 500ml water, boil for 10 minutes, and drink as tea. 2、 Fushen Lotus Seed Congee (nourishes the heart, calms the spirit, strengthens the spleen and stops diarrhea) Ingredients: 15g Fushen (wrapped in cloth), 30g Lianzi (Lotus seed), 50g Japonica rice. Preparation: Cook together into congee, remove the herb bag, and eat. 3、 Fushen Pig Heart Soup (for palpitations and insomnia due to heart blood deficiency) Ingredients: 15g Fushen, 10g Suanzaoren, half a pig heart, 3 slices of fresh ginger. Preparation: Stew for 1-2 hours, season with salt.
Medicinal Parts
The white portion of the dried sclerotium of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf (Polyporaceae) that contains an embedded pine root (the hostwood).
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry place, protected from moisture and insects.