Also known as Wolfiporia cocos(Schw.) Ryv.& Gibn in Latin name, poria herb refers to the sclerotium poriae cocos, which is the dried sclerotia of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf, a fungus in the family Polyporaceae. This herb has a few other common names, such as Indian buead, China root, Fu Ling Pi, tuckahoe, Fu Shen, hoelen, and so on. As a matter of fact, this is a white fungus on wood, in particular on the roots of Japanese red pine and masson pine in the Pinaceae family. Today it is wild or cultivated, mainly produced in Yunnan, Anhui, Hubei, Henan, Sichuan and other places in China. The species that grow in Yunnan, called "Yun Ling", is better in quality. 

The common form of poria fungus is its sclerotium, most of which are in the shape of irregular chunk, sphere, compressiform, oblong, or oval. They are in different sizes, usually less than 10cm in the smaller ones and 20cm to 30cm, even larger, in bigger ones. Skin is grayish brown or dark brown, in the shape of shrinking tumor, white with slightly pin inside, and composed of numerous hyphae. Fruiting body looks like mushroom, 0.5 to 2mm in diameter. It has a special odor.

PORIA COCOS BENEFITS 
Poria cocos fungus has long been used medicinally in China, especially in the southern regions. Since ancient times people there are accustomed to grind it into powder as medicine or for health care by consuming it on daily basis. However, then very few family could afford it due to the expensive production cost. Fortunately it is a different story now. Actually this herb is so economical and practical that everyone is entitled its health benefits.

PROVEN PORIA RELATED CHINESE HERBAL FORMULAS 
Tradition Chinese medicine (TCM) believes that this herb is sweet and tasteless in flavor and neutral in properties. It covers meridians of heart, lung, spleen, and kidney. Its key functions are percolating dampness and disinhibiting water, strengthening the spleen and stomach, and tranquilizing heart and soothe the nerves. Vital poria uses and indications include difficult urination, edema-induced swelling, choking cough caused by phlegm and retained fluid, vomiting, reduced appetite due to spleen deficiency, Diarrhea, palpitations, anxiety, Insomnia, forgetfulness, and Nocturnal Emission, Gonorrhea, and so on. Recommended dosage is from 10 to 15 grams in decoction.

Poria

1) Si Jun Zi Tang
Si Jun Zi Tang is from Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (Formulas of the Peaceful Benevolent Dispensary). It is primarily used for deficiency of spleen and stomach, malaise and fatigue, and reduced appetite and loose stool. Other three herbs are Ren Shen (Ginseng Root), White Atractylodes Rhizome, and Licorice Root.

2) Gui Pi Tang
Gui Pi Tang is from Ji sheng fang (Formulas to Aid the Living). This prescription is mainly used for heart-spleen deficiency and deficiency of qi and blood-induced palpitations, Insomnia, and forgetfulness. The rest basic herbs are Huang Qi (Astragalus Root), Dang Gui (Dong Quai), and Yuan Zhi (Senega Root).

3) Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan (Cinnamon and Poria Pills)
This formula comes from Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Coffer). It is basically formulated for women's abdominal masses, blood stasis-induced Amenorrhea, menstrual pain, postpartum lochia, and more. Other herbal ingredients are Cinnamon Twig, Mu Dan Pi (Tree Peony Root Cortex), Chi Shao (Red Peony Root), and Tao Ren (Peach Seed).

4) Zhu Ling San
Zhu Ling San comes from Shang Han Lun (On Cold Damage). It is mainly designed for the binding of water and heat and edema caused by inhibited urination. Other three herbs are Hua Shi (Talcum Powder), E Jiao (Donkey-Hide Glue), and Water Plantain Root;

5) Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang
Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang is from Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Coffer. It is exclusively for dizziness and palpitations due to phlegm and retained fluid. Other three herbs are Cinnamon Twig, Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), and Gan Cao (Licorice Root).