Properties: Sweet, bland and neutral
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Kidney and Bladder
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Promotes urination and leaches out Dampness
Urinary difficulty, diarrhoea or oedema due to Stagnation of Fluids or Dampness
Fluid Stagnation
Damp-Heat
- Strengthens the Spleen and harmonizes the Middle Jiao
Spleen Deficiency Dampness with anorexia, diarrhoea and epigastric distention
- Strengthens the Spleen
Phlegm Dampness due to Spleen Deficiency with thin mucus in which Phlegm moves upward manifesting as palpitations, headache, dizziness and a thick, greasy tongue coat
- Quiets the Heart, calms the Spirit and soothes the nerves
Palpitations, insomnia or forgetfulness due to either Spleen and Heart Insufficiency or Internal Obstruction of Turbid Phlegm
Suggested Daily Dosage: 15-30g in decoction.
Notable Constituents: Full composition available from
Rios, 2011.
- Pachymic acid
Triterpenoid with anti-inflammatory activity via phospholipase A2 inhibition.
- Dehydrotumulosic acid
Another triterpenoid phospholipase A2 inhibitor.
- β-D-Glucan
β-Glucan with antioxidant and immunostimulatory activities common to many mushrooms (Nakashima et al., 2018. It is thought they may work by activating microbial Pattern Recognition Receptors, training the immune system for when an actual pathogen invades (van Steenwijk et al., 2021) making them suitable for immune prevention rather than after infection.
- Poricoic acid G
Lanostane-type triterpene acid that is significantly cytotoxic to leukemia HL-60 cells (Lai et al., 2016). Other forms of Porporic acid may also be chemopreventive agents against chemical carcinogenesis (Rois et al., 2012).
- 3-Dehydrotrametenolic acid
Tetracyclic triterpenoid derived from lanosterol possibly acting as an insulin sensitiser (Sato et al., 2002) and anticancer compound like other lanostanoids.
Appears in 21 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)
Chu Shi Wei Ling Tang (Eliminate Dampness by Combining Calm the Stomach and Five Ingredient Powder with Poria)
From: Golden Mirror of the Medical Tradition by Wu Qian (1742)
Di Gu Pi Yin (Lycium Root Bark Drink)
From: Shen's Book for Revering Life (1773)
Er Jia Jian Zheng Qi San (Second Modification of Rectify the Qi Powder)
From: Systematic Differentiation of Warm Pathogen Diseases by Wu Tang / Wu Ju Tong (1798)
Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang (Sweet Wormwood and Scutellaria Decoction to Clear the Gallbladder)
From: Revised Popular Guide to the Discussion of Cold Damage by Yu Gen-Chu, Revised by He Bing-Yuan (Qing dynasty)
Hua Gai San (Canopy Powder)
From: Formulary of the Pharmacy Service for Benefiting the People of the Taiping Era by Tai Yi Ju (Imperial Medical Bureau) (1107)
Huang Qin Hua Shi Tang (Scutellaria and Talcum Decoction)
From: Systematic Differentiation of Warm Pathogen Diseases by Wu Tang / Wu Ju Tong (1798)
Jia Wei Wu Lin San (Augmented Powder for Five Types of Urinary Dribbling)
From: Golden Mirror of the Medical Tradition by Wu Qian (1742)
Jin Fei Cao San (Inula Powder)
From: Book to Safeguard Life Arranged According to Pattern (1108)
Ju Pi Zhu Ru Tang (Tangerine Peel and Bamboo Shavings Decoction)
From: Formulas to Aid the Living by Yan Yong-He (1253)
Liu He Tang (Harmonise the Six Decoction)
From: Formulary of the Pharmacy Service for Benefiting the People of the Taiping Era by Tai Yi Ju (Imperial Medical Bureau) (1107)
Niu Xi Dan Shen Jiu (Achyranthes and Salvia Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan (Seven Treasure Special Pill for Beautiful Whiskers)
From: Comprehensive Outline of the Materia Medica (1590)
Qi Pi Yin (Seven Peel Drink)
From: Formulas to Aid the Living by Yan Yong-He (1253)
San Jia Jian Zheng Qi San (Third Modification of Rectify the Qi Powder)
From: Systematic Differentiation of Warm Pathogen Diseases by Wu Tang / Wu Ju Tong (1798)
Shu Zao Yin Zi (Dredging and Cutting Drink)
From: Formulas to Aid the Living by Yan Yong-He (1253)
Suan Zao Ren Jiu (Zizyphus Spinosa Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Wu Lin San (Powder for Five Types of Urinary Dribbling)
From: Formulary of the Pharmacy Service for Benefiting the People of the Taiping Era by Tai Yi Ju (Imperial Medical Bureau) (1107)
Wu Pi San (Five Peel Powder)
From: Treasury Classic (4th century) by Hua Tuo
Wu Pi Yin (Five Peel Drink)
From: Formulary of the Pharmacy Service for Benefiting the People of the Taiping Era by Tai Yi Ju (Imperial Medical Bureau) (1107)
Yi Jia Jian Zheng Qi San (First Modification of Rectify the Qi Powder)
From: Systematic Differentiation of Warm Pathogen Diseases by Wu Tang / Wu Ju Tong (1798)
Yin Hua Jie Du Tang (Honeysuckle Decocotion to Resolve Toxicity)
From: Collected Experiences on Treating Sores (1806)
Research Links & References: (click to display)
Research Links:
Reference Notes:
Individual herb information has sourced mainly from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes. Zhou, Xie and Yan (2011): Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Vol. 5, and A+ Medical Encyclopaedia have been used for entries not available from those sources with additional material searched for and filled in where available. Western herbs not appearing in the Chinese literature have used Ross (2010): Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine: A Clinical Materia Medica, White Rabbit Institute of Healing and therapeutika.ch. Choices of which source to use or combine have been my own.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted. Actions and indications are taken from traditional uses and do not necessarily reflect the evidence base which should be researched independently. Dosages are for guidance only and will vary dependening on the potency of the batch and the tolerance of the individual so should be evaluated by a professional based on individual needs.
