What are the effects and functions of Poria cocos?

The efficacy and functions of Poria cocos can be manifested in many aspects. It can help strengthen the spleen and remove dampness. It is very effective in treating phlegm-heat cough, frequent palpitations, insomnia and other problems. It is also clinically used to treat diseases such as gastric cancer and liver cancer.

1. Spleen deficiency, diarrhea and leukorrhea

Poria can both strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness. It can treat both the symptoms and the root cause of diarrhea and leucorrhea caused by spleen deficiency and dysfunction. It is often used in combination with Codonopsis pilosula, Atractylodes macrocephala, and Dioscorea opposita. It can be used as an auxiliary medicine for nourishing the lungs and spleen and treating qi deficiency.

2. Phlegm and cough

Phlegm and dampness enter the meridians, causing sore shoulders and back. Poria can not only promote diuresis and eliminate dampness, but also has the effect of strengthening the spleen. It has a therapeutic effect on the symptoms of spleen deficiency, which is unable to transport and transform water and dampness, and its accumulation and transformation into phlegm and fluid. It can be used together with Pinellia and dried tangerine peel, or with cinnamon twig and Atractylodes macrocephala. It can be used together with Pinellia ternata and Citrus aurantium to treat phlegm and dampness entering the meridians, shoulder and back pain.

3. Palpitations, insomnia, etc.

Poria can nourish the heart and soothe the mind, so it can be used for symptoms such as restlessness, palpitations, and insomnia. It is often used in combination with ginseng, polygala, and spinach seed.

4. Anti-cancer

It is commonly used clinically to treat esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, tongue cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, lung cancer, ulcerative melanoma and other cancers characterized by spleen deficiency and dampness, internal retention of phlegm and fluid, and damp-heat accumulation.

5. Difficulty urinating, edema, etc.

Poria cocos has the function of promoting diuresis and eliminating dampness, and its medicinal properties are mild. It can promote diuresis without damaging the body's vital energy, making it an important medicine for promoting diuresis and eliminating dampness. It can be used for any symptoms of difficult urination and stagnant water, regardless of whether they are caused by cold and dampness, dampness and heat, or spleen deficiency and dampness. If the condition is more cold and damp, it can be used with cinnamon twig, white atractylodes, etc.; if the condition is more damp and hot, it can be used with Poria cocos, Alisma orientalis, etc.; if the condition is spleen deficiency, it can be used with Codonopsis pilosula, Astragalus membranaceus, white atractylodes, etc.; if the condition is deficiency-cold, it can also be used with aconite, white atractylodes, etc.