Poria

Resource: The sclerotium of Poria cocos(Schw Cortex Ilicis Rotundae.)Wolf,family Polyporaceae.
Characteristic: The sample appearing as irregular large masses with a dark brown cortex,varying in size;the surface of broken fragments granular,reddish in the outer portion and white in the middle.Prepared as rectangular or square pieces or slices which are white,fine and smooth.Cortex with darkbrown outer surface and white to brownish inner surface.Soft and elastic in texture.Sweet and bland in taste,mild in nature,and attributive to spleen,heart,lung and urinary bladder channels.
Pharmacodynamics: 1.Promote diuresis to eliminate dampness from the lower-jiao,invigorate the spleen and the middle-jiao:For dampness-retention syndrome with or without spleen-deficiency such as edema,dysuria,leucorrhagia,cough of phlegm-retention type,and dizziness,usually used together with Rhizoma Alismatis,Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae,Polyporus Umbellatus,and Ramulus Cinnamomi;for diarrhea of dampness type due to spleen-deficiency,used together with Atractylodis Macrocephalae,Semen Coicis,etc.;for jaundice due to the excess of dampness,used together with Herba Artemisiae Scopariae and Alismatis. 2.Tranquilize the mind:For deficiency of the heart and spleen of phlegmretention manifested as palpitation and insomnia.In addition,single use is effective for chronic schizophrenia.
Pharmacological: 1.An active component pachyman promotes macrophage phagocytosis in mice,and enhances lymphocyte-blastogensis rate in vitro. 2.Preventing the formation of gastric ulcer under stress in rats. 3.Diuretic and liver-protective.
Usage: Decoction:10-20g.