Poria

복령 (茯苓) · Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf

Diuretic herb Neutral Sweet Heart, Spleen, Kidney

NatureNeutral

TasteSweet

MeridiansHeart, Spleen, Kidney

Part usedSclerotium (fungal mass growing on pine roots)

FamilyPolyporaceae

CategoryDiuretic herb

Find by concern: Edema Nausea Insomnia Thirst

Overview

Poria is unusual among traditional herbs in that it is not a plant at all, but the dried sclerotium of a fungus that grows on the roots of pine trees. The Donguibogam describes it as a calm, centering substance — good for the appetite, the stomach, and above all for settling an unquiet mind.

In the Donguibogam

東醫
寶鑑

性平, 味甘, 無毒. 開胃, 止嘔逆, 善安心神. 主肺痿痰壅.

Source: Donguibogam, Tangaek-pyeon (Herbology volume)

TranslationIts nature is neutral, its taste sweet, and it is non-toxic. It opens the appetite, stops retching, and is excellent at calming the heart and spirit; it chiefly treats lung wasting with phlegm congestion.

Traditional functions

Calms the heart and spirit
Promotes urination, drains dampness
Opens the appetite, stops nausea
Resolves phlegm congestion

Traditional applications

Poor sleep and restlessness
Edema and water retention
Poor appetite with nausea
Thirst with fluid imbalance

Traditional preparation

Decoction 8–16g; a core ingredient of Sagunja-tang and Sacheon-tang, often paired with atractylodes.

Cautions

Caution: Traditionally noted as unsuitable for those with marked yin-deficiency, since its draining action may aggravate dryness. Consult a professional before use.

Frequently asked questions

Is poria really a mushroom, not a herb?

Yes. Poria (Bokryeong) is the dried sclerotium of Poria cocos, a fungus that grows underground on the roots of pine trees — unusual among traditional 'herbs,' which are mostly plant roots, fruits, or bark.

What is the difference between poria (茯苓) and poria-spirit (茯神)?

Classical sources describe Bokshin (茯神) as the portion of the sclerotium that has grown around and embraced a pine root, considered especially effective for calming the spirit, while ordinary Bokryeong is used more broadly.

Sources

동의보감 탕액편 (원문) — 한문 원문 발췌 — 한의학고전DB 탕액편 대조 검증 완료 (DATA-001)
한의학고전DB (mediclassics.kr) — 국역 참조 후 자체 재서술 (LEGAL-001)

DonguiHub is an educational and informational platform about the history and tradition of Korean medicine. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about health conditions and before using any herb.