Seaweeds and fungiDampness-drainingPoria Rubra

Chi Fu Ling (Red Poria)

赤茯苓 · Chi Fu Ling

Dampness-draining herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Traditional functions: Leaches dampness and clears heat slightly more than white Poria.

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Quick Facts

Latin NamePoria Rubra
Chinese Name & Pinyin赤茯苓 · Chi Fu Ling
Medicinal PartSeaweeds and fungi
Efficacy CategoryDampness-draining
Botanical OriginThe pale red inner part of the sclerotium of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf (Polyporaceae), near the outer rind.
Nature & FlavourSweet, Bland; Neutral
Channels EnteredHeart, Spleen, Bladder

What Is Chi Fu Ling?

Chi Fu Ling (Red Poria) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Yunnan, Anhui and Hubei.

Nature & Flavour: Sweet, Bland; Neutral
Channels Entered: Heart, Spleen, Bladder

Chi Fu Ling: Materia Medica Profile

Identification & Quality Standard

Poria Rubra

Botanical Origin

The pale red inner part of the sclerotium of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf (Polyporaceae), near the outer rind.

Production Regions

Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Yunnan, Anhui and Hubei.

Quality Requirements

Superior medicinal material is evenly pale red and free of dark rind and sandy grit.

Macroscopic Features

Irregular slices, pale reddish or pinkish-white; light; bland taste.

Traditional TCM Properties

Sweet, Bland; NeutralHeartSpleenBladder

Traditional Functions

Leaches dampness and clears heat slightly more than white Poria. Apply to damp-heat edema, inhibited urination, and lin syndrome.

How Chi Fu Ling Is Used in TCM

In the Chinese materia medica, Chi Fu Ling is classified among the Dampness-draining herbs. It appears in 2 classical formulas in our library.

Formulas containing Chi Fu Ling are traditionally used for:

Frequent UrinationCoughAsthma & Wheezing

Classical Formulas Containing Chi Fu Ling

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chi Fu Ling? Are Bai Fu Ling, Fu Ling Pi and Fu Shen the same?
Chi Fu Ling (赤茯苓) is the pale-red portion of the sclerotium of Poria cocos near the outer skin. It is the same fungus as white poria, not another species. The pharmacopoeia mostly lists them together as Poria. Bai Fu Ling is sweet-bland and neutral: promotes urination, percolates dampness, fortifies the Spleen and calms the Heart. Fu Ling Pi promotes urination and reduces swelling, moving toward the fleshy exterior. Fu Shen is the portion around the pine root and is more specific for calming the Heart. Write Chi Fu Ling. Use caution in yin vacuity without damp-heat.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Chi Fu Ling?
Materia medica records Chi Fu Ling as sweet, bland, neutral and leaning cool, entering the Heart, Spleen and Bladder channels, and acting to percolate damp-heat and separate urine. It is used for damp-heat pouring downward, inhibited urine, and rough painful turbid strangury. Bland and percolating, leaning cool, it suits lower-burner damp-heat—it is not the Spleen-fortifying, spirit-calming white poria, and is not for yin vacuity with fluid damage used alone.
Does Chi Fu Ling need special processing? Can Bai Fu Ling replace it?
Take the pale-red portion of the sclerotium, remove the outer skin, cut and dry. White poria leans to fortifying the Spleen and calming the Heart; it cannot replace percolating damp-heat by equal weight. Poria skin moves to the exterior and reduces swelling—a different direction. Commercial red-poria tea is not equal-weight pieces.
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Learn More About Chi Fu Ling

Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Chi Fu Ling.

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Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.

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