Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Poria Cutis |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 茯苓皮 · Fu Ling Pi |
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| Medicinal Part | Seaweeds and fungi |
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| Efficacy Category | Dampness-draining |
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| Botanical Origin | The dried outer cortex of the sclerotium of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf (Polyporaceae). |
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| Nature & Flavour | Sweet, Bland; Neutral |
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| Channels Entered | Lung, Spleen, Kidney |
What Is Fu Ling Pi?
Fu Ling Pi (Poria Peel) 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: Lung, Spleen, Kidney
Fu Ling Pi: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Poria Cutis
Botanical Origin
The dried outer cortex of the sclerotium of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf (Polyporaceae).
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Yunnan, Anhui and Hubei.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material has a dark outer surface and a clean white inner layer.
Macroscopic Features
Irregular slices or pieces of outer rind, externally brownish-black to brown; inner surface white to reddish-white; light and tough.
Traditional TCM Properties
Sweet, Bland; NeutralLungSpleenKidney
Traditional Functions
Promotes urination and reduces edema, especially skin edema. Apply to puffy swelling and inhibited urination.
How Fu Ling Pi Is Used in TCM
In the Chinese materia medica, Fu Ling Pi is classified among the Dampness-draining herbs. It appears in 1 classical formulas in our library.
Formulas containing Fu Ling Pi are traditionally used for:
EdemaBloatingFrequent UrinationPoor Appetite
Classical Formulas Containing Fu Ling Pi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fu Ling Pi? Are Fu Ling, Fu Shen and Zhu Ling the same?
Official Fu Ling Pi (茯苓皮) is the dried outer skin of the sclerotium of Poria cocos. The pharmacopoeial name is Poriae Cutis. Fu Ling is sweet-bland-neutral: promotes urination, leaches damp, fortifies the Spleen and calms the Heart. Fu Shen is the portion with pine root: sweet-bland-neutral, calms the Heart and spirit and promotes urination. Zhu Ling is sweet-bland-neutral: promotes urination and leaches damp—more focused. Write Fu Ling Pi. Use caution in vacuity-cold seminal leakage and qi sinking.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Fu Ling Pi?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Fu Ling Pi is sweet, bland and neutral, enters the Lung, Spleen and Kidney channels, and acts to promote urination and disperse swelling. It is used for edema and inhibited urination. Sweet-bland and skin-reaching, it suits skin-water swelling—not vacuity swelling without water-damp or qi sinking.
Does Fu Ling Pi need special processing? Can Fu Ling replace it?
Pare the outer skin, remove impurities, wash and dry. Poria also fortifies the Spleen and calms the Heart; it cannot replace moving skin water by equal weight. Fu Shen calms the Heart and cannot replace promoting urination and dispersing swelling.
Read the complete guide →
Learn More About Fu Ling Pi
Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Fu Ling Pi.
Read the Fu Ling Pi Guide →
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.