Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Poria cum Radix Pini |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 茯神 · Fu Shen |
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| Medicinal Part | Seaweeds and fungi |
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| Efficacy Category | Mind-calming |
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| Botanical Origin | The dried sclerotium of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf (Polyporaceae) with the embedded pine root. |
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| Nature & Flavour | Sweet, Bland; Neutral |
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| Channels Entered | Heart, Spleen |
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What Is Fu Shen?
Fu Shen (Poria with Pine Root) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Yunnan, Anhui, Hubei and Fujian.
Nature & Flavour: Sweet, Bland; Neutral
Channels Entered: Heart, Spleen
Fu Shen: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Poria cum Radix Pini
Botanical Origin
The dried sclerotium of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf (Polyporaceae) with the embedded pine root.
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Yunnan, Anhui, Hubei and Fujian.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material has abundant white flesh tightly bound to the pine root.
Macroscopic Features
Irregular pieces containing a segment of pine root through the center; white to pale reddish-white Poria flesh surrounding a brownish woody core.
Traditional TCM Properties
Sweet, Bland; NeutralHeartSpleen
Traditional Functions
Fortifies the spleen, leaches dampness, and calms the heart spirit. Apply to palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness, and spleen deficiency with dampness.
Classical Formulas Containing Fu Shen
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fu Shen? Is it the same as Fu Ling, Fu Ling Pi, Tu Fu Ling or Zhu Fu Shen?
Fu Shen (茯神) is the white part of the Poria cocos sclerotium that naturally embraces a pine root (hostwood). The Latin name in use is Poria Pararadicis. The official pharmacopoeial monograph is Poria; Fu Shen is a specified part of the same fungus. White Fu Ling leans to fortifying the Spleen and leaching damp. Fu Ling Pi leans to reducing edema. Tu Fu Ling is Smilax glabra, another drug. Zhu Fu Shen is coated with cinnabar and contains mercury—not a long-term stand-in. Market pieces with a stick pushed in are still just Poria.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Fu Shen?
Tradition records Fu Shen as sweet, bland and neutral, entering the Heart and Spleen more than the rest, acting to calm the Heart and settle the spirit, and secondarily to promote urination. It is used for deficient-Heart palpitations, forgetfulness, insomnia, fright epilepsy and difficult urination. Same flavor and nature as Poria, but “Fu Ling works more on Spleen and Kidney; Fu Shen works more on the Heart.” Settling the spirit is its job; its diuretic force is weaker than Poria or the peel.
Can Fu Shen and Fu Ling replace each other?
When the formula mainly fortifies the Spleen, leaches damp and treats phlegm-fluid, white Poria is enough. When palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness and a spirit that will not stay home predominate, write Fu Shen. They may be paired, but substituting Poria for spirit-calming loses some force. Puffy edema wants the peel, not Fu Shen. Do not write only “Ling” without naming the part.
Learn More About Fu Shen
Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Fu Shen.
Read the Fu Shen 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.
