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Cura x Cura

Fu Shen茯神

Poriae Cocos Sclerotium Pararadicis · Poria with Hostwood · Spirit Poria

Herbs that Calm the Spirit 安神药Ming Yi Bie Lu 《名医别录》

Overview

The part of the Poria sclerotium that has grown around the buried pine root — the same fungus as Fu Ling, selected and sold separately because tradition assigns it the spirit-quieting share of the action. Sweet, bland and neutral, it settles palpitations and restless sleep while still, more gently than Fu Ling, leaching damp and supporting the Spleen.

Nature & Flavor

Sweet, bland · Neutral

Channels

Heart · Spleen

Typical Dosage

9–15 g in decoction
茯神Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

2 core actions

  • Quiets the Heart, calms the spiritPalpitations, anxious restlessness, difficulty falling asleep and poor memory in Heart and Spleen deficiency; commonly with Suan Zao Ren and Yuan Zhi.
  • Percolates damp, strengthens the SpleenRetains the damp-draining, digestion-supporting action of Fu Ling, in milder form — useful when a spirit-calming prescription also has to move fluid.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Fu Shen

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Palpitations and anxiety with Heart-qi deficiency
    - Insomnia and dream-disturbed sleep
    - Poor concentration and forgetfulness
    - Damp retention alongside a spirit-calming pattern

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

InsomniaAnxietyPalpitationsPoor concentration

Contraindications

Cautions

Bland and draining: use sparingly in yin deficiency with marked dryness, and in frequent copious urination or urinary incontinence. The dispensary item is a fungal sclerotium — observe patients with a known mould or fungal sensitivity. Fu Shen Mu, the pine-root core itself, is a different item and should not be substituted.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Ming Yi Bie Lu《名医别录》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.