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Cura x Cura

Zhu Ling猪苓

Polyporus · Polyporus Sclerotium · Umbellate Pore Fungus

Herbs that Drain Dampness 利水渗湿药《神农本草经》

Overview

A dark, knobbly fungus that grows on the roots of birch and maple — the plainest of the damp-drainers and the most single-minded. Sweet, bland and neutral, it does one thing: it promotes urination and moves standing water out of the body. It drains more strongly than Fu Ling 茯苓 but has none of Fu Ling's ability to strengthen the Spleen or settle the spirit, so it is almost always used inside a formula rather than on its own.

Nature & Flavor

Sweet, bland · Neutral

Channels

Kidney · Bladder

Typical Dosage

6–12 g in decoction
猪苓Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

2 core actions

  • Promotes urination, drains dampOedema, scanty urine, abdominal fullness with retained fluid, and watery diarrhoea from damp; the backbone of Wu Ling San 五苓散 with Fu Ling and Ze Xie 泽泻.
  • Clears damp-heat belowBurning, urgent, difficult urination with damp-heat, and damp-heat vaginal discharge; the role it plays in Zhu Ling Tang 猪苓汤.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Zhu Ling

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Oedema and scanty urination
    - Watery diarrhoea from damp accumulation
    - Burning, difficult urination with damp-heat
    - Damp-heat vaginal discharge

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

EdemaOliguriaUrinary tract infectionAscitesDiarrhea

Contraindications

Cautions

It drains and does nothing else: with no damp to remove it simply depletes fluids, and prolonged or heavy use leaves the mouth dry and the person weakened. Not for someone without damp accumulation, and not appropriate where urination is already frequent and copious. Keep to the practitioner's amount and do not exceed 12 g a day. Anyone taking diuretic medication should tell the prescriber that this herb is in the formula.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies; used as a short course rather than continuously.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(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.