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There are herbs and mushrooms that make waves in the wellness world, Like Reishi, lion’s mane, Cordyceps, and then there’s Poria (Fu Ling), the quiet achiever. For thousands of years, it has been one of the most used and trusted medicinal fungi in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Poria, or Wolfiporia extensa, is a type of sclerotium, the hardened mass of fungal mycelium that grows underground, often around the roots of pine trees. It has been used in Chinese herbal medicine for over 2,000 years, first recorded in the classic text Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as a superior herb that “calms the heart, strengthens the spleen, and promotes urination.”
In ancient China, it was so valued for its spirit-nourishing properties that it was often reserved for royalty. The famous beauty Yang Guifei, one of the Four Beauties of ancient China, was said to have used Poria in her skincare and health tonics to preserve her luminous complexion and serene energy.
In TCM, Poria is considered sweet, bland, and neutral, working primarily on the Spleen, Heart, and Kidney meridians. It’s used to:
In simpler terms, Poria is a balancer. It brings harmony where there’s heaviness, sluggishness, or fog, physically and emotionally.
When we talk about “Spleen” in TCM, we’re not referring exactly to the physical organ as defined in Western medicine. Instead, it represents a functional system responsible for digestion, nutrient absorption, and transforming food into energy (Qi).
A strong Spleen means you feel grounded, clear-headed, and energised. A weak Spleen, on the other hand, can show up as:
The Spleen also “holds things up”, energetically and physically, so weakness can lead to issues like prolapse, loose stools, or sagging skin.
Poria works by gently strengthening and drying Dampness, the common byproduct of Spleen deficiency. Think of “Dampness” as internal humidity, when your digestion slows, the system becomes clogged, and excess moisture accumulates. This can feel like bloating, heaviness, sluggishness, or even emotional stagnation.
By supporting the Spleen’s transformation and transportation functions, Poria helps your body make better use of the food you eat. You start to feel lighter, clearer, and more balanced. It also supports fluid regulation through the Kidneys, helping the body release what it doesn’t need.
In emotional terms, this means less worry, less stuck energy and a steadier mood. No wonder Poria is often included in formulas for calming the mind and lifting fatigue.
In modern or Western understanding, supporting the Spleen in TCM terms overlaps with nourishing digestive and metabolic health.
When your digestion works efficiently, nutrients are absorbed properly, blood sugar stays stable, and inflammation is kept in check. This translates to:
So, in today’s language, a strong Spleen means a strong metabolism, resilient digestion, and a balanced nervous system.
Modern studies on Poria show it has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects. Its polysaccharides have been shown to support gut microbiota, regulate blood sugar, and even protect against stress-induced fatigue, all modern equivalents of what TCM has long described as “strengthening the Spleen and calming the Spirit.”
In our world of overstimulation, processed foods, and stress, “Spleen deficiency” has become almost a modern epidemic. We push our digestion, multitask through meals, and rely on caffeine instead of Qi.
Poria offers a return to balance — a gentle, grounding support for our body’s central system of nourishment and transformation.
It reminds us that wellness is not about extremes, but about returning to centre — calm, clear, and nourished.
You’ll often find Poria in tonic blends, digestive formulas, or mushroom powders designed to restore balance. It pairs beautifully with herbs like Astragalus, or White Atractylodes, which together create a powerful Spleen-supporting synergy.
It steadies the Spleen, clears Dampness, calms the mind, and nourishes the core, quietly holding us together from the inside out.
Carefully selected 9 top medicinal and tonic mushrooms including Poria, to support over all well being, especially to benefit immunity, hormones, vitality, physical and mental performance.
Digestive Support Alchemy Blend:
Designed to gently support digestion, reduce bloating, and promote a sense of balance and lightness. It helps restore vitality and calm, making it ideal for those with sluggish digestion or seeking overall digestive wellness.
Designed to calm the mind and promote positivity, this blend helps you feel balanced, at ease, and truly well from within.
You can also use it as a gentle addition to soups, broths, or teas — subtle in flavour but deeply harmonising in effect.
Despite growing threats to our well-being, the human longing for
Few herbs are as revered in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
For centuries, He Shou Wu (何首乌), also known as Fo-Ti
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