Drain damp
Fu Ling
茯苓
Poria
Poria cocos
A mild fungus that leaches damp and quiets the heart in textbooks.
Not for self-dosing. This page is not a formula, not a strength, and not a substitute for a licensed herbalist or physician.
Category
Neutral · Sweet, Bland
Meridians entered
Traditional uses
The most common damp herb in formulas because it is neutral and gentle. Texts say it strengthens the spleen, promotes urination, and calms the spirit when damp is clouding. It is food-like in some traditions and still not a dose to invent.
Common pairings
- Bai Zhu 白术
The spleen pair: Bai Zhu dries, Fu Ling drains. Together they are half of Si Jun Zi Tang’s idea.
- Suan Zao Ren 酸枣仁
When sleep trouble is framed as restless spirit with a weak middle.
Cautions
Not for self-dosing as medicine. Care with edema that has a heart or kidney cause — that needs a clinician, not a fungus.
Points with a similar aim
Abundant Bulge
Mid-shin luo point taught for phlegm patterns.
Supreme White
Inner-foot source point for spleen and damp teaching patterns.
Three Yin Intersection
Inner-leg crossing of three yin channels. Not a pregnancy self-care point.
Traditionally avoided in pregnancy
Yin Mound Spring
Inner knee hollow taught for damp and heaviness.
Spleen Shu
Spleen transport point for tired digestion.
Use caution
San Jiao Shu
San Jiao transport point at the low ribs.
Use caution
Small Intestine Shu
Sacral point, small intestine shu.
Use caution
Bladder Shu
Sacral bladder shu. Learn it; don’t self-treat urinary infection.
Use caution