Learn About Chinese Herbs -Zhu Ling (Polyporus)-

Zhu Ling (Polyporus)

This product is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine, and in "Shennong's Materia Medica" 《神农本草经》it is listed as a medium grade herb.

Aliases: Ye Zhu Fen (meaning “Wild boar dung”), Zhu Ling.

Source: Grifola umbellata (Pers.) Dried sclerotia of Pilat. Mostly wild, mostly parasitic on the roots of birch, oak, maple, maple, oak and other trees, growing in the soil about 30cm underground, after the summer rain in the above trees, if you find a stem on the ground or a bulge on the ground where there is a multi-headed mushroom-like fruiting body (i.e. Zhu Ling seedlings) under which is the Zhu Ling. At present, Shanxi Anze County and other places it has also been artificially cultivated.

Origin: Mainly produced in Shaanxi, Shanxi, Yunnan, Liaoning, Hebei, Henan and other provinces. Except for East China and Guangzhou, where there is no production, it can be seen in many other provinces.

Character identification: This product is irregular block, different sizes, oblong slightly flattened and curved, some growths are divergent and appear similar in shape to fresh ginger or tumors. It is about 5~25cm long and 3~10cm in diameter. The surface is jet black and wrinkled, and the depressions and folds are often attached to the sand and gravel, the body is firm but not heavy, light as cork, and the long ones are easy to break. The round one is not easy to break, the section is white or light yellowish white, delicate, granular pattern, has no smell and light taste, when chewed its’ texture is flexible and not fragile. Those with black and smooth outer skin, large and uniform block, and the cross-section is white are considered to be of higher quality.

Main ingredients: Contains ergosterol, amorphous polysaccharides, and trace amounts of biotin.

Pharmacological action: diuretic. The effect is significant, stronger than Fu Ling, Mu Tong, etc. Within 6 hours after administration, urine output increased by 62% and urine chloride increased by 45%. Diuresis may be due to inhibition of tubular reabsorption (as it has no significant effect on glomerular filtration rate).

Preparation: Sliced raw use.

Taste: Gan (sweet), Ping (flat).

Meridians: into the kidneys, bladder meridians.

Function: Dilute water and dampness.

Indications: nephritis, poor urination, drenching and urinary closure, edema and diarrhea.

Clinical application

（1）  It is used to treat edema. Because its medicinal properties are slightly cooler than Fu Ling, it is suitable for patients with edema and a little bit of heat. For example, if nephritis is edemous and hot, Zhu Ling can be used as a diuretic to clear away heat, and is often used with Fu Ling, Ze Xie, Hua Shi, etc., to strengthen the effect of dampness and diarrhea, such as Zhu Ling soup. If the edema is severe, Che Qian Zi and Niu Xi can be added.

（2）  It is used to treat poor urination, dysuria, blood in the urine, and distension of the lower abdomen (such as acute urethritis). It can be used with Mu Tong, Hua Shi, etc., decoction in water.

Note: Zhu Ling has no tonic properties. Taking too much is easy to cause diuresis and even hurt yin (with symptoms such as dry mouth and irritability), so it is not suitable for those who usually urinate a lot. For those who need diuresis but should not be too excretory, use Fu Ling instead of Zhu Ling.

Dosage: 6~15g.

Prescription example: Zhu Ling Tang (from "Treatise on Typhoid Fever" 《伤寒论》): Zhu Ling 9g Fu Ling 9g Hua Shi 9g Ze Cie 9g E Jiao beads 4.5g (dissolved), decoction in water.

Disclaimer: All above articles are for reference only. If patients are interested, please consult a professional practitioner Traditional Chinese Medicine for a consultation.