Chinese name:

Source:

Poriae Sclerotium Cortex - mushroom

Nature:

• balanced

Taste:

• sweet, bland

Tropism:

• heart
• spleen
• kidneys (lungs, small intestine, foot tai yang and shao yang)

Direction of action:

• descending

Effects:

• strengthens the spleen

• removes oedema
• calms the spirit

Dosage:

• 10 – 15 g, standardly 10 g

Contraindications:

• drains dampness, therefore it should not be used alone in cases of spleen deficiency