Zhū Líng (猪苓) — Polyporus
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Key formulas
- Modern research
- Cautions
- Treatment at my clinic
1. Overview
Zhū Líng (猪苓) — the sclerotium of the mushroom Polyporus umbellatus — is a sweet, bland, neutral Chinese herb that promotes urination and drains Damp. It is similar in action to Fu Ling but stronger as a diuretic and without Fu Ling's mild Spleen-tonifying and Heart-calming functions. It is the chief herb in Zhu Ling Tang for Damp-Heat urinary symptoms, and an important component of Wu Ling San for fluid retention.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Zhū Líng |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 猪苓 |
| Latin name | Polyporus umbellatus / Polyporus |
| English name | Umbellate pore fungus, polyporus |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Sweet, bland |
| Channels entered | Kidney, Bladder |
| Category | Drain Damp |
| Dosage | 5–10 g, decocted |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Promotes urination and drains Damp — for urinary difficulty, scanty dark urine, oedema and Damp leukorrhoea.
- Clears Damp-Heat in the lower burner — for painful urination with Heat (urinary tract infection), and Damp-Heat diarrhoea.
4. Key formulas
- Zhu Ling Tang — chief herb; for Damp-Heat in the Bladder with painful difficult urination.
- Wu Ling San — with Ze Xie, Fu Ling, Bai Zhu and Gui Zhi for fluid retention.
- Wei Ling Tang — combines Wu Ling San with Ping Wei San for Damp diarrhoea.
5. Modern research
Polyporus polysaccharides have been extensively studied for immune-modulating and anti-tumour effects. Modern Chinese hospitals use injectable polyporus extracts as an adjunct in chemotherapy support. Diuretic effect is well documented in animal studies.
6. Cautions
Caution in Yin deficiency without Damp — prolonged use may injure Yin. Safe in pregnancy at standard doses.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I use Zhu Ling in Damp-clearing granule formulas for urinary symptoms and fluid retention. Online Chinese herbal consultations are available. See prices for costs.
