Poria cocos is effective in inducing diuresis and seepage of dampness (promoting the flow of water to dispel dampness), nourishing the heart and strengthening the spleen, which can improve edema and low urine output, palpitation and insomnia, and other conditions. Chenpi is effective in drying dampness and resolving phlegm (expelling dampness by drying dampness and resolving phlegm), strengthening the spleen and regulating qi, and relieving cough and phlegm, abdominal distension and fullness. White lentil is used to harmonize the middle of the body to eliminate heatstroke, strengthen the spleen and dissolve dampness, and improve heatstroke-dampness and vomiting, and weakness of the spleen and stomach.
Poria is a commonly used medicine for diuresis and seepage of dampness, which is calm in nature and can strengthen the spleen and tranquilize the heart. It is often used to improve the symptoms of water-dampness internal retention (water-dampness stays in the body), deficiency of the spleen and stomach, or of the heart and spleen.
For example, Poria and Astragalus, Angelica sinensis, Yuanzhi, etc. can be used to treat weak spleen and stomach, loose food, tiredness and fatigue. Combined with Agaricus and Zedoaria, it can treat water-heat intertwining, yin deficiency and urinary incontinence (unruly urination) and edema. This drug should be used with caution in cases of qi deficiency and subsidence.
Chenpi belongs to the lung meridian, can dry dampness and resolve phlegm, belongs to the spleen meridian, can regulate qi and strengthen the spleen, spleen deficiency and phlegm-dampness against the lungs, often this drug and atractylodes macrocephala, Codonopsis, etc.; wet phlegm coughing, can be used and Poria, half-summers with it. This medicine can also be used to treat cold and dampness in the middle Jiao, stagnation of the spleen and stomach, bloating and fullness in the epigastric region, and stagnation of food stagnation (the accumulation of food in the stomach due to indigestion). It should be used with caution in cases of yin deficiency and dry cough.
White lentil enters the spleen and stomach meridian, good at harmonizing the middle and eliminating summer heat, strengthening the spleen and resolving dampness, and is often used clinically to improve weakness of the spleen and stomach, loose stools, summer-dampness vomiting and diarrhea, chest tightness and abdominal distension and other conditions. It is slightly warm in nature, and is not recommended for those who are suffering from internal coldness.
Poria, Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae and Lentinus Edulis are all Chinese medicines, and should be used under the guidance of a professional Chinese medicine practitioner.