Poria cocos is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine, which is slightly cylindrical, slightly flat or in irregular strips, which has nodular elevations, and the surface is yellowish brown or grayish brown, uneven.
Poria cocos belongs to the dried rhizomes of Sarsaparilla glabra, family Liliaceae, the slices are oblong or irregular, with irregular edges, and the cut surface appears whitish to light reddish brown.
Poria cocos has a slight gas, slightly sweet taste, astringent, with detoxification, dehumidification, joints, can be used for the treatment of syphilis, dampness under the belt, carbuncle, scrofula (mainly refers to the cervical lymph nodes tuberculosis), limb joints constriction and pain, as well as limb constriction caused by mercury poisoning.
Poria cocos adverse reactions and contraindications are not clear, such as the need to use should be guided by a physician to identify the evidence, not blindly use their own medication, so as not to cause adverse effects.