Fú Shén (茯神), known in English as Poria with pine root (Poria cocos (sclerotium with pine root)), is a neutral, sweet and bland Chinese herb from the Calm shen category. It enters the Heart and Spleen channels. Its main action: calms Shen and quiets the Heart.
| Pinyin | Fú Shén (Fu Shen) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 茯神 |
| English | Poria with pine root |
| Botanical name | Poria cocos (sclerotium with pine root) |
| Category | Calm shen |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Sweet, Bland |
| Channels | Heart, Spleen |
| Dosage | 9–15g |
| Cautions | Use with care in Yin deficiency without Damp |
Actions
- Calms Shen and quiets the Heart
- Strengthens Spleen, drains Damp (milder than Fú Líng)
Indications
- Palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness and anxiety from Heart and Spleen deficiency
How to remember Fú Shén
Calm shen herbs are mostly sweet, and most enter the Heart, Liver and Kidney channels.
- You can work these out
- Sweet: like most Calm shen herbs
- Heart channel: from its action “Calms Shen and quiets the Heart”
- Spleen channel: from its action “Strengthens Spleen”
- Learn by heart
- Neutral: Calm shen herbs vary in nature
- Bland: unusual for Calm shen herbs (most are sweet)
Formulas containing Fú Shén
Other Calm shen herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Fú Shén?
Fú Shén is neutral and sweet and bland.
Which channels does Fú Shén enter?
Fú Shén enters the Heart and Spleen channels.
What are the actions of Fú Shén?
Calms Shen and quiets the Heart; Strengthens Spleen, drains Damp (milder than Fú Líng).
What is Fú Shén used for?
Palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness and anxiety from Heart and Spleen deficiency.
Which formulas contain Fú Shén?
Guī Pí Tāng, Yǎng Xīn Tāng, Tiān Má Gōu Téng Yǐn and Ān Shén Dìng Zhì Wán.
Practise Fú Shén and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.