Zhū Líng (猪苓), known in English as Polyporus mushroom (Polyporus umbellatus), is a neutral, sweet and bland Chinese herb from the Drain damp category. It enters the Kidney and Bladder channels. Its main action: promotes urination, drains Damp — stronger diuretic than Fu Ling.
| Pinyin | Zhū Líng (Zhu Ling) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 猪苓 |
| English | Polyporus mushroom |
| Botanical name | Polyporus umbellatus |
| Category | Drain damp |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Sweet, Bland |
| Channels | Kidney, Bladder |
| Dosage | 6–12g |
| Cautions | No Damp accumulation; use with caution in Yin deficiency without Damp |
Actions
- Promotes urination, drains Damp — stronger diuretic than Fu Ling
- Clears Damp-Heat
Indications
- Oedema
- Difficult urination
- Damp-Heat dysuria
- Used in Zhu Ling Tang for Yin deficiency with Damp-Heat
How to remember Zhū Líng
Drain damp herbs are mostly cool or cold and sweet, and most enter the Bladder channel.
- You can work these out
- Sweet: like most Drain damp herbs
- Bladder channel: from its action “Promotes urination”
- Learn by heart
- Neutral: unusual for Drain damp herbs (most are cool or cold)
- Bland: unusual for Drain damp herbs (most are sweet)
- Kidney channel: nothing in its group or its actions points to it
Formulas containing Zhū Líng
Other Drain damp herbs
- Fú Líng
- Yì Yǐ Rén
- Zé Xiè
- Mù Tōng
- Huá Shí
- Chē Qián Zǐ
- Qú Mài
- Bì Xiè
- Yīn Chén Hāo
- Jīn Qián Cǎo
- Hǎi Jīn Shā
- Dēng Xīn Cǎo
- Tōng Cǎo
- Biǎn Xù
- Shí Wéi
- Dōng Kuí Zǐ
- Dì Fū Zǐ
- Dōng Guā Zǐ
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Zhū Líng?
Zhū Líng is neutral and sweet and bland.
Which channels does Zhū Líng enter?
Zhū Líng enters the Kidney and Bladder channels.
What are the actions of Zhū Líng?
Promotes urination, drains Damp — stronger diuretic than Fu Ling; Clears Damp-Heat.
What is Zhū Líng used for?
Oedema; difficult urination; Damp-Heat dysuria; used in Zhu Ling Tang for Yin deficiency with Damp-Heat.
Which formulas contain Zhū Líng?
Wǔ Líng Sǎn.
Practise Zhū Líng 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.