Fu Ling - An herb for draining Dampness

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Remember the post on bland-tasting foods and herbs and how they tend to really

move water out of the body? Fu Ling (Poria) is an example of a bland herb that

does this.

 

It's a fungus that grows at the root of pine trees.

 

Its main function is to drain Dampness, and this herb does a super job of it.

Unlike most diuretics that work only on the kidneys with the results that the

person may still have edema but be thirsty, this herb does more. Wicke in volume

2 of his texts says this:

 

" ... Poria acts more at the level of interstitial fluid to 'loosen' up water

bound by the intercellular gel-like matrix of hyaluronic acid. This is why for

many cases of Dampness and edema due to Spleen Deficiency, ordinary diuretics

may increase urine flow, resulting in additional thirst, but not relieve edema.

Poria, however, is able to reach into these intercellular spaces and make this

fluid available for excretion. Its action is analogous to that of sprinkling

salt on congealed gelatinp; fluid will weep from the surface, releasing bound

water. Some researchers believe this effect is partially explained by Poria's

relatively high concentration of potassium (K+). " (p. 66)

 

In addition to the bland taste, Poria may have a slightly sweet taste. It has a

neutral thermal energy like the bland herbs tend to have. (Neither cool nor

warm.)

 

It has a special affinity for the Lung, Spleen, Heart, and Bladder meridians.

 

It's used in cases of Dampness Stagnation or Damp Heat. It also strengthens the

Spleen, and it's one of those herbs that can transform Phlegm (congealed

Dampness).

 

Be careful when using it in cases of Deficiency Cold with frequent, copious

urine. When Phlegm occurs in cases like these, it's one example of Deficiency

Phlegm, and the emphasis in treatment of Deficiency Phlegm is to concentrate on

increasing Yang energy and warming the body. If you try to attack Deficiency

Phlegm directly with Phlegm transforming herbs the strategy can create problems.

 

Poria also has the property of calming the Heart and Spirit.

 

Fu Ling is the name of the whole fungus, and what you'll probably be using. But

different parts of the fungus has different name. For example, Fu Shen is the

part nearest the pine roots and should have some of the pine roots in it. Fu

Shen in English is " Spirit of Poria " . You use the Fu Shen instead of Fu Ling

when the person is very agitated and needs more of the Spirit calming properties

of Poria.

 

Fu Ling strenghtens the Spleen. This is very important because the Spleen plays

a vital role in moving fluids in the body. If the Spleen isn't performing up to

par, Dampness can accumulate in the body because it's not being moved as rapidly

as it should be or properly. If the Spleen is really sluggish, the Dampness can

turn into Phlegm (congealed Dampness). In cases of edema, always consider the

health of the Spleen.

 

Both Spleen Yang Deficiency and Kidney Yang Deficiency will cause Deficiency

Cold. For that matter, just Qi Deficiency of these two meridians will cause

Deficiency Cold, though the person is not as sensitive to cold or as Cold as in

the case of Yang Deficiency. Spleen Yang Deficiency will tend to cause light

color urine. But it's usually Deficiency of Kidney Yang, Kidney Qi, or Bladder

Qi that will cause the copious, clear urine output. In extreme cases we're

talking about someone who is having to go to the bathroom every 15 minutes. They

can't finish drinking a cup of water before having to go to the bathroom. In

these cases you need to concentrate on the Kidney and/or Bladder Deficiency

problems instead of aggressively treating any edema with Fu Ling in the

beginning. (Yes, it is very possible for a person to have edema at the same time

water goes straight through the person. You will see this in some cases where

there is both Kidney Yang and Spleen Yang Deficiency. It is also possible for a

person to be both dehydrated and having fluid retention problems at the same

time. You won't see it often, but it does happen, especially when fairly severe

Kidney Yang Deficiency is a part of a complex pattern. You'll see both

dehydration and edema problems at the same time in some people with CFIDS.)

 

Victoria

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Thanks for the info. Sounds like this might relate to interstitial

cystitis. I'm having the night-time 15 minute (or less) trips. I thought

it might be another kidney stone because of back pain, but I'm going to give

the herbs a try.

 

Rose Mary

[Guest guest]

>Thanks for the info. Sounds like this might relate to interstitial

>cystitis. I'm having the night-time 15 minute (or less) trips. I thought

>it might be another kidney stone because of back pain, but I'm going to give

>the herbs a try.

 

Both frequent urination and lower back pain can be signs of Yang Deficiency. Are

you very sensitive to cold? Do you have trouble warming up? Is your tongue pale?

Are you thirsty but don't drink except for hot soups? Even more indicative of

Kidney Yang Deficieny is an adversion to drinking anything except hot soups. The

person rarely feels thirsty, and dehydration can result. Milder cases sometimes

will sip soft drinks at room temperature.

 

There will be fatigue present with Deficiency. Do you feel tired all the time?

 

What is the nature of the back pain? Is it a dull ache or sharp, shooting pains?

Does touch or pressure make the pain worse (an Excess condition) or make it feel

better (a Deficiency condition)? Does heat applied to the area help (points to a

Cold condition) or does cold applied to the area help (points to a Hot

condition)?

 

What color is the urine? Is it clear or dark?

 

Is there pain when you urinate? Any blood in the urine? That can be Heat, but it

also can be a Spleen problem called Spleen Unable to Govern Blood (which can be

an offshoot of Spleen Qi or Spleen Yang Deficiency).

 

Others on here may have other questions to try to pinpoint the exact cause of

the frequent urination and pains in the back. You may want to give more details

and mention any chronic medical conditions you have.

 

The idea situation is to find a TCM healer in your area who can do the pulse

diagnosis, tongue diagnosis, and ask the TCM questions in order to pinpoint the

exact cause. But since most communities in the U.S. still don't have TCM

healers, we learn and research all we can.

 

Bladder Qi Deficiency can also cause frequent urination. Fatigue will not be

quite as pronounced as with Qi Deficiency in other organs.

 

Something else to consider depending on your answers to the above questions is

Damp Heat. Damp Heat of the Bladder frequently will manifest " as conditions of

cystitis and urinary tract infections. These conditions, however, may be

described by ther patterns of disharmony, occasionally even Interior Cold

conditions. " (Wicke, vol. 2, pp. 124-125)

 

This is why the questions about being bothered the most by heat or by cold,

about feeling hot or cold most of the time, and about preferring hot liquids or

cold liquids are so important. They're differentiating between it being a Hot

condition like Damp Heat or a Cold condition like Yang Deficiency. The question

about feeling thirsty but no desire to drink or even having an adversion to

drinking can be a pivotal question in differentiating a Cold condition even

though there may be signs of Heat. (What TCM calls True Cold, False Heat.)

 

Some of the symptoms of Damp Heat in the Bladder are: " System: chronic symptoms,

or acute symptoms that have become more severe in intensity; tends to feel hot,

dislikes heat. Intake: dry mouth, thirsty and desires cold drinks. Outflow:

ruine dark-colored, with frequent, urgent and painful urination. Pain: pain and

discomfort lower abdomen and pubic region, backache in the sacral and lower

lumbar area, application of cold reduces discomfort, pressure and touch tend to

aggravate any discomfort or pain. " (Wicke, vol 2, p. 125) Wicke goes on to say

that the tongue will be red, the topcoat on the tongue will be yellow and thick

and greasy. The pulse will be rapid, and slippery or bowstring. (This pattern is

derived from Interior-Heat Excess.)

 

There is also a condition of Damp Heat Crystallizing in the Urinary Bladder.

Damp Heat in the Urinary Bladder often implies a bacteria infection. Damp Heat

Crystallizing in Bladder means there are actual sand-like crystallizations of

minerals in the urine. A person may suffer from both Damp Heat in the Urinary

Bladder and Damp Heat Crystallizing in the Urinary Bladder at the same time.

(Both infection and stones present.)

 

Wicke gives the following profile of Damp Heat Crystallizing in Urinary Bladder:

" System: chronic symptoms; tends to feel hot, dislikes heat. Intake: dry mouth,

thirsty and desires cold drinks. Outflow: urine occasionally contains sand-like

pieces, difficult urination or sudden obstruction of the urethra, occasional

blood in the urine. Pain: pain and discomfort lower abdomen and pubic region,

backache in the sacral and lower lumbar area, with occasional violent stabbing

pains in the middle and lower back or groin; application of cold reduces

discomfort, pressure and touch tend to aggravate any discomfort or pain. " (vol

2, p. 125) Wicke goes on to say that the tongue color and coat may be relatively

normal. The pulse is rapid.

 

Turbid Dampness of the Urinary Bladder is characterized by cloudy urine. Other

symptoms are similar to those for Damp Heat in Bladder. (This too is a pattern

derived from Interior-Heat-Excess.) According to Wicke, the tongue will be red,

and the coat wll be yellow to gray, thick and greasy. The pulse is rapid and

soggy.)

 

There can be more than one TCM syndrome present at a time. Careful questioning

can reveal all syndromes that need to be treated.

 

Victoria

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

You also want to consult your regular doctor for his/her input and ideas.

 

Victoria

 

 

 

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