
According to TCM theory, when the dampness in a person’s body is very heavy, he or she will have symptoms such as lack of energy when getting up, heavy legs, oily face, sticky stool, thick and greasy tongue coating, etc. The following is a good dehumidifying product, which can not only effectively remove dampness, but also reduce swelling and promote sleep. It is Poria cocos, which is known as the “magic medicine for all seasons”.
Poria cocos has a wide range of effects and is suitable for consumption in all seasons. It can be used with various foods and medicines, and can exert its unique effects regardless of cold, dampness, wind, heat and other diseases. TCM believes that it tastes sweet and light, is neutral in nature, and belongs to the heart, lung, spleen, and kidney meridians. It has the effects of diuresis, infiltration of dampness, strengthening the spleen, and calming the heart. Modern research shows that Poria cocos contains Poria cocos polysaccharides, triterpenes, ergosterol, lecithin, choline, histidine and other nutrients, and has pharmacological effects such as regulating immune function, anti-tumor, and anti-aging. It is indeed a good product for prolonging life, improving intelligence, and anti-aging.
How to choose Poria cocos
Poria cocos is widely used and has a large market demand, so there are also many counterfeit products. When purchasing, try to choose a channel with guaranteed quality. The following methods can be used to identify its quality.
Look at the color
The whiter the Poria cocos is, the better it is. If it is too white, it may be fumigated with sulfur. Normal Poria cocos is white, light red or light brown. Any of these three colors is normal.
Look at the cut surface
The cut surface of Poria cocos with good texture is uniform in color and has a delicate surface.
Smell it
Normal Poria cocos has no smell. If you smell musty, sour or other pungent smells, it is not recommended to buy it.
Taste it
Poria cocos has no smell. If you taste it carefully, it will be a little sweet and sticky. If you taste bitter, sour or astringent, it means that the quality is not good.
Poria cocos diet therapy
1, Taste the Four Gods Soup
Ingredients: 80 grams of Huaishan Yao, 30 grams of Poria cocos, 30 grams of Euryale ferox, 30 lotus seeds, 6 grams of tangerine peel, and 300 grams of pork bones.
Efficacy: Strengthen the spleen and remove dampness.
Method: Wash all the ingredients and set aside. Chop the pork bones into small pieces, blanch them in a pot and set aside. Put all the ingredients into the pot, add appropriate amount of water, boil over high heat, simmer over low heat for 1.5 hours, add salt and drink.
2, Wolfberry Poria Tea
Ingredients: 10 grams of Poria, 5 grams of wolfberry, 5 grams of black tea.
Efficacy: Strengthen the spleen and kidney.
Ingredients: 10 grams of Poria, 5 grams of wolfberry, 5 grams of black tea.
Method: Grind Poria into coarse powder, add black tea and wolfberry, and brew with boiling water, twice a day.
3, Poria cake
Ingredients: 200 grams of flour, 15 grams of Poria, 3 grams of baking powder, 3 grams of baking powder, 20 grams of white sugar, and appropriate amount of various nuts.
Efficacy: Strengthen the spleen and remove dampness.
Method: Beat the Poria into powder, mix it with flour, baking powder and sugar, and sieve it for later use. Mix the baking powder and water and let it stand for about 10 minutes, then pour it into the reserved mixed powder and stir it into a thicker batter. Put the batter in a warm place and ferment it until it is twice as large. Take a larger baking container, apply oil on the bottom and around it, pour the fermented batter in, sprinkle dried fruits according to personal preference, and steam it for 25 minutes after the water boils.
How to distinguish between Poria cocos and Smilax glabra
Poria cocos is the dried sclerotium of the fungus Poria cocos of the Polyporaceae family. It tastes sweet and mild in nature. It belongs to the heart, lung, spleen, and kidney meridians. It has the effects of diuresis, invigorating the spleen and calming the mind. Smilax glabra is the dried rhizome of the lily family plant Smilax glabra. It tastes sweet and mild in nature. It belongs to the liver and stomach meridians. It has the effects of detoxification, dehumidification, and joints. “Compendium of Materia Medica” records that it strengthens the spleen and stomach, strengthens the bones and tendons, removes rheumatism, benefits the joints, and stops diarrhea. It treats cramps and bone pain; malignant sores and carbuncles. It can detoxify mercury powder and silver vermilion. The following are two Smilax glabra diet recipes.
1, Chinese yam and pork soup
Ingredients: 200g fresh Chinese yam (available in the market), 500g pork, ginger, and salt.
Efficacy: remove dampness, strengthen tendons and bones, and strengthen the spleen and stomach.
Method: Wash the fresh Chinese yam and slice it; wash the pork and cut it into several large pieces; slice the ginger, put the Chinese yam, pork, and ginger into the soup pot, add water, boil it over high heat, then simmer it over low heat for about 1.5 hours, add salt and serve.
2, Double bean Chinese yam and lean pork soup
Ingredients: 30g Chinese yam, 50g dehumidifying beans (flower beans), 30g red beans, 14 tangerine peels, 300g lean pork, and 3 slices of ginger.
Efficacy: clearing heat, removing dampness, and detoxifying.
Preparation method: Soak and wash the wild yam, dehumidifying beans and red beans, and remove the tangerine peel; wash the lean pork, cut into pieces, put it into a clay pot together with the ginger, add 2500 ml of water (about 10 bowls), boil it over high heat, then simmer for about an hour and a half, and add appropriate amount of salt.