In traditional Chinese medicine,Poria cocos has been used medicinally for over two thousand years.The use of Poria cocos is recorded in The Divine Farmer's Classic of Materia Medica, where it is ranked as a superior drug with the effects of "long-term use to calm the spirit and nourish the soul, no hunger, longevity."There is a story about the use of Poria cocos related to Su Zhe, one of the Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties.Su Zhe, along with his father Su Xun and brother Su Shi, was known as "the Three Sus," and he was a famous literary figure during the Northern Song Dynasty.

When young, he was often sickly and weak. In summer, due to weak spleen and stomach, he had poor digestion and loss of appetite;in winter, because of weakened lung and kidney qi, he frequently caught colds and coughed.He saw many doctors and took many medicines but could not cure his illnesses.Until Su Zhe reached the age of thirty, after learning about health preservation techniques and practicing qigong, he regularly consumed Poria cocos. After a year, all his long-term diseases seemed to have vanished without a trace.

From then on, he focused on studying medicinal health care and wrote an article titled "Poria cocos: An Essay and Its Introduction."In the article, it is written that consuming Poria cocos can consolidate physical form and nourish qi, extending life and delaying aging.Long-term consumption can calm the mind and settle emotions, making one look youthful with a tranquil demeanor.Poria cocos is a parasitic fungus growing on the roots of pine trees. It has a sweet and bland taste, with effects to promote urination, strengthen the spleen, harmonize the stomach, and soothe the heart and calm the spirit.

Due to different parts used for medicinal purposes, Poria cocos has various names and functions.The red part of the Poria cocos underneath the skin layer has a stronger diuretic effect, suitable for treating yellowish urine and painful urination.Poria cocos peel is the black outer skin of Poria cocos, with better diuretic effects used to treat edema and dark urine.Poria coosm, which includes pine roots, has a stronger calming and diuretic effect, suitable for treating palpitations, forgetfulness, and poor urination.Poria coosm wood is the pine root part of Poria coosm, capable of soothing the liver and calming the spirit, used to treat chest discomfort and insomnia.While processed with cinnabar, red Poria cocos has a strong calming effect on the heart, suitable for treating palpitations and insomnia.During the Wei-Jin period in China, Poria cocos was regarded as a health-preserving treasure. Nobles often consumed it with honey.

In the Qing dynasty palace, Empress Dowager Cixi had it prepared into Poria cocoscakesPeng.for long-term consumption.The best quality for medicinal use comes from Yunnan Province, known as Yun Poria cocos.Elderly people often consume white Poria cocos powder mixed withrice,cooked into porridge,to achieve health-preserving effects.It is beneficial for health when consumed.