Dried China Root (Fu Ling/Poria) | (100g bottle)

About

Fu Ling, known also as Poria or China Root, has been a valued ingredient in Chinese herbal practice for generations. It is not a root at all but the dried sclerotium of a fungus, Poria cocos, which grows on the roots of pine trees.

This 100g bottle contains concentrated granules rather than the dried fungus, so it dissolves in hot water in seconds. With its mild, earthy character, Fu Ling is one of the easiest herbs to work into a daily routine.

At Vita, we supply concentrated herbal granules for people who do not have time to decoct Chinese herbs traditionally. You will also find it in our wider range of Chinese herbal granules.

Unlike other brands, our concentrated granules are produced using state-of-the-art spray drying technology, meaning a purer end product and a 2 to 3 times higher concentration.

Potential Benefits

• Traditional Heritage: Fu Ling is one of the most frequently used herbs in the classical materia medica and appears across a great many traditional formulas.
• Balance: In traditional classification it is described as neutral, and belongs to the group of herbs associated with balance.
• Naturally Sweet: Traditional texts describe its flavour as sweet and bland, which is why it sits easily alongside stronger herbs.
• Versatile: The granules dissolve straight into hot water and combine readily with other granules in a blend.
• Distinctive Texture: Spray drying gives a fine, free-flowing granule that disperses without clumping.

Preparation

Concentrated granules are made by simmering the raw herb, filtering the liquid, then drying it into a soluble powder. There is no soaking, slicing or simmering.

1. Measure out your usual amount, or the amount specified by your practitioner.
2. Add hot water.
3. Stir until fully dissolved.
4. Drink while warm.

Because the granules are concentrated, the quantity needed is much smaller than for the loose dried root, and the flavour is considerably stronger than a light herbal tea. Follow your practitioner's guidance on quantity rather than measuring by eye.

Keep the bottle sealed in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Granules absorb moisture readily, so replace the lid promptly and avoid using a wet spoon.

If you want to rehydrate, slice or dice Fu Ling for soups and congee, you need the whole dried root rather than the granules. Both sizes are listed below.

Other Formats of This Herb

Fu Ling is stocked in three forms:

• This 100g bottle is the concentrated granule, for dissolving in hot water
• Dried China Root (Fu Ling / Poria) | 100g the whole dried root in the smaller pack
• Dried China Root (Fu Ling / Poria) | 500g the same whole root in the dispensary size

Fu Ling, Fu Ling Pi and Fu Shen

Three different parts of the same fungus are stocked here, and they are not interchangeable in traditional practice. If you are working from a formula, check which one it specifies:

• Fu Ling is the main body of the fungus. This is the one on this page.
• Fu Ling Pi is the outer skin, used separately.
• Fu Shen is the portion that grows around the pine root at the centre.

Traditional Pairings

Fu Ling is one of the most frequently combined herbs in the materia medica. These are the ones it most often appears with:

• White Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) | 500g the closest partner to Fu Ling
• Orange Peel (Chen Pi) Granules | 100g bottle another granule in the same format
• Dried Liquorice Root (Gan Cao) | 500g

Why Choose Vita?

At Vita Herbal Nutrition, we are committed to offering only the highest quality herbs, carefully selected and prepared without compromise.

We proudly offer a 100% sulphur-free range. Sulphur is widely used in the industry to improve appearance and extend shelf life, but it alters the natural composition of the herb and may cause allergic reactions in some individuals. You can read more on our non-sulphur treated herbs page.

We source only DaoDi-grown Chinese herbs from clean, sustainable environments. Our trusted grower partnerships, formed since 2010, let us select material from its ideal region, harvested at the right time.

FAQ

How do I use the granules?
Measure out your amount, add hot water, and stir until dissolved. Nothing needs soaking, simmering or straining.

How much should I use?
Follow the amount specified by your practitioner. Granules are concentrated, so the quantity is much smaller than the 10g or so used for the loose dried root.

What does it taste like?
Mild and earthy. In concentrated form the flavour is noticeably stronger than a herbal tea, though Fu Ling remains one of the gentler herbs in the range.

Is Fu Ling a root or a fungus?
A fungus. The English name China Root is misleading, as the part used is the dried sclerotium of Poria cocos, which grows on pine roots.

What is the difference between the granules and the whole root?
The granules are a concentrated extract that dissolves in hot water. The whole dried root can be rehydrated, sliced and added to soups and congee.

Is Fu Ling the same as Fu Shen?
No. They come from the same fungus but are different parts of it. Fu Shen is the section that grows around the pine root, and it is used separately in classical formulas.