It is also found in Shaanxi. After steaming and drying, the center part which is soft like a lamp wick is peeled out; this is called "cooked grass" (Shu Cao). There are also those that are not steamed but simply dried and peeled to obtain the root; this is called "raw grass" (Sheng Cao). For medicinal use, raw grass should be employed.

It treats Changfeng (intestinal wind, often manifesting as rectal bleeding). The root has a potent nature; excessive consumption disperses the true Qi of the five Zang organs.

It can also darken the mustache and sideburns, but it is antagonistic with radish (Luo Bo), causing premature whitening of the mustache and sideburns. It is frequently used for treating intestinal wind-heat.

Dyers currently also use it. For mouth ulcers, applying its powder externally allows one to eat immediately.

The Classic states: "Harvest when ripe in the ninth and tenth months"; otherwise, it causes diarrhea.

Take one cup of juice from washed and ground Puerariae Radix (Gegen) root, mix with half a cup of fresh ginger juice, and sip slowly from time to time to treat severe heat-induced epistaxis.

The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states: "When combined with Xiangzi (Amomum fruit) and Tao Ren (Peach Seed), it is very effective for treating Bladder Qi stagnation." I have compounded it myself, using only bran-fried Tao Ren, in equal parts with Poria. Half is made into pills using wine paste, and half into powder. Each dose consists of 50–70 pills, taken on an empty stomach before meals with salted wine. The powder is taken mixed with hot rice water, alternating with the pills, taken on an empty stomach. One or two doses per day.

For Dan Shi toxicity erupting on the back, and all kinds of carbuncles and swellings: Take one part of Poria root and leaves, decoct in one large cup of wine, and drink the juice. This not only expels the ingested mineral drugs but also eliminates the toxin and heals the sores. If wine is not desired, take 1–2 fen of the powder, mixed with freshly drawn cold water, until efficacy is achieved.

Finely chop, stir-fry slightly, grind into powder, and brew 2 qian with boiling water; take before meals to treat Small Intestine and Bladder Qi stagnation. Slow consumption will surely yield results.

Poria is generated by the Qi of pine roots that have been cut down for many years. This is likely due to the Qi and flavor of the root being stifled and unrelieved, thus giving rise to this substance. However, this also depends on whether the land is suitable or not. Only where the fluid Qi is abundant does it vent outward and condense into Poria; therefore, it forms independently without clinging to the root. Since it separates from its original body, it acquires the meaning of "Ling" (separation). Fushen (Poria with Pine Root), however, arises from roots where the fluid Qi is present but not vigorous; thus, it can only lie dormant and condense upon the original root. Since it does not separate from its origin, it is called Fushen. This substance has a strong diuretic effect and its ability to benefit the Heart and Spleen cannot be omitted. Some ask: If the pine tree has been felled, can the root still generate living things? The answer is: Such items as Bovistae Sclerotium (Mabo), fungi, Wu Zhi (Five Mushrooms), Auricularia Judae (Mu Er), and Placodium (Shi Er) all grow on dead wood, stones, and manure-rich soil. Their essence has not dissipated; how could they fail to become organisms? The theory that "Cuscuta grows above and Poria grows below" is highly credulous.