Umbrella Polypore Sclerotium Slice (Polyporus Umbellatus)

Umbrella Polypore Sclerotium Slice (Polyporus umbellatus) is the dried sliced sclerotium of the Umbrella Polypore fungus, the dense underground mass traditionally used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) under the name Zhū Líng (猪苓). This sclerotium is the medicinal heart of the fungus and has been treasured for centuries as one of the most reliable herbs for draining dampness, reducing edema, promoting urination, and clearing damp-heat from the body. Neutral, sweet, and bland in nature, Zhu Ling is highly effective yet gentle, known for draining pathogenic fluids without harming qi or damaging yin.

In TCM, Zhu Ling enters the Kidney, Bladder, and Spleen channels, where it helps clear damp obstruction, relieve urinary difficulty, reduce swelling in the limbs or abdomen, and resolve patterns of damp-heat or cold-damp accumulation. It is commonly prescribed for edema, cloudy urine, urinary discomfort, diarrhea due to dampness, jaundice, and fluid retention, and is often combined with Poria, Alisma, and other damp-draining herbs in classical formulas. What makes Zhu Ling especially valued is its ability to drain dampness while protecting vitality, making it suitable for both acute and chronic dampness conditions.

In folk and functional herbal practice, the sliced sclerotium is decocted into light, cleansing teas and kidney-supportive broths used to reduce puffiness, support detoxification, encourage healthy urinary flow, and maintain water balance during humid climates or after dietary excess.

Modern research has found that Polyporus umbellatus sclerotium contains polysaccharides, ergosterols, and immunomodulating compounds with diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, liver-supportive, and immune-enhancing effects. These bioactive components help validate its classical role in promoting healthy fluid metabolism, clearing heat-toxin, and supporting kidney and urinary tract function.

Each batch of Umbrella Polypore Sclerotium Slice (Polyporus umbellatus) is carefully harvested, cleaned, and dried to maintain its compact texture, pale coloration, and mild earthy aroma. When brewed, it yields a clear, neutral, refreshing infusion traditionally used to shift dampness, reduce edema, support kidney health, and restore balanced water metabolism throughout the body.