Poria

Scientific Name(s): Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf.
Common Name(s): Fu-ling, Hoelen, Indian bread, Poria, Tuckahoe

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 6, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

Poria is widely used in Asia, and approximately 10% of medicinal preparations in the 2000 Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China contain poria (fu-ling). Animal studies suggest potential uses as an immunomodulator and anti-inflammatory agent, and in the management of cancer and diabetes; however, clinical studies are lacking.

Dosing

There is no clinical evidence to support a specific dosage of poria. Doses ranging from 3 to 45 g daily have been used.

Contraindications

Contraindications have not been clinically validated. The Chinese pharmacopoeia lists poria as contraindicated in polyuria, spermatorrhoea, and urogenital prolapse.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Reports of adverse events are lacking.

Toxicology

Information is lacking.

Scientific Family

• Polyporaceae (bracket fungus)

Botany

Poria, a saprophytic fungus that grows on pine tree roots, has a large potato-shaped formation known as a sclerotium that can be as large as 30 cm long and 1 kg in mass. The texture is soft and elastic, and the flavor is sweet and bland. The fungus is harvested and then dried in the shade. Different parts of fu-ling are used in Chinese medicine including the bark (fu-ling-pi), outermost reddish layer (chih-fu-ling), middle white layer (bai-fu-ling), and the core (fu-shen). P. cocos synonyms include Sclerotium cocos, Wolfiporia extensa, Wolfiporia cocos, Daedalea extensa, Macrohyporia extensa, Macrohyporia cocos, and Pachyma cocos.1, 2

History

Poria has been used in Chinese and Japanese medicine for "draining dampness," and to treat insomnia, balance electrolytes, and invigorate the spleen. Poria has been known as "the medicine of immortality" and is widely used in Asia, with approximately 10% of medicinal preparations in the 2000 Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China containing fu-ling.1, 2, 3

Chemistry

Poria contains 2 main chemical groups, polysaccharides and triterpenes. Several reports have identified lanostane triterpene derivatives, polyporenic acid C, pachymaic acid, pachymic acid, tumulosic acid, a carboxylic acid, and dehydropachymic acid. Several monosaccharides, including the D- forms of glucose, xylose, mannose, galactose, fucose, and rhamnose, have been identified. The glucan pachyman has specifically been evaluated. Naming contradictions for the various monosaccharides exist in the literature. Poria also contains amino acids, enzymes, steroids and choline, as well as histidine and potassium salts.2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18

Uses and Pharmacology

Clinical studies in which P. cocos is only one of several chemical or plant derivatives included in preparations as is com...