Poria Mushrooms: Benefits and Side Effects

Poria (Poria cocos) is a type of mushroom that has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a medicinal tonic. Besides licorice root, it is probably one of the most prescribed traditional medicines in China. Poria is used as a tonic to improve immune health and is believed by some to prevent or treat a wide variety of diseases and disorders, from anxiety and insomnia to cancer, even Alzheimer’s disease.

Typically derived from cork fibers (thread-like membranes under the hood), this lesser known medicinal mushroom is available in both dried form and as a nutritional supplement. Poria mushroom is called fu ling in traditional Chinese medicine and is also known as Chinese root or Chinese tuckahoe in the West.

Health Benefits

For thousands of years, Poria mushrooms have been used as eastern remedies for their diuretic, sedative and tonic effects. Poria contains several substances thought to improve health, including polysaccharides (known to improve immune function) and triterpenoids (a class of compounds with antioxidant effects). In traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed that Poria mushrooms help prevent or treat a variety of common and rare diseases, including: The diseases it helps to treat are:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Worry
• Cough
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Diarrhea
• Tiredness
• High cholesterol
• Insomnia
• Kidney infection
• Senile dementia
• Tinnitus
• Urinary problems

Despite their popularity in traditional Chinese medicine, there is little qualitative evidence to support the use of poria mushrooms to prevent or treat any medical condition. A number of small studies have pointed to benefits, although most of them are of poor quality or lack statistical evidence to draw a reasonable conclusion. Still, some are convincing enough to warrant further investigation.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Preliminary research shows that Poria mushrooms can help fight Alzheimer’s disease. According to a 2009 study in the German newspaper Die Pharmazie, water-based P. coco extract was found to reduce oxidative stress in biopsied brain cells obtained from mice. The authors of the study suggest that P. cocos may help protect the brain from the toxic effects of beta-amyloid, a substance associated with the formation of brain plaques in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Despite the positive finding, no evidence was found that this was outside the test tube.

Diabetes

Triterpenes found in poria mushrooms can be effective against diabetes, there is evidence from a 2011 study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. According to the study, a raw oral extract of P. cocos given at a dose of 50 milligrams per kilogram (mg / kg) subsequently significantly lowered blood sugar levels in laboratory rats. Triterpenes are reputable evidence for this effect, which their compounds are believed to increase insulin sensitivity. Theoretically, taking a poria supplement with meals might reduce blood sugar fluctuations in people with diabetes or insulin resistance (although this has not yet been proven in research).

Cancer

Several test-tube studies have suggested that Poria mushroom may have anti-tumor properties that may help fight or prevent certain types of cancer, including pancreatic cancer and breast cancer. A 2018 study in the journal Cells reported that the P. cocos extract exhibited cytotoxicity (cell-killing abilities) to four human lung cancer cell lines. Despite the findings, there is no evidence that injecting P. cocos into a living tumor has any cytotoxic effect, or that taking the extract orally can prevent or treat cancer.

Possible Side Effects of Poria Mushroom

Due to the lack of studies investigating the effects of poria in humans, little is known about their safety, long-term risks, or possible drug interactions. Although mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are safe. It should be noted that supplements and herbal medicines are largely unregulated in the United States and do not have to pass the routine tests of pharmaceutical drugs. Therefore, imported natural remedies pose a risk of contamination and / or may not contain the ingredients listed on the product label. Not much is known about the safety of poria mushrooms during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If the person is pregnant or breastfeeding, they may want to exercise caution and avoid poria mushrooms in any way.

Dosage and Preparation

There are no guidelines that direct the proper use of poria mushrooms. When taken in supplement form, Poria tablets or capsules can typically be taken from 500 milligrams once a day to 1,200 milligrams twice a day. As a general rule, the manufacturer’s dosing recommendations should never be exceeded. Dried Poria mushrooms are usually prepared as a tonic by infusing the mushrooms in boiling water. Some are sold as prepackaged granules in 10 gram sachets and mixed with 50 to 100 milliliters of boiling water. The flavor is described as sweet and soft. The flavor is described as sweet and mild. Some people even make porridge, soups, and rice cakes from diluted or powdered mushrooms for use in the kitchen.

When purchasing Poria supplements or powders, look for well-known brands that are more likely to contain ingredients listed on the product label. Chief among these are supplements submitted for voluntary testing by an independent certification body such as US Pharmacopeia (USP), NSF International or ConsumerLab. Although certification is a less common practice in the herbal supplements industry, it is beginning to be adopted by larger manufacturers.

If he buys imported fully dried Poria mushrooms, it is difficult to be sure they are safe because they come in a sealed container. If there are any signs of mold or moisture, they should be thrown away immediately. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, products used in traditional Chinese medicine pose safety concerns because they are very loosely regulated. In the past, products have been found to be stained with heavy metals, pesticides, and even drugs.

It is important to remember that traditional Chinese medicines are classified as dietary supplements by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Therefore, manufacturers are prohibited from making misleading claims about treatments or other health benefits. If you experience any side effects (such as vomiting or diarrhea) after consuming Poria, you should go to the emergency room.