In traditional medicine, Poria cocos is commonly used for:Diuretic, sedative, lowers blood sugar, tonic, Chronic fatigue syndrome,Diarrhea,Dizziness,Edema,Energy,Insomnia,Kidney health,Nervousness,Urination,Weakness
Poria is very widely used in Chinese herbalism. It is traditionally used as a Qi tonic to benefit the internal organs. It is a solid fungus which grows on the roots of old pine trees. It is mildly diuretic and sedative, and is considered to be highly nourishing. It is a mild Shen tonic. Poria has significant immune enhancing ability, similar to the other mushrooms in the tonic class.
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Basic Instruction
What is Poria?,a Humble, but Famous Mushroom, the poria cocos and its widely functional use....
seminal trace...Poria cocos Extract.5:1.Indian Bread,Fu Ling, Tuckahoe Hoelen Poria, Hoelen, poria cocos, fu ling, fu ling pi, fu shen Poria cocos schw wolf...
Genus and Species: Poriae cocos
Biological Name: Poriae cocos,Poria cocos (schw.) wolf
Family: Polyporaceae
English Name:Indian Bread
Pharmaceutical Name:Poria
Botanical Source:The sclerotium of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf (Fam. Polyporaceae)
Other Names: Poria, Hoelen, poria cocos,Fu Ling,fu ling, fu ling pi, fu shen, Indian bread.
(Note: the name Hoelen is not used in China but has recently taken hold in America only)
Source of Earliest Record:Shennong Bencao Jing
Taste:Bland or very mildly sweet
Properties and Taste:Sweet or no taste and neutral
Atmospheric Energy:Neutral
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: Whole fungus(fruiting body), outer peel (fu ling pi),The fungus is gathered, cut into pieces and dried in the shade.
Fu Ling is officially listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia as the dried sclerotium of the fungus, and is collected mostly in July to September, removed from the soil, piled up, spread and air-dried on the surface. This operation is repeated several times until wrinkles appear and the inside water is evaporated, then dried in the shade.
Habitat: Hoelen is very popular in China for making formulas that tonify the spleen and kidney, and in prescriptions that are used to remove excess dampness. In recent years, China reportedly collected 10,000 to 13,000 tons of hoelen annually. The main producing area was AnHui Province.
Identification: Take standard control of Poria (fu ling), conduct the experiment according to the method of thin-layer chromatography (TLC) listed in appendix B of Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2000).
Origin and Preparations: It is the dried sclerotium of Poria cocos (Sohw) Wolf.. It is prepared by the modern techniques of extracting, purifying and spray-drying. 1 gram of the extract powder is equivalent to 5 grams of the crude herb.
Varieties and Grading:
Poria is not an expensive herb. But some Poria is better than others. Try to find large, white pieces. The best Poria is still slightly moist---or at least, not very dry and brittle. There is also a variety known as pink Poria, which has stronger Shen tonic effects. It has a slight pink tint.
Poria is normally white in color, and also called "white poria". The variant with light red color is called "red poria".
Indian Bread is the dried sclerotium of the fungus, Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf (Fam. Polyporaceae). The drug is collected mostly in July to September, removed from soil, piled up, spread, and air-dried on the surface. Repeat this operation for several times until wrinkles appears and the inside water evaporated, then dired in the shade. It is known as "Fulingge". Or the fresh sclerotium is cut and dried in the air. According to the cut portions, and known as "Fulingpi" and " Fulingkuai", respectively.
Origin:
The underground sclerotium of Poria cocos, a fungus of the family Polyporaceae. The fungus is mostly parasitic on the root of Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.or Pinus massiniana Lamb. (masson pine), a plant of Pinaceae. It is an edible pore fungus known in the United States under the Indian name tuckahoe, may reach a diameter of 20 to 25 centimetres.
Tuckahoe grows wild or is cultivated. In China, it is mainly produced in Yunnan, Hubei, Sichuan, etc. The herb is harvested in July or September. Procedure: Pile the fungi up until they "sweat", spread them out, dry in the sun, let them "sweat" again and dry in the air, repeating the process in this way 3 to 4 times, and finally drying them in the air until fully dried for use when raw.
Harvest & Processing:
Dig out wild Indian Bread mostly in pine forests from July to the following March, or collect cultivated Indian Bread between July and August in the second year after inoculation. Heap up fresh Indian Bread to let moisture evaporate; repeat a few times until wrinkles show on the outer surface and most moisture on the inside has been driven out; dry in shaded areas to produce ' Fuling ge' (Intact Indian Bread).
General Info and Description:
Poria is a type of fungus related to polyporus, which usually grows on pine trees. Although it can range in color from white to pale red, the typical color of poria is light brown, with striations on the outer skin. It is relatively soft to the touch, odorless, and has slightly elastic properties. It is usually gathered from the tree, cut into pieces of various length, and dried in the shade before being used medicinally.
Poria is very widely used in Chinese herbalism. It is traditionally used as a Qi tonic to benefit the internal organs. It is a solid fungus which grows on the roots of old pine trees. It is mildly diuretic and sedative, and is considered to be highly nourishing. It is a mild Shen tonic. Poria has significant immune enhancing ability, similar to the other mushrooms in the tonic class.
Poria cocos is a very old and widely used herb especially in Chinese medicine. Poria cocos is a solid fungus also known as Fu Ling, Poria, Tuckahoe, Indian bread, or Hoelen, and grows on the roots of old, dead pine trees. Poria cocos has been traditionally used as a tonic to benefit the internal organs. Poria is normally white in color, and also called "white poria". The variant with light red color is called "red poria".
Hoelen or Poria:Name History
Hoelen refers to a mushroom cultivated in China on the roots of Chinese red pine trees (e.g., Pinus massoniana and Pinus tabuliformis); it also grows wild on these pines and other conifers, as well as on several hardwoods. Some may wonder why the name "hoelen" is often used to refer to it. This common name comes from the original botanical name~Pachyma hoelen~given by the Dutch botanist Georg Eberhard Rumphius, in his book on Indonesian herbs published posthumously in 1741. Pachyma is from the Greek for thick outer skin (pachy-derma); Hoelen is a Dutch surname (Rumphius probably honored a colleague with this naming). Lewis David von Schweinitz, the founder of American mycology (study of fungi), designated hoelen as Sclerotium cocos in 1821, using a genus name devised 30 years earlier to indicate ball-like fungi, and cocos from coconut, describing its form and typical size (see photo of the coconut-like mushroom ball uncovered at the base of a pine tree). In 1822, the Swedish mycologist Elias Magnus Fries named it Pachyma cocos in his book Systematic Mycology.
One hundred years later, in 1922, the American mycologist Frederick Adolph Wolf identified the mushroom as a polypore and renamed it Poria cocos. His two volume book, The Fungi, became a major resource for the study of mushroom species. However, his revised nomenclature for this mushroom is far from the end of the renaming. The mushroom was designated Macrohyporia cocos in 1979, Macrohyporia extensa in 1983, and then in 1984 it was named Wolfiporia cocos, these genus names separate this mushroom from other Poria fungi (the last version honoring the mycologist Fredrick Wolf); the other species of Poria produce long filaments rather than masses. In the same year (1984) it was further recast as Wolfiporia extensa, the currently preferred botanical name. The species name extensa had been applied to this mushroom back in 1891 by an American mycologist, Charles Peck, and that name was brought forward.
The first English-language book of Chinese herbs, compiled at the end of the 19th Century, used the botanical name Pachyma cocos, which was the accepted designation at the time.Most of the herb books that come to us from China as English translations are based on books and articles written during the highly active period 1950~1980; the botanical name given in these is Poria cocos, the accepted designation from 1922~1979, so the mushroom is often referred to as poria.But the texts from east relied on the original Dutch designation, since the Dutch greatly influenced east medicine and science, starting in 1639.The name "hoelen" came to American practitioners of Chinese medicine via the Oriental Healing Arts Institute (OHAI), which brought Taiwanese literature to the U.S. in the 1970s.Normally, the OHAI naming system uses the genus name (in this case, it would be pachyma) unless there are other commonly used herbs of the same genus, in which case the species name might be chosen, but there may have been other reasons for selecting hoelen, such as prior use in Chinese literature.Modern Chinese medicine texts, including those written by Western authors, usually relay what is found in the Chinese sources, Poria cocos, without updating to the current nomenclature. Any suggestion that "hoelen" is wrong and "poria" is correct would not be based on full knowledge of the nomenclature accepted today; the common names come to us because they have been frequently used for easy reference.
As noted, hoelen is a polypore; that is, it belongs to the family Polyporaceae, so-named because the members have many tiny pores. The mushrooms of this family also have the characteristic of not possessing the ordinary mushroom shape (stalk and cap).Poria species are known as wood-decaying fungi producing, for example, "poria root rot." In fact, the common problem of "dry rot" is typically caused by a species of Poria, such as P. incrassata.These mushrooms, and others that grow on trees, contain enzymes (cellulases) that degrade the structural component of wood, cellulose.Wolfiporia extensa eventually damages the pine roots, but it is not as devastating as the fungi that are currently listed as being species of Poria.
In books of Chinese medicine, the description of the material part of this fungus to be used is the "sclerotium." Sclerotium (plural: sclerotia) is a term that (in modern usage) refers to a dense mass of branched hyphae, which is what makes up hoelen.
One will sometimes also see reference to an American term for hoelen: tuckahoe. This name was first used in early American literature as a generic reference to edible roots; later, however, it was also applied to describe the sclerotial bodies of fungal origin, and now it is used almost exclusively for that purpose, and especially to refer to hoelen. In Florida, where tuckahoe was routinely collected (growing on several types of trees; it is also found to some extent in other East Coast states as far north as New York), the Native Americans would sometimes use them for food, and so it has also been called "Indian bread." The mushrooms have a low nutritional value, providing some carbohydrate, but virtually no protein. They have also been used as food in China, ground into flour and mixed with rice, then formed into cakes.
The Chinese name for the mushroom is fuling; the characters are just phonetics applied to the spoken name of the herb, an ancient term. The name may be modified to indicate the locale from which the material was collected; for example, from hoelen from Anwei may be called Anling, and that from Yunnan may be called Yunling. The outer skin of hoelen is called fulingpi (pi=skin), which is separated off and provided as a separate medicinal item, with the reputation of being a good diuretic.
These mushrooms are only found underground (like truffles). Poria can grow quite large, with a white interior and a dark brown exterior that may develop a mottled appearance like tree bark. Because of its source below the ground and international distribution of the material collected from China, another designation for the mushroom has been "China root." This term has been used for over a hundred years, mainly for this mushroom but also for the rhizome of the plant Smilax glabra, which has a somewhat similar appearance when sliced thin; it is also named after fuling as tufuling. Smilax has a reputation of being a famine food, and like fuling, it is reputed to have the medicinal effect of getting rid of excess dampness. When material was exported under the name ¡°China root,¡± the mushroom has almost always been supplied.
Another mushroom used in Chinese medicine that grows similarly is Polyporus umbellatus (yieling the OHAI common name polyporus) which has been renamed Grifola umbellata. It grows as a parasite mainly on oak trees (also on Liquidambar trees), and forms a relatively smaller sclerotium compared to Wolfiporia. The grifola sclerotium is the medicinal part used in China. The Chinese name is zhuling (using the same character ling as for hoelen). This mushroom can also send up a substantial, leafy-like, fruiting body (which hoelen rarely does). It has been shown that zhuling does not form a sclerotium unless it is associated with a symbiotic fungus, Armillaria mellea. Another species of Grifola, G. frondosa, for which the large flower-like fruiting body is collected, has recently been popularized as a source of immunologically-active polysaccharides, using the Chinese: huishuhua; hua means flower.
Phytochemicals and Constituents:
Main Constituents: Pachymaran(CAS.65637-98-1):recomposed from Beta-pachyman(CAS.9037-88-1),C6H10O5.
The primary constituent of hoelen is fiber; it is in the form of beta-glucan (chains of sugar, mostly glucose; a polysaccharide), called pachyman. This component makes up 91~98% of the dried fungal mass, most of it being an insoluble fiber; there is virtually no lipid (less than 0.15%) and little protein. To make decoctions, the mushroom mass is sliced very thin (see photo). When cooked in water to make an herbal tea, most of the insoluble fiber is left behind (though some becomes suspended by the boiling process), and virtually all the soluble fiber enters the water, forming a somewhat cloudy material.
There is conflicting information about the possible immunological effect of the beta-glucan from hoelen; most of the information suggests that it is of low activity. Some other mushrooms of the Polyporaceae, including both of the Grifola species mentioned above, contain immunologically active beta-glucans that have been developed into medicinal products by extracting and concentrating the high-molecular weight components.But with hoelen, there has been little work done on isolating an active polysaccharide fraction for medicinal use. In fact, most efforts with the material are towards developing potentially useful dietary fibers that may promote, rather than impair, mineral absorption.
The mushroom also contains several triterpene acids, including pachymic acid (structure image, left), tumulosic acid, eburicoic acid (a component of many mushrooms,Chemical name:3 beta-hydroxy-24-methylene-8-lanostene-21-oic acid;Cas No:560-66-7), and poricoic acid. Some of these are actively being researched for potential medicinal uses, including anticancer effects seen in laboratory studies (used in amounts far higher than one would usually get from the crude herb). These triterpenes may have some immunological effects as well, though far more research into such pharmacological activity has been done on other mushrooms, especially Ganoderma lucidum, which has a higher concentration of triterpenes (called ganoderic acids). To study these compounds, alcoholic extracts are made, which leave behind the polysaccharides.
The glucans may have a soothing effect on the stomach and intestines, which can explain the role of hoelen in formulas that treat nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomachache, and stomach ulcer, as well as cases of excess phlegm production that may result from stomach irritation. This effect will be stronger in decoctions than with the pills because of the higher dosage involved, but even the lower dosages may have an effect due to direct contact of the herb constitutents with the stomach and upper portion of the intestines.
The triterpenes may be responsible for other claimed effects, such as diuretic activity; hoelen is often combined with alisma (zexie), which also has triterpenes and is considered a diuretic. In addition, these compounds can also have a benefit for the digestive system. The amount of the triterpenes in hoelen is small, so in order to get an effect of them outside of the stomach and upper intestine, it is important to use decoctions or dried decoctions (e.g. for treating edema and insomnia).
The attribution of a sedative effect to hoelen (and especially to fu-shen, which is now defined as the smaller hoelen fungus with the pine root embedded in it) seems largely the result of the imagination of the ancient alchemist and there is currently little supporting evidence for it. Hoelen was originally thought to arise as the result of transformation of pine resin. It was said that after a thousand years residing in the ground, the resin became hoelen; after another thousand years, it became fushen; after another thousand years, it become amber (hopu, which is, in fact, derived from pine resin); and after yet another thousand years, it became crystal quartz (the term "thousand years" means a long time, and not the specific duration). The pine tree is itself a symbol of calmness, and the four "derivatives of pine resin" described here are all considered sedatives of increasing potency to accompany the aging in the ground under the influences of earthly and heavenly qi. While this story in interesting, it raises the question whether the fungus truly has significant sedative properties, since its constituents are entirely different from pine roots, amber, and quartz.
Qualities:
Poria is very widely used in Chinese herbalism. It is traditionally used as a Qi tonic to benefit the internal organs. It is a solid fungus which grows on the roots of old pine trees. The Spirit Farmers Pharmacopoeia said that Poria is tranquilizing to the mind, and that long term taking of Poria can relieve hunger and lengthen the life.
It is a mild, safe and effective diuretic. It is used in hundreds of classical formulas to improve the flow of water through the body. It is especially commonly used in Qi tonics for this purpose.
Poria is also mildly sedative. And is considered to be highly nourishing. It is one of the primary longevity herbs and is included in most longevity tonics. Recent research has discovered that Poria is a powerful immune system tonic. Poria has been found to induce the production in human beings of a-interferon. It is common in Fu Zheng therapy in China formulas used to build the immune systems of cancer patients.
Varieties and Grading:
Poria is not an expensive herb. But some Poria is better than others. Try to find large, white pieces. The best Poria is still slightly moist---or at least, not very dry and brittle. There is also a variety known as pink Poria, which has stronger Shen tonic effects. It has a slight pink tint.
Therapeutic Actions:
Poria is very widely used in Chinese herbalism. It is traditionally used as a Qi tonic to benefit the internal organs. It is a solid fungus which grows on the roots of old pine trees. It is mildly diuretic and sedative, and is considered to be highly nourishing. It is a mild Shen tonic. Poria has significant immune enhancing ability, similar to the other mushrooms in the tonic class.Poria cocos has tranquilizing, diuretic, and cardiotonic effects. Poria cocos also lowers blood sugar levels, and has anti-bactrial, immunotonic, anti-cancer effects.
Properties: Sweet and bland in flavor, mild in nature, it is related to the heart, spleen and kidney channels. Poria cocos supports the heart, spleen, and kidney meridians in your body.It breaks down moisture and promotes diuresis, benefits the stomach/spleen, settles nerves. Conditions most used for are kidney deficiency, pulmonary congestion, difficult urination, apprehension and insomnia.Sedative, diuretic, anti-microbial, anti-parasitic.
Functions: Induces diuresis, removes dampness, strengthens the spleen and tranquilizes the mind. The herb Poria Cocos is also used in herbal remedies for insomnia, restlessness, fatigue, sleep disorder, tension, and nervousness.It helps digestion, calms the mind and emotions, eliminate excess fluid retention, aids tonification of the "Chi" by dispelling dampness.
Symmetry Products with Poria cocos: Female Balance, Tranquility, Male Balance,Women Precious.Liver Enhancer.
Organ Meridian Systems: Heart, Spleen and Kidney.Liver.
Applications: It has also been used in traditional medicine elevate symptoms of the following nature. Chronic fatigue syndrome, Diarrhea, Dizziness, Edema, Energy, Insomnia, Kidney health, Nervousness, Urination, Weaknessaged skin. In traditional medicine, Poria cocos is commonly used for: Diuretic, sedative, lowers blood sugar, tonic, Chronic fatigue syndrome, Diarrhea, Dizziness, Edema, Energy, Insomnia, Kidney health, Nervousness, significant immune enhancing abilitity and anti-tumour,treat edema,acute nephritis, carcinoma, infantile diarrhea and schizophrenia.
Remedies for: Diuretic, sedative, lowers blood sugar, tonic. Difficuft urination, swelling, lack of appetite, diarrhea, excess phlegm, coughs, insomnia, nervousness. Clears dampness, tonifies the spleen functions, calms the mind. It is used for edema, mucus, urinary imbalances,diarrhea, palpitations, vertigo, restlessness, anxiety, and insomnia.The outer peel can be used for clearing oedema. Fu shen mushroom is most effective for calming the spirit. Poria cocos has tranquilising, diuretic, and cardiotonic effects. Poria cocos also lowers blood sugar levels, and has anti-bacterial, immunotonic and anti-cancer effects. Its different parts have different functions.
Traditionally used in China as a tonic soup for the elderly and infirm. Poria cocos is given to children for growth, and sustenance properties as well. In the Traditional Chinese Medicine system, it is said to soothe the heart, strengthen vital energy, and assuage agitation. One of the reasons Poria Cocos is so highly valued is because, as with other mushrooms the active compounds are extremely easy to digest, and assimilate.
Classical Reference:
Shen Nong's Herbal Classic: "Reversing the adverse flow of qi in the chest and hypochondria (extreme depression), phobia and palpitations due to melancholy, painful masses in the epigastrium, chills and fever, dysphoria with a sensation of fullness and burnt mouth with dry tongue."
"Inducing diuresis and long-term administration of this herb can tranquilize the mind, refresh oneself, prevent hunger and promote longevity."
Amplified Materia Medica: "This herb is very effective in the promotion of the circulation of body fluids, so it is indispensable for the replenishment of the heart and spleen."
The Compendium of Materia Medica: "Tuckahoe (Poria Cocos) with its hostwood has surely been used for the treatment of palpitations. For this reason, it was considered by Chang of Jiegu that nothing but tuckahoe with its hostwood could relieve dizziness due to pathogenic wind and cardiac weakness. We cannot say that tuckahoe (Poria Cocos) itself cannot treat heart disease."
Western Medical View:
Traditionally used to manage edema with oliguria; dizziness and palpitation caused by fluid retention; diminished function of the spleen marked by anorexia, loose stools or diarrhea, restlessness and insomnia.
Eastern Medical View:
Benefits water, resolves dampness, is said to have a sweet flavour, entering the body through the Heart, Lung, Spleen, Stomach & Kidney meridians.
Pharmacological Actions:
Fu Ling has tested to provide a direct stimulant effect on the intestine, inhibiting gastric ulcer, decreasing gastric secretion and free acidity.As with many other medicinal fungi, the polysaccharides of Fu Ling have been reported to inhibit tumors indirectly by stimulating immunological functions.Injection of the decoction has markedly reduced spontaneous activity in animals; it also antagonized over-excitation due to caffeine.
Remedy amd Widely Use of Poria cocos:
Traditionally,Fu Ling(Poria mushroom) filaments have been used for amnesia, anxiety, restlessness, fatigue, tension, nervousness, dizziness, dysuria and urination problems, edema, insomnia, splenitis, stomach problems, diarrhea, tumors, and as an antitussive.
In traditional medicine, Poria cocos is commonly used for:Diuretic, sedative, lowers blood sugar, tonic, Chronic fatigue syndrome,Diarrhea,Dizziness,Edema,Energy,Insomnia,Kidney health,Nervousness,Urination,Weakness
Poria is very widely used in Chinese herbalism. It is traditionally used as a Qi tonic to benefit the internal organs. It is a solid fungus which grows on the roots of old pine trees. It is mildly diuretic and sedative, and is considered to be highly nourishing. It is a mild Shen tonic. Poria has significant immune enhancing ability, similar to the other mushrooms in the tonic class.
Clears dampness, tonifies the spleen functions, calms the mind. It is used for edema, mucus, urinary imbalances, diarrhea, palpitations, vertigo, restlessness, anxiety, and insomnia.
The outer peel can be used for clearing edema. Fu shen mushroom is most effective for calming the spirit.
Notes Used by Chinese women to improve complexion,Exhibits anti-acne properties
Western Properties:Diuretic, sedative, tonic, hypoglycemic, anti-diarrhea, reduces stomach acid secretions, anti-tumor, immune stimulant, stimulates phagocytes
Legend of Poria:
There was a tradition in the imperial palace during the manchu colonization period of "taking Poria in the winter and drinking plum soup in the summer." A very popular tonic herb among the common folks, Poria was also commonly used in the imperial cuisine during the Ming Dynasty and manchu colonization period. It was made into buns, which was eaten daily as a snack. "Black fish and Poria soup" was a famous dish in the imperial cuisine. There is also a famous imperial cake: Poria sandwich cake. This was invented by Ci Xi , the last empress of China. Ci Xi ruled China for over fifty years in the latter half of the nineteenth century. The palace used to make plain Poria cake, without any fillings. But one time, Ci Xi was very sick, and the normal Poria cake (snow white, paper thin, round cakes ) was tasteless to her palette. She was about to show her famous temper when all of sudden, she caught sight of her honey preserved fruits, so she asked her servant to add some honey pine nuts and walnuts between two cakes. This was how the famous Poria sandwich pancake was invented. You can still buy this famous imperial cake at stalls in Beijing and in Beijing's grocery shops. Since Poria was a popular food among the imperial concubines, there are still two huge Poria from manchu colonization period(Qing) kept on display in the Forbidden City.
Indications and Combinations:
Poria is the most widely used fungus in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is utilized primarily in formulas. It is used as a diuretic and a cure for edema, a condition of excess fluids which can cause swelling. The form of Poria used looks somewhat like a potato and grows as a subterranean mass of hardened mycelial tissue called sclerotia. Poria is composed mainly of a substance called Pachyman and also contains some triterpenoids. Pachyman can be chemically converted to pachymaran, which shows a high degree of antitumor activity.
In herbal combinations, poria filaments have been used as a component of various herbal combinations for treating diarrhea,chronic glomerulonephritis, tinnitus, and for decreasing upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding.Some instructions following for reference:
1.Dysuria and edema:To treat various types of edema
Use with Umbellate pore-fungus (Zhuling), Alismatis rhizome (Zexie) and White atractylodes (Baizhu) in the formula Wuling San.
This herb is mostly used together with umbellate pore fungus (Polyporus Umbellatus), largehead atractylodes rhizome (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), oriental water plantain rhizome (Rhizoma Alismatis), etc., e.g., Wu Ling San.
a) Edema with dysuria due to the deficiency of yin, caused by pathogens consisting of excessive fluid and pathogenic heat: This herb can be used together with talcum, donkey-hide gelatin and oriental water plantain rhizome (Rhizoma Alismatis), etc., e.g., Zhuling Tang.
b) Edema due to deficiency of yang in the spleen and kidneys: This herb can be used together with monkshood root (Radix Aconiti Praeparata) and ginger, e.g., Zhen Wu Tang.
2.Retention of phlegm and fluids manifested as dizziness,palpitations and cough:
Use with White atractylodes (Baizhu) and Cinnamon twigs (Guizhi) in the formula Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang. Promotes urination and leaches Wetness rt.
3.Excessive dampness and deficiency of the spleen manifested as poor appetite, diarrhea and lassitude,Strengthens Spleen and transforms Phlegm:To treat various syndromes of insufficiency of the spleen:
Aids digestion. Improves the body's circulatory system. Helps transport moisture out of the digestive system into the blood stream and from various body tissues to the bladder.
Use with Pilose asiabell root (Dangshen) and White atractylodes (Baizhu) in the formula Sijunzi Tang.
In treating retention of phlegm, loose stool, etc. due to failure in transportation and transformation of water as a result of deficiency of the spleen, the drug is often used with Radix Codonopsis Pilosulae, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, Rhizoma Dioscoreae, etc.
Traditional Chinese medicine uses Poria Cocos or Fu Ling to remove spleen dampness.Excessive dampness and deficiency of the spleen can be indicated by poor appetite, diarrhea and lassitude.
a) Poor appetite and lassitude due to weakness of the liver and stomach: This herb is often used together with ginseng, largehead atractylodes rhizome (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) and licorice, e.g., Sijunzi Tang.
b) Fluid retention due to hypofunction of the spleen: This herb is often used together with cassia twig, largehead atractylodes rhizome (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), etc., e.g., Ling Gui Shu Gan Tang.
c) Damp diarrhea due to hypofunction of the spleen: This herb can be used together with yam, largehead atractylodes rhizome (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) and Job's tears (Semen Coicis), e.g., Shen Ling Baishu San.
4.Palpitations and insomnia,Calming the mind,Calms the Heart and Shen:
Use with Wild jujube seed (Suanzaoren) and Polygala root (Yuanzhi). In treating palpitation and insomnia due to deficiency of the heart and spleen, the drug is often used with Radix Codonopisis Pilosulae, Arillus Longan, Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, etc.; in treating palpitation and insomnia (due to internal obstruction by turbid phlegm or breakdown of the normal physiological coordination between the heart and kidney), the drug is often used with Rhizoma Acori Graminei, Radix Polygalae, etc.
5.Inducing diuresis and removing dampness:
To strengthen the Spleen and transform dampness, in treating dysuria, edema, etc. due to retention of water, the drug is often used with Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, Polyporus Umbellatus, Rhizoma Alismatis, Pericarpium Arecae, etc.
6.Diuretic:Induces diuresis
Removes dampness and treats dysuria, edema etc.It is a mild, safe and effective diuretic. It is used in hundreds of classical formulas to improve the flow of water through the body. It is especially commonly used in Qi tonics for this purpose.
Diuretic effect:Administering alcohol-based extract of this herb to rabbits at 0.5g/kg daily for five consecutive days shows a diuretic effect.
Recent test shows that pachyman containing in Poria (fu ling) has similar structure with aldehyde ketone and its antagonist. In vitro test shows that FuLingSu can combine with the receptor of aldehyde ketone in renal cytoplasmic membrane in rats. It resists aldehyde ketone activities in vivo as well. It can also raise Na+/K+ ratio in urine. So, pachyman is probably an aldehyde ketone receptor antagonist, and is effective competent of diuretic.
The function of inducing diuresis and excreting dampness is related to the effect of adjusting water and salt of body. The test proves that pachyman is closely related to Na+,K+-ATP enzyme in cytomembrance and water and salt metabolism of body. Pachyman's function to activate this enzyme can promote water and salt metabolism of body.
7.To treat palpitations and insomnia:Calms the mind,Treats palpitation and insomnia.
Calming effect:Administered at the dosages of 5, 10, 20g/kg, the water decoction of fushen, a variation of this herb (with pine roots growing into it), counteracts the caffeine-induced excitation in mice.
a) Dysphoria due to deficiency of both the heart and the spleen and insufficiency of both qi and blood: This herb is mostly used together with milk vetch root (Radix Astragali seu Hedysari), Chinese angelica and narrow-leaved polygala root (Radix Polygalae), e.g., Gui Pi Tang.
b) Palpitations due to attacks on the heart by retained fluids: This herb is used together with cassia twig, largehead atractylodes rhizome (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), ginger, etc., e.g., Fuling Gancao Tang.
8.Highly nourishing:
Considered to be highly nourishing. It is one of the primary longevity herbs and is included in most longevity tonics. Recent research has discovered that Poria is a powerful immune system tonic. Poria has been found to induce the production in human beings of a-interferon. It is common in Fu Zheng therapy in China formulas used to build the immune systems of cancer patients.
9.Anti-inflammatory activities and antioxidant properties:
The extracts were assayed at a concentration of 100 microg/ml. showing strong as scavengers of the hydroxyl radical,P. cocos exhibited the highest scavenging activity. Although P. cocos inhibited the lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes and red blood cells, the extract showed inhibitory actions on aminopyrine N-demethylase and xanthine oxidase activities as well as an pro-oxidant effect observed in the Fe3+-EDTA-H2O2 system. The results of the present work suggest that the anti-inflammatory activities of the same extracts could be explained, at least in part, by their antioxidant properties.
Anti-inflammatory effect of 3 beta-p-hydroxybenzoyldehydrotumulosic acid from Poria cocos:
The structure of a new triterpene derivative isolated from Poria cocos was determined to be 3 beta-p-hydroxybenzoyldehydrotumulosic acid by spectral and chemical methods. 3 beta-p-hydroxybenzoyldehydrotumulosic acid showed marked inhibitory activity against 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)- and arachidonic acid (AA)-induced ear inflammation in mice. The 50% inhibitory doses of 3 beta-p-hydroxybenzoyldehydrotumulosic acid were 0.27 and 1.25 mg per ear on TPA- and AA-induced inflammation, respectively.
Effect of the basidiomycete Poria cocos on experimental dermatitis and other inflammatory conditions:
The hydroalcoholic extract from P. cocos was examined for oral and topical anti-inflammatory activities. It proved to be active against carrageenan, arachidonic acid, tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA) acute edemas, TPA chronic inflammation and oxazolone delayed hypersensitivity in mice. Two lanostane-type triterpenes were isolated and identified by spectroscopic methods as dehydrotumulosic and pachymic acids. Their ID50 on acute TPA edema was 4.7 x 10(-3) and 6.8 x 10(-4) mumol/ear, respectively.
10.Suggestions from experiment the anti-inflammatory and anti-phospholipase A(2) activity of extracts from lanostane-rich species:
Some scientists of MDidea Group have studied extracts from three species rich in lanostane triterpenes for their activity against different in vivo models of inflammation induced by TPA, EPP and PLA(2). The inhibitory effect against PLA(2) in vitro was also studied. When the Poria cocos extract was tested against PLA(2)-induced mouse paw edema, it was active by the oral and parenteral routes. Its effect was greater in both magnitude and duration than that of Pistacia terebinthus and Ganoderma lucidum extracts. P. terebinthus was effective against chronic and acute inflammation, and according to a preliminary chromatographic analysis, its seems to be a good source of lanostane anti-inflammatory agents. G. lucidum was the least effective of the three species studied and, unlike the other two, failed to inhibit the activity of PLA(2) in vitro.
11.Inhibitory effects of lanostane-type triterpene acids, the components of Poria cocos, on tumor promotion by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in two-stage carcinogenesis in mouse skin:
Pachymic acid, 3-O-acetyl-16 alpha-hydroxytrametenolic acid, and poricoic acid B had been isolated from the sclerotium of Poria cocos Wolf. These compounds showed a strong inhibitory activity against 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced inflammation in mice. At 0.2 mumol/mouse, these compounds markedly inhibited the promoting effect of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (1 microgram/mouse) on skin tumor formation following initiation with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (50 micrograms/mouse).
12.Suppression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6 and granulocyte-monocyte colony stimulating factor secretion from human monocytes by an extract of Poria cocos:
A Study from some scientists of TaiWan noted: Fu-Ling, the sclederma of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf, has long been used as a sedative and diuretic. However, data in this report suggest that Fu-Ling is a potential suppressor of cytokine secretion from human peripheral blood monocytes under in vitro condition. Monocyte culture medium containing 10% of Fu-Ling extract significantly inhibited secretion of TNF-alpha, IL-beta, IL-6 and GM-CSF from the monocyte monolayer. However, as Fu-Ling extract content was gradually reduced, cytokine secretion was augmented in comparison with the cytokine secretion in drug-free controls. This augmentative effect resulted from the trace amount (1.24 ng/ml in 0.62% of Fu-Ling extract) of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) which contaminated the Fu-Ling extract during the preparation process, since TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-6 secretion induced by 0.62% Fu-Ling extract could be significantly inhibited by polymyxin B, an LPS inhibitor. Furthermore, the amounts of TNF-alpha IL-1 beta and IL-6 induced by 1 ng/ml of LPS without the presence of drug were more than that induced by 0.62% of Fu-Ling extract. Thus, cytokine secretion induced by LPS contamination (1.24 ng/ml) in the Fu-Ling extract was partially suppressed by 0.62% of the Fu-Ling extract itself. GM-CSF secretion in the medium containing 0.62% of Fu-Ling extract was not induced by LPS since: a) GM-CSF induced by 0.62% Fu-Ling extract could not be inhibited by polymyxin B; b) LPS at 1 ng/ml showed no activity indicating induction of GM-CSF secretion.
13. Inhibit the growth of a variety of bacteria:
Experiments conducted in China show that poria decoctions can inhibit the growth of a variety of bacteria, including s. aureus, bacillus coli, and bacillus proteus. It is also used to promote diuresis and treat loose stools or diarrhea.
Antibacterial:Experiments show that the 100% water decoction of this herb inhibits Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus coli, and Bacillus proteus.
14. Amphoteric abilitye in balance:
Poria cocos is a mushroom amphoteric in its ability to help regulate either high or low, potassium and sodium balance.
15.Antitumor effects and modulate the immune system:
The polysaccharides contained in Poria Cocos are the compounds being studied. Two of these polysaccharides are Beta-pachyman and Poriatin. Poriatin has been shown to increase the antitumor effects of some chemotherapeutic agents. Beta-pachyman also has shown antitumor effects along with the ability to modulate the immune system. Poria cocos is shown to have anti-inflamatory activity both when taken orally as well as applied topically.
Enhancing immunity:Oral-feeding pachman to mice (250, 500, 1000mg/kg) daily for seven consecutive days enhances the phagocytic function of macrophage of both healthy and cancerous mice.
16.Treatment of Oily skin and Acne:
Recently, two patents have been approved for the use of Poria cocos in skin treatment creams, one for the treatment of oily skin and acne.
17.Benefit Women:
Suggest to apply for treatment of Leukorrhagia.Fu Ling also known as China-root, Poria Cocos, Sclerotium of Tuckahoe, Hoelen Fungus: Leeches out Dampness, Strengthens Digestion, Harmonizes the Middle Burner, Calms the Spirit, Improves the performance of other tonifying herbs.Major known constituents: B-pachyman, tumulosic acid, 3B-hydtoxylanosta-7, chitin, protein, lecithin.
18.Allergic asthma treatment:See the US Patent 6958162.
It is known that allergen-induced disorders, such as asthma, are still one of the serious health problems in the world. Recently, the onset of these allergic-related immunological disorders has shifted to the younger population. In other words, more children and adolescents have developed symptoms of allergen-induced immunological disorders. Many doctors and scientists believe that the early onset of allergen-related immunological disorders is accordingly linked to increasing environmental pollution.
To achieve the object mentioned above, the pharmaceutical composition for treating allergic asthma of the present invention comprises alcohol extracts of Radix Dioscorea, Rhizoma Alismatis, Poria cocos (schw) Wolf, and Scutellaria Baicalensis. The preferred weight ratio of Radix Dioscorea, Rhizoma Alismatis, Poria cocos (schw) Wolf, and Scutellaria Baicalensis is around 1:1-2: 0.5-2: 1-3. The Radix Dioscorea can be chosen from a large variety of species. The best effect comes from either Dioscorea opposita Thunb or Dioscorea alata L, which have been collected and identified by experts among assignee (the Industrial Technology Research Institute in Taiwan). Compositions extracted from both species of Dioscorea exhibited equal potency in inhibition of cytokines, such as IL-4 and TNF-alpha released from cells, which is identified in the in vitro assays as described in the following section of examples.
The present invention also provides a method for preparing a pharmaceutical composition composed of the alcohol extracts of Radix Dioscorea, Rhizoma Alismatis, Poria cocos (schw) Wolf, and Scutellaria Baicalensis. The method comprises the following steps: extracting Radix Dioscorea, Rhizoma Alismatis, Poria cocos (schw) Wolf, and Scutellaria Baicalensis in alcohol separately to form the alcohol extracts of Radix Dioscorea, Rhizoma Alismatis, Poria cocos (schw) Wolf, and Scutellaria Baicalensis; filtering and concentrating each of said alcohol extracts to form condensates of Radix Dioscorea, Rhizoma Alismatis, Poria cocos (schw) Wolf, and Scutellaria Baicalensis; and mixing said condensates of Radix Dioscorea, Rhizoma Alismatis, Poria cocos (schw) Wolf, and Scutellaria Baicalensis together.
When the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is used for asthma, it can relieve coughs, resist airway allergic inflammation reactions, improve the pulmonary functions, reduce allergen specific IgE in bloods, stabilize elasmatoblasts, and stop the attacks from asthma.
19.Liver Enhancer:
This herb has been used in TCM for lowering blood sugar and controlling stomach acids. Poria has anti-emetic activity, anti-carcinogenesis, anti-edema effect, and prevents toxicity. These medicinal activities may be related to its immune modulating function. The polysaccharides are responsible for this modulating function.
Protecting the liver:Injecting poria injection into hamsters at 1.4g/kg daily for eight consecutive days can counteract carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage.
20.Longevity herb:
Poria cocos is a prized longevity herb. Tonic to Heart, Spleen, Kidney. Helps water flow through body; combats stress; supports immunity.
21.Pet Anti-Cancer:
Cancer is common in pet animals, and the rate increases with age. Dogs get cancer at roughly the same rate as humans, while cats get fewer cancers. Cancer accounts for almost half of the deaths of pets over 10 years of age.Common Types of Cancer in Pets including skin tumor,breast tumors,mouse and nose tumors,lymphoma,feline leukemia complex,testicular tumors,abdominal tumors and bone tumors,Poria cocos shows good functions for anti-viral,anti-tumor and immune enhancement properties.
Mushrooms are valuable health food - low in calories, high in vegetable proteins, iron, zinc, chitin, chiton, fiber, vitamins & minerals. Mushrooms also have a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine . Their legendary effects on promoting good health and vitality and increasing a body's adaptive abilities have been supported by recent studies. These studies suggest that Mushrooms are probiotic - they help a body strengthen itself and fight off illness & cancer by maintaining physiological homeostasis - restoring your pet's bodies balance and natural resistance to disease. The compounds they contain have been classified as Host Defense Potentiators (HDP) which can have immune system enhancement properties( boost immune system).
22.Anti-neoplastic effect:
Pachman is an anticarcinogen.Administering pachman to mice (5mg/kg) by abdominal injection daily for ten consecutive days inhibits S180 with a 95% inhibition rate.
Both polysaccharide and pachyman have obvious anti-neoplastc action. They can inhibit growth of mice's S180 stereo tumor, prolong survival time of Adie's ascites carcinoma of mice, and reduce ascitic quantity. In vitro, pachymant can obviously inhibit hyperplasia of mice L1210 and human leukemia cellline HL-60; also inhibit mice¡¯s Lewis lung cancer transformation.
Methylol polysaccharide can inhibit growth of mice's cervical carcinoma U14,especially transplanted tumor of slow growth. In addition, using pachyman together with cyclophosphamide,mitomycin,genshammycin and 5-5-fluorouracil,can raise anti-tumor rate.
Dosage of Poria Mushroom:
Dose: Daily intake of up to 9-15 grams of dry root is suggested, and for acute facial edema, up to 60 grams may be used [Chinese Herbal Medicine, Materia Medica: edited by Dan Bensky and Andrew Gamble, revised edition, 1993].
The typical recommended dose of poria is between 9 and 15 grams per day, usually powdered and taken with boiled water as a decoction
The dosage of hoelen used in decoctions as indicated in most Chinese herb texts varies from 9~15 grams for spleen/stomach disorders to 30~45 grams for edema. Even higher doses have been recommended.For example, in a treatment for schizophrenia, 60 grams of the herb was decocted for the daily dose given for 1~3 months. The herb has very low toxicity. In the traditional categorization of the herb, it is considered without taste (bland or slightly sweet) and neutral in nature (that is, relative to warming or cooling properties). In the formulas listed in the table above where the decoction form is used, 9 grams was indicated in each case for the quantity of hoelen, the lowest dose recommended in the Materia Medica. Generally, reports from modern Chinese clinical work indicate use of somewhat larger amounts than that (typically 10~30 grams for a one day dose). By contrast, hoelen is sometimes incorporated into pills, either as a powder or extract, and its daily dosage in that case is quite low.
What can happen if I take too much poria? Are there any interactions I should be aware of? What precautions should I take?
Poria is considered extremely safe; the American Herbal Products Association has given polyporus, poria's closest relative, a class 1 safety rating. As of this writing, there are no known side-effects associated with long-term poria use. However, because it promotes diuresis, it should be taken with caution by patients taking antidiuretic medications. As always, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking poria or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.
Side Effects: None known. However, avoid in cases of frequent, copious urination due to cold from deficiency.
Cautions Contraindicated in Deficiency Cold with frequent, copious urine.
Toxicity: Toxicity Relatively safe for long term use.One known potential adverse effect of poria is epispasis, a kind of allergic reaction.
Scientific References:
1.What is Poria?,a Humble, but Famous Mushroom, the poria cocos and its widely functional use...
Claims & Warning:
Claims: Information this web site presented is meant for Nutritional Benefit and as an educational starting point only, for use in maintenance and promotion good health in cooperation with a common knowledge base reference...Furthermore,it based solely on the traditional and historic use or legend of a given herb from the garden of Adonis. Although every effort has been made to ensure its accurate, please note that some info may be outdated by more recent scientific developments......
Pharmakon Warning: The order of knowledge is not the transparent order of forms and ideas,as one might be tempted retrospectively to interpret it; it is the antidote....(Dissemination,Plato's Pharmacy,II.The Ingredients:Phantasms,Festivals,and Paints;138cf. Jacques Derrida.).
And as it happens,the technique of imitation,along with the production of the simulacrum,has always been in Plato's eyes manifestly magical,thaumaturgical:......and the same things appear bent and straight to those who view them in water and out,or concave and convex,owing to similar errors of vision about colors, and there is obviously every confusion of this sort in our souls.And so scene painting (skiagraphia) in its exploitation of this weakness of four nature falls nothing short of witchcraft (thaumatopoia), and so do jugglery and many other such contrivances.(Republic X,602c-d;cf.also 607c).
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MDidea Extracts Professional
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Serie No.:R045.Basic Data Sheet Download
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seminal trace...Poria cocos Extract.5:1.Indian Bread,Fu Ling, Tuckahoe Hoelen Poria, Hoelen, poria cocos, fu ling, fu ling pi, fu shen Poria cocos schw wolf...
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: Whole fungus(fruiting body), outer peel (fu ling pi),The fungus is gathered, cut into pieces and dried in the shade.
Origin:
Scientific References:
Claims & Warning:
