What is Poria?,a Humble, but Famous Mushroom, the poria cocos and its widely functional use.

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Phytochemicals and Constituents of Poriae cocos.

Poria cocos Extract INCI Name Poria Cocos Extract CAS 168456-53-9 photo picture image Main Constituents:Pachymaran(CAS.65637-98-1):recomposed from Beta-pachyman(CAS.9037-88-1),C6H10O5.

 Other Phytochemicals:Beta-pachyman;adenine;several organic acids such as pachymic acid,caprylic acid;dodecenoic acid;pachymic acid;palmitic acid;piaicolic acid;tumulosic acid;ergoterol;eburicoic acid;histidine acid;Trametenolic acid; Dehydroeburicoic acid; Poricoic acid;3-beta-hydroxylanosta-7,9(11),24-trien-21-oic acid;poriatin;ganoderic acid.chitin, protein, fat, glucose, sterols, lecithin, gum, choline,b-amyrin acetate; Pachyman; Pachymaran; Glucan H11; Ergosterol; Caprylic acid; Undecanoic acid; Lauroic acid; Dodecenoic acid; Palmitic acid; Dodecenoate; Caprylate; Fumulosic acid methylester; Polyporenic acid C methylester; Pachymic acid methylester; 7, 9 (11)-dehydropachymic acid; 7, 9 (11)-dehydropachymic acid methylester; 3b-hydroxy-lanosta-7, 9 (11), 24-trein-21-oic acid; 3b-hydroxy-16a-acetyloxylanosta-7, 9 (11), 24-trien-21-oic acid; 3b-,16a-dihydroxylanosta-7, 9 (11), 24 (31)-trien-21-oic acid methylester.

 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.
 Poria cocos Extract INCI Name Poria Cocos Extract CAS 168456-53-9 photo picture image

 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.
 Poria cocos Extract INCI Name Poria Cocos Extract CAS 168456-53-9 photo picture image

 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.

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Reference:

citations1.What is Poria?,a Humble, but Famous Mushroom, the poria cocos and its widely functional use.

last edit date:2nd,June.2009.