Poria
Wolfiporia extensa · 茯苓
Mushrooms. Chinese Medicine.
Also called Fu ling, Hoelen, Tuckahoe
Pinyin: Fú Líng
A fungus that grows on pine tree roots. Chinese medicine uses it to drain extra fluid and calm a restless mind.
Did you know? Poria forms a hard lump underground on pine roots, and that lump, not the mushroom cap, is the part used as medicine.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Kidneys, bladder & UTIs. Traditional use as a mild diuretic (helps the body pass urine). Lab and animal studies only. Human proof is lacking.Traditional proof
- Sleep. Used in formulas for a restless mind and poor sleep. No good human trials test poria alone.Traditional proof
- Colds, flu & immunity. Polysaccharides from poria stimulate immune cells in lab and animal studies. No good human trials.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
Traditional Chinese Medicine uses fu ling to drain dampness (excess fluid) for swelling, loose stools and a restless mind. It is a core herb in Si Jun Zi Tang and Liu Wei Di Huang Wan.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Diuretic, Nervine, Immune balancer. Energy: neutral.
- Chinese medicine
- 茯苓 Drain dampness. Nature: neutral. Flavour: sweet, bland. Enters the Heart, Lung, Spleen and Kidney channels.
How people take it
Traditional decoctions often use 9 to 15 g a day. Capsules and powders are common. No human dose studies exist for poria alone.
Decoction, powder, capsule, tea and food.
Where to get it
Grows on pine tree roots, mainly in China. Sold as dried pieces, powder, capsules and tea. Choose brands that test for contaminants.
Be careful
Generally well tolerated. Mild stomach upset or loose stools are possible. Its mild diuretic effect may matter for people with kidney disease or on water pills.
Avoid if: pregnancy; kidney disease.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Part of Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction).
- Works well together
Also in Si Jun Zi Tang. Poria helps the formula feel gentler on digestion.
- Works well together
Bai zhu and poria are paired in Si Jun Zi Tang and Shen Ling Bai Zhu San to strengthen digestion and drain excess moisture.
- Works well together
Poria and shan yao are both in Shen Ling Bai Zhu San (Ginseng, Poria and Atractylodes Powder) for weak digestion.
- Works well together
Longan and poria are both in Gui Pi Tang.
- Works well together
Poria is in Suan Zao Ren Tang and Gui Pi Tang, where it helps calm the mind.
- Works well together
Also in Kai Xin San, where poria helps calm the mind.
- Works well together
Paired with poria in Er Chen Tang, a classic phlegm formula.
- Works well together
Paired with poria in Wu Ling San (Five Ingredient Powder) to drain dampness.
- Works well together
Paired with poria in Shen Ling Bai Zhu San (Ginseng, Poria and Atractylodes Powder).
- Worth knowingWater pills (furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide)
Poria has a mild diuretic effect, so it may add to water pills. No human trials confirm this.
Found in these formulas
Four Gentlemen (TCM), Six Flavor Rehmannia (TCM), Free & Easy Wanderer (TCM), Sour Jujube Decoction (TCM), Pinellia & Magnolia (TCM)
The honest take
Poria is a long-used, low-risk fungus, and it is eaten as food in parts of Asia. Its role in classic formulas is real, but its benefits for the kidneys, sleep and immunity rest on tradition and lab work. Human trials on poria alone are thin.