Poria cocos, commonly known as poria, fu ling in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), or Indian bread, is a fungus that forms a large, subterranean sclerotium highly valued for its medicinal properties. The sclerotium, the hardened mass of mycelium, is used in TCM to promote diuresis, strengthen the spleen, calm the mind, and support digestive health. Native to East Asia and parts of North America, Poria cocos has been used for centuries as a natural remedy.
Botanical Classification
- Kingdom: Fungi
- Phylum: Basidiomycota
- Class: Agaricomycetes
- Order: Polyporales
- Family: Polyporaceae
- Genus: Wolfiporia
- Species: Wolfiporia extensa (synonymously referred to as Poria cocos)
Fungal Characteristics
Poria cocos forms a large sclerotium, which can grow to a size of 15–30 cm in diameter, with a hard, outer brown skin and a whitish, dense interior. This subterranean structure allows the fungus to survive in harsh environmental conditions, storing nutrients that can be used for medicinal purposes. Poria cocos is commonly found in coniferous forests, particularly near pine trees, as it relies on symbiotic associations with certain tree roots.
Chemical Composition and Structure
The medicinal properties of Poria cocos sclerotium are attributed to its diverse biochemical components, including:
Polysaccharides: Primarily beta-glucans, which are known for their immune-modulating and anti-inflammatory effects, helping to support immune function.
Triterpenoids: Compounds such as pachymic acid and poricoic acids, which are believed to contribute to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and diuretic properties.
Amino Acids: Essential building blocks for proteins, thought to contribute to the overall restorative effects of the fungus.
Ergosterol: A precursor to vitamin D2 with antioxidant properties, it supports immune health and may help reduce cellular damage.
Trace Minerals: Contains minerals like potassium and magnesium, which may further support its effects on cellular health and fluid balance.
How to Cultivate Poria cocos
Cultivating Poria cocos requires specific conditions, often mimicking its natural forest environment:
Climate: Grows best in temperate forested areas with ample shade and high humidity. It thrives in soil rich in organic matter.
Soil Requirements: Prefers loose, well-drained soil with high organic content, similar to the forest floor. The fungus often requires the presence of pine or other tree roots for optimal growth.
Propagation: Propagated from small pieces of sclerotium or inoculated pine logs, which are then buried in soil rich in humus and left to mature over several months to a few years.
Watering and Maintenance: Requires moderate watering to maintain soil moisture without waterlogging. Soil should remain moist but not overly saturated.
Harvesting: The sclerotium is usually harvested after 2–3 years when it has reached full maturity. After harvest, it is cleaned, sliced, and dried for medicinal use.
Uses and Benefits
In TCM and other traditional practices, Poria cocos sclerotium is used for its potential health benefits, particularly in digestive, respiratory, and mental wellness:
Diuretic Effects: Commonly used to promote urination and alleviate water retention, supporting kidney and bladder health.
Digestive Health: Often used to strengthen the spleen and support digestive processes, helping to reduce bloating, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal issues.
Calming and Relaxation: Traditionally used to calm the mind and promote restful sleep, particularly in cases of anxiety and restlessness.
Immune Support: The beta-glucans in Poria cocos are thought to enhance immune function, providing defense against infections and supporting overall immunity.
Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant: Triterpenoids in Poria cocos may help reduce inflammation and combat oxidative stress, supporting cellular health.
Applications
Medical: Poria cocos is widely used in TCM formulations to address conditions such as water retention, digestive disorders, insomnia, and anxiety. It is available in various forms, including powders, teas, and capsules.
Cosmetic: Extracts of Poria cocos are used in skincare products for their potential soothing and anti-inflammatory effects, often found in formulations for sensitive skin or those targeting skin hydration and clarity.
Other Applications: Found in health supplements focusing on immune support, digestive health, and mental relaxation, particularly in adaptogenic and nootropic blends.
Environmental and Safety Considerations
Poria cocos is generally considered safe for consumption, though high doses may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in some individuals. Sustainable cultivation and harvesting practices are important to protect its natural habitats and maintain ecological balance. As with all botanical and fungal products, individuals with allergies or hypersensitivity to fungi should exercise caution with products containing Poria cocos.
References__________________________________________________________________________
Wang D, Huang C, Zhao Y, Wang L, Yang Y, Wang A, Zhang Y, Hu G, Jia J. Comparative Studies on Polysaccharides, Triterpenoids, and Essential Oil from Fermented Mycelia and Cultivated Sclerotium of a Medicinal and Edible Mushroom, Poria Cocos. Molecules. 2020 Mar 11;25(6):1269. doi: 10.3390/molecules25061269.
Abstract. Poria cocos, an important medicinal and edible fungus, is well known in East Asia. The main active components are water-soluble polysaccharides (WPS) and triterpenoids. Due to the growing market demand, long cultivation period, and consumption of pine trunk during cultivation, alternative methods for producing P. cocos or its active components should be investigated. In this study, WPS, triterpenoids, monosaccharide composition, and essential oil in fermented mycelia and cultivated sclerotium were analyzed using UV spectrophotometry, HPLC, pre-column derivatization, and HS-GC/MS, respectively. Our results showed that the WPS and triterpenoids in mycelia are several times higher than those in sclerotium. Among the 62 compounds identified by HS-GC/MS analysis from the essential oil obtained from the fermentation media and a fresh external layer, the two main fragrances in common were linalool and methyl phenylacetate. Our results suggested that it is applicable to produce polysaccharides and triterpenoids by the fermentation of P. cocos, and a strategy to improve triterpenoid production in the fermentation process was proposed.
Wang Y, Zhang L, Li Y, Hou X, Zeng F. Correlation of structure to antitumor activities of five derivatives of a beta-glucan from Poria cocos sclerotium. Carbohydr Res. 2004 Oct 20;339(15):2567-74. doi: 10.1016/j.carres.2004.08.003.
Abstract. A water-insoluble (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan isolated from fresh sclerotium of Poria cocos was, respectively, sulfated, carboxymethylated, methylated, hydroxyethylated, and hydroxypropylated, to afford five water-soluble derivatives. Their weight-average molecular masses (Mw) and intrinsic viscosities ([eta]) were determined by size-exclusion chromatography combined with laser light scattering (SEC-LLS), LLS, and viscometry in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) at 37 degrees C. The antitumor activities, against Sarcoma 180 tumor cell (S-180) and gastric carcinoma cell strain (MKN-45 and SGC-7901) of the native beta-glucan and the five derivatives, were tested in vitro and in vivo. The Mw values of the five derivatives in PBS were determined to be 3.8 x 10(4), 18.9 x 10(4), 16.0 x 10(4), 76.8 x 10(4), and 224.3 x 10(4), respectively. The high Mw values of the hydroxyethylated and hydroxypropylated derivatives in aqueous solution resulted from aggregation, and their true Mw values obtained in dimethyl sulfoxide were 20.1 x 10(4) and 19.1 x 10(4). The sulfated and carboxymethylated derivatives having DS of 1.0-1.3 show good water solubility, and exist as relatively expanded chains in aqueous solution. Interestingly, the native beta-glucan did not show antitumor activity, whereas the sulfated and carboxymethylated derivatives exhibit significant antitumor activities against S-180 and gastric carcinoma tumor cells. This work showed that good water solubility, relatively high chain stiffness, and moderate molecular mass of the derivatives in aqueous solution contribute beneficial to enhancement of antitumor activity.
Li G, Xu ML, Lee CS, Woo MH, Chang HW, Son JK. Cytotoxicity and DNA topoisomerases inhibitory activity of constituents from the sclerotium of Poria cocos. Arch Pharm Res. 2004 Aug;27(8):829-33. doi: 10.1007/BF02980174.
Abstract. The bioactivity-guided fractionation of the methylene chloride extract of the sclerotium of Poria cocos led to the isolation of (S)-(+)-turmerone (1), ergosterol peroxide (2), polyporenic acid C (3), dehydropachymic acid (4), pachymic acid (5), and tumulosic acid (6). Compounds 4-6 exhibited moderate cytotoxicities, with IC50 values of 20.5, 29.1, and 10.4 microM, respectively, against a human colon carcinoma cell line. However, 3-6 not only showed inhibitory activities as potent as etoposide used as a positive control on DNA topoisomerase II (36.1, 36.2, 43.9 and 66.7% inhibition at a concentration of 20 microM, respectively), but also inhibition of DNA topoisomerase I (55.8, 60.7, 43.5, and 83.3% inhibition at a concentration of 100 microM, respectively).
Chao CL, Huang HW, Su MH, Lin HC, Wu WM. The Lanostane Triterpenoids in Poria cocos Play Beneficial Roles in Immunoregulatory Activity. Life (Basel). 2021 Feb 1;11(2):111. doi: 10.3390/life11020111.
Abstract. Poria cocos (Schwein) F.A. Wolf (syn. Wolfiporia cocos) dried sclerotium, called fuling, is an edible, saprophytic fungus commonly used as a tonic and anti-aging traditional Chinese medicine. It is traditionally used in combination with other traditional Chinese medicines to enhance immunity. This study showed that P. cocos extract (Lipucan®) containing lanostane triterpenoids has no immunotoxicity and enhances non-specific (innate) immunity though activating natural killer cells and promotes interferon γ (IFN-γ) secretion by Type 1 T-helper (Th1) cells immune response. In addition, P. cocos extract significantly decreased interleukin (IL-4 and IL-5) secretion by Type 2 T-helper (Th2) cells immune response, which are related to the allergy response. The purified lanostane triterpenoids were first identified as active ingredients of P. cocos with enhanced non-specific immunity by promoting interferon γ (IFN-γ) secretion in a preliminary study. Our findings support that the P. cocos extract plays beneficial roles in immunoregulatory activity.
Ríos JL. Chemical constituents and pharmacological properties of Poria cocos. Planta Med. 2011 May;77(7):681-91. doi: 10.1055/s-0030-1270823. Epub 2011 Feb 23. PMID: 21347995.
Wang Q, Chen S, Han L, Lian M, Wen Z, Jiayinaguli T, Liu L, Sun R, Cao Y. Antioxidant activity of carboxymethyl (1→3)-β-d-glucan (from the sclerotium of Poria cocos) sulfate (in vitro). Int J Biol Macromol. 2014 Aug;69:229-35. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2014.05.038. Epub 2014 May 26. PMID: 24875321.
Nie A, Chao Y, Zhang X, Jia W, Zhou Z, Zhu C. Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities of Wolfiporia cocos (F.A. Wolf) Ryvarden & Gilb. Front Pharmacol. 2020 Sep 15;11:505249. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.505249. PMID: 33071776; PMCID: PMC7533546
Tang J, Nie J, Li D, Zhu W, Zhang S, Ma F, Sun Q, Song J, Zheng Y, Chen P. Characterization and antioxidant activities of degraded polysaccharides from Poria cocos sclerotium. Carbohydr Polym. 2014 May 25;105:121-6. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2014.01.049. Epub 2014 Jan 24. PMID: 24708960.
Poria Cocos 
