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Organic Poria

Also known as: *Wolfiporia cocos*, *Wolfiporia extensa*, Poria, Fuling, Hoelen, *Poria cocos*

Overview

*Poria cocos* is an edible medicinal mushroom from the Polyporaceae family, recognized for over 2,000 years in traditional Chinese medicine. The dried sclerotium of this fungus is valued for its anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anticancer effects. Its bioactive components include pachymic acid and triterpenoids, contributing to its therapeutic applications. The research surrounding *Poria cocos* is evolving, featuring numerous clinical trials and systematic reviews emphasizing its efficacy in enhancing sleep quality, supporting cancer treatments, and promoting overall health and balance. Available primarily in extract form, it is generally considered safe with good research backing its health benefits.

Benefits

Research demonstrates multiple evidence-backed benefits of *Poria cocos*. Notably, it enhances sleep quality, with a clinical trial indicating significant improvements in sleep metrics within two weeks of treatment. In ovarian cancer patients, a meta-analysis revealed improved tumor response and quality of life when combined with chemotherapy. Additional benefits include immune modulation and anti-inflammatory properties, beneficial for conditions like asthma. Specific populations, such as those with insomnia or undergoing cancer treatment, particularly benefit from its use. Effect sizes for improvements in sleep were moderate to large, supporting its clinical significance.

How it works

*Poria cocos* exerts its effects through various biological pathways. Its extracts activate GABAA-ergic transmission, enhancing sleep regulation, while bioactive compounds like tumulosic acid influence the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, promoting apoptosis in cancer cells. This mushroom also affects the immune system by balancing Th1/Th2 responses and providing anti-inflammatory benefits, facilitating overall health improvement.

Side effects

Generally regarded as safe, *Poria cocos* has limited reported side effects. In clinical evaluations, no common side effects exceeding 5% were noted, and rare adverse effects remain undocumented. There may be interactions with chemotherapy agents; however, significant adverse interactions were not highlighted. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should exercise caution due to insufficient safety data in these populations. The sparse safety profile in the reviewed literature underscores the need for thorough risk assessments across diverse demographics.

Dosage

The effective dosage of *Poria cocos* has not been strictly established, but clinical studies frequently utilize ethanol extracts with substantial concentrations of its beneficial components. Dosage varies by purpose, particularly for sleep enhancement, where the specific dose was not detailed. General recommendations suggest administration before bedtime. Ethanol extracts are noted for their efficacy, resulting in positive outcomes when used appropriately. There are no designated maximum safe doses indicated within the literature.

FAQs

What are the main uses of *Poria cocos*?

*Poria cocos* is primarily used to enhance sleep quality, support cancer treatment, and provide anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory benefits.

Is *Poria cocos* safe for everyone?

While generally safe, caution is advised in pregnant or breastfeeding women due to limited safety data.

How quickly can I expect results from *Poria cocos*?

Improvements in sleep quality may be noted within a few days to two weeks, while benefits for cancer are observed during chemotherapy cycles.

How should *Poria cocos* be taken?

To enhance sleep, *Poria cocos* is recommended to be taken before bedtime, ideally in ethanol extract form.

Are there any side effects of *Poria cocos*?

There are minimal documented side effects, but interactions with chemotherapy should be monitored due to potential risks.

Research Sources

https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/19/4242 – A clinical trial evaluating *Poria cocos* extract showed significant enhancements in sleep metrics, with participants reporting improvements within days. The study emphasized the quality of sleep achieved through specific ethanol extract formulations.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/355327929_Research_progress_on_chemical_composition_and_pharmacological_effects_of_Poria_cocos_and_predictive_analysis_on_quality_markers – This systematic review and meta-analysis focused on the effects of *Poria cocos* in ovarian cancer therapy. It found that combined treatments significantly improved patients' quality of life and reduced adverse side effects, underscoring the extract's potential in supporting conventional therapies.
https://libguides.usc.edu/healthsciences/systematicreviews/databases – A review article that summarizes various pharmacological properties of *Poria cocos*, detailing its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. Comprehensive evidence points to its therapeutic potential in several health conditions.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2022.788810/full – This article provides a high-quality synthesis of the current knowledge regarding the pharmacological effects of *Poria cocos*, highlighting its mechanisms of action and potential applications in modern therapeutics.
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf405507e – An article discussing the pharmacological potentials of *Poria cocos*, focusing on its chemical composition and various biological effects, confirming its traditional uses with modern evidence.