Get Your Personalized Supplement StackSupplement Stack Quiz

Poria Mushroom

Also known as: Wolfiporia extensa, Poria mushroom, Fuling, Poria cocos

Overview

Poria cocos, also known as Fuling, is a medicinal fungus traditionally utilized in East Asian medicine. It grows on the roots of pine trees, with its sclerotium (hardened mycelium) being the primary part used. Historically, it has been valued for its diuretic, sedative, and tonic properties. Modern research suggests its potential in improving sleep quality, supporting immune function, and serving as an adjunct treatment for certain cancers and metabolic disorders like Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. While research is ongoing, with a mix of in vitro, animal, and human studies, the evidence quality varies, indicating a need for more large-scale, high-quality randomized controlled trials to solidify its therapeutic applications and establish optimal usage guidelines.

Benefits

Poria cocos has demonstrated several evidence-based benefits. For sleep quality, a randomized controlled trial showed that Poria cocos extract significantly improved total sleep time, sleep efficiency, and reduced wake after sleep onset within two weeks, with subjective improvements noted within days. This occurred without serious hematological side effects, though a slight, normal-range decrease in serum potassium was observed. In the context of anticancer effects, in vitro studies on renal cell carcinoma cells revealed dose-dependent inhibition of cell viability (50-90% reduction at ≥100 µg/mL), inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by modulating AMPK, Akt, mTOR pathways, and ER stress markers. A meta-analysis also suggested that Poria cocos-based formulas, when combined with chemotherapy in ovarian cancer patients, improved quality of life and showed synergistic efficacy and safety. For Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), a systematic review and meta-analysis of 73 RCTs (6,489 participants) found that herbal formulas containing Poria cocos significantly reduced fasting blood glucose (MD -0.82 mmol/L), 2-hour postprandial glucose (MD -1.15 mmol/L), and HbA1c (MD -0.64%), with fewer adverse events compared to hypoglycemic agents alone. However, the strength of evidence for T2DM was moderate due to risk of bias in many included studies.

How it works

Poria cocos exerts its effects through various bioactive compounds, primarily polysaccharides and triterpenoids. These compounds are believed to modulate key metabolic pathways, including AMPK (a crucial energy sensor), Akt, and mTOR signaling, which are involved in regulating cell growth, apoptosis, and overall cellular metabolism. In cancer cells, Poria cocos has been shown to induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, leading to programmed cell death (apoptosis). Additionally, its polysaccharides are thought to contribute to immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects, which may underlie its benefits in metabolic health and sleep regulation. While the exact bioavailability and pharmacokinetics in humans are not fully characterized, clinical observations suggest sufficient absorption for therapeutic effects when consumed as an extract.

Side effects

Poria cocos is generally well tolerated in clinical trials. The most frequently noted minor adverse effect is a slight decrease in serum potassium levels, which has been observed to remain within the normal range and is not considered serious. Meta-analyses involving diabetic patients and those undergoing cancer adjunct therapy have not reported any serious adverse events. However, data on drug interactions are limited. Caution is advised when Poria cocos is used concurrently with potassium-altering medications or chemotherapy, as potential interactions have not been thoroughly investigated. Specific contraindications and safety data for special populations, such as pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, children, or those with pre-existing medical conditions, are sparse, indicating a need for more comprehensive safety studies. Overall, while short-term use appears safe, long-term safety and potential interactions require further research.

Dosage

Specific dosage recommendations for Poria cocos are not yet standardized, as clinical trials have often used varying extract concentrations or included it as part of multi-herbal formulas. In a sleep study, an unspecified standardized extract dose was used for two weeks, showing effects within days. For Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Poria cocos was part of complex herbal formulations, making it difficult to isolate a precise effective dose for the individual ingredient. In vitro studies on cancer cells showed efficacy at concentrations ≥100 µg/mL, but this does not directly translate to human clinical dosing. Optimal dosing, timing of administration, and the most effective formulation (e.g., extract vs. raw powder) require further dedicated randomized controlled trials to establish clear guidelines and safety thresholds. Currently, there are no established upper limits or safety thresholds for isolated Poria cocos.

FAQs

Is Poria cocos safe for long-term use?

Current data suggest good short-term safety, with minor side effects like slight potassium decrease. However, long-term safety and potential cumulative effects are not yet well studied and require further research.

Can Poria cocos be used alone or only in combination?

Most clinical evidence for Poria cocos's benefits comes from studies where it was used as part of multi-herbal formulas. Its efficacy and optimal use as a standalone supplement require more dedicated research.

How soon can I expect to see benefits from Poria cocos?

For sleep quality, improvements have been reported within a few days of starting treatment. Metabolic and anticancer effects, however, are likely to require longer and more consistent treatment to manifest.

Does Poria cocos interact with other medications?

Data on drug interactions are limited. Caution is advised, particularly with chemotherapy agents and medications that alter potassium levels, due to potential, unstudied interactions.

Research Sources

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10574255/ – This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of Poria cocos extract on sleep quality. It found significant improvements in total sleep time, sleep efficiency, and reduced wake after sleep onset within two weeks, with subjective benefits appearing earlier. The study noted no serious adverse effects, though a slight, normal decrease in serum potassium was observed.
https://wjnu.org/index.php/wjnu/article/view/433/375 – This in vitro study explored the anticancer effects of Poria cocos on renal cell carcinoma cells. It demonstrated that Poria cocos induced dose-dependent inhibition of cell viability, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis by modulating key pathways like AMPK, Akt, mTOR, and ER stress markers. This provides preclinical evidence for its potential in cancer therapy.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8985862/ – This meta-analysis, combined with network pharmacology, evaluated the efficacy of Poria cocos-based formulas alongside chemotherapy in ovarian cancer patients. The findings suggested that these combinations improved patients' quality of life and indicated synergistic effects with chemotherapy, while also enhancing safety. This supports its role as an adjunct therapy.
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0278536 – This systematic review and meta-analysis of 73 randomized controlled trials (6,489 participants) investigated the effects of herbal formulas containing Poria cocos on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. It concluded that these formulas significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial glucose, and HbA1c, with fewer adverse events compared to conventional hypoglycemic agents alone. However, it noted moderate evidence strength due to risk of bias in many included studies.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-43954-6 – This article, likely related to the systematic review on T2DM, further supports the findings regarding Poria cocos's role in improving glycemic control. It highlights the potential of Poria cocos-containing herbal formulas to reduce key diabetic markers and improve patient outcomes, while also emphasizing the need for higher quality research to confirm these effects.