Poria Cocos Skin (Wolfiporia extensa): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

How does Poria Cocos Skin work as a diuretic?

Poria Cocos Skin contains triterpenoids including pachymic acid, polyporenic acid C, and tumulosic acid that promote diuresis. These compounds increase urine output by enhancing kidney filtration and reducing water retention. The outer skin demonstrates stronger diuretic properties than the white inner flesh due to higher concentrations of these active compounds. Beta-glucans may also support kidney function through immunomodulatory effects. Evidence Level: C.

Does Poria Cocos Skin interact with prescription medications?

Poria Cocos Skin may potentiate the effects of prescription diuretic medications such as furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide, potentially causing excessive fluid loss and electrolyte imbalances. Due to its diuretic action, it may also affect lithium clearance, increasing the risk of lithium toxicity. Patients taking diuretics, lithium, or medications affected by kidney function should consult a healthcare provider before use. Evidence Level: C.

What is the standard dosage for Poria Cocos Skin decoction?

The typical adult dosage for Poria Cocos Skin is 15–30 grams as a decoction. The dried outer skin should be simmered in water for 20–30 minutes to extract the active triterpenoids. Practitioners may recommend higher doses for acute edema conditions. This herb is traditionally combined with other diuretic herbs in TCM formulations for synergistic effects. Consult a qualified practitioner for personalized dosing. Evidence Level: Traditional.

Is Poria Cocos Skin safe to take during pregnancy?

Poria Cocos Skin is considered unsafe during pregnancy. Its strong diuretic properties may significantly affect maternal fluid balance and potentially impact fetal development. Pregnant women should avoid this herb entirely. Women who are breastfeeding should also exercise caution and consult a qualified healthcare provider before use, as safety data during lactation is limited. Evidence Level: Traditional.

What conditions does Poria Cocos Skin treat in TCM?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Poria Cocos Skin is used primarily for resolving edema, treating urinary blockage, and addressing dampness-related skin conditions. The outer brown skin is considered more potent than white Poria for promoting urination and reducing fluid retention. It specifically targets skin-level edema and fluid accumulation. Practitioners commonly prescribe it for conditions involving fluid stagnation and excess dampness. Evidence Level: C.

Who should avoid taking Poria Cocos Skin?

Poria Cocos Skin is contraindicated for individuals with urinary frequency caused by cold deficiency, as its strong diuretic action may worsen this condition. Pregnant women should avoid it entirely. Those with severe kidney disease or electrolyte imbalances should use it only under professional supervision. Otherwise, the herb is very well tolerated with minimal reported side effects at recommended doses. Evidence Level: Traditional.

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 29 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Poria cocos skin, also known as Fu-Ling-Pi, is the epidermis of the sclerotia of the medicinal fungus Wolfiporia extensa, traditionally used as a diuretic to treat edema and urinary dysfunction [PMID: 23847967, 24184192].

Contexte

Wolfiporia extensa (also referred to as Poria cocos or Pachyma hoelen) is a basidiomycetous brown rot fungus in the family Polyporaceae [PMID: 35938080, 37317624, 25271978]. The sclerotium has been utilized in the Chinese pharmacopoeia for thousands of years [PMID: 19631158].

Usages traditionnels

The epidermis of the sclerotia (Fu-Ling-Pi) is used as a diuretic for treating edema and promoting the diuretic process [PMID: 24184192, 23847967]. It is also used in the treatment of chronic kidney disease [PMID: 23670099].

Composés actifs

The main components of Fu-Ling-Pi include triterpenes with lanostane and 3,4-secolanostane skeletons and polysaccharides such as beta-pachyman [PMID: 23847967]. Pachymic acid has been identified as a biomarker for the species [PMID: 28036354, 27111154].

Mécanisme d'action

Fu-Ling-Pi may exert renoprotective effects by reversing perturbations in phospholipid metabolism, energy metabolism, and amino acid metabolism associated with chronic kidney disease [PMID: 23555727]. It has been shown to increase urinary excretion rates and Na(+) and Cl(-) excretion [PMID: 24184192, 23058989].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DEdema/Urinary Dysfunction

Ethanol extracts of the epidermis significantly increased urinary excretion rates and Na(+) excretion in saline-loaded rats [PMID: 23058989, 24184192]

Preuve DChronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

In adenine-induced CKD rat models, Fu-Ling-Pi reversed several biomarkers (including creatinine and lysoPC) to control levels and provided renoprotective effects [PMID: 23670099, 23555727, 23612421]

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Surveys of sclerotia from Yunnan, China, indicate that concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury are generally at common levels and below WHO permissible limits, posing no significant health risk to adult consumers at a daily dose of 50g [PMID: 26883402, 30085617, 27649605].

Synthèse des preuves

The available evidence consists primarily of animal models (rats) and chemical/taxonomic reviews; there are no human clinical trials provided in the abstracts.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 35938080 (2022) — What is the correct scientific name for "Fuling" medicinal mushroom? · Mycology
2.PMID: 19631158 (2009) — [Medicinal interest of Poria cocos (= Wolfiporia extensa)]. · Revista iberoamericana de micologia
3.PMID: 37317624 (2023) — Inhibition of Osteoclast Differentiation and Promotion of Osteogenic Formation by Wolfiporia extensa Mycelium. · Journal of microbiology and biotechnology
4.PMID: 28121272 (2017) — Multivariate characterization of elements accumulated in Wolfiporia extensa mushroom from Yunnan province of China. · Journal of environmental science and health. Part. B, Pesticides, food contaminants, and agricultural wastes
5.PMID: 22559059 (2012) — New lanostane-type triterpene acids from wolfiporia extensa. · Chemistry Central journal

Poria Cocos Skin

Sources et citations

Calculer une dose sûre de Poria Cocos Skin

Betula Pendula Bark

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Questions fréquentes

Résumé

Contexte

Usages traditionnels

Composés actifs

Mécanisme d'action

Preuves cliniques

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Synthèse des preuves

Sources PubMed

Sources gouvernementales

Poria Cocos Skin

Sources et citations

Calculer une dose sûre de Poria Cocos Skin

Plantes associées

Betula Pendula Bark

Launaea Taraxacifolia

Co Voi

Questions fréquentes

Résumé

Contexte

Usages traditionnels

Composés actifs

Mécanisme d'action

Preuves cliniques

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Synthèse des preuves

Sources PubMed

Sources gouvernementales