Poria cocos Mushroom

Poria Cocos

Yet another medicinal mushroom, widely used and highly respected in Asia almost unknown here in Western medicine. In the wild, Poria Cocos grows much like the gourmet delicacy the European Truffle mushroom. This one grows around the roots of certain pine trees instead of oaks. There is even an interesting history of its use in North America: The Native Americans used it to make bread, European settlers observed them digging the mushrooms out of the ground. Thus, they incorrectly called it "Indian Potato" it later became a survival food for African slaves running to freedom, and came to be called "tuckahoe" by them. Sometimes, a single Poria Cocos mushroom could weigh 15 lbs. and 30 lbs. was not rare!

Traditionally used in China as a tonic soup for the elderly and infirm. Poria cocos is given to children for growth, and sustenance properties as well. In the Traditional Chinese Medicine system, it is said to soothe the heart, strengthen vital energy, and assuage agitation. One of the reasons Poria Cocos is so highly valued is because, as with other mushrooms the active compounds are extremely easy to digest, and assimilate.

The polysaccharides contained in Poria Cocos are the compounds being studied. Two of these polysaccharides are Beta-pachyman and Poriatin. Poriatin has been shown to increase the antitumor effects of some chemotherapeutic agents.

Beta-pachyman also has shown antitumor effects along with the ability to modulate the immune system. Poria cocos is shown to have anti-inflamatory activity both when taken orally as well as applied topically. Recently, two patents have been approved for the use of Poria cocos in skin treatment creams, one for the treatment of oily skin and acne; the other for sun damaged skin.

In much the same way as with Reishi mushrooms, the women of the Imperial Chinese court used Poria cocos in skin treatments to moisturize, nourish, help prevent pimples and to promote "radiant "skin. Poria cocos is also thought to help prevent dark spots and wrinkles.



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