Poria mushroom (Poria cocos), also known as Fu Ling, is a traditional medicinal fungus widely used in Chinese medicine. Its use for liver conditions, including cirrhosis, is justified primarily by tradition rather than strong scientific evidence. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Poria is valued for its diuretic and “dampness-resolving” properties, and is often included in formulas intended to support liver and spleen health, reduce edema, and improve digestive function. Cirrhosis of the liver, characterized by scarring and impaired liver function, is considered in TCM to be related to “dampness” and “phlegm” accumulation, for which Poria is sometimes prescribed as part of complex herbal formulas.

Scientific research on Poria’s direct effects on cirrhosis is limited. Some laboratory studies have demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective (liver-protecting) effects of Poria extracts in animal models, but these studies are preliminary and do not directly address cirrhosis or its progression in humans. Clinical trials specifically evaluating Poria for cirrhosis are lacking, and there is no consensus in the biomedical literature supporting its use for this condition. Therefore, while Poria is a longstanding traditional remedy for liver-related symptoms, scientific evidence for its efficacy in treating or supporting cirrhosis of the liver is minimal.