Evidence supporting the use of: Poria Mushrooms
For the health condition: Cough (damp)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Poria mushrooms (also known as Poria cocos or Fu Ling) are a well-known ingredient in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Their use for supporting or treating "cough (damp)" is rooted primarily in traditional practice rather than in modern scientific validation. In TCM, Poria is classified as an herb that drains dampness and strengthens the spleen, which is believed to help resolve phlegm and damp accumulations that can contribute to coughs, especially those described as "damp" (with copious sputum or a sensation of heaviness). Classical texts and TCM formularies describe its role in formulas addressing respiratory symptoms with underlying dampness or phlegm, often in combination with other herbs such as Pinellia (Ban Xia) and Licorice (Gan Cao).

However, scientific studies specifically evaluating Poria’s effect on cough—especially coughs related to dampness or phlegm—are lacking. Some pharmacological studies have explored Poria’s diuretic, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties, but these do not directly translate into clinical evidence for cough relief. Thus, the use of Poria mushrooms for cough (damp) remains primarily rooted in traditional usage with limited empirical support, warranting a modest evidence rating.

More about Poria Mushrooms
More about Cough (damp)

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