Evidence supporting the use of: Poria Mushrooms
For the health condition: Kidney Infection
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Poria mushrooms (Poria cocos, also known as Fu Ling in Traditional Chinese Medicine) have a long history of use in East Asian herbal medicine, primarily for supporting urinary health, promoting diuresis (increased urine flow), and "draining dampness." In TCM, Poria is often included in formulas intended to address symptoms believed to relate to the kidneys and urinary tract, such as edema or urinary difficulty. The traditional rationale is based on the TCM theory of balancing bodily fluids and supporting kidney and spleen function, rather than addressing bacterial infection as understood in modern biomedicine.
From a scientific standpoint, there is limited direct evidence supporting Poria’s use in treating kidney infections (pyelonephritis). Most available studies focus on its diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects, but these are usually in vitro or in animal models and not specific to kidney infections. There are no high-quality clinical trials demonstrating efficacy against kidney infections in humans. Thus, while Poria mushrooms are traditionally used for conditions associated with the urinary system, their use for treating actual kidney infections remains unproven by modern scientific research.
Other ingredients used for Kidney Infection
astragalusbearberry
burdock
caterpillar mushroom
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
dandelion
fu ling
licorice root
lophatherum leaf
marshmallow
methenamine
ophiopogon root
reishi mushroom
slippery elm bark
sarsaparilla
clerodendrum indicum
goldenrod
myrrh
juniper berries
cornsilk
buchu
couch grass
hydrangea
cleavers
geranium
akebia
Angelica
Arbutin
Achyranthes
Anamu
American Liverleaf
Adzuki bean
Alisma
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Blue Flag
Baliospermum
Barleria
Berberis (unspecified)
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Black Nightshade
Black root
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cynodon dactylon
Clerodendrum indicum
Devil's Club
Dichrostachys glomerata
Erodium cicutarium
Euphorbia
Embelia
Little ironweed
Mallow
Other health conditions supported by Poria Mushrooms
AnxietyAnxiety Disorders
Appetite (deficient)
Asthma
Backache
Bladder Infection
Bronchitis
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Circulation (poor)
Colds (general)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Convalescence
Cough (damp)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Edema
Fatigue
Gastritis
Hepatitis
Hypertension
Inflammation
Insomnia
Kidney Infection
Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen)
Menopause
Nephritis
Nervous Exhaustion
Nervousness
Pain (general remedies for)
Stress
Ulcers
Urinary Tract Infections
Wounds and Sores