Poria mushrooms (Poria cocos, also known as Fu Ling in Traditional Chinese Medicine) have a long history of use in East Asian herbal medicine. Traditionally, Poria is reputed for its diuretic, spleen-tonifying, and dampness-resolving properties. In the context of the lymphatic system, classical herbalists believed that Poria helps the body eliminate excess fluids and supports the movement and removal of "dampness," a concept believed to relate to fluid retention and sluggish lymphatic flow in traditional frameworks. Thus, it is often found in formulas aimed at promoting healthy fluid metabolism, which may indirectly relate to lymphatic health.

However, modern scientific research specifically investigating Poria’s direct effects on the lymphatic system is limited. Some pharmacological studies have shown that Poria possesses anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and mild diuretic effects, but these findings do not directly equate to targeted lymphatic support as defined in Western medicine. The traditional rationale is based more on empirical use and theoretical constructs than on rigorous scientific validation for lymphatic outcomes. Therefore, while Poria is traditionally used in formulas that may be interpreted as supporting lymphatic function, the evidence remains largely traditional with limited scientific corroboration specific to the lymphatic system.