Poria mushrooms (Poria cocos, also known as Fu Ling in Traditional Chinese Medicine) are traditionally used in East Asian herbal medicine, including for women’s health concerns such as menopause. In TCM, Poria is believed to promote urination, strengthen the spleen, and calm the mind. It is often included in herbal formulas aimed at managing symptoms commonly experienced during menopause, such as insomnia, anxiety, and edema, rather than directly affecting hormone levels or hot flashes. The traditional rationale is based on holistic concepts of balancing “Yin” and “Yang” and supporting organ systems thought to be involved in menopausal symptoms.

Scientific research on Poria mushrooms specifically for menopause is extremely limited. Some studies suggest Poria may have mild diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and sedative effects, but these findings are preliminary and not directly linked to menopausal symptom relief. There is a lack of high-quality clinical trials evaluating its efficacy for menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, or hormonal changes. Therefore, the primary justification for its use in menopause comes from traditional practice rather than robust scientific validation.