Evidence supporting the use of: Poria mushroom
For the health condition: PMS (general)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Poria mushroom (Poria cocos, also known as Fu Ling) is primarily used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where it has a long history as an herbal remedy for various conditions. Its use for supporting or treating symptoms related to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is based on traditional practices rather than modern scientific validation. In TCM, Poria is believed to promote urination, strengthen the spleen, and calm the mind, and is often included in herbal formulas intended to address issues such as water retention, irritability, and mild mood disturbances—symptoms that can overlap with PMS. However, while Poria is a common ingredient in multi-herb formulas aimed at women's health and menstrual regulation, there is very limited scientific research directly assessing its efficacy for PMS. The available clinical and preclinical studies on Poria focus mainly on its diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and mild sedative properties, with little to no direct investigation into its effects on PMS symptoms in isolation. Therefore, its use for PMS is justified by tradition, and the evidence supporting its effectiveness for this specific indication is weak (evidence rating: 1/5).
Other ingredients used for PMS (general)
ashwagandhabeet
black cohosh
borage oil
bupleurum falcatum
calcium
chamomile
chaste tree
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dong quai root
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
evening primrose oil
fennel
flaxseed
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
green tea
inositol
jujube
kudzu
licorice root
lignans
liquid liver fractions
maca
magnesium
motherwort
pollen
quail egg
relora® (proprietary)
sage
soybean
valerian root
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
watermelon
wild yam
zinc
tangerine
bee pollen
lingusticum wallichii
royal jelly
Equol (proprietary)
peach
27-deoxyactein
Alchemilla
Aerva lanata
Agrimonia pilosa
Acetylsalicylic acid
Agnuside
Ashoka
Borage
banana
Cohosh
Calendula
Clary sage
Cnidium
Cyathula
Chocolate
Dong Quai
Evodia
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Evening Primrose Oil
Estrogen
Lotus
Sweet Orange alcohol
Vervain
Other health conditions supported by Poria mushroom
Appetite (deficient)Asthma
Bladder Infection
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Colds (general)
Constipation (adults)
Convalescence
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Edema
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Gastritis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Hepatitis
Hypertension
Inflammation
Insomnia
Kidney Infection
Liver Detoxification
Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen)
Memory and Brain Function
Nephritis
Nervous Exhaustion
Pain (general remedies for)
PMS (general)
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Stress
Urinary Tract Infections
Wounds and Sores