Evidence supporting the use of: Poria mushroom
For the health condition: Sleep (restless and disturbed)

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Synopsis

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

Poria mushroom (Poria cocos, also known as Fu Ling) has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where it is commonly prescribed to address sleep disturbances such as restlessness and insomnia. In TCM, Poria is believed to "calm the spirit" (Shen), promote urination, and strengthen the spleen, often being included in herbal formulas for conditions characterized by anxiety, palpitations, and poor sleep quality. Historical materia medica texts, such as the "Shennong Bencao Jing," describe the use of Poria for this purpose, and it remains a staple in TCM sleep and anxiety formulas like Gui Pi Tang and Suan Zao Ren Tang. From a scientific standpoint, evidence supporting Poria's efficacy for sleep is limited and primarily preclinical. Some in vitro and animal studies have suggested that certain components of Poria, such as polysaccharides and triterpenoids, may possess anxiolytic or sedative properties, possibly by modulating neurotransmitter systems. However, well-designed human clinical trials are lacking, and the current scientific evidence does not robustly validate its traditional use for improving sleep. In summary, the use of Poria mushroom for sleep disturbances is primarily justified by tradition, with a moderate level of traditional evidence and minimal scientific validation at present.

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