Monograph: Poria - Wolfiporia extensa

Date: 2019-08-05

NHPID name

Wolfiporia extensa ( Catalogue of Life )

Proper name(s)

Wolfiporia extensa ( CABI 2012 , McGuffin et al. 2000 )

Common name(s)

• Fu ling ( PPRC 2010 , Bensky et al. 2004 , Chen and Chen 2004 , McGuffin et al. 2000 )
• Hoelen ( Hobbs 2003 , McGuffin et al. 2000 )
• Indian bread ( PPRC 2010 , Bensky et al. 2004 , Chen and Chen 2004 , McGuffin et al. 2000 )
• Poria ( PPRC 2010 , Bensky et al. 2004 , Chen and Chen 2004 , McGuffin et al. 2000 )
• Sclerotium of tuckahoe ( Bensky et al. 2004 , Chen and Chen 2004 , McGuffin et al. 2000 )

Source material

• Cultured mycelia (Unavailable)
• Sclerotium (PPRC 2010, Bensky et al. 2004)

Route Of administration

Oral

Dosage form(s)

The acceptable pharmaceutical dosage forms include, but are not limited to capsules, chewables (e.g. gummies, tablets), liquids, powders, strips or tablets. This monograph is not intended to include foods or food-like dosage forms such as bars, chewing gums or beverages.

Use(s) or purpose(s)

Statement(s) to the effect of:

• Used in Herbal Medicine to support the immune system.  (Bensky et al. 2004)
• Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to strengthen the spleen and transform phlegm: for spleen deficiency with thin mucous in which phlegm moves upward with symptoms such as palpitations, headache, dizziness, and thick, greasy tongue coating.  (Rios 2011, Hobbs 2003)
• Source of fungal polysaccharides with immunomodulating properties.  (Bensky et al. 2004)
• Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for small quantity of urination, dizziness and palpitation caused by phlegm-fluid retention, spleen deficiency, reduced food intake, sloppy stool, diarrhoea, disquietude of heart spirit, and insomnia.  (Bensky et al. 2004)
• Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to promote urination and leach out dampness (for urinary difficulty and cases of scanty urine due to damp-heat).  (Bensky et al. 2004)
• Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to promote urination to drain dampness, fortify the spleen, and calm the heart.  (PPRC 2010)
• Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to strengthen the spleen and harmonize the middle burner: for spleen deficiency compounded by dampness with symptoms such as loss of appetite, diarrhoea, and epigastric distention.  (PPRC 2010)

Dose(s)

Adults:

Duration of use

Consult a health care practitioner/health care provider/health care professional/doctor/physician for prolonged use.

Risk information

Statement(s) to the effect of:

Caution(s) and Warning(s): Consult a health care practitioner/health care provider/health care professional/doctor/physician prior to use if you have a yin deficiency, sunken spleen qi, or cold from deficiency with spermatorrhea.  (Bensky et al. 2004, Chen and Chen 2004) Contraindication(s): No statement is required Known Adverse Reaction(s):

• Diuretic effect may occur.
• Stop use if hypersensitivity/allergy occurs.  (Bensky et al. 2004)

Non-medicinal ingredients

Must be chosen from the current Natural health products ingredients database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.

Storage conditions

Store in a tightly closed, light-resistant container in a cool, dry place (PPRC 2010).

Specifications

• The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the NHPD Quality of natural health products guide.
• The medicinal ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the Natural health products ingredient database (NHPID).

References cited

• Albers R, Antoine JM, Bourdet-Sicard R, Calder PC, Gleeson M, Lesourd B, Samartín S, Sanderson IR, Van Loo J, Vas Dias FW, Watzl B. Markers to measure immunomodulation in human nutrition intervention studies. British Journal of Nutrition 2005;94(3):452-481.
• Bensky D, Clavey S, Stoger E, Gamble A, editors. Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica. 3rd edition. Scattle (WA): Eastland Press Inc; 2004.
• CABI 2012: Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International. Index Fungorum [Internet]. Wallingford (GB): CABI (Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International); 2012. [Accessed 2012 April 23]. Available from: http://www.speciesfungorum.org
• Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology. Crampton L, editor. City of Industry (CA): Art of Medicine Press Inc; 2004.
• Hobbs C. Medicinal Mushrooms: An Exploration of Tradition, Healing & Culture. Summertown (TN): Book Publishing Company; 2003.
• McGuffin M, Kartesz JT, Leung AY, Tucker AO, editors. Herbs of Commerce. 2nd edition. Silver Spring (MD): American Herbal Products Association; 2000.
• PPRC 2010: Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China 2010. Volume I. Beijing (PRC): Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission; 2010.
• Rios, JL. Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Properties of Poria cocos. Planta Medica 2011;77(7):681-691.

References reviewed

• Bisby FA, Roskov YR, Orrell TM, Nicolson D, Paglinawan LE, Bailly N, Kirk PM, Bourgoin T, Baillargeon G, Ouvrard D, editors. Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life, 15th March 2012 [Internet]. Reading (GB): Species 2010. [Source database Species Fungorum, 9.0, Sep 2010; Accessed 2012 April 23]. Available from: http://www.catalogueoflife.org
• Brinker 2010: Brinker F. Final updates and additions for Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions, 3rd edition, including extensive Appendices addressing common problematic conditions, medications and nutritional supplements, and influences on Phase I, II & III metabolism with new appendix on botanicals as complementary adjuncts with drugs. [Internet]. Sandy (OR): Eclectic Medical Publications. [Updated July 13, 2010; Accessed 2012 April 20]. Available from: http://www.eclecticherb.com/emp/updatesHCDI.html
• Brinker F. Herbal Contraindications and Drug Interactions: Plus Herbal Adjuncts With Medicines, expanded 4th Edition. Sandy (OR): Eclectic Medical Publications; 2010.
• Huang KC. The Pharmacology of Chinese Herbs. 2nd edition. Boca Raton (FL) CRC Press; 1999.

Appendix 1:

Method of decoction and directions for use

The most common method is to decoct the ingredients twice, using slightly less water the second time. Both times the poria is boiled down until only one cup (about 200 mL) of liquid remains. After the second cooking, the solid material/marc is discarded. The two cups of liquid are then combined, and one cup is taken twice a day -- usually morning and evening -- or two-thirds of a cup is taken three times a day: upon awaking, and then an hour before lunch and dinner. Decoctions are generally taken before meals. This permits the maximum absorption to occur quickly. There are times when this is impractical, or when the ingredients may irritate the digestive tract. In such cases, the formulas should be taken after meals. (Bensky et al. 2004, page:xxviii).