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What are the functions and benefits of Poria (Poria cocos)?

Feb 27, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, Poria (Poria cocos) is the white portion obtained after removing the red Poria from the medicinal material. White Poria offers various functions and benefits, including strengthening the spleen and benefiting the kidneys, promoting diuresis and reducing edema, calming the mind and soothing the nerves, clearing heat and detoxifying, as well as possessing antibacterial and antiviral properties. Before using white Poria, it is recommended to consult a physician to determine whether your physical condition is suitable for its use and to follow medical advice regarding administration.

Generally speaking, Poria Cocos (white part) is the white portion obtained after removing the red part (red Poria Cocos) from the medicinal material Poria Cocos chunks. White Poria Cocos has various functions and benefits, including strengthening the spleen and benefiting the kidneys, promoting diuresis and reducing edema, calming the mind and inducing tranquility, clearing away heat and detoxifying, and possessing antibacterial and antiviral properties. Specific details are as follows:

1. Strengthening the Spleen and Benefiting the Kidneys

White Poria Cocos has effects of warming the middle jiao, invigorating qi, strengthening the spleen, and benefiting the kidneys. It can regulate spleen and stomach functions, promote digestion and absorption, and thereby enhance the body's immunity. It can alleviate symptoms such as disharmony of the spleen and stomach, poor appetite, and indigestion.

2. Promoting Diuresis and Reducing Edema

White Poria Cocos has a significant diuretic effect, effectively expelling dampness and water from the body, helping to relieve edema. It is commonly used in treating conditions such as impaired urine production, swelling, and edema, and is often combined with other medicinal materials like Alisma orientale (泽泻) and Polyporus umbellatus (猪苓) in clinical practice.

3. Calming the Mind and Inducing Tranquility

White Poria Cocos enters the heart meridian and has the effect of calming the mind and inducing tranquility. It can regulate emotions, relieve anxiety and fatigue, and also improve symptoms such as insomnia and vivid dreams. This is mainly due to its properties of clearing the mind, removing irritability, and stabilizing the mental state.

4. Clearing Away Heat and Detoxifying

White Poria Cocos also has certain heat-clearing and detoxifying effects, capable of clearing excessive internal heat and detoxifying to reduce swelling. It can alleviate symptoms caused by heat toxicity, such as mouth ulcers, eczema, and acne. Additionally, white Poria Cocos can promote metabolic circulation in the body, expelling dead cells and toxins from the body.

5. Antibacterial and Antiviral Effects

White Poria Cocos possesses certain antibacterial and antiviral properties, which help enhance the body's immunity and prevent the occurrence of infectious diseases. These antibacterial and antiviral characteristics make white Poria Cocos potentially useful as an adjunct in treating certain infectious diseases.

Before using white Poria Cocos, it is recommended to consult a doctor to determine whether your physical condition is suitable for its use and to follow medical instructions for administration. Additionally, individuals with symptoms such as dampness stagnation in the spleen and stomach, loose stools, or diarrhea should use white Poria Cocos cautiously.

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Which four types of people should not consume Poria (Poria cocos)?
Generally speaking, there is no such saying as "four types of people who cannot consume Poria (Poria cocos)," but individuals with Yin deficiency and excessive internal heat, excessive urination, kidney deficiency with frequent urination, those allergic to Poria, and patients with diabetes should avoid consuming Poria to prevent health problems or worsening of symptoms. Before consuming Poria in daily life, it is important to first understand one's own health condition and determine whether belonging to any of the aforementioned contraindicated groups.
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What to Eat for a Damp-Heat Body Type
Under normal circumstances, individuals with a damp-heat constitution are advised to consume foods such as luffa, poria (Poria cocos), mung beans, water spinach, and lotus seeds, as well as oral medications including Sanren Mixture (Three Seeds Mixture), Compound Gotu Kola Granules, Qingre Qushi Granules (Heat-clearing and Dampness-resolving Granules), Longdan Xiegan Pills (Dragon胆Liver-Draining Pills), and Xiangsha Yangwei Pills (Fragrant Sand Stomach-Nourishing Pills). People with a damp-heat constitution should generally avoid excessive consumption of sweet, greasy, or fried foods in order to reduce the accumulation of damp-heat.
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What foods are good to eat for damp-heat?
In general, individuals with damp-heat constitution are advised to consume foods that have functions of clearing heat, eliminating dampness, strengthening the spleen, and removing dampness. Commonly used foods include mung beans, adzuki beans, winter melon, bitter melon, and Poria (Poria cocos). Reasonable consumption of these foods may help alleviate discomfort associated with damp-heat. In daily life, in addition to dietary regulation, individuals can also engage in moderate exercises such as jogging or brisk walking to promote metabolism.
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What foods are good to eat for damp-heat in the body?
Under normal circumstances, individuals with a damp-heat body type should consume foods that have clearing-heat and resolving-dampness properties. These foods mainly include wax gourd (winter melon), coix seed (Job's tears), mung beans, red adzuki beans, and bitter melon. These foods can help regulate the internal damp-heat condition through their inherent properties. In addition, individuals with damp-heat constitution may also moderately consume other foods such as poria (Poria cocos) and lotus seeds. At the same time, it is important to avoid excessive consumption of spicy foods in daily life.
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What can I eat to remove dampness from the body?
Under normal circumstances, to help remove dampness from the body, one may typically consume foods such as mung beans, winter melon, red adzuki beans, Poria (Poria cocos), and Gorgon fruit (Semen Euryales). Additionally, oral medications such as Huoxiang Zhengqi Oral Liquid, Shenling Baizhu Granules, Fuzi Lizhong Pills, Xiangsha Yangwei Pills, and Pingwei Pills may be taken as directed by a physician. However, the effectiveness of these treatments may vary among individuals. If you have any concerns, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional in advance.
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What Are the 8 Foods That Help Remove Dampness?
Commonly recommended foods for removing dampness include Job's tears (Coix seed), red adzuki beans, winter melon, Poria (Poria cocos), and lotus leaves. Job's tears is cool in nature and sweet in taste, and has functions of promoting diuresis, reducing edema, strengthening the spleen, and eliminating dampness. It contains various nutrients that can enhance water metabolism in the body and help expel dampness. It is suitable for consumption as porridge or soup; however, individuals with cold-deficiency body constitution should consume it in moderation.
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Is Poria effective in removing dampness from the body?
Poria (Poria cocos) is quite effective at removing dampness and particularly suitable for cases of dampness accumulation caused by spleen deficiency. With a sweet, bland taste and neutral nature, Poria can strengthen the spleen and promote diuresis, enhancing the transforming and transporting functions of the spleen and stomach to facilitate the elimination of dampness from the body. For symptoms of dampness caused by spleen deficiency—such as thick greasy tongue coating, abdominal distension, loose stools, and bodily heaviness—appropriate use of Poria (e.g., in congee or soups) can gradually alleviate these symptoms, making it a commonly used ingredient for resolving dampness.
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Which foods are effective for removing dampness from the body?
Under normal circumstances, consuming foods such as Poria (Poria cocos), red adzuki beans, Euryale ferox seeds, winter melon peel, and mung beans may help remove dampness from the body. If you have a need to eliminate dampness, you can adjust your diet according to your individual condition. In daily life, in addition to eating these foods, you can also maintain a dry living environment, avoid excessive consumption of raw and cold foods, and engage in regular moderate exercise.
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