Which four types of people should not consume Poria (Poria cocos)?

Sep 02, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Sun Lianqing

Introduction

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.

Generally speaking, there is no established saying that specifies "four types of people who cannot consume Poria (Poria cocos)," but the following groups should avoid consuming it to prevent health problems or worsening of symptoms: those with Yin deficiency and excessive internal heat, individuals with frequent urination, people with kidney deficiency and polyuria, those allergic to Poria, and diabetic patients. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Individuals with Yin Deficiency and Excessive Internal Heat: Poria is neutral in nature and has diuretic and dampness-draining properties. Those with Yin deficiency and internal heat often experience symptoms such as dry mouth and throat, heat in the palms and soles, and night sweats. Consumption of Poria may further deplete bodily fluids through its diuretic effect, worsening Yin deficiency symptoms and increasing discomfort.

2. Individuals with Frequent Urination: Poria promotes water metabolism and increases urine output. For those who already have frequent urination or excessive urine volume, consuming Poria may further increase urination, potentially leading to excessive fluid loss and negatively affecting normal daily life; therefore, it is not recommended for consumption.

3. Individuals with Kidney Deficiency and Polyuria: Those with kidney deficiency and polyuria experience symptoms such as frequent urination and clear, prolonged urination due to weakened kidney function. The diuretic effect of Poria may increase the metabolic burden on the kidneys, worsening polyuria and hindering improvement of kidney deficiency symptoms, and may even harm kidney health.

4. Individuals Allergic to Poria: Some people are allergic to components of Poria. After consumption, allergic reactions such as skin itching, rashes, and difficulty breathing may occur. In severe cases, these reactions can threaten health. This group must strictly avoid consuming Poria or any food or herbal products containing Poria.

5. Diabetic Patients: Poria contains a certain amount of starch, which is converted into glucose in the body. Diabetic patients often have unstable blood sugar control, and consuming Poria may lead to elevated blood sugar levels, making blood sugar management more difficult. Therefore, intake should be strictly controlled or avoided altogether.

Before consuming Poria in daily life, one should first assess their health condition to determine whether they belong to any of the above-mentioned contraindicated groups. If there is a need for health regulation, it is advisable to first understand one's own constitution or use Poria under the guidance of a qualified professional to avoid blind consumption. Additionally, attention should be paid to the method and dosage of Poria consumption to ensure safety.

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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.