PORIA COCOS
Poria cocos
Hypogeal mushroom with an appearance similar to a truffle but of considerable size; lives tied to the roots of conifers, develops in late summer and is edible with a soft consistency and sweet taste. Poria cocos is the most widely used mushroom in traditional Chinese medicine preparations and has been used for several centuries.
– The beta-glucans of the mushroom act as an immunostimulant and is useful as a convalescent tonic when the immune system is weakened by debilitating viral diseases or by drugs (chemotherapy). Its compounds are extremely easy to digest and assimilate and for this reason in China it is given to children as a tonic to help them grow and to the elderly to restore tone following illness.
– In the kidney it promotes diuresis and regulates the balance between sodium and potassium. It can be useful to accelerate the disposal of toxins and is also very suitable for improving the functionality of the spleen.
– Has a deep sedative effect, brings calm and mental positivity. It is considered a natural antidepressant and is recommended for anxiety, restlessness and sleep disturbances. Its relaxing action is also exerted on the cardiovascular level as it is indicated to reduce tachycardia and palpitations.
– Poriatin, a beta-glucan extracted from the mushroom, has been shown to increase the anticancer effects of some chemotherapy drugs. Studies have shown that the fungus has immunomodulatory and antitumor activity on leukemia, gastric and colorectal carcinoma cell lines.
– Poria cocos is the main component of many Chinese medicinal preparations which have therapeutic effects against recurrent miscarriage and therefore can be useful in bringing the pregnancy to a successful end. It is also recommended in case of amenorrhea to restore the menstrual cycle.
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