Poria (Fuling), is a famous home-grown bulk Chinese herb, which has been used medicinally for about 2,000 years. Owing to its wide range of medical uses and neutral nature, it is honored as dampness-eliminating panacea and one out of Eight Treasures. As a result, this herb is commonly used in not only many clinical formulas but also the production of numerous Chinese patent medicines. What’s more, thanks to its amazing health benefits, it was once used to make a variety of delicacies and snacks for the enjoyment of all members of the royal family.

Health Benefits of Poria
For thousands of years, poria has been used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicines for its diuretic, sedative, and tonic effects. Although few scientific studies have looked at the health effects of poria, some preliminary research shows that it may protect against certain conditions. Here's a look at the available studies on poria and its potential benefits:

1) Immune System
Poria may help boost immune function, according to a 2011 report published in Planta Medica. For the report, researchers analyzed the available research on poria. Along with finding significant evidence that poria can help fight inflammation, the report's authors determined that polysaccharides found in poria may help strengthen immune response.

2) Alzheimer's Disease
Preliminary research shows that poria may help fight Alzheimer's Disease. In a 2009 study published in the German journal Die Pharmazie, tests on rat cells demonstrated that poria may inhibit Alzheimer's development by reducing oxidative stress. The study's authors also found that poria may help shield the brain from the toxic effects of beta-amyloid (a substance that forms the brain plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease).

3) Diabetes
Triterpenes found in poria may be effective against diabetes, a 2011 study from Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine shows. In test on mice with Diabetes, the study's authors found that treatment with poria triterpenes helped regulate the animals' blood sugar levels and treat insulin resistance.

4) Cancer
Several studies on human cells indicate that poria may possess anti-tumor properties and could help fight some forms of cancer (including pancreatic cancer and Breast Cancer). However, it's too soon to tell whether taking poria can aid in cancer prevention.