Polyporus

Latin: Polyporus umbellatus

Czech: Choros orris

Chinese: Zhu Ling 豬苓

Japanese: Chorei

The vital mushroom Polyporus has been used for centuries as a diuretic. Its name in Chinese means "pig's feces". This is because of its lumpy black formations.

It grows on tree roots or rotting trunks, branches or stumps. It prefers hornbeams, oaks and beeches. The fruiting body is made up of a short stipe that is sessile to the wood. From it, 'legs' extend out, forming tiny caps that are pressed into the interior. This produces a clustered fruiting body which resembles the large dark head of a cauliflower. The fruiting body can be over 50 cm in diameter. Polyporus prefers milder and cooler climates. It can be found in Northeast Asia, North America and Europe. Polyporus also grows in our country. It also grows in our country - in Polabí, southern Bohemia and Moravia. However, it is so popular that it is grown commercially.

The use of Polypore is described in herbaria of traditional Chinese medicine from the Han dynasty, but it has been known since BC. Chorosis mushrooms were also widely used in Europe. The glacial mummy Ötzi was carrying the birch tree mushroom. This is closely related to the chorosh mushroom - supposedly so that it can protect itself against infection.

Polyporus was introduced into the scientific system in 1801. At that time, the naturalist Ch. H. Persoon named it Bolletus umbellatus. Subsequently, in 1821, Polyporus was transferred to the polypores by the Swedish mycologist E. M. Fries.

In action, Zhu Ling is similar to the Fu Ling (poria coconut) fungus, but it does not have its complementary effects. In return it is stronger in wicking away moisture.

Characteristics according to traditional Chinese medicine

Nature: neutral, slightly fresh

Taste: slightly sweet, slightly bitter, bland

Tropism: Spleen, Kidney, Bladder

Main effects according to Traditional Chinese Medicine:

• Promotes urination
• relieves swelling
• removes moisture

When do we use the vital mushroom Polyporus to maintain or improve health?

1) Diuretic effects - promoting urination, swelling

• Increases diuresis - increases urine production and promotes urine output
• used for urinary difficulties, swelling, water retention etc.
• promotes free flow of lymph - improves fluid circulation
• is often used as a preventive measure in cases prone to urinary stone formation
• Strengthens the Kidneys - by draining away moisture, it corrects the Yang Kidneys
• this property is also based on its tropism for the three organs responsible for fluid management (Spleen, Kidneys, Bladder)

2) Diarrhoea

• Works well for watery diarrhea or mushy stools from lack of Spleen Qi
• These tend to be more chronic conditions with a tendency to form dampness

3) Yeast infections and chlamydia

• Draining moisture changes the environment for yeast - we take away their food
• used for mycoses and gynaecological discharges
• suppresses chlamydia (trachomatis, pneumoniae), yeasts including candida
• in these cases it is used with the fungus Coriolus

4) Inflammations of the urogenital tract

• With the help of Polypore, inflammations of the kidneys, bladder and kidney stones can be solved.

5) Support for cancers

• Supportive for some types of cancer
• It is used in the following cancers: liver, bladder, prostate, uterus, lung, nose, throat, stomach, colon and also in acute leukaemia

6) Immune system support

• Supports anti-infectious immunity - especially for recurrent infections
• Combined with Agaric
• It is also used to treat malaria
• suppresses hepatitis B
• has an antibiotic effect - e.g. on Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli

7) Skin problems

• used in the treatment of psoriasis - often together with Auricularia and Reishi

8) Hair growth

• Promotes hair growth - with Reishi and Nu Huang Bian Zi Tang blend

9) Lowers blood pressure

• lowers mainly diastolic pressure - corresponds to Kidney

Caution:

Cannot be used unless harmful dampness is present as it can damage Yin!

Less common use of Polypore in clinical practice:

• Support for all skin disorders.
• regulation of skin structure
• hepatoprotective (with Maitake)
• bleeding from spleen weakness
• Bi syndromes (rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis)
• alopecia areata (+ Reishi)
• regulation of blood fat levels

What to remember:

Polyporus is best for wicking away moisture and promoting urination. Addresses water retention, edema, urogenital problems, including yeast and chlamydia.