Download Alternative Nutrition Therapy - Christine Batten

Fu Ling:
Alternative Nutrition
Therapy
By Christine Batten & Ryan Thibodaux
October 24, 2012
Allopathic medicine predominates medical practice today. The use of pharmaceutical
drugs for symptom mitigation does not address the root cause of illness, and may have negative
repercussions later in life. The use of foods as medicine is gaining interest among researchers.
Functional foods—foods that may provide health benefits in addition to nutrients—have a rich
history throughout cultures, and may help supplement the standard allopathic model of healing.
In particular, Fu Ling— a mushroom used in traditional Chinese medicine—may help treat
multiple diseases. Specifically, positive results have been shown with the use of Fu Ling for the
treatment of cancer, diabetes, and renal disorder.
The scientific name for Fu Ling is Wolfporia extensa. It is a wood decay fungus
(mushroom) that digests moist wood causing it to rot. It is most commonly found in pine forests,
though it can feed off of many different types of wood and it can grow on every continent except
Antarctica. Fu Ling is known by many different names including hoelen, poria, Tuckahoe, China
Root, and Indian Bread, just to name just a few (Halpern, 2007). The fungus grows almost entirely underground—except for small fruiting bodies that are
visible to mushroom hunters—and can grow to be as large as 20 pounds. The usable part of the
mushroom is called the sclerotium—the large, hardened portion of the fungus found
underground resembling a coconut. Fu Ling is best known as an important Traditional Chinese Medicine “herb” (in Chinese
Medicine, an “herb” is a natural plant or even animal substance that has medicinal value). In the
2,000-year history of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the fungus has been used to treat a broad
array of ailments. In the parlance of Chinese Medicine, Fu Ling “promotes urination” (is a
dieuretic), “drains dampness” (relieves water retention), “harmonizes the middle jiao” (the
midsection of the body responsible for digestion), “quiets the heart and calms the spirit”
(provides a tranquilizing or calming effect), and is an overall “yin tonic” that can aid the body in
recovering from disease or illness (“Fu Ling – Chinese Herbal Medicine,” n.d.). These claims are
currently being substantiated in the allopathic realm through scientific study on its effectiveness
in fighting cancer, diabetes, and other common diseases. In Chinese Medicine, herbs are most often used as part of an herbal formula, which is a
combination of two or more herbs. These herbal formulas are either sold in concentrated pill
form or can be packaged as raw, generally unrefined ingredients that the patient then decocts at
home. Herbal decoction generally involves boiling the herbs with a specified amount of water
until reaching a specified final volume. The herb-infused liquid is then consumed like a tea. Fu
Ling is available as dried mushrooms, in capsule form, or as decoction formulas.
The typical dose of Fu Ling in Traditional Chinese Medicine is 10 to 15 grams of
dried herb (Rios, 2011). This general dosage, like many dosages and treatments from Chinese
Medicine, appears to have remained largely unchanged since pre-modern times. When Fu Ling is
used as an ingredient in an herbal formula, the dosage amount varies but less is typically used. There are thousands of herb formulas, hundreds of which are commonly used clinically in
Chinese Medicine. Fu Ling, due to its low cost and versatile medicinal value, is one of the most
common ingredients in popular herbal formulas. For example the herbal blend Ba Zhen Wan is
used to treat anxiety with the aid of Fu Ling’s calming properties. In addition, many devotees of
Chinese Medicine never leave home without the pill form of Bao He San, a formula utilizing Fu
Ling to aid digestion after overeating. Bao Ji Wan, another formula containing Fu Ling, gained
popularity amongst college students thanks to its purported ability to aid the body and mind in
recovery from excessive alcohol consumption (“Fu Ling – Chinese Herbal Medicine,” n.d.). Throughout history, Fu Ling has been used by more than just the Chinese culture. Many
Native Americans tribes harvested it as a food source, especially in times when access to food
was limited. When dried, the mushroom can be pounded or ground into what resembles wheat
flour, and can then be made into bread. Early European settlers who witnessed the Natives
digging up the often-large mushrooms called it “Indian potato,” and named the resulting breadlike food “Indian Bread”. African slaves in North America—likely learning how to find and
harvest the mushroom from Native Americans—were also known to use Fu Ling as a food
source in times of scarcity (Halpern, 2007).
Fu Ling appears to be a good source of many nutrients. Many supplement retailers claim
the nutrient content of Fu Ling is as follows: 100 grams of dried Fu Ling contains 1.2 g protein, 0. 5 g fat, 80.9 g carbohydrates, 1.7 g cellulose, 4. 27 mg vitamin E, and 12. 6 ug selenium (“Poria Cocos Extract,” n.d.). Though these claims lack references to the data, they are relatively similar to other Asian mushrooms with available nutrition data, such as dried shitake (“Nutrition Facts and Analysis”). Though macronutrient distribution is unclear, Fu
Ling’s abundance in many micronutrients (potassium, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese, and
zinc) has been verified. (Hu, Hu, Li, Jiang, & Cheng, 2011). Additionally, the metabolite
constitution of the herb is: 6.9mg/g of polysaccharide, 10.1mg/g triterpinoids (potential
anticancer agent), 4.3 mg/g flavinoids (phyochemicals), 28.7mg/g, saponins (may lower
cholesterol) and 64.2mg/g, mannitol (a sugar substitute and diuretic), depending on the location
where the mushroom was foraged (Wang et al., 2012). As is the case for many alternative, naturopathic, holistic, and traditional medicine
treatments, the science is still far from completely verifying or refuting the numerous medicinal
claims for Fu Ling. Modern science has, however, made strides to investigate the usefulness of
this fungus. The most well established medicinal use of Fu Ling is as a diuretic. In fact, a study just
published in recent weeks in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology concludes that the “ethanol
extracts of the epidermis of Poria cocos [Fu Ling] presents a remarkable diuretic effect” (Zhao et
al., 2012). Diuretics increase the rate of urine production and excretion. They are useful when
treating renal disease, as they help mitigate the effects of lost kidney function—the kidneys
being the organ regulating urine production and filtering the blood. The diuretic function of Fu
Ling can be used to decrease protein excretion in the urine (which is common for renal disease)
(Nakagawa et al., 2007). Fu Ling works on water channels (aquiporins) in the collecting ducts of
the kidney nephrons (the kidney’s functional unit). This action inhibits aquaporin 2 channels that
reabsorb water into the body, thus reducing hypertonic stress (highly concentrated urine) and
inhibiting renal disorders (Lee et al., 2012).
Recently, researchers have studied Fu Ling’s effectiveness in diabetes maintenance. The first serious scientific investigation of Fu Ling’s effectiveness as a diabetes treatment was
published in 2011, and the results were encouraging. The study showed that with mice,
compounds in Wolfporia extensa called Lanostane-type triterpenes provided a significant antihyperglycemic effect. Blood sugars were lowered and insulin sensitivity was enhanced in
diabetic mice that were administered Fu Ling extracts (She et al., 2012). (Just months later in
May of 2012, a new study was published revealing the existence of three new Lanostane-type
triterpenes, doubling the known number in Fu Ling.) The new compounds have not yet been
studied for their efficacy against any ailments (Li, Hou, Chang, & Yang, 2011). Additionally, Fu
Ling exhibits anti-diabetic effects due to anti-glycation properties. This means that the herb can
help prevent the binding of glucose to hemoglobin, a process that is indicative of high blood
sugar, and that has been associated with higher risk of microvascular disease (Xi et al., 2008).
A meta-analysis conducted at the University of Valencia in Spain concluded that Fu Ling
and the compounds that it contains appear effective as anti-inflammatory agents (in both acute
and chronic inflammation). It can also enhance secretions of immune stimulators and inhibit the
secretion of immune suppressors (therefore potentiating the body’s immune response). Finally,
perhaps most exciting, Fu Ling can provide antitumor activity by inhibiting angiogenesis (the
growth of new blood vessels that cancerous cells need in order to grow) (Rios,
2011). Additionally, the herb may reverse multidrug resistance—common in cancer patients—
due to the triterpenoids present in the mushroom (Shan et al., 2012). Still, further studies are needed to confirm Fu Ling’s effectiveness for treating other
diseases and ailments that it has long been used for in Chinese Medicine. The scientific
understanding of Fu Ling’s medicinal value may still be in its relative infancy, but it should be
noted that no adverse side-effects of Fu Ling consumption have been documented (“Dietary
Supplements Labels Database,” 2012). This is in part due to insufficient human testing. Fu Ling
is generally regarded as safe by the American Herbal Products Association. However, it may
interact negatively with antidiuretic drugs due to its diuretic properties, and may too greatly
enhance the effects of diuretic medications. Women who are pregnant should refrain from using
Fu Ling, and a licensed herbalist or medical doctor versed in herbal medicine should be
consulted before this herb is used for therapeutic purposes.
Throughout history, Fu Ling has proved its value as an herbal medicine in Asian cultures.
With expanding research upon its disease fighting mechanisms, the herb is gaining popularity in
Western societies as well. The effectiveness and potential harms need further study, however Fu
Ling seems promising as a therapy for diabetes management, cancer treatment, and renal
disorder inhibition.
References
Dietary Supplements Labels Database. (2012, June 1). Dietary Supplement. Retrieved October
20, 2012, from
http://dietarysupplements.nlm.nih.gov/dietary/ingredDetail.jsp?contain=Organic+Poria+
Cocos+(Poria+cocos)&id=4975http://dietarysupplements.nlm.nih.gov/dietary/ingredDeta
il.jsp?contain=Organic+Poria+Cocos+(Poria+cocos)&id=4975
Fu Ling - Chinese Herbal Medicine | Yin Yang House. (n.d.). Yin Yang House | Acupuncture and
Alternative Medicine Information Resource. Retrieved October 22, 2012, from
http://www.yinyanghouse.com/theory/herbalmedicine/fu_ling_tcm_herbal_database
Halpern, G. M. (2007). Miscellaneous Mushrooms. Healing mushrooms (p. 117). Garden City
Park, N.Y.: Square One Publishers.
Hu, X., Hu, J., Li, J., Jiang, N., & Chen, X. (2011). Determination of trace elements in Poria
cocos. Medicinal Plant, 2(10), 41-42. Retrieved October 18, 2012, from
http://www.cabdirect.org/abstracts/20123159032.html;jsessionid=A4BF9CD9F
Lee, S., Lee, Y., Yoon, J., Kang, D., & Lee, H. (2012). Effect of Poria cocos on hypertonic
stress-induced water channel expression and apoptosis in renal collecting duct cells. J
Ethnopharmacol, 141(1), 368-376. Retrieved October 18, 2012, from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22414475.
Li, T., Hou, C., Chang, C., & Yang, W. (2011). Anti-Hyperglycemic Properties of Crude Extract
and Triterpenes from Poria cocos. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative
Medicine, 2011. Retrieved October 18, 2012, from
http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2011/128402/
Li, X., & Wei, W. (2002). Chinese Materia Medica. St. Albans, Herts: Donica Publishing.
Nakagawa T, Yokozawa T, Oowada S, et al. Amelioration of kidney damage in
spontaneously diabetic WBN/Kob rats after treatment with Keishi-bukuryo-gan. Journal
of Traditional Medicines. 2003;20:156–164.
Nutrition Facts and Analysis for dried shittake mushrooms. (n.d.). NutritionData.com.
Retrieved October 18, 2012, from http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-andvegetable-products/2487/2
Poria cocos extract. (n.d.). ChemKind. Retrieved October 18, 2012, from www.chemkind.com/chemicals-­‐p_619466_poria-­‐cocos-­‐extract.htm
Rios, J. (2011). Chemical constituents and pharmacological properties of Poria cocos.. Planta
Medica, 77. Retrieved October 18, 2012, from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21347995
Shan, H., Qinglin, Z., Fengjun, X., Yuxin, L., Xiaochen, C., & Yuan, H. (2012). Reversal of
multidrug resistance of KBV200 cells by triterpenoids isolated from Poria cocos. Planta
Med., 78(5), 428-433. Retrieved October 18, 2012, from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22457008
She, G., Zhu, N., Wang, S., Liu, Y., Ba, Y., & Sun, C. (2012). New lanostane-type triterpene
acids from wolfiporia extensa.. Chemistry Central journal, 39. Retrieved October 18,
2012, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22559059
Wang, Y., Li, T., Zhao, Y., Zhang, J., & Liu, H. (2012). Contents of some metabolites in the peel
and flesh of the medicinal mushroom Wolfiporia cocos (F.A. Wolf) Ryvarden et Gilb.
(higher Basidiomycetes). Int J Med Mushrooms, 14(1), 79-83.
Xi, M., Hai, C., Tang, H., Chen, M., Fang, K., & Liang, X. (2008). Antioxidant and antiglycation
properties of total saponins extracted from traditional Chinese medicine used to treat
diabetes mellitus. Phytother Res., 22, 228–237. Retrieved October 18, 2012, from
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.2297/abstract
Yu, S., & Tseng, J. (1996). Fu-Ling, a Chinese herbal drug, modulates cytokine secretion by
human peripheral blood monocyte. International Journal of Immunopharmacology,
18(1), 37-44. Retrieved October 18, 2012, from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8732431
Zhao, Y., Feng, Y., Du, X., Xi, Z., Cheng, X., & Wei, F. (2012). Diuretic activity of the ethanol
and aqueous extracts of the surface layer of Poria cocos in rat. Journal of
Ethnopharmacology, 10.1016. Retrieved October 18, 2012, from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez