Poria mushrooms (Poria cocos), also known as Fu Ling in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), have a long history of use in East Asian herbal medicine. They are traditionally used to support urinary health, which is closely associated with the bladder system in TCM theory. Poria is categorized as a diuretic herb in TCM, believed to "drain dampness" and promote urination, thereby supporting bladder function and addressing conditions like urinary difficulty, edema, and a sense of fullness or distention in the lower abdomen. Classic TCM texts, such as the "Shennong Bencao Jing," mention Poria as an effective agent for removing dampness and benefiting the spleen and bladder systems.

From a scientific perspective, studies on Poria mushrooms have largely focused on their polysaccharide content, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, direct clinical evidence supporting Poria's efficacy for bladder-specific health or urinary tract conditions in humans is limited. Some animal studies suggest mild diuretic effects, but robust, high-quality human trials are lacking. Thus, while there is strong traditional precedent for its use in supporting the bladder, scientific validation remains preliminary.

In summary, the use of Poria mushrooms to support the bladder is rooted in traditional herbal practices, with modest supporting evidence from preclinical studies but minimal direct clinical research confirming these effects in humans.