Medicinal interest of Poria cocos (= Wolfiporia extensa)

The sclerotium of Poria cocos has been used in the Chinese pharmacopoeia during thousands of years. In this note several aspects about the biology and nomenclature of this fungus are summarized, with emphasis on its composition and therapeutic applications. (C) 2008 Revista Iberoamericana de Micologia. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.