Zhu Ling

large cluster-forming polypore (Polyporaceae) producing dozens of small, overlapping, brown-capped fruiting bodies from a buried, irregular black sclerotium.
"Zhu Ling" translates to "pig spirit" — pigs were historically observed to dig up and eat the sclerotia.

growing from buried roots of beech, oak, and maple, often associated with Armillaria honey fungus as a co-inhabitant of the same root system. it is the sclerotium (the underground hardened mycelial mass) that is harvested as the primary medicinal material in TCM, not the fruiting bodies.

an effective diuretic without side effects for pyelonephritis, nephritis, and urologic calculi. eliminates excess fluid and sodium without potassium depletion.

cytotoxic against leukemia, liver cancer, and colon cancer cells.
crude polysaccharide extract plays a role in inhibiting breast cancer, bladder cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer.
P. umbellatus extract is approved in China as an adjunct cancer treatment, particularly for bladder cancer.

activates and matures murine bone-derived dendritic cells, cells that train T cells to recognize and kill specific pathogens and cancer cells, TLR4.

protects against radiation-induced damage.

found to promote hair growth significantly. acetosyringone, polyporusterone A, and polyporusterone B promote hair growth significantly.

reduces kidney inflammation and protects renal tissue from damage.

effective in treatment of lymphoproliferative diseases, post-surgical lymphedema, and lymphatic stasis. lymphatic drainage, reducing post-surgical lymphedema and supporting lymphatic circulation.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8453004/

protects against renal fibrosis by regulating fatty acyl metabolism.
improves renal function and ameliorates renal collagen deposition and subsequent fibrosis.

P. umbellatus demonstrates antiallergic effects and enhances microcirculation.
antiallergic activity through mast cell stabilization and histamine release inhibition.

pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated that ergosterol and ergone have high distribution and absorption in plasma and are mainly excreted by feces.

traditionally used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs), edema, and kidney stones by promoting urine flow and reducing water retention.

exhibits hepatoprotective effects, helping to detoxify and protect the liver from damage.

The polysaccharides in Polyporus umbellatus support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.

Antimicrobial and antifungal.

used to treat skin conditions like eczema and abscesses.

Used for centuries to treat urinary difficulties, edema, jaundice, and liver disease.

enhances insulin sensitivity and reducing oxidative stress in pancreatic cells.

it could inhibit viral replication, including hepatitis and influenza viruses.

used in tcm for ckd.

if you want more for ckd, use bupi yishen, it’s a chinese medicine made up of 86 compounds. it’s used to treat ckd. it preserves kidney function and prevents severe adverse outcomes in people with ckd.