Poria is an edible mushroom known as “Fuling” in Chinese, which belongs to the fungus family of Polyporaceae, and has been used for 2,000 years in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It tastes sweet but mild and contains natural substances that enhance immune system and provide antioxidant benefits. The planting and cultivation of Poria is described as the industry at the top of pine stumps.

Jingzhou Miao and Dong Autonomous County has a long history of cultivating Poria. 17 townships in Jingzhou all plant Poria with an annual yield of 84,000 tons, accounting for more than 60% of the total national output. The county’s Poria series products are exported to over 10 countries and regions including Japan, Malaysia, South Korea and Singapore. Jingzhou, known as the Poria Town, has become China’s largest distribution center of Poria and the production base of key medicinal materials.  

Hunan Butian Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (formerly Hunan Lanjing Poria High-Tech Development Co., Ltd.), which is the leading company of Poria industry in Jingzhou, was awarded the national drug GMP certification in December 2005 and was granted the national drug production license. Its Poria series products such as the oral liquid of Poria polysaccharides and the Poria capsule have won many awards in China. In recent years, Jingzhou’s Poria industry has realized an annual sales income of 1.12 billion yuan with an annual profit and tax of 470 million yuan.

(Translated by Yang Hong)