The Use of Mushrooms in Chinese Medicine
There is a long history of medicinal mushroom use in Chinese medicine, with various species being said to improve health and vitality, support the internal organs, and promote longevity. This article explores some of the most common mushrooms and their uses from a traditional Chinese medicine perspective.
Medicinal Mushrooms in Chinese Medicine
Various medicinal mushroom species have been used in Chinese medicine for centuries. They have a range of purported benefits and are generally considered safe for use, with very few caveats.
These mushrooms can be categorised according to their flavour, nature, and which organs they influence, akin to herbal medicine and food energetics. They also have specific actions and indications, and can be beneficial in a variety of circumstances.
This information is listed below for several of the most common mushrooms used in Chinese medicine. Please note that these are the mushrooms’ traditional properties and uses. For a more evidence-based overview, check out my article on The Benefits of Functional Fungi.
Lingzhi (Reishi)
Reishi’s Chinese name, lingzhi, means “spirit mushroom,” and it has been the subject of many myths and legends over the years, often revered as a symbol of good luck and longevity.
Reishi is often nicknamed “the mushroom of immortality,” due to its numerous health benefits, and it contains as many as 400 compounds with various bioactive properties.
In Chinese medicine, this mushroom is classified as sweet and neutral, acting upon the Heart, Liver, Lung, and Kidney channels. It is mainly used to treat chest tightness, support Heart qi, calm the mind, and improve memory. Its long list of actions and indications includes:
Actions
Nourish the body
Strengthen resistance
Support uprightness
Secure the root
Invigorate the Spleen
Calm the mind
Replenish qi
Indications
Spleen deficiency
Poor appetite
Fatigue
Lung deficiency
Chronic cough
Panting
Fatigue and weakness
Shortness of breath
Blood not nourishing the Heart
Palpitations
Dizziness
Insomnia
Poor memory
Reishi should also be used with caution alongside other Chinese herbs, as they may have additive effects.
Dongchongxiacao (Cordyceps)
Cordyceps’ Chinese name, dongchongxiacao, literally translates as “winter worm, summer grass.” This is a reference to its growing habit, which involves it parasitising a caterpillar species native to the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, eventually killing it and sending a grass-like fungal protrusion out of its body.
However, nowadays, most cordyceps is cultivated, with these varieties having similar active compounds to the wild version, whilst being far more sustainable and, arguably, less gruesome!
Cordyceps is a powerhouse of active compounds, and in Chinese medicine, it is primarily used as a yang tonic, acting specifically upon the Kidney and Lung systems. Neutral in nature and sweet in flavour, this mushroom has an impressive list of actions and indications, as detailed below:
Actions
Tonify qi
Invigorate yang
Supplement the Lung
Calm panting
Stop bleeding
Reduce phlegm
Indications
Kidney yin deficiency
Lower back and knee pain
Impotence
Sprematorrhoea
Lung deficiency/Combined Lung and Kidney deficiency
Taxation cough
Bloody phlegm
Panting and coughing
Shortness of breath
Post-illness recovery
Spontaneous sweating
Fatigue
Lack of strength
Susceptibility to exterior pathogens
Cordyceps should not be used by those with an allergic constitution or without the presence of a deficiency syndrome.
Muer (Wood Ear)
The name “wood ear” is a literal translation of muer, although this mushroom is also sometimes known as Jew’s ear, Judas’ ear, and jelly ear in English. The “ear” part of its name refers to its appearance, and it grows on wood, primarily elder.
It is a mushroom that spans the divide between food and medicine and is a popular dish in Chinese cuisine. It is estimated to have been consumed for at least 4000 years and also has a wealth of medicinal properties.
It is neutral and sweet, acting upon the Stomach and Large Intestine to promote digestion, alongside its other actions and indications, which are listed below:
Actions
Supplement the Spleen
Support the Stomach
Moisten the respiratory tract
Disinhibit the intestines
Cool Blood and stop bleeding
Indications
Qi and Blood deficiency
Dry stools
Constipation with bloody stools
Bloody sputum
Bloody urination
Heavy menstruation
However, wood ear should not be used by those with haemorrhagic disorders, and anyone experiencing ongoing symptoms such as blood in the sputum, stools, or urine should seek medical advice. This mushroom should not be consumed excessively during pregnancy.
Yiner (Tremella)
Tremella’s Chinese name, yiner, means “silver ear,” and although it is far less ear-like than wood ear, it has a similar gelatinous texture. It is more commonly known as snow fungus in English.
It is another mushroom that can be used as food and medicine, and its primary benefits are said to be improving skin health and delaying ageing.
In Chinese medicine, tremella is classified as neutral in nature and sweet in flavour, acting upon the Heart, Lung, Kidney, and Stomach. It is primarily considered a yin tonic with cooling and moistening effects, but has a long list of actions and indications as detailed below:
Actions
Nourish yin
Clear hear
Moisten the Lung
Stop cough
Support the Stomach
Engender fluids
Tonify qi
Harmonise Blood
Supplement the Kidney
Strengthen the Heart
Invigorate mind and spirit
Reduce fatigue
Indications
Vacuity taxation cough
Bloody sputum
Deficiency-heat with thirst
Constipation
Uterine bleeding
Chronic fatigue
Palpitations
Insomnia
Tremella should not be used by individuals with wind-cold type pathogenic invasions.
Xianggu (Shiitake)
Xianggu means “fragrant mushroom,” and shiitake is another culinary delight that has made its way into therapeutic use. It is believed that the Chinese have been cultivating shiitake for over 1000 years, and it is one of the most popular edible species worldwide.
In Chinese medicine terms, shiitake is neutral in nature and sweet in flavour, acting primarily upon the Liver and Stomach. It has harmonising and supportive effects, and its full list of actions and indications includes:
Actions
Reduce phlegm
Regulate qi
Support the Stomach
Harmonise the centre
Support chronic illness
Detoxify
Indications
Listlessness
Lack of vitality
Weak constitutional health
Urinary incontinence
Constipation
Obesity
Tumours
Skin sores
Shiitake should not be used in cases of Stomach or Spleen cold-dampness, qi stagnation, or chronic itching.
Fuling (Poria)
The name fuling doesn’t really have an English translation, but it refers to the sclerotium of the poria fungus, also sometimes known as Tuckahoe fungus. It parasitises the roots of coniferous trees and resembles a coconut in its appearance, with a rough brown surface and spongy, white interior.
This fungus is one of the most commonly used medicinal herbs in China, and it features in a huge number of different formulas. It has over 2000 years of history of medicinal use and a wide range of applications.
In Chinese medicine, poria is classified as neutral and sweet, acting upon the Heart, Spleen, and Kidney. It has diuretic effects and supports Spleen function, helping to expel dampness from the body. Its actions and indications are listed below:
Actions
Disinhibit water
Percolate dampness
Strengthen the Spleen
Calm the mind
Indications
Dampness patterns
Inhibited urination
Oedema
Spleen deficiency with dampness
Bloating
Liking for pressure on the abdomen
Poor appetite
Sloppy stools
Palpitations
Insomnia
It should not be used in cases of vacuity-cold, characterised by symptoms such as spermatorrhoea and weakness.
Zhuling (Umbellate Polypore)
The zhu in zhuling means pig, but this fungus is most commonly known as the umbellate polypore in English. It is the sclerotium which is used medicinally and forms in conjunction with another fungus, Armillaria mellea, more commonly known as honey fungus.
Umbellate polypore has traditionally been used in Chinese medicine to treat acute and chronic conditions and promote longevity. It contains a variety of active compounds that support its use in the promotion of health and prevention of disease.
In Chinese medicine terms, it is neutral in nature and sweet/bland in flavour, acting upon the Kidney and Bladder. It has similar actions to poria, but has a stronger diuretic action and is less tonifying. It is typically combined with other medicinal herbs to supplement its use. Its actions and indications include:
Actions
Induce diuresis
Excrete dampness
Indications
Dysuria
Diarrhoea due to excessive dampness
Leukorrhagia
It should be used with caution by individuals taking other diuretic substances, including medication and herbs.
Chinese Medicinal Mushrooms: Summary
Mushrooms have been used as food and medicine in China for millennia, with many species being used for both culinary and therapeutic purposes. They have a wide range of indications and are generally seen as safe with a low risk of side effects.
That said, anyone considering using medicinal mushrooms should seek guidance from a trained professional to ensure they are safe and suitable for them.
References
买雯婷 (2011) 第一养生药膳 - Tangmark Publishing and Distribution, Beijing
Powell M (2014) Medicinal Mushrooms: A Clinical Guide (second edition) - Caric Press Ltd, Merthyr Tydfil
Mebo Beijing TCM Training Center Herbology Course Materials (accessed online 2017) Mebo TCM Training Center, Beijing