Medicinal Properties of Mushrooms + Recipes

Dried Reishi and snow fungus

Medicinal Mushrooms

Here are some of my favorite mushrooms that I use in food therapy, and some information about them:

Reishi 靈芝 Ling Zhi, Ganoderma lucidum. In Chinese Medicine, Reishi mushrooms enter the Heart, Liver and Lung meridians. They can be used for insomnia, heart palpitations and memory issues associated with Heart Qi and Blood deficiencies. It can also be used for coughing and wheezing that comes from deficiency cold and phlegm conditions. Reishi mushrooms are known for enhancing the body’s immune response to cancer. In Chinese cooking the Reishi mushroom is not typically consumed rather it is used in decoction and the extraction is consumed in. Reishi should not be taken when in cases of excess conditions. Do not take with Chang Shan or Yin Chen Hao.

Shiitake 香菇 Xiang Gu. Shiitake goes to the the Liver and Stomach meridians. It helps to strengthen Qi in deficient conditions that manifest as weakness, fatigue, indigestion and anemia. It vents urticaria that erupts from wind conditions. It can resolve phlegm and regulates stagnant Qi associated with elevated blood pressure, chronic hepatitis and high cholesterol. Shiitake mushrooms have been shown to reduce inflammation and improve circulation, reduce oxidative stress and also improve the body’s ability to fight cancer growth. Shiitake contains high levels of B vitamins to improve overall immune health. Some research also suggests that shiitake has anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties.

Dried shiitake and wood ear mushrooms

Wood Ear 木耳 Hei Mu Er. Black Wood Ear mushrooms enter the Lung, Stomach, Liver, Spleen, Kidney and Large Intestine meridians. It’s know for cooling the blood and is often used for heat conditions that cause bleeding like frequent bloody noses, uterine bleeding due to heat or hemorrhoids. Should not be taken when experiencing diarrhea from cold and deficiency.

Enokitake (Enoki) Mushrooms 金针菇 Jin Zhen Gu. Enoki mushrooms are known for their immunity enhancing, blood pressure and cholesterol reducing as well as chemo preventive properties. Enoki has been shown to have anti-allergy and anti-fungal effects. They are high in niacin which makes them good for brain health and regulating cholesterol. It’s thiamine content also assists in regulating nerve function. Enoki also contains antioxidants and in some research has shown to slow down the growth of cancer cells, especially for estrogen non-responsive breast cancers. Preparation and cultivation have also been shown to be factors in the efficacy of the use of enoki mushrooms.

Snow Fungus 白木耳 Bai Mu Er Tremella. Snow Fungus enters the Lung and Stomach meridians. It’s good for those who experience Yang rising heat —heat conditions that manifest in the upper body or in the palms/soles and chest. It is also used to treat dry lung conditions like dry cough, or bloody sputum. It’s known in many East Asian households to promote skin health because of its ability to help the skin retain water and collagen. Animal studies have shown snow fungus to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immune boosting and brain health functions. This herb should not be taken during an external wind cold illness.

Fresh enoki mushrooms

Cautions: Dried mushrooms are more potent than fresh mushrooms. Some mushrooms have the potential to cause hives in those who are histamine sensitive or for those who with multiple allergies. If you have asthma and/or multiple food allergies, please be sure to check before eating mushrooms that you’ve never eaten before. Some mushrooms contain components that can cause photosensitivity —if you’re eating high amounts of mushrooms it is important to stay out of direct sun. There is a difference in dosing and potency when mushrooms are used in food therapy versus herbal medicine. Please see the recipes below as general recommendations for health maintenance and prevention and not for the purpose of self treatment for any condition. If you have a medical condition please seek individualized care and consultation from an experienced provider. Herbal medicine is safe as long as it is used in the proper context and not as a catch-all. It is not recommended to forage for these mushrooms as there are many mushroom look-a-likes that can be poisonous.

Dried mushrooms can be purchased at Po Wing Hong in person at 49 Elizabeth Street or in their online shop is the code “5OFF” for $5 off purchases of $50 or more.

Snow fungus soup packs and dried reishi will be available for purchase when you come in person! Use the code ‘SHROOM’ for $10 off your first virtual herbal consultation. Offer good until Dec 31, 2023. 24 hr cancellation applies to all appointments. There are no refunds on discounted purchases. Consultation fee does not include the cost of your herbs which will vary.

Other recommended medicinal mushroom products:

Kamwo’s immunity boost soup pack that includes Reishi

Under eye tremella cream

Chicken and Mushroom Soup

Makes 6-8 Servings

Ingredients: 10 cups of bone broth or regular broth, 1-2 thumbs of fresh ginger, 3-5 cloves of garlic, 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil, 5-8 shiitake mushrooms, 1/4 cup black wood ear mushrooms, 1 package of enoki mushrooms, bok choy, cilantro and scallions are optional. Substitudes: portobello mushrooms, spinach or any other type of leafy greens. Include chicken if you like. Use vegetable broth for vegetarian modification. Substitute store bought bone broth with 10 cups of water and bones or a whole chicken.

•Rinse and soak shiitake and wood ear mushrooms if they’re dried

• Remove skin off of fresh ginger

• Turn instant pot on saute mode to cook the garlic lightly in olive oil (can skip this step if you like)

• Add shiitake, black wood ear, fresh ginger + 10 cups of bone broth into the Instant Pot or slow cooker. (Feel free to do this on the stove top too. )

• Turn Instant Pot knob to sealing and set for 30 minutes

• Rinse and chop bok choy, remove bottoms of the enoki mushrooms and rinse

• Allow Instant Pot to naturally release for 10 minutes, and then release the sealing knob

• Turn Instant Pot to saute mode and add in the enoki and bok choy, cook for 3-5 minutes

• Add salt and other seasonings to your liking

• Top with chopped cilantro and scallions before serving

Snow Fungus Beauty Soup

Makes 2-3 servings (Available for purchase at the clinic while supplies last)

Ingredients: 1 White Snow Fungus mushroom, 1/4 cup of lotus seeds, 1/4 cup of lily bulb, 5-8 slices of dried pear (fresh pears can also be used), 1-2 pieces of rock sugar or honey, 4 red jujube dates, 1-2 tablespoons of goji berries.

• Rinse all dried herbs

• Soak white snow fungus overnight, or 1-2 hours in room temperature water

• Soak lotus seeds until soft, remove the green sprout form the center of each one

• Drain water from the snow fungus and remove the yellow center, and toss it

• Add Snow fungus, lotus seeds and jujube dates into the pot with 5-6 cups of water

• Bring to boil, then turn to low and cook for 20 minutes (Instant pot 15 minutes)

• Add lily bulbs, goji berries and dried pears and cook for another 3-5 minutes

• Add rock sugar (or honey) to taste

• Cool and serve

Instant Pot Vegetable Congee

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients: 5-8 dried or fresh shiitake mushrooms, 3-5 tablespoons of dried black wood ear mushrooms, 1-2 thumbs of ginger, 3/4 cup of rice, 6.5-7 cups Vegetable broth (you can substitute the broth with filtered water), 1.5 cups of kabocha pumpkin cubed (or another squash), bok choy (or another leafy green)

Directions:

• Rinse any dried herbs/mushrooms

• Soak dried mushrooms in hot water

• chop ginger into slices (if you’re using fresh) and chop kabocha squash into cubes

• Rinse rice until water is clear

• Add Rice, vegetable broth, mushrooms, squash and ginger into Instant Pot

• Close the sealing knob, set to 30 min on high pressure

• Wash and chop bok choy

• Allow Instant Pot to naturally release for 10 minutes, and then turn the sealing knob to finish the release

• Turn on saute mode and add bok choy, cook for 3-5 minutes more + salt and any other seasonings you like

• Serve

Written by Dr. Emily Siy, DACM, L.Ac., October 24, 2022

Sources:

Penner, Joel American Dragon https://www.americandragon.com/

Jennings, Kerry Ann (2019) Why Shiitake Mushrooms Are Good For you Healthline https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/shiitake-mushrooms

Jin X, Ruiz Beguerie J, Sze DMY, Chan GCF. (2012) Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) for cancer treatment. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 6. Art. No.: CD007731.

Lang, Ariane (2021) White Fungus: Benefits, Uses and What To Know Healthline https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/white-fungus#potential-benefits

Link, Rachael (2021) 7 Unique Benefits of Enoki Mushroom Healthline https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/enoki-mushrooms-benefits

S.C. Jong, J.M. Birmingham, (1993) Medicinal and Therapeutic Value of the Shiitake Mushroom, Advances in Applied Microbiology, Academic Press, Volume 39, Pages 153-184.

Tang C, Hoo PC, Tan LT, Pusparajah P, Khan TM, Lee LH, Goh BH, Chan KG.(2016) Golden Needle Mushroom: A Culinary Medicine with Evidenced-Based Biological Activities and Health Promoting Properties. Front Pharmacol. Dec 7;7:474.

Tinsley, Grant (2018) 6 Benefits of Reishi Mushroom, Healthline https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/reishi-mushroom-benefits