🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Black fungus is a type of fungus. Because it grows on decaying wood, resembles human ears, and is black or dark brown, it is named black fungus, also known as wood mushroom or tree chicken. This product is edible and medicinal, a dual-purpose food and drug. Black fungus originates from the fruiting bodies of fungi species such as Auricularia auricula-judae, Auricularia polytricha, or Auricularia crispa, commonly parasitic on dead branches of mulberry, oak, elm, poplar, or locust trees. Originally wild, now mostly cultivated artificially.
Even in ancient times, our ancestors recognized black fungus as edible while discovering its medicinal value no later than the Han Dynasty. The earliest pharmacological text in China, *Shennong Bencao Jing* (The Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica), already recorded its medicinal uses. Under the entry for "Sanggen Bai Pi" (white bark of mulberry root), it states: "Five types of fungus can 'benefit qi, relieve hunger, lighten the body, and strengthen the will.'" Another passage says: "Black fungus from mulberry trees treats abnormal vaginal discharge (red or white), blood disorders, masses, abdominal pain, alternating chills and fevers, and infertility." (Masses refer to tumors in the abdomen, editor’s note.) The "five fungi" mentioned here include modern black fungus, and "black fungus from mulberry trees" refers to one variety of today’s black fungus.
Later herbal texts such as *Mingyi Bie Lu* (Records of Famous Physicians) from the Southern and Northern Dynasties, *Shi Liao Bencao* (Food Therapy Materia Medica) from the Tang Dynasty, *Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica) from the Ming Dynasty, and *Zhonghua Bencao* (Chinese Materia Medica) in modern times all discuss it.
Main Indications and Efficacy
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, black fungus as food has a bland sweet taste, allowing flexible addition of ingredients and seasoning to create various delicious dishes. As medicine, it is a rare tonic. Although mild in action, it does not cause stagnation or irritation, making it suitable for long-term use. According to *Zhonghua Bencao*, black fungus is sweet and neutral, entering the spleen, lung, liver, and large intestine meridians. It treats qi deficiency and blood insufficiency, chronic cough due to lung deficiency, hemoptysis, hemorrhoids bleeding, menorrhagia, menstrual irregularities, and injuries from falls.
Modern Research
Contemporary medical researchers have conducted in-depth systematic studies on black fungus from aspects of phytochemistry, pharmacology, and clinical application. Modern experiments confirm that black fungus growing on different decaying woods or substrates contains varying components and pharmacological effects. Generally, black fungus contains proteins, fats, lecithin, sphingomyelin, various vitamins, and inorganic elements such as calcium, phosphorus, and iron. It exhibits extensive pharmacological actions including anti-coagulation, anti-thrombosis formation, immune enhancement, lipid regulation, anti-atherosclerosis, blood glucose reduction, anti-aging, anti-ulcer, and antifungal effects. These studies provide strong chemical and pharmacological support for its traditional therapeutic claims and lay favorable foundations for further rational application and research.
Common Single Formulas
There are numerous folk remedies using black fungus to prevent and treat diseases. Here are a few selected ones for your reference. If unsure whether to use these formulas, consult a local TCM practitioner or nutritionist. If discomfort occurs after taking any formula, stop immediately and seek medical attention. Some formulas include brown sugar, white sugar, or rock sugar—diabetic patients should reduce or omit these to avoid worsening diabetes.
· Vascular hardening, coronary heart disease: Soak 5 g black fungus overnight in clean water, steam for 1 hour, add a moderate amount of rock sugar (optional), consume before bedtime, continuously. Or add to dishes, dumplings, or buns, long-term consumption.
· Anemia: Cook 30 g black fungus with 30 jujubes until soft, consume. Can add brown sugar for flavor.
· Hemorrhoids bleeding, constipation: Simmer 6 g black fungus with 30 g persimmon cake until soft, eat freely.
· Excessive menstruation, prolonged bleeding, leukorrhea: Dry and burn black fungus until brittle, grind into fine powder, take 3–6 g each time, twice daily, washed down with red sugar water.
· Menorrhagia (equivalent to functional uterine bleeding): Cook 60 g black fungus until soft, add 60 g brown sugar, take twice daily.
· Postpartum weakness, muscle cramps, numbness: Soak 30 g black fungus in old vinegar, divide into 5–6 portions, consume 3 times daily. Not recommended for those with excessive stomach acid or heartburn.
· Retinal bleeding: Cook 3–6 g black fungus with 5 g rock sugar in adequate water over low heat until soup-like, drink all at once before bedtime. Once daily, 10 days constitute a course.
Black fungus is a tonic with mild effects, thus best suited for mild or chronic conditions or sub-health individuals for daily health maintenance. For severe or urgent conditions, it should be combined with other herbs or used as an adjunct therapy. Additionally, black fungus is difficult to digest and has mild laxative effects, so those with weak spleen and digestive issues or loose stools should avoid it. Individuals allergic to black fungus or similar fungi must also refrain from consumption.