There are many different types of mushrooms used in Chinese medicine. Some of these can be taken long term to improve chronic conditions, and others should only be used for a short period of time to clear out infection, or boost the immune system. Here are a few examples below.
Shitake (Xiang Gu): Weakness, fatigue, indigestion, edema, anemia, chronic hepatitis, hypertension, rickets, hyperlipidemia, combats the effects of poisonous mushrooms. decreases night sweats, supportive mushroom in the treatment of cancer.
Cordyceps (Dong Chong Xia Cao): Lung Yin Deficiency with chronic cough and wheezing, consumptive coughs with blood-streaked sputum, asthma due to Kidney and Lung Deficiencies. This mushroom is highly prized in China. It is NOT used with acute onset symptoms, but is instead used for chronic, long term deficiencies and is frequently given to the elderly population.
Ganoderma (Ling Zhi): Nourish the heart and calm the spirit. Heart Blood and Heart Qi Deficiency failing to nourish the Spirit with insomnia, fright, palpitations and forgetfulness (can be used as a stand-alone herb). Deficiency consumption with shortness of breath, lack of appetite and either icy extremities or irritability with a dry mouth.
Polyporus (Zhu Ling), nicknamed “Pig Fungus”: Dampness (Fluid Stagnation) with edema, scanty urination, vaginal discharge, turbid painful urinary dysfunction (Milky Lin), jaundice and diarrheal. Can be used alone for Lin Syndrome (Urinary Tract Infection) during pregnancy. Diuretic. This mushroom is used for short term use only.
Coriolus (Yun Zhi): Jaundice due to Dampness and Heat, poor appetite, loose bowels, hypochondriac pain, lassitude, general weakness, hepatitis, hepatic cirrhosis, nephritis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic cough and asthma, jaundice due to Dampness and Heat, poor appetite, loose bowels, hypochondriac pain, lassitude, general weakness.
