Phellinus (Phellinus linteus)

Known as sanghuang (Chinese) or mesima (Japanese), this woody bracket fungus has a long history in East Asian traditional medicine and is now the subject of early-stage randomised human research.

Not medical advice. For education only. Speak to a clinician before use, particularly if you are immunocompromised or on immune-related medication.

What the evidence shows

Preclinical research has linked Phellinus linteus extracts to increased activity of interleukin-12, interferon-gamma, and natural-killer (NK) cells — plausible immune-modulating mechanisms. More recently, registered randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trials in humans have begun reporting results, including a small trial in adults with reduced immunity. This is genuine early clinical-trial activity, but the body of human evidence is still small and preliminary.

Evidence level: preliminary; among the more actively human-trialled of the lesser-known functional mushrooms.

How it's used

Fruiting-body extract, powder, capsules and traditional decoctions.

Safety

Documented adverse-effect data are limited; being immune-active, it warrants the same caution as other polysaccharide-rich mushrooms — avoid or use only under medical supervision with immunosuppressant medication (transplant or autoimmune conditions), and use caution alongside anticoagulants given shared mechanisms across immune-active fungi. Safety data in pregnancy and breastfeeding are insufficient — avoid.

Quality notes

Look for fruiting-body extracts with a stated beta-glucan or polysaccharide percentage and, ideally, a third-party COA; sanghuang products vary widely in concentration.

Sources

Explore the other medicinal mushrooms or our full plant catalogue.