Nourishes Yin and moistens the Lung — used for dry cough, blood-stained sputum, and consumptive cough from Lung Yin deficiency
Tonifies the Stomach and promotes fluid secretion — used for dry mouth, thirst, and reduced appetite from Stomach Yin deficiency with deficiency-heat
Secondary Actions
Clears deficiency-heat in the Lung and Stomach — supplements Yin to reduce consumptive heat patterns
Nourishes Kidney Yin — supports moistening of the Lower Jiao in chronic Yin deficiency
Modern Research
Active Compounds
Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides (TFPs) — branched heteropolysaccharides with α-d-mannose backbone, β-d-xylose, α-d-fucose, and β-d-glucuronic acid side chains; primary bioactive fraction
Phenolic acids — methanol-extractable phenolics with potent free-radical scavenging activity
Flavonoids — contribute to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
Fatty acids — essential fatty acid profile including linoleic acid
Dietary fiber and trace elements — including prebiotic insoluble fibers supporting gut microbiota
Studied Effects
Immunomodulatory and anti-tumor — TFPs activate macrophages and NK cells; inhibit tumor cell proliferation in preclinical models (PMID 30342120)
Neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing — RCT showed improved short-term memory and executive function vs placebo in subjective cognitive impairment (PMID 29319408)
Antioxidant and anti-aging — extends Drosophila lifespan in preclinical models; chloroform subfraction shows strongest free-radical scavenging activity (PMID 40814762)
Anti-inflammatory — TFPs reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine production in cell culture models (PMID 40814762)
Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic — reduces blood glucose and cholesterol levels in animal models (PMID 30342120)