Agaric

Chinese: 银耳
Pinyin: Yin Er
Latin: Tremella fuciformis

Illustration by Kodi

Known in TCM as Yin Er (银耳), this sweet and bland, neutral herb enters the Lung, Stomach, and Kidney. Traditionally, it nourishes Yin and moistens the Lung, most often applied for yin deficiency, dry cough, and cognitive decline. Modern research has identified Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides (TFPs) among its active constituents.

Part used: Fruiting body (fungus)

Also Known As

Tremella

Latin: Tremella fuciformis | Pinyin: Yin Er | Chinese: 银耳

TCM Properties

Taste: sweet, bland
Temperature: neutral
Channels: Lung, Stomach, Kidney

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

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)

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

Wind-cold cough … cold and damp pathogenic invasion; moistening properties are contraindicated
Phlegm from damp-heat pattern … sweet moistening nature may aggravate damp-heat accumulation

Conditions

Yin Deficiency Traditional ★★★★☆ JSON
Dry Cough Traditional ★★★★☆ JSON
Cognitive Decline Clinical ★★★☆☆ JSON

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Agaric used for?

Agaric is traditionally used to 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. Research has investigated its effects on: 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).

What are other names for Agaric?

Agaric is also known as Tremella. In TCM: 银耳 (Yin Er); Tremella fuciformis.

Is Agaric safe during pregnancy?

The safety of Agaric during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.

What are the contraindications for Agaric?

Agaric should not be used in: Wind-cold cough … cold and damp pathogenic invasion; moistening properties are contraindicated; Phlegm from damp-heat pattern … sweet moistening nature may aggravate damp-heat accumulation. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.