Fructificatio Dictyophorae Indusiatae、Fructificatio Dictyophorae Duplicatae
Aliases：Zhú Rù (Bamboo Meat); Zhú Ròu (Bamboo Flesh); Zhú Gū (Bamboo Mushroom); Zhú Xùn (Bamboo Fungus); Sǔn Jūn (Bamboo Shoot Fungus); Zhú Sūn Jūn (Bamboo Fungus); Zhú Shēng (Bamboo Mushroom); Zhú Shēn (Bamboo Ginseng); Miàn Shā Jūn (Veil Mushroom); Wǎng Shā Jūn (Net Mushroom); Zhú Gū Niang (Bamboo Girl); Xiān Rén Lì (Immortal‘s Hat); Chòu Jiǎo Jūn (Stinky Antler Fungus); Zhú Jī Dàn (Bamboo Egg); Jī Dàn Huā (Egg Flower); Sēng Lì Róng (Monk’s Cap Mushroom); Xū Wú Sēng Xùn (Zen Monk Mushroom); Shàn Fēng Jūn (Eel Fungus).
Zhú Sūn (Bamboo Fungus) is a Chinese medicinal herb. This product is the dried fruiting body of Dictyophora indusiata (Vent. ex Pers.) Fisch. (Long-skirted Bamboo Fungus) or Dictyophora duplicata (Bosch) Fisch. (Short-skirted Bamboo Fungus), fungi belonging to the genus Dictyophora (family Phallaceae). The bamboo fungus is a cryptogamic fungus that parasitizes the roots of dead bamboo. It is net-like in shape and, because of its graceful appearance, is known as the “Snow-skirt Fairy,” “Mountain Treasure Flower,” “Fungus Flower,” and “Queen of Fungi.” This herb is nutrient-rich and delicious, and since ancient times, it has been listed as one of the “Eight Delicacies of Herbs” (Cao Ba Zhen).
Efficacy & Actions
Tonifies Qi and nourishes Yin, moistens the lungs to stop cough, and clears heat to promote diuresis.
Indications
Used for deficiency-heat cough, laryngitis, dysentery, leukorrhea, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia; also used as an adjunctive treatment for tumors.
Modern Pharmacology
Antitumor Effect: Bamboo fungus contains various enzymes and high-molecular-weight heteropolysaccharides, which enhance the body‘s resistance to tumor cells, providing good anti-cancer and anti-tumor benefits. Lipid-Regulating Effect: Bamboo fungus protects the liver, reduces abdominal fat accumulation (commonly known as “oil scraping”), and lowers blood cholesterol levels, thereby reducing blood pressure and lipids, as well as aiding weight loss. Immunity Enhancement: Bamboo fungus contains multiple amino acids, vitamins, inorganic salts, and other nutrients. Regular consumption can improve the body’s disease resistance, enhance immunity, strengthen and nourish the body, and replenish Qi to benefit the brain. Antioxidant Effect: Polysaccharides from bamboo fungus scavenge free radicals and enhance antioxidant enzyme activity. Regulation of Gut Microbiota: Polysaccharides from bamboo fungus help regulate the balance of gut microbiota. Antimicrobial Effect: Bamboo fungus possesses antimicrobial activity. Hepatoprotective Effect: Bamboo fungus has a liver-protective effect.
Ingredients
Polysaccharides: (1→3)-β-D-glucans, including T-3-G, T-4-N, T-5-N, T-2-A, T-2HN, T-3d, T-3-M, T-3-GM, among others. Amino Acids: Essential amino acids such as threonine, valine, methionine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, lysine, and tryptophan, as well as other amino acids and proteins. Minerals: Potassium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, selenium, among others.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, 10–30 g; or stewed or boiled for consumption, 25–50 g.
Contraindications
Due to its cool nature, bamboo fungus should not be consumed in large amounts by individuals with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold or diarrhea. It is best to avoid consuming bamboo fungus during an external contraction illness (e.g., common cold or flu). Bamboo fungus with an orange-yellow or lemon-yellow indusium (skirt) is toxic and should not be consumed. The cap of fresh bamboo fungus contains a stinking head that is foul-smelling and toxic. It should not be consumed and must be removed. Avoid consumption during menstruation.
Selected Formulas
For Hypertension: Take 15 g of bamboo fungus and prepare it as a granule according to standard pharmaceutical protocols. Take 10 g daily in three divided doses, infused in water. Seven days constitute one course of treatment. For Diabetes: Take 50 g of bamboo fungus, 25 g of shiitake mushroom (Dōng Gū), and 25 g of common mushroom (Mó Gū). Clean each separately, add 300 mL of water, and decoct into a soup. Drink the soup and eat the mushrooms. For Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, Atherosclerosis, and Coronary Heart Disease: Take 100 g of bamboo fungus and 50 g of black fungus (Mù Ěr). Soak in warm water until rehydrated, rinse, add 700 mL of water, and decoct into a soup. Take one dose daily.
Daily Consumption
Bamboo Fungus and Chicken Soup: Blanch chicken pieces, then place them in a clay pot with scallions and ginger, and simmer for 30 minutes. Soak dried bamboo fungus in cold water for 10 minutes, cut off the net at both ends, and blanch for 20 seconds to remove any astringent taste. Add the bamboo fungus to the soup and continue simmering for another 30 minutes. Finally, add baby bok choy and carrot slices, cook for 2 minutes, and season with salt. Bamboo Fungus and Silver Ear Soup: 200 g of bamboo fungus, 10 g of silver ear mushroom (Tremella), and 1 egg. Soak and clean the bamboo fungus (removing the outer membrane). Soak the silver ear and remove the stem. Beat the egg. Bring water to a boil in a pot, pour in the beaten egg, then add the bamboo fungus and silver ear. Simmer over low heat for 10 minutes and season with salt. Bamboo Fungus and Pork Rib Soup: Soak bamboo fungus in salted water for 20 minutes, cut off the stem, and slice into sections. Blanch the pork ribs, then simmer over low heat for 1 hour. Add the bamboo fungus and simmer for 30 minutes. Season with salt. Bamboo Fungus and Lean Pork Soup: After rehydrating, cook the bamboo fungus with lean pork, shiitake mushrooms, and carrots in a pot for 1.5 hours. Season with salt. Bamboo Fungus and Radish Soup: Slice white radish and carrot, then boil with ginger slices and bamboo fungus to make a soup. This soup promotes diuresis, resolves turbidity, regulates Qi, reduces accumulation, lowers lipids, and aids weight loss.
Medicinal Parts
Dried fruiting body.
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry place.