Witnessed by: TCM
Snow fungus (Tremella fuciformis), of the Tremellaceae family. Gelatinous white bracket fungus growing on hardwood logs; native range: subtropical China and East Asia. Globally recognized as yin er (银耳) in Chinese, and white wood ear, silver ear fungus, white fungus in English. The part used is fruiting body. Frilled translucent white lobes, dry and brittle when stored, swelling into a soft gelatin when soaked.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
SNOW FUNGUS
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- snow fungus
- Scientific name
- Tremella fuciformis Berk.
- Family
- Tremellaceae
Form
- Part used
- fruiting body
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- sweet · bland
Temperature
- TCM
- neutral
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Lung · Stomach · Kidney
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- nourishes yin, moistens the Lung, tonifies the Stomach, and generates fluids
Cautions
- Contraindications
- caution in wind-cold cough or in damp phlegm patterns
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