Alihong, also known as medicinal pore fungus, is a dried fungus plant of the family Polyporaceae. It is often found on the trunks of larch trees. It is distributed in provinces such as Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, and Xinjiang in China. It is also found in countries such as the former Soviet Union, Mongolia, North Korea, and Japan.
1. Shape and Characteristics
Alihong is shaped like a horseshoe or irregular nodules. It is flat against the surface of the tree trunk. The size varies, with a diameter of 8-30 cm. The surface is light yellow or gray-brown and rough. Sometimes there are concentric rings or irregular cracks. The edges are blunt. The layers of tubes are circular and sometimes detachable. The interior of the fungus is white or light yellow, with dust flying out. The flesh of the fungus is soft and asbestos-like.
2. Medicinal Properties and Uses
Alihong has a warm and dry nature. It has a slightly sweet and spicy taste. It functions to clear abnormal phlegm and black bile, dissolve phlegm, relieve asthma, unblock the liver and kidneys, dry dampness, reduce fever, dispel cold, promote urination and menstruation, and detoxify. It is used to treat cold cough, asthma, liver pain, chest pain, kidney pain, lower back pain, phlegm fever, cold headache, migraines, joint pain, sciatica, small joint pain, obstructive jaundice, urinary retention, menstrual disorders, and drug poisoning.
3. Medicinal Combinations
1. Alihong, 3g, combined with fennel and taken to relieve asthma. Combined with an equal amount of licorice decoction to relieve chest pain and stubborn phlegm in cold conditions and asthma. Combined with gold foil for the treatment of lung abscess.
2. Alihong, 3-4g, combined with rhubarb for the treatment of liver diseases, stomach diseases, and chest tightness.
3. Combined with vinegar and honey for the treatment of obstructive jaundice.
4. Combined with artemisia leaf and honey for regular use to treat edema.
5. Alihong, 3g, combined with liquid honey for the elimination of phlegm, black bile, diuresis, menstrual regulation, anti-diarrhea, and dispelling wind.
6. Combined with aloe vera for the treatment of amenorrhea and uterine abscess.
7. Combined with a small amount of seal kidney for the treatment of various intestinal colic (without fever).
8. Combined with rhubarb for the treatment of kidney stones. Can also be used externally for various inflammations.
9. Alihong, 1.5-3g, combined with honey vinegar for the treatment of severe joint pain, hip pain, small joint pain, tendon disorders, and intermittent fever.
4. Dosage
Oral administration: 1-3g, external use as needed.
Alihong should not be crushed. It should be ground on a sieve. The soft part should be removed (non-toxic part), and the hard part should be left on the sieve (toxic part). It should not be passed through the sieve after crushing, as the toxic part will mix with the non-toxic part. Alihong can cause constriction of the throat, and the antidote is beaver musk or milk. If this product is not available, it can be substituted with watermelon, honeysuckle root, ginger, or dodder seed. Alihong can be formulated into pills, tablets, powders, decoctions, mouthwashes, enemas, and poultices.
5. Experimental Research
Alihong contains various triterpenoid compounds. The content of triterpenic acids can reach up to 16%. The main compounds include piceatannol, poricoic acid, dehydrotrametenolic acid, sulphurenic acid, trametenolic acid, matairesinol, ergosterol, lupeol, polyacetylenes, trametenolic acid acetate, and sesquiterpenes.
Conclusion: 1. Piceatannol can cause vasoconstriction around sweat glands in animals, which stops sweating without affecting sweat gland secretion or pupil dilation. The effect lasts for about 20 minutes. 2. Oral administration of piceatannol has a certain stimulant effect on the stomach.
