Sanghuang, an ancient Chinese medicine, is not as well-known as cordyceps sinensis, but its efficacy is not inferior to cordyceps sinensis. Modern research has confirmed that Sanghuang can improve the body's immune system and reduce the side effects of anticancer drugs. Therefore, it can be used to assist in the radiotherapy and chemotherapy of cancer patients. In addition, Sanghuang also has therapeutic effects on gynecological diseases such as irregular menstruation in women.
Professor Wen Hua'an, a researcher at the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, pointed out that when using Sanghuang as an adjunct to cancer treatment or as a health supplement, it can be combined with other fungal medicinal materials such as Yunzhi, which has an adjuvant effect on liver cancer, Mabo, which has anti-inflammatory effects, and Chizhi, which improves immune function.
【Usage】
If Sanghuang is used as an adjunct to cancer prevention and treatment, it is best to start taking Sanghuang decoction before surgery. The specific method is: put the water in the pot, just enough to cover the Sanghuang and all the herbal pieces, then simmer on low heat for 30 to 40 minutes. The thickness of the decoction can vary slightly. Dr. Yin Zhaohua, a traditional Chinese medicine expert and member of the Beijing branch of the Chinese Medical Association, recommends the following prescription for breast cancer treatment: 20 grams of Sanghuang, 20 grams of Yunzhi, 20 grams of Muti, 10 grams of Chizhi, 10 grams of Fuling, 10 grams of Poria cocos, 10 grams of Mabo, one dose per day, decocted in water.
This prescription can assist in the treatment of breast cancer (during surgery and radiotherapy and chemotherapy), improve immune function, promote early wound healing, reduce the toxicity of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, increase the number of red blood cells and white blood cells, reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and metastasis, and reduce complications. Link: Sanghuang is a kind of fungus parasitic on mulberry trees, named for its yellow color.
【History】
In China, the use of Sanghuang dates back more than 2,000 years since the Han Dynasty. The earliest Chinese materia medica, "Shennong Ben Cao Jing," recorded the medicinal effects of Sanghuang. "Ben Cao Gang Mu" recorded that Sanghuang can "benefit the five viscera, promote intestinal and gastric qi, and detoxify." Modern research has confirmed that Sanghuang polysaccharides can relieve symptoms specific to cancer, such as pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, and fatigue, and improve quality of life.
【Treatment Methods】
1. The anticancer effect is mainly achieved through the following ways:
- Strengthening the immune system and inducing cancer cells to die on their own;
- Inhibiting the proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells;
- Reducing the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy;
- Relieving the pain specific to cancer patients;
- Preventing ulcers, polyps, benign tumors, etc. from turning into cancer;
- Preventing cancer recurrence.
2. Liver protection: It has anti-liver fibrosis effect, promotes liver cell regeneration, and can be used for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, ascites, etc.
3. Lowering and regulating blood sugar levels, effectively preventing and improving diabetes.
4. Lowering blood lipid levels, preventing arteriosclerosis, and preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
5. Preventing and treating rheumatoid arthritis.
6. Sanghuang extract can completely inhibit uric acid and has a good effect on gout.
7. Anti-allergic, effective in treating allergic rhinitis and persistent eczema.
Research has shown that Sanghuang and its extracts are non-toxic and harmless to the human body, even when taken in large doses for a long time.
【Sanghuang】
Sanghuang, also known as Phellinus igniarius (L. ex Fr.), is a fungus that parasitizes on mulberry trees and is named after it. The fruiting body is stalkless, with a flattened hemispherical or horseshoe shape. It is woody and light reddish-brown to dark gray or black. It also grows on poplar, willow, birch, oak, and other tree trunks. It is mainly distributed in Northeast China, North China, Northwest China, Sichuan, Yunnan, and other regions. Successful cultivation of cultivated Sanghuang similar to wild Sanghuang has been achieved in Kang County, Longnan City.
Sanghuang is a precious Chinese herbal medicine that can benefit the five viscera, soften hardness, detoxify, stop bleeding, activate blood circulation, and harmonize the stomach and stop diarrhea. It is helpful for the treatment of gonorrhea, excessive menstruation, accumulation of nodules, abnormal cravings, and spleen deficiency with diarrhea.
【Taxonomy】
Sanghuang, also known as Hulunyin, Sanger, Zhencengkongjun, Sangchen, Sanghuanggu, Sangjisheng, Shuji, Sanghuanggu, Meishujun, and Larch Phellinus, important types of "Sanghuang" fungus commonly found in the East Asian market include:
- Phellinus igniarius (L. ex Fr.) Quel., Phellinus linteus (Berk. et Curt.) Teng, Phellinus baumii (Pilat), Phellinus vaninii (Ljub), Phellinus pini (Brot. Fr) A. Ames, Phellinus yucatanensis (Murr.) Imaz, Phellinus yamanoi (Imazeki) Parmasto, Phellinus laricis (Joczewski in Pilat) Pilat, etc. Traditional Chinese medicine in China refers to Phellinus igniarius as "Sanghuang".
【Morphological Characteristics】
The fruiting body of Sanghuang is stalkless, with a flattened hemispherical or horseshoe shape, measuring 2-12*3-21 cm, with a thickness of 1.5-10 cm. It is woody and light reddish-brown to dark gray or black. It often cracks when it gets old, and it does not have a skin. In the early stage, it has fine hairs, but later becomes hairless, with concentric rings. The edge is blunt, deep cinnamon to light brown, and there is no hymenial layer on the lower side. The flesh is deep brown, hard, and woody. The tubes are similar in color to the flesh, multilayered, but the layers are not distinct. The older tube layers are filled with white mycelium. The tube mouths are rust-brown to dark brown, round, with 4-5 per millimeter. The spores are nearly spherical, smooth, colorless, measuring 5-6*3-4 micrometers. The cystidia have sharp tips and swollen bases, measuring 10-25*5-7 micrometers. The hyphae are unbranched, without septa, with a diameter of 3-5 micrometers.
【Growth Habits】
Sanghuang usually parasitizes on the decaying parts of mulberry trees, pine trees, poplar trees, birch trees, oak trees, etc., causing white rot in the heartwood, and it can live for many years. It was known as "tree tongue" by ancient people.
Although all fungi parasitizing on trees can be called "tree tongue," authentic Sanghuang only parasitizes on mulberry trees. Others can only serve as substitutes for Sanghuang, and their medicinal effects are different from Sanghuang.
【Geographical Distribution】
Sanghuang is mainly distributed in East Asia, including China, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Russia, and other countries. In China, it is mainly distributed in Northeast China, North China, Northwest China, Sichuan, Yunnan, and other regions. The main distribution area of Sanghuang in China is between the Wusuli River and Xingkai Lake in the eastern part of Heilongjiang Province, the Ziwuling Nature Reserve at the border of Shaanxi and Gansu in the northwest, the Changbai Mountain forest area in the northeast, and the Laoyeling and Zhangguangcai Mountains between Harbin and Jilin City. A small amount of wild Sanghuang is also produced in the southwestern provinces, but the production is very small and it is difficult to form a commodity.
【Medicinal Value】
【Source】Fungi, Basidiomycota, Polyporales, Hymenochaetaceae (also known as Inonotus circinatus)
【Properties】Slightly bitter, cold.
【Functions and Indications】Benefit the five viscera, soften hardness, detoxify, stop bleeding, activate blood circulation, and harmonize the stomach and stop diarrhea. Mainly used for the treatment of gonorrhea, excessive menstruation, accumulation of nodules, abnormal cravings, and spleen deficiency with diarrhea.
【Dosage】 0.5-1 liang (15-30 grams), decocted in water once, taken twice a day.
【Prescriptions】
- For the treatment of blood stranguria, abdominal pain, and penile pain: 1.5 liang of Ganggu root bark, 1.5 liang of Sanghuang (slightly roasted). Grind into coarse powder. Take three qian (9 grams) per dose, decocted with a medium-sized bowl of water until reduced to six fen (1.8 grams), remove the residue, and take it when warm without considering the time.
- For the treatment of rectal prolapse with persistent bleeding: 1 liang of Xiangfu (roasted), 1 liang of Sanghuang (slightly roasted). Grind into fine powder, mix with honey, and make into pills the size of Paulownia seeds. Take 20 pills before meals, washed down with porridge.
- For the treatment of women's deficiency and continuous menstrual bleeding, temporary cessation of bleeding: Grind into powder, take two qian (6 grams) before meals, and take it with hot wine. (The first prescription is from the "Sheng Hui Fang")
- For the treatment of ulcerated lymphadenitis: 5 qian (15 grams) of Sanghuang mushroom, 1 liang of water red beans, 3 qian (9 grams) of Baicaoshuang, 2 qian (6 grams) of Qingtai, 1 fen (0.3 grams) of Piannao. Grind into powder, mix with egg white, and apply it on the affected area. Boil Plantago, Artemisia, and mulberry bark to make a decoction, and use it for washing. ("Zuan Yao Chu Fang")
【Treatment Methods】
The main way to achieve treatment is as follows:
- Strengthening the immune system and inducing cancer cells to die on their own;
- Inhibiting the proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells;
