Auricularia spp.

PLANT NAME: Auricularia spp.

SIMILARLY USED SPECIES: A. auricula-judae, A polytrich, A. sambucina, A. mesenterica, Hirneeola auricula-judae, Tremella auricula, and T. cythiformis. The species found in Hawai’i is Auricularia cornea.

COMMON NAMES: Pepeiao (“ear”) [Hawai’i]; mu er (“wood ear”), hei mu er (“black wood ear”) [China], yun erh (cloud ear) [China]; kikurage (edible fungus) [Japan].

PROPERTIES: Sweet, neutral.

PLANT PART USED: The fruiting body (ear).

Habitat: Wet and low.

PREPARATION OF MEDICINE: Steamed and eaten, or added in formulas.

STATUS IN HAWAI’I: Unknown. Low pest factor.

WESTERN FUNCTIONS REPORTED: Antibacterial; antiparasitic; antitumor; antiviral; astringent [Linnaeus]; drying [Linnaeus]; hypoglycemic; immunomodulatory; laxative; lipid lowering; painkiller; reduces mucous; refrigerant [Linnaeus].

TRADITIONAL CHINESE ENERGETIC FUNCTIONS (from various sources):

1) Tonifies qi, tonifies the stomach, refreshes the brain, strengthens the stomach.

2) Nourishes the yin and blood, moistens the lung, promoting production of the body fluid.

3) Invigorates blood, cools the blood, stops bleeding.

4) Strengthens the will.

5) Invigorates blood, stops pain, strengthens the lungs.

Common Medicinal Uses

Cancer / Fatigue and low energy / Compromised immune system / Cardiovascular disease

OTHER MEDICINAL USES • General weakness, compromised immune response. • Numbness. • Excess mucous [China].

USE AS FOOD: In soups or stir-fries with chicken or tofu. They can then be dried at home and later reconstituted with water. Cook well when using as food.

OTHER USES: Because of its ability to absorb copper, Auricularia polytricha has been studied as a possible way to detoxify environmental pollution.

TOXICITY: No significant toxicity.

CAUTIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS: DO NOT EAT WILD MUSHROOMS OR FUNGI UNLESS YOU ARE 100% POSITIVE IN YOUR IDENTIFICATION. Do not use Auricularia spp. during pregnancy, lactation, or for women trying to conceive.

POSSIBLE DRUG INTERACTIONS: Not with Coumadin or other anticoagulants ~ [Agarwal 1982]

NOTES

Hippocrates (455 B.C.), the father of medicine described fungus as being used as “moxa” (the smoke of the burning herb was used topically) for kidney problems or back pain.
Auricularia is a microrhizal fungus. Microrhiza create symbiotic (mutually beneficial relationships) with many plant, fern, and lichen members of Hawaiian ecosystems.

PLANT NAME: Auricularia spp.

SIMILARLY USED SPECIES: A. auricula-judae, A polytrich, A. sambucina, A. mesenterica, Hirneeola auricula-judae, Tremella auricula, and T. cythiformis. The species found in Hawai’i is Auricularia cornea.

COMMON NAMES: Pepeiao (“ear”) [Hawai’i]; mu er (“wood ear”), hei mu er (“black wood ear”) [China], yun erh (cloud ear) [China]; kikurage (edible fungus) [Japan].

PROPERTIES: Sweet, neutral.

PLANT PART USED: The fruiting body (ear).

Habitat: Wet and low.

PREPARATION OF MEDICINE: Steamed and eaten, or added in formulas.

STATUS IN HAWAI’I: Unknown. Low pest factor.

WESTERN FUNCTIONS REPORTED: Antibacterial; antiparasitic; antitumor; antiviral; astringent [Linnaeus]; drying [Linnaeus]; hypoglycemic; immunomodulatory; laxative; lipid lowering; painkiller; reduces mucous; refrigerant [Linnaeus].

TRADITIONAL CHINESE ENERGETIC FUNCTIONS (from various sources):

1) Tonifies qi, tonifies the stomach, refreshes the brain, strengthens the stomach.

2) Nourishes the yin and blood, moistens the lung, promoting production of the body fluid.

3) Invigorates blood, cools the blood, stops bleeding.

4) Strengthens the will.

5) Invigorates blood, stops pain, strengthens the lungs.

Common Medicinal Uses

Cancer / Fatigue and low energy / Compromised immune system / Cardiovascular disease

OTHER MEDICINAL USES • General weakness, compromised immune response. • Numbness. • Excess mucous [China].

USE AS FOOD: In soups or stir-fries with chicken or tofu. They can then be dried at home and later reconstituted with water. Cook well when using as food.

OTHER USES: Because of its ability to absorb copper, Auricularia polytricha has been studied as a possible way to detoxify environmental pollution.

TOXICITY: No significant toxicity.

CAUTIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS: DO NOT EAT WILD MUSHROOMS OR FUNGI UNLESS YOU ARE 100% POSITIVE IN YOUR IDENTIFICATION. Do not use Auricularia spp. during pregnancy, lactation, or for women trying to conceive.

POSSIBLE DRUG INTERACTIONS: Not with Coumadin or other anticoagulants ~ [Agarwal 1982]

NOTES

Hippocrates (455 B.C.), the father of medicine described fungus as being used as “moxa” (the smoke of the burning herb was used topically) for kidney problems or back pain.

Auricularia is a microrhizal fungus. Microrhiza create symbiotic (mutually beneficial relationships) with many plant, fern, and lichen members of Hawaiian ecosystems.