☯ TCM Properties
Strengthens the Spleen, promotes diuresis, clears Heat and removes toxicity; Treats cancer; Stops coughing and eases breathing
Traditional Chinese Uses
Yun Zhi is the fruiting body of Trametes versicolor (Coriolus versicolor, turkey-tail), a shelf-forming polypore. Sweet and neutral (slightly warm), entering the Heart, Spleen, Liver and Kidney channels, it strengthens the Spleen and drains Dampness, clears Heat and resolves toxicity, tonifies vital Qi, and settles cough with wheezing. It has traditionally supported patients with chronic weakness, chronic respiratory illness, and Damp-Heat of the liver such as hepatitis.
Yun Zhi is best known for its polysaccharide-peptides PSP and PSK, standardized extracts used adjunctively in integrative oncology to support immune function alongside conventional cancer therapy. Such use should be under professional guidance rather than as a substitute for medical treatment.
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Yun Zhi is the fruiting body of Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd (syn. Coriolus versicolor; Polyporaceae), the turkey-tail bracket fungus, a cosmopolitan wood-decay polypore that grows in overlapping, shelf-like clusters on dead hardwood logs and stumps throughout temperate forests of China, East Asia, Europe, and North America. The leathery, fan-shaped to semicircular caps are 3–10 cm wide and 1–3 mm thick, with finely velvety, concentrically zoned upper surfaces displaying alternating bands of brown, gray, ochre, blue-black, and creamy white. The lower surface is pale cream with very small, round pores (3–5 per mm) that release white spores. Brackets are tough and persistent, harvested year-round, sun-dried, and used in TCM for tonifying Spleen qi, supplementing essence, and supporting immune function; standardized polysaccharide-K (PSK) and polysaccharide-peptide (PSP) preparations are widely studied adjuncts to oncology care in East Asia.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 9-30g | Daily | — | — | — |
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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