Mushrooms are known for their many health benefits. These include being rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and having special compounds that reduce risks of disease. There are many types of healthy mushrooms and one of them is Tremella.
The tremella mushroom more commonly referred to as snow fungus is mostly credited for its skin and anti-ageing benefits. What does science say about these health claims?
Read on to find out.
Index
What Is The Snow Fungus?
The Snow Fungus (Tremella fuciformis) is an edible species of mushroom that can be described as having a white, underwater coral-like appearance and shape, resembling sea anemones. In Japan, it’s called Shiro Kikurage or “white tree jellyfish.” It’s also sometimes called the Snow Fungus.
For hundreds of years, the snow fungus has been used in traditional medicine and is known for its skin hydrating and rejuvenating properties.
Because of its appearance, many fans of the fungus dub it the “beauty mushroom.” True to its nickname, many of the health claims about the snow fungus revolve around skin health and anti-ageing.
Where does the Snow Fungus Grow?
The snow fungus thrives in tropical and subtropical places around the world, including the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand, South and Central America, Asia, and some parts of North America.
The mushrooms prefer humid conditions and often grow on dead or dying logs and branches from broadleaf trees.
Snow Fungus Nutrition
Generally speaking, mushrooms are low in calories and are a source of quality proteins and fibre. It goes without saying that foods rich in fibre are good for your heart, digestion, and for gastrointestinal health.
Medicinal mushrooms like the snow fungus are also high in vitamin D, folate, calcium, and zinc. These nutrients play a major role in our immunity, brain development, and bone health.
Health Benefits of the Snow Fungus
Snow Fungus for Skin Health
The most popular claims for the snow fungus revolve around skin health. It’s the reason why many fans of the snow fungus supplements and snow fungus-based beauty products say they take it for its anti-ageing and skin health benefits. Some of these beauty benefits are the following:
- The mushroom contains polysaccharides that can promote skin collagen synthesis. Collagen is used to promote skin elasticity and reduce wrinkles and fine lines. [1]
- The snow fungus is a rich source of vitamin D, which can help with skin cell growth and repair. Vitamin D can also prevent premature skin ageing and excess skin oxidation.
- The fungus has been shown to improve hyaluronic acid levels. Hyaluronic acid is the body’s main lubricant and moisturizer, but has extensive benefits that also include eye and joint health. [1]
- The mushroom is also rich in kojic acid, which can help even skin discolouration, reduce age spots, and lighten skin. [2]
- Researchers say the compounds found in the snow fungus can help improve water retention, which can moisturize our skin and reduce wrinkles. [1]
Snow Fungus for for Immunity
Like most medicinal mushrooms, the fungus also has immune-boosting properties. It contains special proteins that have been shown to stimulate macrophage activity. The macrophage is a type of white blood cell that eliminates bacteria and destroys harmful damaged tissue. [3]
Its polysaccharides content (specifically, beta-glucans) can also improve immune sensitivity, allowing the body to detect potential infections and harmful bacteria sooner. [4]
Snow Fungus for Brain Health
One clinical study suggested that the mushroom possesses brain-protective properties. The researchers concluded that the snow fungus compounds support brain-cell growth, which can have potential applications in neurodegenerative disease treatments, notably Alzheimer’s disease. [5]
The white fungus also promotes nerve growth factor or NGF. NGF is part of what produces and repairs nerve tissues. A healthy nervous system supports proper movement and response to stimuli. [5]
Experts also suggest that the mushroom can have benefits for memory and help with drug-induced memory loss. One study involving 75 subjects reported better memory after taking 600 mg to 1,200 mg of tremella for 8 weeks compared to control. [6]
Snow Fungus for Inflammation
Inflammation is said to be the root cause of many, if not all, human diseases.
Test-tube studies suggest taking mushroom extracts like the snow fungus can help lower markers of inflammation including tumour necrosis factor-alpha, nitric oxide, interleukin-1 beta, and interleukin-6. [7]
Inflammation itself isn’t bad. In fact, we need inflammation to survive, but it should be short-term. What is harmful is when inflammation becomes chronic or is in a low, but never-ending state.
Lowering chronic inflammation can reduce the severity of inflammatory diseases like arthritis, gout, inflammatory bowel syndrome, allergies, and migraines.
Safety
If you have a mushroom allergy, you should not use mushroom extracts. Caution is advised if using mushrooms along with blood thinning medication.
How to Take the Snow Fungus?
The dose used in clinical trials is 3-5g daily or 6-10 capsules (500 mg each) daily. It can be incorporated at any point in your wellness routine. Many prefer to take advantage of tremella’s benefits early in the morning, adding it to their morning coffee or as part of their morning routine.
In conclusion, the white mushroom is dubbed the beauty mushroom thanks to both its unique appearance and health benefits. Research shows that the snow fungus can help with problems involving skin health including free radical damage, oxidation, and skin hydration and elasticity.
Outside of skin health, the fungus has also been shown to help with immunity, brain health, and general inflammation. These properties are in line with the reasons why medicinal mushrooms like the snow fungus are sought after in the health and wellness space.
References
1. Ma X, Yang M, He Y, Zhai C, Li C. A review on the production, structure, bioactivities and applications of Tremella polysaccharides. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2021 Jan-Dec;35:20587384211000541. doi: 10.1177/20587384211000541. PMID: 33858263; PMCID: PMC8172338.
2. Gam DH, Hong JW, Kim JH, Kim JW. Skin-Whitening and Anti-Wrinkle Effects of Bioactive Compounds Isolated from Peanut Shell Using Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction. Molecules. 2021 Feb 25;26(5):1231. doi: 10.3390/molecules26051231. PMID: 33669031; PMCID: PMC7956768.
3. Ruan Y, Li H, Pu L, Shen T, Jin Z. Tremella fuciformis Polysaccharides Attenuate Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Macrophages through miR-155. Anal Cell Pathol (Amst). 2018 May 2;2018:5762371. doi: 10.1155/2018/5762371. PMID: 29854576; PMCID: PMC5954968.
4. Patel DK, Dutta SD, Ganguly K, Cho SJ, Lim KT. Mushroom-Derived Bioactive Molecules as Immunotherapeutic Agents: A Review. Molecules. 2021 Mar 4;26(5):1359. doi: 10.3390/molecules26051359. PMID: 33806285; PMCID: PMC7961999.
5. Park KJ, Lee SY, Kim HS, Yamazaki M, Chiba K, Ha HC. The Neuroprotective and Neurotrophic Effects of Tremella fuciformis in PC12h Cells. Mycobiology. 2007 Mar;35(1):11-5. doi: 10.4489/MYCO.2007.35.1.011. Epub 2007 Mar 31. PMID: 24015061; PMCID: PMC3763079.
6. Ban S, Lee SL, Jeong HS, Lim SM, Park S, Hong YS, Kim JE. Efficacy and Safety of Tremella fuciformis in Individuals with Subjective Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Med Food. 2018 Apr;21(4):400-407. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2017.4063. Epub 2018 Jan 10. PMID: 29319408.
7. Li H, Lee HS, Kim SH, Moon B, Lee C. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of methanol extracts of Tremella fuciformis and its major phenolic acids. J Food Sci. 2014 Apr;79(4):C460-8. doi: 10.1111/1750-3841.12393. Epub 2014 Feb 18. PMID: 24547933.