(NaturalHealth365)  Of all the medicinal mushrooms, tremella mushrooms are undoubtedly the strangest looking, with a translucent white color and a complicated-looking arrangement of frills and folds that causes them to resemble reef coral.  Botanically labeled as tremella fuciformis, tremella mushrooms are commonly known by nicknames that range from the charming (snow mushrooms) to the creepy (witches’ butter).  You may also hear them referred to as snow fungus, white fungus, and white jelly mushrooms.

But these intriguing fungi are so much more than visual oddities.  Valued as adaptogens and immune system boosters in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years, tremella mushrooms are now impressing contemporary researchers.  A clinical study in the Journal of Medicinal Foods concluded that tremella extracts can help protect brain cells and improve cognition and memory in patients with cognitive impairment.  You won’t want to miss out on the far-reaching “head-to-toe” benefits of these fascinating fungi.

Tremella mushrooms help reverse memory loss and slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases

In a double-blind, controlled trial involving 75 individuals with subjective cognitive impairment, the researchers set out to assess the efficacy and safety of tremella.  They found that participants who received between 600 and 1,200 mg a day of tremella for eight weeks experienced greater memory and executive function improvements than those in the control group.  The team concluded that tremella could be safely used to improve memory and enhance cognition.

A 2022 study published in Nutrients explored tremella mushrooms’ ability to act against oxidative stress and brain inflammation that contribute to neurodegenerative diseases.  The researchers found that tremella mushrooms contain polysaccharides with anti-amyloidogenic properties (this forbidding-sounding word means that they act against the buildup of harmful amyloid-beta plaque implicated in Alzheimer’s disease).  They also have antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects, meaning they can prevent the death of brain cells.

One specific tremella polysaccharide, TL04, was found in animal studies to confer protective effects through the mitochondrial pathway.  The team concluded that polysaccharides in tremella are “promising neuroprotective agents” with “enormous potential” to inhibit the progression of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntingdon’s disease, and ALS.

Tremella combats inflammatory intestinal diseases by enhancing immunity and gut microbe diversity

In a 2021 study published in Frontiers in Immunology, researchers concluded that polysaccharides in tremella mushrooms have the potential to alleviate inflammation and tissue damage caused by ulcerative colitis.  These beneficial carbohydrates also support the health of the gut microbiome by increasing microbial diversity and renewing populations of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus.

As these bacteria’s metabolites help regulate the immune system, this also supports immune defenses.  Studies have shown that polysaccharides can directly activate immune system components such as macrophages and T-cells.  While more study is needed, the implications are promising.

Promote and protect skin health, radiance, and hydration

Tremella mushrooms contain potent antioxidants that reduce skin inflammation and help to protect against photoaging (another word for wrinkles and age spots induced by the harmful ultraviolet rays in sunlight).  In addition, their polysaccharides have humectant properties, meaning they can draw moisture into the skin.  In a 2021 study published in the International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology, a 0.05 percent formulation of tremella polysaccharides performed as well in hydrating skin as a 0.02 percent formulation of hyaluronic acid – and it accomplished this at only 14 percent of the cost!

Researchers endorsed tremella polysaccharides for rehydrating the skin and protecting and repairing the skin barrier.  Tremella polysaccharides also help to increase the production of collagen, a protein that promotes skin firmness and elasticity (the sought-after qualities that give skin a youthful appearance).

Access benefits through diet, supplements, or topical application

Whole tremella mushrooms are available fresh or dried in markets and health food stores.  Dried mushrooms should be soaked for an hour to rehydrate before using in recipes.  While fresh tremella mushrooms are perfectly edible and nutritious – packed with dietary fiber, plant-based protein, essential vitamins, and minerals – they have a gelatinous texture that some people find off-putting.  That said, their flavor is subtle and mild, and they blend in well with soups, stews, stir-fries, and casseroles.

Powdered tremella is also available as a supplement.  Use a reputable vendor, and choose an organic product certified by the NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) or USP (United States Pharmacopeia).  You can also find tremella in topical serums, facial masks, and lotions.  Before supplementing with tremella, you may want to get the “thumbs-up” from your holistic healthcare provider.

Unsurprisingly, tremella mushrooms have also exhibited effects against cancer, diabetes, fatty liver disease, and obesity.  While much of their potential is still unexplored, their obvious benefits are causing them to emerge as an exciting natural intervention against chronic and degenerative diseases.

Sources for this article include:

NIH.gov
Liebertpub.com
RealSimple.com
Mdpi.com
FrontiersinImmunology.org
SagePub.com