● Species profile
Mesima
Phellinus linteus
Photo: Maszk, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
MedicinalEvidence: Lab & animal
A hoof-shaped polypore that grows on mulberry and other hardwoods in East Asia, long used in Korean and Chinese medicine. Lab and animal studies focus on its polysaccharides and immune activity, but human trials are scarce. Much of what's sold as mesima is a mix of related Sanghuang species, so check the label.
Studied ForImmunity
Shroomer Score#30 of 50 species
2.5Medicinal Value · 30%4/5
Edibility · 20%1/5
Easy to Identify · 20%2/5
Easy to Grow · 15%2/5
Sustainability · 15%3/5
Search popularity●●○○○
How we score →Historical Use and Context
Called sanghuang in China and sanghwang in Korea, mesima grows on mulberry trees and has been used in East Asian medicine for centuries. Wild specimens are scarce, so most products today use cultivated mycelium.
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