Evidence supporting the use of: Mushrooms
For the health condition: Hepatitis
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Several types of medicinal mushrooms, particularly Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi), Coriolus versicolor (Turkey tail), and Lentinula edodes (Shiitake), have been studied for their potential benefits in supporting liver health and treating hepatitis, especially chronic hepatitis B and C. The rationale for their use is largely based on their bioactive polysaccharides, such as beta-glucans, and triterpenoids, which exhibit immunomodulatory, antiviral, and hepatoprotective properties. Clinical studies—although often small and sometimes lacking rigorous controls—have reported that certain mushroom extracts can improve liver function markers (e.g., ALT, AST), reduce viral load, and enhance immune responses in hepatitis patients. For example, a randomized controlled trial published in the journal Phytotherapy Research (2002) found that Reishi mushroom extract improved liver function in patients with hepatitis B. A 2011 meta-analysis (Jiang et al., Phytomedicine) of mushroom polysaccharides also suggested some benefit in hepatitis management. However, evidence is not uniformly robust, with most studies being preliminary, short-term, or conducted in combination with standard antiviral therapies. Traditional use of mushrooms for liver ailments is also recorded in Chinese and Japanese medicine. In summary, while there is a scientific rationale and some preliminary evidence supporting the use of certain medicinal mushrooms for hepatitis, more large-scale, well-controlled clinical trials are needed to fully validate their efficacy and safety.
Other ingredients used for Hepatitis
green chirettaastragalus
black cumin
branched-chain amino acids
rice
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
cat's claw
caterpillar mushroom
chaga mushroom
Coptis chinensis
cordyceps
turmeric
dandelion
knotweed
jujube
L-cysteine
L-glutathione
Lactoferrin
Lentinula edodes mycelia
licorice root
liquid liver fractions
Marine lipid
Milk thistle
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
oleanolic acid
omega-3 fatty acids
oregon grape
parsley
plum fruit
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
protein
reishi mushroom
selenium
shiitake mushroom
silymarin
spirulina
Turkey tail mushroom
vitamin C
vitamin E
seaweed
Zinc
sarsaparilla
Indian bael
punarnava
commiphora
Tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
Caesalpinia crista
Rubia cordifolia
Swertia
peony
lingzhi
Szechuan lovage
Morus
Myrrh
ganoderma
aster root
paw paw
Algae
Angelica
Antrodia camphorata
Achyranthes
Auricularia
AHCC
Ajuga
aucubin
andrographolide
Albumin
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
astragaloside
Andrographis
Agrimonia pilosa
astragalin
atractylone
black seed
borotutu
Broussonetia
bergenin
betulinic acid
bayleaf
bitter grass
bael
Basidiomycota
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Bombax
borassus palm
Borassus aethiopum
bacteria
black root
BCAA
Bupleurum
baicalin
Bassia scoparia
Bergenia
Chinese silkvine
coriolus mushroom
Chinese fleeceflower
C-phycocyanin
chirata
corilagin
cytokines
Cynodon dactylon
Carthamus
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
Dianthus
Desmodium
fucoidan
Flueggea suffruticosa
flat-stem milk-vetch
Ficus simplicissima
flavonolignan
Glucan peptides
Globulins
Glutathione
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Glycyrrhizin
Hyperoside
Hygrophila
Immunoglobulin G
isosilybin
Indian coraltree
lichen
Ligustrum
labrador tea
little ironweed
Momordica
Morning glory
Neoandrographolides
Nymphaea nouchali
Oroxylum indicum
Onosma bracteatum
Oxymatrine
ornithine L-aspartic acid
Phellodendron
Picroside
polysaccharides
pagoda tree
Pluchea
Portulaca
Patrinia
Polygonum
Palo Azul
Rubia yunnanensis
rhubarb
Sophora
Silybin
Sarivan
Schisandrins
Silydianin
Silychristin
Stereospermum
Sumac
Schizandrol A
Silybum
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sword Bean
Terminalia
Trametes
Tamarind
Taraxacum
Tremella
Varuna
Wax Gourd
Yin Chen
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Mushrooms
Acquired Immune Deficiency SyndromeAlzheimer's Disease
Anxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Autoimmune Disorders
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (prevention)
Convalescence
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Fatigue
Free Radical Damage
Gastritis
Hepatitis
Hypertension
Inflammation
Influenza
Insomnia
Liver Detoxification
Lymphoma
Memory and Brain Function
Mood Swings
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion