Antrodia, Phellinus and Other Medicinal Polypores: What Is Known
A guide to Antrodia (Taiwanofungus camphoratus), Phellinus and sanghuang fungi: name confusion, the few small human trials found, and where proper evidence was not found.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Supplements can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read mushroom safety and interactions before you use any mushroom product.
These woody, shelf-like fungi are used in traditional medicine in East Asia, but human research is thin. For most uses the honest answer is Proper evidence not found. Names are also confusing: one fungus can be sold under three or four names, and a result from one product does not transfer to another. Tell your care team about any of these products, especially during cancer treatment, and see how interactions are classed.
Names that cause confusion
| Sold as | Accepted name in GBIF | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Antrodia cinnamomea, Antrodia camphorata | Taiwanofungus camphoratus (M.Zang & C.H.Su) Sheng H.Wu, Z.H.Yu, Y.C.Dai & C.H.Su, family Fomitopsidaceae | Antrodia cinnamomea and Antrodia camphorata are listed as synonyms.[1] |
| Phellinus linteus, meshima, sanghuang | Tropicoporus linteus (Berk. & M.A.Curtis) L.W.Zhou & Y.C.Dai, family Hymenochaetaceae | Phellinus linteus is listed as a synonym.[1] Memorial Sloan Kettering lists meshimakobu, meshima, song gen and sanghuang as common names for Phellinus linteus.[2] |
| Sanghuang (other species) | Sanghuangporus sanghuang and related species | A review says these should be classified in the genus Sanghuangporus, not mistakenly in Phellinus or Inonotus.[3] |
| Phellinus igniarius | Phellinus igniarius (L.) Quél. | Listed as an accepted species.[1] Human evidence: Proper evidence not found (see below). |
The word "sanghuang" is used for more than one fungus in the sources we read, so a label saying only "sanghuang" or "Phellinus" does not tell you which species is inside. Check the scientific name and whether the product is fruiting body or mycelium; see mushroom names and fruiting body versus mycelium.
Other woody fungi have their own guides here: reishi, chaga, turkey tail and poria.
Traditional use
A review says Taiwanofungus camphoratus, chaga and Tropicoporus linteus have been used in traditional medicine for therapeutic purposes and to promote overall health in China and many East Asian countries for centuries.[4] Antrodia cinnamomea is described as a medicinal and edible mushroom endemic to Taiwan, traditionally valued as a health tonic.[5] Memorial Sloan Kettering says Phellinus linteus is used in traditional medicine in Asia, where it is often mixed with other medicinal mushrooms and promoted as an adjunctive treatment during cancer therapy.[2] These are traditional uses, not proof of effect.
What research shows
| Fungus | What the source found | Strength of evidence | Form and population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taiwanofungus camphoratus (Antrodia), fatty liver | In a 6-month trial in 28 people with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, capsules of mycelium (the abstract gives 420 mg) or starch placebo were linked to improvement in a liver-fat score and a lower inflammation marker (TNF-alpha), and no participant had adverse events.[6] | Preliminary; very small | Cultured mycelium; adults with fatty liver disease |
| Antrodia, liver tests in adults with slightly high ALT | In 44 Japanese adults with slightly high ALT, a mycelium extract capsule (250 mg of powder) or placebo daily for 12 weeks gave no significant change in ALT and AST overall; the authors called a benefit in regular drinkers exploratory.[7] | Insufficient evidence | Mycelium extract; subgroup finding |
| Antrodia in cancer care | A review of eight trials of mushroom preparations in cancer care included one of Antrodia cinnamomea, and said trial quality was generally unsatisfying and adverse events poorly reported.[8] | Insufficient evidence | Various |
| Phellinus linteus (now Tropicoporus linteus), immunity | In 98 adults, 1,000 mg of extract a day (or dextrin placebo) for 8 weeks raised natural killer cell activity, with no liver or kidney problems seen in lab tests.[9] | Preliminary; a lab marker | Extract capsule; Korea |
| Phellinus linteus, cancer | Memorial Sloan Kettering says human data are very limited, with one study suggesting a possible add-on role in some pancreatic cancer patients, and that well-designed trials are needed.[2] | Insufficient evidence | Extracts |
| Sanghuangporus species and Phellinus igniarius, human use | Proper evidence not found. We searched PubMed for these names with human, clinical and randomized terms and found genome, laboratory and animal papers. | Preclinical (cells or animals) or none | n/a |
| Safety of Antrodia in humans, drug interactions | Proper evidence not found in a PubMed search for Antrodia cinnamomea with safety, adverse and interaction terms. | Not known | n/a |
Forms, harvest and sourcing
The two Antrodia trials above used cultured mycelium or a mycelium extract, which is a different material from the wild or cultivated fruiting body. Demand has led to over-harvesting concerns, and a review says various cultivation methods have been explored to combat over-harvesting of these fungi.[4] For why harvest and sourcing matter, see wild harvest and conservation.
Frequently asked questions
Is Antrodia cinnamomea the same as Antrodia camphorata?
Both names are listed as synonyms of the accepted name Taiwanofungus camphoratus.[1]
Is Phellinus linteus the same as sanghuang?
Memorial Sloan Kettering lists sanghuang among common names of Phellinus linteus,[2] but another review says true sanghuang species belong in the genus Sanghuangporus.[3] The word is used for more than one fungus, so check the scientific name on a label.
Do these fungi treat cancer or liver disease?
No supplement is a treatment. Human trials are small, and reviews call evidence insufficient or the research quality unsatisfying.[8][2]
Are they safe?
One Phellinus trial reported no liver or kidney lab problems over 8 weeks,[9] but a case report describes a pemphigus flare.[2] Long-term safety data were not found.
Where can I read about better-studied medicinal fungi?
See the A to Z directory.
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety: who should ask first
- Autoimmune conditions: Memorial Sloan Kettering reports a case in which Phellinus linteus use worsened the autoimmune skin condition pemphigus.[2] See mushrooms, autoimmune conditions and transplant medicines.
- Cancer treatment: tell the oncology team about every product; the cancer-care review above says safety and interactions of medicinal mushrooms urgently need study.[8]
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children, kidney and liver disease, surgery, allergy: Proper evidence not found in the sources we read. Lack of evidence is not proof of safety.
- Quality and mislabeling: see supplement quality testing.
A clinician or pharmacist decides what is right for a person. This page gives no amounts to take; the amounts above are what trials used.
References
- GBIF Secretariat, GBIF Backbone Taxonomy records for Taiwanofungus camphoratus, Tropicoporus linteus, Sanghuangporus sanghuang and Phellinus igniarius. Read 2026-10-23.
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Phellinus linteus (About Herbs database, United States). Read 2026-10-23.
- Lu J et al., Research progress of bioactive components in Sanghuangporus spp.. Molecules 2024. Read 2026-10-23.
- Tee PYE et al., A review on the cultivation, bioactive compounds, health-promoting factors and clinical trials of medicinal mushrooms Taiwanofungus camphoratus, Inonotus obliquus and Tropicoporus linteus. Fungal Biol Biotechnol 2024. Read 2026-10-23.
- Xu C et al., Evidence-based nutraceuticals derived from Antrodia cinnamomea. Foods 2025. Read 2026-10-23.
- Chiou YL et al., Hepatoprotective effect of Antrodia cinnamomea mycelium in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Am Coll Nutr 2021. Read 2026-10-23.
- Ho CY et al., Hepatoprotective effect of Antrodia cinnamomea mycelia extract in subhealth Japanese adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study. J Diet Suppl 2023. Read 2026-10-23.
- Jeitler M et al., Significance of medicinal mushrooms in integrative oncology: a narrative review. Front Pharmacol 2020. Read 2026-10-23.
- Ku YH et al., Effects of Phellinus linteus extract on immunity improvement: a CONSORT-randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022. Read 2026-10-23.