Tremella mushroom, also known as snow fungus or Yin Er (银耳), is a type of edible mushroom that has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years for its numerous skin and health benefits. For example, Yang Guifei, a royal concubine from the Tang dynasty famed for her legendary beauty, is said to favor the snow mushroom for maintaining her flawless complexion.
In recent years, modern research proves the healing properties of Tremella which has made it gain popularity in the Western world for its skin benefits, both when ingested and applied topically.
Skin Benefits of Tremella Mushroom
People in Asia have consumed tremella mushroom for centuries. When ingested, this snow fungus can provide numerous benefits for the skin. Tremella mushroom contains a unique type of polysaccharide called Tremella Polysaccharide (TP), which has been shown to stimulate the production of hyaluronic acid in the body.
1. Plump the skin
Tremella has been called nature's hyaluronic acid— yes, but it is so much more. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in the skin that helps to retain moisture and keep the skin looking plump and hydrated. As we age, the production of hyaluronic acid in the body decreases, leading to dry, dull, and wrinkled skin. By stimulating the production of hyaluronic acid, tremella mushroom can help to improve the overall appearance and health of the skin.
2. Eczema relief
In Chinese medicine, tremella is Yin Tonic that is often prescribed to nourish fluids in the body, reduce dryness, boost immunity, and calm skin inflammation conditions like eczema, acne-prone, itchy and redness in the skin. Tremella contains high amounts of polysaccharides, which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects.
Tremella Snow Fungus Recipe (银耳汤)
One of the easiest and most delicious ways to incorporate tremella mushroom into your diet is by making a TCM medicinal dessert soup. You can enjoy it warm or chilled for breakfast or post-meal dessert.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole dried Tremella or Snow Fungus
- Purified Water
- 40g dried Lotus Seeds (green centers removed)
- 3 whole Jujube Red Dates (pitted)
- 15g Goji Berries (or a small handful)
- Honey or a sweetener of choice (optional)
- Asian pear or apple (optional, peeled, cored, and cubed)
Instructions:
- Soak the dried tremella mushroom in cold water for 60 minutes or overnight until it blooms into a fluffy, jelly cloud with soft texture. Soak the lotus seeds for 60 minutes. The bitter green centers often fall out on their own during the soak, but you can also break the lotus seeds in half to remove them.
- Rinse the tremella mushroom (if needed) and trim into small pieces. Discard any hard bits, especially the core.
- In a large pot, add the tremella mushroom, jujubes, and enough water to cover.
- Bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 1 to 3 hours, or until desired softness. The longer the simmer, the softer, thicker, and more jelly-like the texture becomes.
- Add the lotus seeds and cubed pears or apples 30 minutes before you're finished cooking.
- Add goji berries at the end of cooking while the soup is still hot.
- Sweeten to taste if needed. Serve warm or chilled. Enjoy!
This makes a huge pot, so you can keep it in the refrigerator and enjoy it throughout the week as breakfast, snack, or dessert. This sweet soup is not only delicious but also provides numerous benefits for your health and skin. The tremella mushroom helps to improve skin hydration and plumpness, while the goji and jujube provide a natural source of sweetness without spiking blood sugar levels.
In cooler and dryer months, try adding pears or apples to this recipe. Both fruits aid hydration, further helping to soothe internal dryness like dry coughs and itchy throats.
Tremella Mushroom in Skincare
Tremella mushroom is a powerful ingredient that can provide numerous benefits for the skin, both when applied topically and ingested. It helps to replenish hydration, calm inflammation, reduce redness and itchiness, soothe and nourish, and promote healing of the skin. Find this time-honored fungus in these YINA skincare treasures: Bioadaptive Cleanser, Essential Mist, Hydracloud Cream, and Divine Bio-cellulose Mask.
