Can eating wood ear mushrooms help reduce internal heat when one has excessive internal heat?
Jul 24, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, consuming wood ear fungus (black fungus) can help alleviate internal heat, although the effectiveness may vary from person to person. While eating wood ear fungus can assist in reducing internal heat, the quantity consumed each time should not be excessive to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort caused by overly rapid intestinal motility. Additionally, it is recommended to choose fully soaked and thoroughly cleaned wood ear fungus to remove any residual impurities, and to avoid consuming inadequately soaked or spoiled wood ear fungus.
Generally speaking, eating black fungus can help relieve excessive internal heat (commonly known as "fireiness"), although the effectiveness may vary among individuals. Detailed explanations are as follows:
Black fungus has a neutral to slightly cool nature, which helps alleviate symptoms of excessive internal heat caused by body dryness. Black fungus is rich in dietary fiber, polysaccharides, and various minerals. Dietary fiber promotes intestinal motility and helps eliminate metabolic waste associated with internal heat accumulation. Polysaccharides have a certain regulatory effect, assisting the body in maintaining a stable state. With its crisp and tender texture, black fungus is suitable for light cooking methods such as stir-frying or cold mixing. Consumption of black fungus does not increase internal heat burden and can replenish water and nutrients, thereby alleviating discomfort caused by excessive internal heat to a certain extent, aligning with the logic of regulating body condition through food properties.
Although black fungus can help relieve fireiness, the quantity consumed at each time should not be excessive, to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort caused by excessive intestinal motility. Additionally, it is recommended to use fully rehydrated and thoroughly cleaned black fungus to remove residual impurities; black fungus that is incompletely soaked or spoiled should not be consumed. Moreover, combining black fungus with ingredients such as winter melon or cucumber during consumption may enhance the effects. Individuals with cold deficiency syndrome of the spleen and stomach should control their intake. If symptoms of excessive internal heat are severe, other regulation methods should be used in combination, rather than relying solely on black fungus consumption.
