In Korea the mushroom is made into a tea and drunk on a regular basis. In the Asian countries, they have used the mushroom for hundreds of years to treat diarrhoea, gastroenteric dysfunction, haemorrhage, cancers and other ailments. The mushroom is also said to boost the body’s immune system. This is due to the presence of Beta D-Glutan and Lectin. These two polysaccharide-protein complexes possess properties that control the immune system.

It is also hailed as having properties that can regulate blood sugar levels. This follows the discovery of a compound known as interfungins A. In short, it is highly beneficial for diabetics to incorporate this mushroom in their diet. It is particularly helpful in controlling Type 2 diabetes.

In treating haemorrhage, the mushroom controls bleeding in ovaries and excessive bleeding during menses. It also stops intestinal bleeding. Research is currently underway to determine if Phellinus Linteus can control haemophilia. Should the findings be confirmed, it would be a great breakthrough in the medical field. Haemophilia is a genetic disorder that inhibits normal blood clotting. When someone gets a cut, the open part bleeds for a while as the body initiates the clotting process. Then bleeding stops and the body begins to repair the broken cells. In cases of haemophilia, bleeding continues unabated which can be fatal.

The extract from Phellinus Linteus has an antioxidant known as hispidin, Antioxidants are good for health because they help to clear free radicals from the body. Free radicals can become dangerous in the body if they begin to distort the make-up of normal cells. Such is the distortion that leads to formation of cancer cells.

According to Harvard Medical School, extracts from Phellinus Linteus contain potential anti-cancer agents. The British Journal of Cancer reported that the Phellinus Linteus mushroom was able to disrupt and curtail the performance of the AKT enzyme and hence preventing further development of breast cancer.

Extracts of this mushroom have anti-bacterial properties too. The methanoextracts contain compounds, (CHCl3, n-BuOH and H2O), that fight against bacteria. These particular compounds are found very precious because they are able to fight a bacteria resistant to existing medication. Staphylococcus aureus is the stubborn bacteria. It is resistant to Methicillin.

Staphylococcus aureus causes different infections including furuncles and staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. The latter usually occurs in infants. Someone can get infection by touching pus that is infected with the bacteria staphylococcus aureus. The bacteria can also cause septic arthritis, especially for people using prosthetics. Among the most serious infections caused by staphylococcus aureus is the infection of the valves of the heart. In medical terms it is called staphylococcal endocarditis.