Introduction to Wuling Shen: Price, Producing Areas, Benefits and How to Eat It

Wuling Shen, is the sclerotium of the fungus Xylaria nigripes, of the genus Xylaria in the family Xylariaceae. The plant Xylaria nigripes is distributed in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Taiwan, China, Guangdong, Sichuan, Yunnan and other places in China. So, how much does the “traditional Chinese medicine” Wuling Shen cost per jin? Where does it grow? What benefits and effects does it have? How is it best eaten?

1. How much does the “traditional Chinese medicine” Wuling Shen cost per jin?

It is understood that fresh Wuling Shen costs around 5,000 per jin, while the dried product costs around 30,000, and some sell for 50,000! A large one weighing one jin can sell for 100,000!

2. Where does Wuling Shen grow?

Wuling Shen grows in the fungal garden chambers abandoned by soil-dwelling termites, in deeper soil layers on warm hillsides or on earth banks along river embankments. Those with fine skin lines, a firm body, that sink in water, and are white inside, commonly known as “fine flower goods”, are considered the best; those with coarser skin lines, a lighter body, that half sink in water, commonly known as “second flower goods”, are next; those with rough skin lines, a light and spongy body, that do not sink in water, and with brownish-yellow flesh, commonly known as “large flower goods”, are even lower grade.

3. What benefits and effects does it have?

Wuling Shen is regarded as a rare and precious medicinal material in the fields of medicinal fungal research and application worldwide, and has wide medicinal value. In Guangdong folk medicine it is used to treat traumatic injuries, and there is a saying: “Fear not a severe fall, only fear the Diao Jin Zhong.”

Wuling Shen has a very good qi-tonifying effect, and can also help people tonify the kidneys and strengthen the spleen to remove dampness. Among the elderly, those with insomnia, frequent dreams, and irritability can take Wuling Shen to calm the mind and soothe the nerves. Wuling Shen is also very suitable for people with spleen deficiency and little appetite, and for those who have lost too much blood after childbirth or surgery. For some mothers who produce little breast milk during the postpartum lactation period, taking Wuling Shen has a good milk-promoting effect. Wuling Shen also treats gastroptosis, hernia, palpitations and insomnia, infantile convulsions, and traumatic injuries, among others.

4. How is Wuling Shen best eaten?

Wuling Shen is also known as Wuling Shen, Wuli Shen, Lei Zhen Zi, Ji Fu Ling, Ji Tu Cong Dan, Ji Tu Cong Dan, Diao Jin Zhen. When taking Wuling Shen, note that 15-30 grams are used each time; it can be stewed with eggs, or taken mixed with prepared He Shou Wu powder and jujube kernel paste, or stewed with chicken or meat together with Fu Ling and Dang Shen.