Xylaria, Wu Ling Shen 乌灵参

Xylaria fungus, “Wu Ling Ginseng”

Xylaria nigripes
Photo by Michel Beeckman (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:

Xylaria nigripes

Parts used:

Sclerotium

Temperature & Taste:

Neutral, Sweet (Chinese Pharmacopoeia)
Some sources claim it to be Warm and slightly Bitter

Classification:

Uses:

1. Strengthens Kidneys, Nourishes Essence:
–pain and weakness of the lower back and knees
–postpartum blood loss.
–it is also said to nourish Qi

2. Nourish the Heart, Calms Mind and Spirit:
–Insomnia
–excessive dreaming
–Neurasthenia
–Palpitations

3. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine:
–Edema

4. Stops Bleeding:
–Hematemesis
–Epistaxis

5. Lowers Blood Pressure:
–Hypertension

6. Increases Milk:
–poor milk supply

7. Externally:
–applied to burns

Dose:

Decoction: 3–9 grams
Powder: 1–2 grams

Comment:

Xylaria is found growing around abandoned termite nests.

Main Combinations:

1. Insomnia, Xylaria, Poria Fu Ling, Ziziphus jujuba seed (Suan Zao Ren)
2. Heart and Kidney deficiency, Xylaria, Pig Heart, Pig Kidney. Decoct. (Complete Book of Practical Medicinal Diet)
3. To increase Milk supply, Xylaria decocted with a pair of Pig hooves as a soup
4. Burns, mix powder with Sesame oil and apply