Tiger milk mushroom, scientifically known as Lignosus Rhinocerotis, belongs to the Polyporaceae fungi family, which is regarded as a rare and valuable medicinal mushroom.
According to Malaysian Aboriginal folklore, it is believed that the mushroom emerges on the spot where the milk of a tigress had accidentally dribbled during lactation. This myth surrounding Lignosus Rhinocerotis might have risen from the fact that the fungus is extremely hard to find. It can only be located in certain tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, The Philippines, Indonesia, South China and parts of Australia.
In Malaysia and Indonesia, this mushroom is known as “cendawan susu rimau” or “kulat susu harimau” which literally means “tiger milk mushroom”. In China, it is called "huruzhi 虎乳芝", , which means “tiger milk Ganoderma”. In Japan, it is known as “hijiritake”.
Nutrients & Bioactive Compounds in Tiger Milk Mushroom
The notable bioactive compounds in Lignosus Rhinocerotis include:
Adenosine and its derivatives
Cordycepin
Beta(β)-glucan rich polysaccharide
Phenolic compounds
Minerals (calcium, potassium, sodium and magnesium)
B vitamins including riboflavin and niacin
Essential amino acids
Benefits of DXN Ligno-L/Tiger Milk Mushroom
1. Relieves respiratory-related illnesses and promotes lung health
The efficacy of Tiger Milk Mushroom in treating asthmatic symptoms has been validated in several in vitro, animal and human clinical studies. Tiger Milk Mushroom has the ability to relax and open the lung passage airways, which could help to improve breathing during times of difficulty and improve the respiratory health. Thus, Tiger Milk Mushroom is highly beneficial for asthma sufferers in reducing asthma attacks and dependency on usage of inhalers. Asthma sufferers also reported that consuming Tiger Milk Mushroom can help to shorten the recovery period from an asthmatic attack.
It also helps to relieve sinus, allergy, chronic cough, colds, asthma and other respiratory problems due to its anti-inflammatory and immuno-modulating properties which can effectively repair the damaged tissue of respiratory system, enabling the lungs to restore function, and protect against infectious diseases. Patients with chronic respiratory problems reported that there are fewer episodes of cough, and easier to remove phlegm (especially for smokers) after consuming Tiger Milk Mushroom.
2. Modulates immune system and reduces inflammation
Findings of studies have revealed that supplementation of Tiger Milk Mushroom can improve overall immunity. This is evidenced by significant improvement of special antibody immunoglobulin (IgA) levels after 3 months consumption of Tiger Milk Mushroom. Previous studies conducted in United States, Singapore and France have shown that boosted immunity, especially the enhanced production of IgA in respiratory system can significantly reduce the risk of coronavirus infection. Therefore, Tiger Milk Mushroom has a great potential in helping to fight coronavirus infection.
Furthermore, Tiger Milk Mushroom is found to have anti-inflammatory properties as it is able to suppress the overproduction of interleukins IL-1β and IL-8, hence contribute to conservation of lung function and prevention of damage from pro-inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, it also has the potential to be beneficial in treating chronic respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sinusitis and asthma.
Additionally, the mushroom can also reduce our immune response to allergens, making it the perfect functional food for those with sensitive noses or rhinitis.
3. Natural anti-coagulant properties
Clots within blood vessels can obstruct blood flow and cause blockages in organs. Blood clots can travel to the arteries or veins in the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs and limbs, which in turn can cause heart attack, stroke, damage to the body's organs or even death.
While there are many thrombolytic drugs available to treat thrombosis (blood clots), however bleeding is one of its unwanted side effects. Hence, research on alternatives such as mushrooms are what lead to the discovery of Tiger Milk Mushroom. Tiger Milk Mushroom has natural anticoagulant and fibrinolytic properties (ability to break down blood clots naturally) as demonstrated by a 2018 study. It contains protease-like fibrinolytic enzymes in its crude extracts. Though more research is underway, the current evidence seems to highlight it as a possible alternative to thrombolytics.
4. Anti-tumor & anti-cancer effects and antioxidant properties
Preliminary data revealed that Tiger Milk Mushroom has anti-proliferative effects (ability to slow down spreading of malignant cancer cells) against human colon cancer cells, breast and lung cancer cells, leukemic cells. Studies indicated that the naturally occurring antioxidant compounds found in Tiger Milk Mushroom include phenolic compounds as well as other substances which can neutralize effectively free radicals and therefore may offer protection against oxidative stress-related diseases like cancers. Tiger Milk Mushroom was also found to possess cytotoxicity against breast and lung cancer cells but were non-toxic to the corresponding normal cells. Therefore it holds a great potential as therapeutic agents in future cancer treatment.
In summary, Tiger Milk Mushroom provides various purported health benefits, which include:
Promotes overall lung health
Relieves cough, cold and phlegm
Relieves asthmatic symptoms and improves breathing
Modulates immune system
Supports defense against respiratory infections
Reduces inflammation
Reduces immune responses toward allergens
Reduces sinus symptoms
Improves respiratory allergies
Acts as potent antioxidant and protects against oxidative stress
Anti-tumor and anti-cancer effects by slowing down spreading of malignant cancer cells
Improves blood circulation due to natural anti-coagulant properties