Mesima (Phellinus linteus)
A tree-growing mushroom from Korea and Japan, sold commercially as Mesima — one of the few functional mushrooms with real, randomized clinical trials in humans assessing effects on immunity, not just in-vitro data.
Number of studies
2
Safety
Requires caution
Time to effects
In clinical studies, effects on NK cell activity were measured after 8 weeks of regular use.
Monthly cost
ok. 110–150 zł/miesiąc
Price in Poland
110–150 zł za 90–120 kapsułek ekstraktu z owocnika (30% polisacharydów)
Who it's for
Preparaty sprzedawane pod oryginalną, koreańską/japońską nazwą handlową 'Mesima' bywają droższe niż europejskie ekstrakty o porównywalnej standaryzacji.
Indicative prices for the Polish market — we don't point to specific retailers; the real price depends on the manufacturer, form and place of purchase.
Table of contents
TL;DR
A tree-growing mushroom from Korea and Japan, sold commercially as Mesima — one of the few functional mushrooms with real, randomized clinical trials in humans assessing effects on immunity, not just in-vitro data.
- →In a randomized, double-blind trial with 98 participants, Phellinus linteus extract (1000 mg/day for 8 weeks) significantly increased NK cell activity versus placebo (p = 0.008)
- →An earlier pilot trial (n = 30) observed a trend toward improved NK activity at a dose of 1000 mg/day
- →In-vitro and animal studies suggest an inhibitory effect on angiogenesis and breast cancer cell invasiveness
| Latin name | Phellinus linteus |
|---|---|
| Family | Hymenochaetaceae |
| Active compounds | Beta-glucans, hispidin and derivative phenolic compounds |
| Form | Fruiting body extract in capsules, standardized to about 30% polysaccharides |
| Level of evidence | Preliminary — a handful of randomized clinical trials in humans |
| Interactions | Immunosuppressants, anticoagulants/antiplatelets, oncologic chemotherapy |
| Status | Available in Poland and the EU as a standalone dietary supplement |
Understand
Overview
Phellinus linteus, known commercially under the Korean-Japanese name Mesima, is a hard, tree-growing parasitic mushroom that grows mainly on mulberry trunks in Korea, Japan, and China, where it's also sometimes called sanghuang. In traditional Far Eastern medicine it has been used for centuries for gastrointestinal ailments, and since the 1990s, mainly in South Korea, Phellinus linteus extracts have become a popular part of practices supporting cancer treatment.
Unlike many other 'exotic' functional mushrooms, Mesima has a real, well-established Western and Polish market as a standalone supplement in capsules made from standardized extract. It's also notable for having a handful of randomized, double-blind clinical trials in humans assessing specific, measurable immune parameters — a rarity among functional mushrooms.
The people who stand to benefit most are those who want to support immunity based on a supplement backed by an actual, randomized clinical trial in humans — the increase in NK cell activity in an 8-week RCT is a concrete, measured effect, though it still concerns only one marker of immunity. People counting on a direct anticancer effect will be disappointed — the data on inhibiting angiogenesis and breast cancer cell invasiveness come exclusively from in-vitro and animal studies, not studies in cancer patients. Mesima does not replace treatment, and people with autoimmune disease, those taking anticoagulants, or those preparing for surgery should exercise caution.
Where it's found
A hard, tree-growing parasitic mushroom that grows mainly on mulberry trunks in Korea, Japan, and China.
History of use
Used for centuries in traditional Far Eastern medicine for gastrointestinal ailments. Since the 1990s, mainly in South Korea, Phellinus linteus extracts have become a popular part of practices supporting cancer treatment.
Mechanism of action
The main compounds studied are polysaccharides (including beta-glucans) and phenolic compounds, chiefly hispidin and its derivatives, credited with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In randomized clinical trials in humans, oral Phellinus linteus extract increased NK cell activity compared with placebo. Anticancer mechanisms — inhibition of angiogenesis and cancer cell invasiveness via the AKT pathway — have been confirmed mainly in cell lines and animal models.
The increase in NK cell activity observed in clinical studies is consistent with the general mechanism of action of fungal beta-glucans, which activate innate immune cells through pattern recognition receptors (including dectin-1) on macrophages and dendritic cells — however, the Phellinus linteus studies themselves measured the end effect (NK activity) without confirming this specific receptor as the mediator in humans.
Active compounds
Beta-glucans and phenolic compounds, chiefly hispidin and its derivatives, with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Activation of innate immunity
Oral extract increased NK cell activity versus placebo in randomized clinical trials in humans.
Confirmed clinical effect
In an RCT with 98 participants, the increase in NK activity after 8 weeks was statistically significant (p = 0.008).
Anticancer effect (preclinical)
Inhibition of angiogenesis and breast cancer cell invasiveness via the AKT pathway — confirmed in cell lines and animal models, not in patients.
Evidence: early-stage — based on 2 studies in this database.
Benefits
Common myths
MythMesima is a proven, standalone 'cancer cure.'
FactClinical studies in humans concern primarily its effect on immune markers, not direct cancer treatment. Mesima does not replace chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or other oncologic treatment.
Forms & variants
Mesima (Phellinus linteus) comes in several forms that differ in bioavailability and use case — the form you pick genuinely matters for how effective the supplementation is.
Fruiting body extract in capsules
Usually standardized to at least 30% polysaccharides — the form closest to what's tested in clinical studies in humans.
Best for: The recommended form — the best clinically documented
Mycelium on grain substrate
A cheaper form grown on grain substrate — less often tested clinically.
Best for: Budget alternative
Practice
Frequently asked questions
Yes — unlike many other functional mushrooms, Mesima has been the subject of several randomized, double-blind clinical trials in humans from South Korea, including one with 98 participants showing a significant increase in NK cell activity (p = 0.008).
It should not be treated as a standalone cancer treatment. Available clinical data concern mainly its effect on immune markers. In Asia it's sometimes used as adjunct therapy, always under oncologist supervision.
Dosage & timing
Typical dose
1000–2000 mg of extract daily for immune support (range tested in clinical studies)
Form
Fruiting body extract standardized for polysaccharide content (typically about 30%), in capsules or powder
Dosing is informational and reflects the ranges used in the cited studies — it does not replace consulting a doctor or pharmacist.
Best times to take it
- Any time of day, usually in 1–2 divided doses, with a meal
What to combine with
Good combinations
Turkey Tail — A common pairing in Asia given the similar research profile — immune-supporting polysaccharides as adjunct therapy in oncology
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) — A frequent combination in mushroom stacks aimed at general immunity
Safety
Side effects & contraindications
Possible side effects
No significant liver or kidney function disturbances were reported in available clinical studies at 8 weeks of use at doses up to 2000 mg/day
Rare: gastrointestinal discomfort
Rare: allergic reactions in people allergic to mushrooms
Contraindications
Mushroom allergy
Autoimmune disease — caution due to immunostimulatory effect
Planned surgery and clotting disorders — caution
Pregnancy and breastfeeding — insufficient data
Interactions
Immunosuppressants — theoretical interaction due to immunostimulatory effect, requires medical consultation
Anticoagulants/antiplatelets — theoretical risk of an additive effect on clotting
Oncologic chemotherapy — use only under oncologist supervision
Is it worth taking?
Who it's for
- People looking for a functional mushroom with a genuine base of randomized clinical trials in humans
- People considering immune support during a period of increased strain — only as a complement, not a substitute for treatment
Not for
- Mushroom allergy
- Autoimmune disease — caution due to immunostimulatory effect
- Planned surgery and clotting disorders — caution
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding — insufficient data
Evidence
Worth knowing
The name 'Meshimakobu' literally means 'lump on the mulberry.'
One of the few functional mushrooms with published, randomized clinical trials in nearly 100 participants assessing a specific, measurable immune parameter.
Studies
A randomized, double-blind trial with 98 participants showed a significant increase in NK cell activity after 8 weeks of supplementation with 1000 mg of extract daily versus placebo (p = 0.008).
Ku YH et al., Medicine (Baltimore), 2022
Effects of Phellinus linteus extract on immunity improvement: A CONSORT-randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial
Early-stage evidenceKu YH, Kang JH, Lee H · Medicine (Baltimore) · 2022
A randomized, double-blind trial with 98 participants showed a significant increase in NK cell activity after 8 weeks of supplementation with 1000 mg of extract daily versus placebo (p = 0.008).
View studyEfficacy of Phellinus linteus extract on immunity enhancement: A CONSORT-randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial
Early-stage evidenceKu YH, Kang JH · Medicine (Baltimore) · 2022
A pilot trial (n = 30) observed a trend toward improved NK cell activity versus placebo at a dose of 1000 mg/day after 8 weeks.
View studySources & bibliography
Citations are illustrative for this demo version and require full bibliographic verification by the editorial team before production publication.
Compare with similar entries
About the authors of this entry
Author
Julia WiśniewskaEditor, Neurohacking & Sleep
Julia writes about nootropics, chronobiology and recovery protocols.
45 publications on this site
Medical review
dr Anna KowalczykEditor-in-Chief, Molecular Biology
Anna oversees the editorial process and scientific review of every publication in the knowledge base. She previously researched autophagy and mitochondrial biology.
50 publications on this site
Related entries
4.5Turkey Tail
The mushroom behind PSK and PSP — the only fungal polysaccharides registered in Japan as drugs supporting chemotherapy. Among the most solid clinical evidence of any functional mushroom, but this is NOT a standalone cancer therapy.
4.2Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
A functional mushroom with more than 2,000 years of history in Chinese and Japanese medicine, studied for its immune-modulating effects — human clinical evidence, however, remains modest and partly contradictory.
4.3Shiitake
A culinary-functional mushroom rich in lentinan and beta-glucans, studied clinically for immune modulation and lipid profile — one of the best-researched functional mushrooms on the market.
3.7Split Gill (Schizophyllan)
One of the most common mushroom species on Earth, whose polysaccharide (SPG) is a registered injectable drug in Japan used as an adjunct to radiotherapy for cervical cancer. In Poland and the EU it is neither a registered drug nor a dietary supplement.
4.3Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)
One of the most popular edible mushrooms in Poland, containing a natural compound structurally similar to lovastatin — studied mainly for its effects on lipid profile and immunity.
4.1Almond Mushroom (Agaricus blazei)
A mushroom from the Brazilian forests studied mainly for immune modulation and blood-sugar support — human evidence is mixed and preliminary, despite the supplement's considerable popularity.
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Comments (2)
- KW
Kasia W. 2 weeks ago
Very clearly explained, especially the interactions section — I hadn't seen it laid out this well anywhere else.
- MT
Marek T. a month ago
Are you planning to update this with the newest study from this year? I saw an interesting meta-analysis.