Wood Ear (Auricularia auricula-judae)
A jelly fungus popular in Asian cuisine, growing in Poland mainly on elder — studied since the 1980s for anticoagulant and antiplatelet effects relevant to people taking blood-thinning medication.
Number of studies
2
Safety
Requires caution
Time to effects
Antiplatelet activity can appear after a single larger portion and may last from a few days to over a week.
Monthly cost
ok. 20-40 zł przy stosowaniu kulinarnym; 60-100 zł przy suplementacji ekstraktem
Price in Poland
15-30 zł za 100 g suszonego grzyba; 60-120 zł za ekstrakt w kapsułkach (60 szt.)
Who it's for
Ceny zależą od formy (suszony vs. ekstrakt) i pochodzenia produktu.
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 jelly fungus popular in Asian cuisine, growing in Poland mainly on elder — studied since the 1980s for anticoagulant and antiplatelet effects relevant to people taking blood-thinning medication.
- →Contains polysaccharides with anticoagulant effects documented in in vitro and animal studies
- →A source of dietary fiber and beta-glucans that support gut microbiota
- →Studied for its potential support of a healthy lipid profile
| Latin name | Auricularia auricula-judae |
|---|---|
| Family | Auriculariaceae (jelly ear family) |
| Active compounds | Acidic polysaccharides (mannose, glucuronic acid), beta-glucans, melanins |
| Form | Dried fruiting bodies, powder, capsule extract |
| Level of evidence | Preliminary — in vitro and laboratory studies only, no clinical trials in humans |
| Interactions | Warfarin, aspirin/clopidogrel, heparin, NSAIDs |
| Status | Available as food (culinary mushroom) and as a dietary supplement |
Understand
Overview
Wood ear (Auricularia auricula-judae), also known as jelly ear, is a gelatinous fungus that grows most often on decaying elder wood. In Asian cuisine (under the name "mun" or "mu er") it has been a prized soup ingredient for thousands of years, valued for its crunchy-jelly texture.
It's one of the few culinary mushrooms whose effect on the body has solid biochemical grounding beyond tradition — since the 1980s researchers have documented polysaccharides in it with a real effect on blood clotting.
Who does this mushroom genuinely "help"? Mainly healthy people who want to add it to their diet as general circulatory support — the anticoagulant effect of its polysaccharides has a solid biochemical basis, but it rests entirely on in vitro and laboratory studies, without clinical trials in humans. For people with clotting disorders, those taking warfarin, aspirin, or other anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs, and those planning surgery, this mushroom — especially in larger, non-culinary doses — represents a real risk of increased bleeding rather than a potential benefit.
Where it's found
Grows on decaying or dead deciduous wood; in Poland almost exclusively on elder, more rarely on other deciduous trees. A common species, fruiting from spring to autumn. Cultivated commercially on a large scale in Asia.
Mechanism of action
The main focus of research is acidic polysaccharides rich in mannose and glucuronic acid, which in in vitro studies enhance antithrombin's ability to inhibit thrombin, prolonging blood clotting time. The mushroom also provides beta-glucans that support gut microbiota and antioxidant compounds (melanins).
Mechanistically, the polysaccharides' action resembles heparin: by binding antithrombin, they trigger a conformational change that dramatically speeds up this protein's neutralization of thrombin and factor Xa. This effect covers both the intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation pathways.
Release of polysaccharides
During preparation and digestion, acidic polysaccharides rich in mannose and glucuronic acid are released from the fruiting body.
Binding to antithrombin
The polysaccharides bind antithrombin, similarly to heparin, triggering a conformational change.
Enhanced inhibition of thrombin and factor Xa
The conformationally altered antithrombin neutralizes thrombin and factor Xa far more effectively.
Prolonged clotting time
The result is prolonged clotting time along both the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways.
Evidence: early-stage — based on 2 studies in this database.
Benefits
Common myths
MythIt's just a flavoring addition to soups, with no health properties.
FactResearch dating back to the 1980s documents this mushroom's polysaccharides having a real effect on blood clotting.
Forms & variants
Wood Ear (Auricularia auricula-judae) comes in several forms that differ in bioavailability and use case — the form you pick genuinely matters for how effective the supplementation is.
Dried fruiting bodies
The traditional form found in Asian grocery stores — requires soaking.
Best for: Culinary use
Standardized extract (capsules)
A concentrated polysaccharide extract.
Best for: People looking for a standardized dose
Practice
Frequently asked questions
Yes — in vitro studies have shown that its acidic polysaccharides enhance antithrombin's action, prolonging blood clotting time.
Dosage & timing
Typical dose
In culinary form: 5–15 g of dried mushroom daily; in extracts: 500–1000 mg of polysaccharides daily
Form
Dried fruiting bodies (to be soaked), powder, capsule extract
People taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications, and those planning surgery, should consult a doctor about consuming this mushroom.
Best times to take it
- As an addition to meals
What to combine with
Good combinations
Tremella (Snow Fungus) — Both jelly fungi are often paired together in cooking
Shiitake — Complementary profiles — shiitake supports immunity, wood ear supports circulation
Use caution with
Black Fungus (Auricularia polytricha, Mu Er) — Simultaneous, high-dose use of both Auricularia species together with anticoagulant medication may further increase bleeding risk
Safety
Side effects & contraindications
Possible side effects
Generally well tolerated in typical culinary amounts
May increase the risk of bleeding and bruising, especially at higher doses
Rarely: allergic reactions
Contraindications
Blood clotting disorders
Planned surgical or dental procedure within the next 1–2 weeks
Concurrent use of anticoagulant/antiplatelet medications without medical supervision
Interactions
Warfarin and other vitamin K antagonists — potential enhancement of anticoagulant effect
Aspirin, clopidogrel, and other antiplatelet drugs — risk of additive effect
Heparin and low-molecular-weight heparins — theoretical risk of enhanced effect
NSAIDs — additional burden on the clotting system
Is it worth taking?
Who it's for
- People wanting to consciously add functional mushrooms to their diet in culinary form
- People interested in natural circulatory support — only without contraindications and after consulting a doctor
Not for
- Blood clotting disorders
- Planned surgical or dental procedure within the next 1–2 weeks
- Concurrent use of anticoagulant/antiplatelet medications without medical supervision
Evidence
Worth knowing
It grows mainly on decaying elder wood, hence its Polish name.
Research into its anticoagulant activity dates back to the 1980s.
Studies
The isolated acidic polysaccharide inhibits blood clotting by enhancing antithrombin's action on thrombin.
Yoon SJ et al., Thrombosis Research, 2003
The nontoxic mushroom Auricularia auricula contains a polysaccharide with anticoagulant activity mediated by antithrombin
Early-stage evidenceYoon SJ, Yu MA, Pyun YR, Hwang JK, Chu DC, Juneja LR, Mourão PAS · Thrombosis Research · 2003
An in vitro study showed that the isolated acidic polysaccharide inhibits blood clotting by enhancing antithrombin's action on thrombin.
View studyExtraction Optimization, Structural Characterization, and Anticoagulant Activity of Acidic Polysaccharides from Auricularia auricula-judae
Early-stage evidenceBian C, Wang Z, Shi J · Molecules · 2020
Optimized extraction of the polysaccharides prolonged blood clotting time along both the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways.
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
Michał NowakClinical Dietitian
Michał specializes in metabolic nutrition, intermittent fasting and sports supplementation.
61 publications on this site
Medical review
dr Piotr ZielińskiEndocrinologist
Piotr reviews content on hormones, metabolic health and supplement pharmacology.
131 publications on this site
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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.