The dosage of shan ci mushrooms for internal use is 3~9g (one day’s dosage for adults), so the maximum dosage for internal use is 9g, and the dosage for external use is moderate.
Cold in nature, sweet and slightly pungent in flavor, it enters the liver and spleen meridians. Its basic effects are clearing heat and removing toxins, resolving phlegm and dispersing lumps. It is used in treating carbuncle, sores and poison, scrofula and phlegm (tuberculosis of lymph nodes in the neck and subcutaneous lumps like nuclei), mass in the abdomen (lumps as well as lumps in women’s lower abdomen), snake and insect bites, etc. It is also used in the treatment of heat and toxic congestion.
For the treatment of sores, carbuncles and swollen poisons caused by heat and toxins, it can be used externally with vermilion sand, musk and andrographis; for the treatment of scrofula and phlegm nuclei caused by phlegm and fire, it can be used together with xuan shen (玄参), xiakou cao (夏枯草), zhe pei mou (浙贝母).
The adverse reactions and contraindications of shan ci mushrooms are not clear. The specific dosage of Cimicifuga is to be decided by the doctor according to the individual’s condition and physique, and if it is needed, it is recommended to be guided by a professional physician.