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Limited evidenceGeneral health

Antrodia Camphorata

A rare Taiwanese fungus (Antrodia cinnamomea) grown commercially as mycelium and sold for liver support and hangovers. Two small randomised trials show modest movement in liver enzymes; the hangover claim has never been tested.

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What the science says

  • Liver enzymes in fatty liver disease Limited evidence

    A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis reported improvement in liver enzymes with Antrodia cinnamomea mycelium. The trial was small, single-centre and used a proprietary product, with liver enzymes rather than clinical outcomes as the endpoint.

  • Liver markers in healthy "subhealth" adults Limited evidence

    A second randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in Japanese adults with mildly abnormal liver markers reported a hepatoprotective effect. Like the first, it was small and industry-linked, and no independent group has replicated the finding.

  • Hangover relief Limited evidence

    Antrodia is widely marketed in Taiwan as a drinking aid, but no randomised trial has tested it against alcohol hangover. A first-in-human phase I study established only that a purified botanical extract was tolerated in healthy volunteers.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseTrial doses are not consistent between studies. Commercial labels typically suggest 300–1,000 mg/day of mycelium powder or extract; the fruiting body is far more expensive and rarely what is sold.
SafetyShort trials report good tolerance, and a phase I study found an extract acceptable in healthy volunteers. Products are unstandardised and vary enormously in composition and price, with widespread mislabelling. It is not a treatment for liver disease and must not replace medical care or be used as licence to drink more. Avoid in pregnancy, breastfeeding and children; caution with immunosuppressants.

How to take it

TimingTiming does not matter; trial dosing was not consistent enough to support a schedule.
With food?Take with food to reduce stomach upset.
Worth knowingCheck whether you are buying mycelium or fruiting body, because they differ chemically and mislabelling in this category is widespread and expensive.

Interactions

With medications

  • immunosuppressants (ciclosporin, tacrolimus, azathioprine)

    Medicinal mushroom preparations are promoted for immune modulation and may work against immunosuppression, with no data on the combination. do not combine without medical supervision

Well-established interactions only — this is not a complete list. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist what you take.

Frequently asked questions

Does antrodia camphorata cure hangovers?

The hangover claim for antrodia camphorata has never been tested in a randomized trial, despite heavy marketing in Taiwan. It must not be used as licence to drink more.

Is antrodia camphorata good for the liver?

Evidence is limited: two small, industry-linked randomized trials of antrodia camphorata mycelium reported modest improvements in liver enzymes, with no clinical outcomes and no independent replication. It is not a treatment for liver disease.

How much antrodia camphorata per day?

Commercial labels typically suggest 300–1000 mg/day of antrodia camphorata mycelium powder or extract; trial doses were inconsistent. Check whether you are buying mycelium or fruiting body, as mislabelling is widespread.

Is antrodia camphorata safe with immunosuppressants?

Do not combine antrodia camphorata with immunosuppressants such as ciclosporin or tacrolimus without medical supervision, since medicinal mushrooms may work against immunosuppression. Also avoid it in pregnancy, breastfeeding and children.

Scientific references

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