now fungus is a white, nearly translucent, "trembling" fungus that grows on a great variety of trees throughout Asia and in warmer climates worldwide. The fungus gets the common name of wood ear for the way it looks on the decaying logs on which it grows. Good-quality snow fungus has a pale, yellowish-white color and a mucilage like texture. Chinese and Japanese herbalists have used snow fungus for more than 2,000 years, primarily to increase fluids in the body, for dry coughs, and for palpitations. It has been used as a tonic herb and as a beauty enhancer to improve the complexion.
USES
Snow fungus is an immune stimulant that fights infection, especially chronic infections. Studies have found that it also demonstrates antitumor activity, lowers levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad" cholesterol), protects the liver, and fights inflammation, and that it may slow the aging process. Supposedly, if snow fungus is eaten regularly, facial freckles will disappear, although this has not been tested in any scientific fashion.