Once a well-kept secret of Malaysia’s rainforests, Tiger Milk Mushroom (Lignosus rhinocerotis) is now gaining global recognition as a science-backed superfood for immunity, lung health, and inflammation relief. Moreover, tiger milk mushroom’s benefits are supported by modern research with measurable improvements.
In this article, we’ll explore what makes tiger milk mushroom so unique and why it’s fast becoming a must-have in modern natural medicine.
What is Tiger Milk Mushroom?
Tiger milk mushroom (Lignosus rhinocerotis) is a traditional medicinal fungus native to Southeast Asia, known for treating respiratory conditions like asthma and chronic cough. Modern studies confirm its anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting, and antioxidant properties, making it a valuable functional food and natural supplement.
Tiger Milk Mushroom Origin, Biology, and History
The Tiger Milk Mushroom is a distinctive fungal species with a rich cultural and scientific history.
Classification and Morphology
TMM belongs to the fungal kingdom, classified under the division Basidiomycota, class Agaricomycetes, and family Polyporaceae, residing within the Lignosus genus. The fungus typically consists of three primary components: the cap (pileus), the stem (stipe), and the underground tuber (sclerotium). The sclerotium is an irregularly shaped, densely packed mass of fungal mycelium that contains nutrient reserves and is the part traditionally harvested for its medicinal properties.
Historically, Lignosus rhinocerotis (also known as L. rhinocerus) was the species commonly accepted as TMM. However, owing to the morphological resemblance observed in the sclerotia of different species, the designation "TMM" may encompass all related species within the Lignosus genus, including L. tigris and L. cameronensis, which were identified as new species in Malaysia.
Geographical Distribution and Origin
This unique mushroom is found primarily in tropical rainforest regions spanning South China, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea.
The earliest documentation of TMM in the Western world dates back to 1664 when a European agent recorded it in The Diary of John Evelyn under the name ‘Lac tygridis,’ meaning "tiger’s milk," noting its use by local populations to treat diseases for which European doctors had no cure. Later, in 1890, Sir Henry Nicholas Ridley, known as the father of Malaya’s rubber industry, recorded the fungus as an important traditional medicine used by local communities.
Folklore and Traditional Use
The local Malay name, "cendawan susu rimau" (tiger milk mushroom), is derived from folklore suggesting the mushroom sprouts on the spot where a tigress drops her milk during lactation, as the sclerotium itself is white and yields a milk-like solution when processed. Indigenous people, particularly the Orang Asli tribes in Malaysia, traditionally use the sclerotium to treat ailments like fever, joint pain, and food poisoning, and consume it as a general tonic to boost stamina and alertness during hunting. Traditional preparation typically involves crushing or slicing the sclerotium, mixing the juice with water to form a tonic, or boiling it.
Tiger Milk Mushroom Health Benefits (Backed by Science)
The most significant area of research surrounding Tiger Milk Mushroom focuses on its profound therapeutic potential, particularly concerning respiratory health, inflammation, and immunity.
The claims regarding the therapeutic potential and health benefits of the Tiger Milk Mushroom (Lignosus rhinocerotis or TMM) are factually supported by recent scientific research, including clinical trials and animal/laboratory studies mentioned in the provided sources.
Supports Respiratory Health and Asthma Relief
TMM holds a long history of traditional use by indigenous communities across Southeast Asia for treating various respiratory ailments, including chronic cough, asthma, and sore throat. Scientific investigations, including human clinical studies, have strongly validated these traditional claims, positioning TMM as a potential alternative or adjuvant treatment for respiratory diseases.
In clinical settings, TMM supplementation has been demonstrated to effectively improve overall respiratory health and immunity. Following three months of supplementation, participants showed significant improvements in pulmonary function, marked by a 27.2% improvement in the ratio of Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) to Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), and a dramatic decrease in self-reported respiratory symptoms (scoring dropped by over 74%). The mushroom also exhibits bronchodilating effects, specifically showing airway relaxation effects in pre-contracted airways.
These benefits are largely attributed to its anti-inflammatory properties. In studies using animal models of allergic asthma, TMM extract significantly reduced crucial markers of allergic reaction. This includes ameliorating the increase in total Immunoglobulin E (IgE) in serum and decreasing T-helper type 2 (Th2) cytokine levels (such as Interleukin-4, Interleukin-5, and Interleukin-13) in the lungs. Crucially, the extract suppressed the infiltration of eosinophils in the lungs, which are key inflammatory cells in asthma pathology.
Boosts Immunity and Reduces Inflammation
Beyond respiratory specifics, TMM possesses powerful general immunomodulating capabilities, allowing it to both enhance protective immune functions and suppress detrimental inflammation. In clinical research, TMM supplementation significantly induced the level of Immunoglobulin A (IgA), nearly doubling it in participants after three months. Since IgA is the predominant immunoglobulin isotype in mucosal tissue, this increase reflects a strengthened respiratory mucosal immunity, which acts as the body’s first line of defence against pathogens.
The mushroom’s extracts exhibit potent anti-inflammatory activity, effectively mitigating inflammatory responses. This effect has been shown to reduce key pro-inflammatory cytokines, specifically decreasing Interleukin 1β (IL-1β) by almost 55% and Interleukin 8 (IL-8) by roughly 41% in clinical trials. Preclinical studies further show that high-molecular-weight protein fractions derived from TMM inhibit the production of Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α) in macrophage cells. This regulatory effect is suggested to be partially attributed to its rich content of linoleic acid, which inhibits inflammatory responses by regulating signalling pathways.
Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Effects
TMM contributes significantly to the body’s defence against oxidative stress. Clinical findings indicate that supplementation can effectively increase the total antioxidant capacity by approximately 70% and reduce malondialdehyde (MDA) content, an indicator of lipid peroxidation due to oxidative damage. This is due to the presence of high phenolic content, which enhances the capacity to scavenge free radicals.
Furthermore, TMM demonstrates potential neuroprotective and neuritogenic properties. Aqueous extracts from the sclerotium stimulate neurite outgrowth in neuronal cells, an activity considered comparable to Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). This neuritogenic activity is vital for maintaining the neuronal communication network and is suggested to follow the NGF responsive pathway, activating receptors like TrkA and the MEK/ERK1/2 signalling pathway, suggesting the presence of neuroactive compounds that mimic NGF.
Antiproliferative and Antidiabetic Properties
The mushroom has historically been used to treat various cancers, and modern studies provide some scientific basis for this use. Cold water extracts of the sclerotia exhibit significant antiproliferative activity against human breast carcinoma (MCF-7) and human lung carcinoma (A549) cells, while displaying negligible toxicity against corresponding normal human cell lines. This cytotoxicity is mediated via apoptosis (programmed cell death) and is linked to a high-molecular-weight fraction, which may be a protein-carbohydrate complex.
In terms of metabolic health, freeze-dried TMM powder has demonstrated antidiabetic properties in streptozotocin-induced diabetic animal models. The powder significantly reduced elevated blood glucose concentrations to a normal range and increased the activity of key antioxidant enzymes like reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT), suggesting its potential in ameliorating diabetic complications.
Other potential benefits include anti-HIV, photoprotective, anti-ageing, wound-healing, and anti-microbial activities, including action against numerous pathogenic bacteria and fungi.
Active Compounds and Nutritional Value of Tiger Milk Mushroom
The efficacy of TMM as a medicine and a functional food is tied directly to its complex biochemical profile.
Key Bioactive Compounds
The primary bioactive substances identified in TMM sclerotia are polysaccharides and polysaccharide-protein complexes, notably beta-glucans, which constitute the dominant glucans in aqueous extracts. These compounds are integral to the mushroom’s immunomodulatory and anti-tumour effects. The cultivated cultivar contains a specific fraction rich in these components, often referred to as "Rhinoprolycan." Furthermore, the sclerotium is rich in other phytochemicals, including secondary metabolites like linoleic acid, octadecane, and 2,3-dihydroxypropyl elaidate. The mushroom’s genome also codes for specialised proteins, such as lectin and fungal immunomodulatory proteins (FIPs).
Nutritional Value Comparison
As a functional food, TMM sclerotia are primarily rich in carbohydrates, possessing moderate protein content and being low in fat. Analyses have compared wild and cultivated strains, showing that cultivated TMM is often superior nutritionally. Cultivated strains can have almost twice the protein content and energy value compared to wild types, along with higher content of water-soluble substances and phenolic compounds.
Should You Try Tiger Milk Mushroom?
With centuries of traditional use and growing scientific validation, tiger milk mushroom offers impressive benefits for respiratory wellness, inflammation control, and immune support. Whether you're managing asthma, looking to boost mucosal immunity, or seeking antioxidant protection, this powerful fungus is worth considering.
Where to Buy Tiger Milk Mushroom in Malaysia
The best place to buy tiger milk mushroom in Malaysia is PurelyB, the only brand offering a clinically proven TM02‑xLr® extract that’s 5x more effective than regular powder. Each sachet supports lung health, immunity, and allergy relief, with a natural sour‑candy taste.
FAQs
What is Tiger Milk Mushroom good for?
Tiger Milk Mushroom (TMM) is traditionally used to treat respiratory ailments like cough, asthma, bronchitis, fever, and allergies. Scientific research confirms its diverse health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. It also shows potential for managing antidiabetic conditions, exhibiting anti-tumour effects, promoting neuroprotection, and aiding in wound healing, making it a valuable functional food.
Is Tiger Milk Mushroom safe for daily use?
Yes, TMM appears safe for daily consumption. Preclinical toxicology evaluations confirmed that the sclerotium powder of the cultivated strain (Lignosus rhinocerus TM02) caused no treatment-related sub-acute toxicity in rats, even at high doses. The no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) was found to be higher than 1000 mg/kg. Clinical studies involving 600 mg daily supplementation for three months reported no adverse effects.
How long does it take for Tiger Milk Mushroom to work?
Clinical evidence suggests that TMM requires regular consumption over several months to demonstrate significant efficacy. In a study where participants took 600 mg of TMM fine powder daily, significant improvements in respiratory health and immunity were observed after three months. Specifically, key indicators like pulmonary function (FEV1/FVC ratio) and IgA levels showed significant improvement after this duration.
What makes PurelyB’s Tiger Milk Mushroom different?
PurelyB offers the TM02-xLr® extract, derived from the researched TM02 cultivar. This extract is concentrated and noted for being rich in Rhinoprolycan, the active polysaccharide-protein complex responsible for its benefits. Cultivated TM02 strains often possess superior nutritional value and higher water-soluble compounds compared to wild types. The supplement is also formulated with natural sweeteners, giving it a characteristic sour candy taste.
