Tremella mushroom has created a buzz in beauty circles in recent years yet its fame as the beauty mushroom didn’t arrive overnight. Tremella comes to us from a long tradition of use in ancient China as the secret to a youthful complexion amongst noblewomen who sought to nourish their beauty. The practice of feasting on Tremella as part of a beauty ritual can be traced back over 2,000 years to the Tang Dynasty, when it was considered a beauty elixir fit for an empress.
In this Journal entry, we explore how Tremella first became somewhat of an ancient beauty legend and delve into its modern uses for promoting skin health and radiance.
Tremella's Ancient Origins
The most well-known historical figure to attribute her flawless complexion to Tremella was Yang Guifei. Also known as Yang Yuhuan, Yang Guifei was a woman of legend who lived during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE). Renowned for her unparalleled beauty, she captured the heart of Emperor Xuanzong and became one of his most beloved consorts. Yang Guifei's allure was said to be simply incomparable, with poets and artists of the time immortalizing her beauty through their works.
According to ancient lore, Yang Guifei's radiant beauty was attributed to her consumption of Tremella medicinal mushroom. The story goes that Yang Guifei's renowned glow and supple skin were the result of a special beauty regimen that incorporated Tremella mushroom as a key ingredient. It was believed that this mushroom possessed unique properties that rejuvenated the skin, cleared imperfections, and enhanced one's natural beauty.
It is also said that Yang Guifei's love for Tremella mushroom extended beyond beauty rituals, enjoying the mushroom to not only protect her youthful appearance but promote inner vitality. This association between Tremella mushroom and Yang Guifei's beauty contributed to its widespread popularity among the nobility and aristocracy during the Tang Dynasty, further elevating the beauty shroom’s status. You could almost say Yang Guifei and Tremella went viral.
Tremella ~ A Natural Beauty Ritual
Often found growing on hardwood, broadleaf trees, in the wild Tremella Fuciformis (its scientific name) resembles a frilly jellyfish that has found its way into the forest. Exquisite to behold, it's even more exquisite to taste with our Tremella extract powder having a softly sweet malty flavour – and yes you will catch us eating Tremella directly off the spoon!
Considered to help to naturally slow the signs of ageing, Tremella mushroom is prized for its hydrating, healing and skin rejuvenating properties. Read on as we dive deep into what modern research has uncovered about Tremella’s benefits for beauty and skin health.
Tremella ~ Skin Hydration & Moisture Retention
Plump, dewy skin? Yes, please! Tremella medicinal mushroom contains a high concentration of polysaccharides, which act as natural humectants. These polysaccharides have the remarkable ability to hold up to 500 times their weight in water. Like hyaluronic acid, Tremella mushroom draws and holds moisture through the skin’s layers. A 2016 study [1]demonstrated Tremella’s moisture retention capacity to be greater than hyaluronic acid, supporting the supple and plump appearance of the skin.
What gives Tremella the edge over hyaluronic acid? Tremella’s particle sizes are actually smaller than those of hyaluronic acid, giving Tremella the ability to hold 5 times more water and allowing it to penetrate the skin more easily. And as we know our bodies produce hyaluronic acid, though as we age, its production starts to decrease which is why Tremella is such a beautiful shroom to incorporate into your skincare regime, moisturising from the inside out. When ingested, it helps to retain moisture in the skin, resulting in a soft, dewy complexion which can come in particularly handy across the cooler months when our moisture barrier has a little more work to do when faced with the cool, dry air of Autumn and Winter.
Tremella ~ Collagen Production
When it comes to skin and the visible signs of ageing, collagen is never too far from the conversation. Collagen is a protein present in our skin and bones that helps them to keep their structure, and becomes increasingly depleted as we age affecting the elasticity and appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. A 2015 study found that when applied topically, Tremella may increase collagen by 22-26% [2].
Tremella ~ Skin Brightening
Tremella mushroom is brimming with antioxidants, including vitamin C, selenium and superoxide dismutase (SOD) which help combat free radicals that contribute to the appearance of ageing. When free radicals become too abundant in the body due to sun damage, stress, or pollution, SOD can work against free radical damage to the skin helping with dark spots, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, wound healing, and sun damage, which is why it is used in many cosmetics as an antioxidant and anti-ageing ingredient. By helping to generate SOD Tremella can act as a regenerative anti-inflammatory for the skin, maintaining the lipid and moisture barrier.
Tremella ~ Soothing & Calming
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tremella is primarily known for its ability to nourish Yin energy and moisten dryness. Yin represents the feminine, nourishing, cooling, and moistening aspects of the body. Yin is responsible for nourishing and moisturizing the body's organs and tissues, promoting rest and rejuvenation, and providing a peaceful state of balance. As a Yin nurturer Tremella's moisturising properties make it a valuable remedy to promote hydration, improve complexion, and alleviate symptoms of internal heat that can sometimes manifest in skin inflammation with symptoms like acne, eczema or rosacea.
How to Enjoy Tremella The Beauty Mushroom
Have we mentioned how delicious Tremella is? With a sweet, malty flavour Tremella is a great place to start if you’re new to medicinal mushrooms as it just tastes so heavenly!
You can eat it as is or pretty much add it to anything – smoothies, breakfast bowls, oats, baked treats, on top of fruit, and the list goes on. And it also adds a slightly creamy texture and flavour when added to coffee or tea. For more inspiration check out our Strawberry, Tremella & Hemp Skin Support Smoothie or our Journal entry on The Best Ways to Use Medicinal Mushrooms.
Inner Atlas Tremella Mushroom Extract Powder
As a natural remedy for healthy, glowing skin Tremella could prove your new best friend. With our range of medicinal mushrooms we’ve worked really hard to be able to offer the most superior quality possible.
Wood-Grown and Semi-Wild Cultivated.
This is important as wood is the natural substrate that mushies grow and feed on and are responsible for helping to produce a high level of active compounds.
Highly Potent, our mushies contain greater than 30% beta-D-glucans.
Most of our batches of medicinal mushrooms are closer than 40% beta-d-glucans. If you’re ever curious of the beta-d-glucan level of the mushroom you’re working with just drop us a note at hello@inneratlas.com.au .
Fruiting Body Only.
We use 100% real mushrooms with no added fillers or mycelium.
Di Tao Sourced.
We sourced our Tremella from the pristine di tao location of Gutian County, Fujian, China. Di tao sourcing refers to the Taoist tradition of sourcing a mushroom or herb from its spiritual homeland or place where it has traditionally grown.
Lab Tested.
We lab-test all of our mushies for purity and potency here in Australia.
Certified Organic.
Our mushies are USDA and EU certified organic.
Packed in Australia.
We pack our mushies with love here in Australia.
References:
[1] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305078746_Mushroom_Cosmetics_The_Present_and_Future
[2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S175646461500554X
