Cantharellus cibarius

Cantharellus cibarius

Product Name: Лисичка настоящая, Cantharellus cibarius, Echter Pfifferling, Rebozuelo común, Girolle, فطر الشانتريل الذهبي, เห็ดมันปู, Одатий лисичкаси, Кадимки түлкү кулак, Sarı tülküqulağı, Лисичкаи зард, Voveraitė tikroji, Parastā gailene, Лисичка справжня, Sarı tülküqulağı, קנטרלה זהובה

Synonyms: лисичка обыкновенная, лисичка жёлтая, лисичка настоящая, chanterelle, golden chanterelle, true chanterelle, girolle, girole, Pfifferling, Echter Pfifferling, Eierschwammerl, rebozuelo, canterela, girolle commune, chanterelle commune, فطر الشانتريل, فطر الكنترول, เห็ดมันปู, เห็ดคันตาเรล

Parts Used: fruiting bodies, mycelium, spore mass

Main Indications for the Use of Cantharellus cibarius: dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, chronic gastritis without atrophy of the mucous membrane, functional dyspepsia, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, mild secondary immunodeficiency, recurrent acute respiratory viral infections, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance.

Indications for the Use of Cantharellus cibarius in Mixtures and Complexes: arterial atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic viral hepatitis without cirrhosis, chronic cholecystitis without a calculous component, chronic pancreatitis outside of exacerbation, intestinal parasitic infestations, atopic dermatitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome.

Main Pharmacological Properties of Cantharellus cibarius: immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, gastroprotective, cytoprotective, prebiotic, membrane-stabilizing, detoxifying.

Dosage of Pharmaceutical Forms — Cantharellus cibarius

Powder — Cantharellus cibarius

Indications (Powder): dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, functional dyspepsia, chronic gastritis without atrophy of the mucous membrane, mild secondary immunodeficiency.

Standard Dosage (Powder): 1 gram 2 times a day after meals, course duration — 30 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Powder): 2 grams 2 times a day after meals, course duration — 30 days, recommended for metabolic syndrome, hypercholesterolemia, insulin resistance.

Maximum Dosage (Powder): 3 grams 2 times a day after meals, course duration — 21 days, recommended for pronounced dyslipidemia under the control of blood biochemical parameters.

Preventive Dosage (Powder): 1 gram once a day after meals, course duration — 21 days, recommended for metabolic syndrome, mild hypercholesterolemia, persons over 40 years of age, patients with overweight.

Pediatric Dosage (Powder): use allowed from 12 years of age with a body weight of at least 40 kilograms, 0.5 grams once a day after meals, course duration — 21 days.

Contraindications (Powder): individual hypersensitivity to mushrooms, acute gastritis, peptic ulcer of the stomach in the acute stage, acute pancreatitis; data on contraindications during pregnancy and lactation are not scientifically registered.

Side Effects (Powder): dyspepsia, flatulence, nausea when exceeding the maximum dosage.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Powder): for body weight below 60 kilograms, reduce dosage by 20 percent; for body weight above 60 kilograms, a dosage increase of 10–20 percent is allowed in the absence of contraindications.

Preparation Method (Powder): dried fruiting bodies 100 grams; clean, grind to a homogeneous powder at a temperature not exceeding +40 °C, sift through a fine sieve, package in airtight glass containers.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Powder): store at a temperature of +5...+25 °C, in a dry place, protect from light and sources of electromagnetic radiation; shelf life 12 months; after opening, use within 60 days.

Dry Extract — Cantharellus cibarius

Indications (Dry Extract): non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, metabolic syndrome, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, mild secondary immunodeficiency.

Standard Dosage (Dry Extract): 500 milligrams 2 times a day after meals, course duration — 30 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Dry Extract): 1000 milligrams 2 times a day after meals, course duration — 30 days, recommended for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome.

Maximum Dosage (Dry Extract): 1500 milligrams 2 times a day after meals, course duration — 21 days, recommended for pronounced dyslipidemia under the control of laboratory parameters.

Preventive Dosage (Dry Extract): 500 milligrams once a day after meals, course duration — 21 days, recommended for persons over 40 years of age, patients with overweight, for chronic mild hypercholesterolemia.

Pediatric Dosage (Dry Extract): use allowed from 12 years of age with a body weight of at least 40 kilograms, 250 milligrams once a day, course duration — 21 days.

Contraindications (Dry Extract): individual hypersensitivity to mushrooms, acute pancreatitis, exacerbation of peptic ulcer of the stomach; data on contraindications during pregnancy and lactation are not scientifically registered.

Side Effects (Dry Extract): dyspepsia, nausea, diarrhea when exceeding the maximum dosage.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Dry Extract): for body weight below 60 kilograms, reduce dosage by 20 percent; for body weight above 60 kilograms, a dosage increase of 10–20 percent is allowed in the absence of contraindications.

Preparation Method (Dry Extract): fruiting body powder 20 grams, purified water 180 grams; extract in a water bath at a temperature up to +50 °C for 2 hours, filter, evaporate to a thick state at a temperature not exceeding +50 °C, dry to a dry residue, grind, bring the mass to 100 grams by adding powder; if ethanol is used as an extractant, it is used only for extraction and is not a component of the finished preparation; after extraction, complete removal of the solvent is required by evaporation at a temperature not exceeding +50 °C or vacuum evaporation until the solvent odor completely disappears; permissible residual content — within pharmacopoeial limits.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Dry Extract): store at a temperature of +5...+25 °C, in a dry place, protect from light and sources of electromagnetic radiation; shelf life 12 months; after opening, use within 60 days.

Tincture — Cantharellus cibarius

Indications (Tincture): dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease without cirrhosis, functional dyspepsia, mild secondary immunodeficiency.

Standard Dosage (Tincture): 5 milliliters 2 times a day after meals, course duration — 30 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Tincture): 10 milliliters 2 times a day after meals, course duration — 30 days, recommended for metabolic syndrome, hypercholesterolemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease without signs of cytolysis.

Maximum Dosage (Tincture): 15 milliliters 2 times a day after meals, course duration — 21 days, recommended for pronounced dyslipidemia under the control of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activity.

Preventive Dosage (Tincture): 5 milliliters once a day after meals, course duration — 21 days, recommended for patients with mild hypercholesterolemia, persons over 40 years of age, patients with overweight.

Pediatric Dosage (Tincture): use is not recommended until 18 years of age due to the presence of ethanol in the composition and the absence of clinical data.

Contraindications (Tincture): individual hypersensitivity to mushrooms, chronic alcoholism, liver cirrhosis, chronic viral hepatitis in the acute stage, acute pancreatitis, pregnancy, lactation.

Side Effects (Tincture): nausea, dyspepsia, a feeling of heaviness in the epigastrium, transient increase in the activity of liver transaminases when exceeding the maximum dosage.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Tincture): for body weight below 60 kilograms, reduce dosage by 20 percent; for body weight above 60 kilograms, a dosage increase of 10–20 percent is allowed in the absence of contraindications.

Preparation Method (Tincture): fruiting body powder 20 grams, food-grade ethanol 40 percent 80 grams; mix in a glass container, infuse for 14 days at a temperature of +20...+25 °C in a dark place with daily stirring, filter, bring the mass to 100 grams with 40 percent ethanol; ethanol is a component of the finished preparation.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Tincture): store in a dark glass container at a temperature of +5...+25 °C, protect from light and sources of electromagnetic radiation; shelf life 24 months; after opening, use within 90 days.

Serum — Cantharellus cibarius

Indications (Serum): atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, telogen effluvium, diffuse alopecia, xerosis of the skin, photoaging of the skin.

Standard Dosage (Serum): apply 2 milliliters to cleansed skin once a day, course duration — 30 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Serum): apply 2 milliliters 2 times a day, course duration — 30 days, recommended for seborrheic dermatitis and telogen effluvium.

Maximum Dosage (Serum): apply up to 5 milliliters per day to limited areas of the skin, course duration — 21 days, recommended for pronounced skin xerosis.

Preventive Dosage (Serum): apply 1 milliliter once a day, course duration — 14 days, recommended for dry skin and exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Pediatric Dosage (Serum): use allowed from 12 years of age with a body weight of at least 40 kilograms, 1 milliliter once a day.

Contraindications (Serum): individual hypersensitivity to mushroom components, open infected wounds; data on contraindications during pregnancy and lactation are not scientifically registered.

Side Effects (Serum): contact dermatitis, itching, erythema with individual hypersensitivity.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Serum): for external use, adjustment by body weight is not required.

Preparation Method (Serum): dry extract 5 grams, chamomile hydrolate 70 grams, fractionated coconut oil 20 grams, vegetable glycerin 5 grams; dissolve the extract in the hydrolate at a temperature of +36...+38 °C, add glycerin, then slowly add the coconut oil with constant stirring until a homogeneous emulsion is obtained, bring the mass to 100 grams.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Serum): store at a temperature of +4...+8 °C, protect from light and sources of electromagnetic radiation; shelf life 30 days; after opening, use within 14 days.

Cream — Cantharellus cibarius

Indications (Cream): atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, skin xerosis, contact dermatitis outside the oozing stage, skin photoaging, papulopustular acne of mild degree.

Standard Dosage (Cream): apply 2–3 grams to the affected area 1–2 times a day, course duration — 30 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Cream): apply 3–4 grams 2 times a day, course duration — 30 days, recommended for atopic dermatitis and pronounced skin xerosis.

Maximum Dosage (Cream): apply up to 6 grams per day to limited areas of the skin, course duration — 21 days, recommended for chronic dermatitis without signs of secondary bacterial infection.

Preventive Dosage (Cream): apply 1–2 grams once a day, course duration — 14 days, recommended for dry skin, exposure to adverse climatic factors, in patients with chronic dermatitis in remission.

Pediatric Dosage (Cream): use allowed from 6 years of age with a body weight of at least 20 kilograms, apply 1 gram once a day, course duration — 14 days.

Contraindications (Cream): individual hypersensitivity to mushroom components, open infected wounds, weeping dermatoses; data on contraindications during pregnancy and lactation are not scientifically registered.

Side Effects (Cream): contact dermatitis, itching, erythema when exceeding the recommended dosage or with individual hypersensitivity.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Cream): for external use, adjustment by body weight is not required.

Preparation Method (Cream): dry extract 5 grams, unrefined coconut oil 40 grams, shea butter 20 grams, chamomile hydrolate 30 grams, sunflower lecithin 5 grams; melt the coconut oil and shea butter in a water bath at a temperature not exceeding +40 °C, separately heat the hydrolate to a temperature of +36...+38 °C, dissolve the dry extract in it, combine the aqueous and oil phases with constant stirring, add lecithin, stir until a homogeneous emulsion is obtained, bring the mass to 100 grams.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Cream): store at a temperature of +4...+8 °C, in a place protected from light, shield from sources of electromagnetic radiation; shelf life 30 days; after opening, use within 14 days.

Hair Mask — Cantharellus cibarius

Indications (Hair Mask): telogen effluvium, diffuse alopecia, seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, initial stage of androgenetic alopecia.

Standard Dosage (Hair Mask): apply 10 grams to the scalp once a day, leave for 20 minutes, then rinse, course duration — 30 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Hair Mask): apply 15 grams 2 times a week, course duration — 30 days, recommended for telogen effluvium and seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp.

Maximum Dosage (Hair Mask): apply up to 20 grams per day to a limited area of the scalp, course duration — 21 days, recommended for pronounced diffuse alopecia.

Preventive Dosage (Hair Mask): apply 10 grams once a week, course duration — 30 days, recommended for chronic stress exposure and seasonal hair loss.

Pediatric Dosage (Hair Mask): use allowed from 12 years of age with a body weight of at least 40 kilograms, apply 5 grams once a week.

Contraindications (Hair Mask): individual hypersensitivity to mushroom components, fungal infections of the scalp; data on contraindications during pregnancy and lactation are not scientifically registered.

Side Effects (Hair Mask): itching, erythema, contact dermatitis with individual hypersensitivity.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Hair Mask): for external use, adjustment by body weight is not required.

Preparation Method (Hair Mask): dry extract 5 grams, coconut oil 40 grams, jojoba oil 20 grams, natural honey 15 grams, nettle hydrolate 20 grams; melt the coconut oil in a water bath at a temperature not exceeding +40 °C, add jojoba oil, separately dissolve the dry extract in the hydrolate at a temperature of +36...+38 °C, combine the phases, add honey, stir until a homogeneous mass is obtained, bring the mass to 100 grams.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Hair Mask): store at a temperature of +4...+8 °C, protect from light and sources of electromagnetic radiation; shelf life 30 days; after opening, use within 14 days.

Shampoo — Cantharellus cibarius

Indications (Shampoo): seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, telogen effluvium, diffuse alopecia, seborrhea of the scalp, xerosis of the scalp.

Standard Dosage (Shampoo): apply 5–10 milliliters to damp scalp once a day, leave for 3–5 minutes, rinse, course duration — 30 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Shampoo): use 10 milliliters 2 times a day, course duration — 30 days, recommended for seborrheic dermatitis and pronounced telogen effluvium.

Maximum Dosage (Shampoo): use up to 15 milliliters per day on a limited area of the scalp, course duration — 21 days, recommended for pronounced seborrhea without secondary infection.

Preventive Dosage (Shampoo): use 5 milliliters 2–3 times a week, course duration — 30 days, recommended for seasonal hair loss and chronic stress exposure.

Pediatric Dosage (Shampoo): use allowed from 12 years of age with a body weight of at least 40 kilograms, 5 milliliters 1–2 times a week.

Contraindications (Shampoo): individual hypersensitivity to mushroom components, open wounds of the scalp; data on contraindications during pregnancy and lactation are not scientifically registered.

Side Effects (Shampoo): itching, erythema, contact dermatitis when exceeding the recommended dosage.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Shampoo): for external use, adjustment by body weight is not required.

Preparation Method (Shampoo): dry extract 5 grams, nettle hydrolate 60 grams, coco-glucoside 25 grams, coconut oil 5 grams, vegetable glycerin 5 grams; dissolve the dry extract in the hydrolate at a temperature of +36...+38 °C, add glycerin, then add coco-glucoside with gentle stirring without intense foaming, add coconut oil, bring the mass to 100 grams, pour into airtight containers.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Shampoo): store at a temperature of +4...+8 °C, protect from light and sources of electromagnetic radiation; shelf life 30 days; after opening, use within 14 days.

Conditioner — Cantharellus cibarius

Indications (Conditioner): telogen effluvium, diffuse alopecia, seborrhea of the scalp, hair fragility, xerosis of the scalp.

Standard Dosage (Conditioner): apply 10 grams to damp hair once a day after washing, leave for 3–5 minutes, rinse, course duration — 30 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Conditioner): apply 15 grams once a day, course duration — 30 days, recommended for pronounced hair fragility and diffuse alopecia.

Maximum Dosage (Conditioner): apply up to 20 grams per day to a limited area of the scalp, course duration — 21 days.

Preventive Dosage (Conditioner): apply 10 grams 2 times a week, course duration — 30 days, recommended for seasonal hair loss.

Pediatric Dosage (Conditioner): use allowed from 12 years of age with a body weight of at least 40 kilograms, 5 grams once a week.

Contraindications (Conditioner): individual hypersensitivity to mushroom components; data on contraindications during pregnancy and lactation are not scientifically registered.

Side Effects (Conditioner): contact dermatitis, itching, erythema with individual hypersensitivity.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Conditioner): for external use, adjustment by body weight is not required.

Preparation Method (Conditioner): dry extract 5 grams, nettle hydrolate 60 grams, coconut oil 20 grams, sunflower lecithin 10 grams, vegetable glycerin 5 grams; melt the coconut oil in a water bath at a temperature not exceeding +40 °C, separately dissolve the dry extract in the hydrolate at a temperature of +36...+38 °C, combine the phases, add lecithin and glycerin, stir until a homogeneous emulsion is obtained, bring the mass to 100 grams.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Conditioner): store at a temperature of +4...+8 °C, protect from light and sources of electromagnetic radiation; shelf life 30 days; after opening, use within 14 days.

Scalp Scrub — Cantharellus cibarius

Indications (Scalp Scrub): seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, seborrhea of the scalp, hyperkeratosis of the scalp, telogen effluvium, diffuse alopecia.

Standard Dosage (Scalp Scrub): apply 5–10 grams to the scalp once a week, leave for 10 minutes, then rinse, course duration — 30 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Scalp Scrub): apply 10 grams 2 times a week, course duration — 30 days, recommended for pronounced hyperkeratosis of the scalp and seborrheic dermatitis.

Maximum Dosage (Scalp Scrub): apply up to 15 grams per day to a limited area of the scalp, course duration — 21 days, recommended for pronounced seborrhea without signs of secondary bacterial infection.

Preventive Dosage (Scalp Scrub): apply 5 grams once a week, course duration — 30 days, recommended for chronic seborrhea in remission.

Pediatric Dosage (Scalp Scrub): use allowed from 12 years of age with a body weight of at least 40 kilograms, 3–5 grams once a week.

Contraindications (Scalp Scrub): individual hypersensitivity to mushroom components, open wounds of the scalp, fungal infections of the scalp; data on contraindications during pregnancy and lactation are not scientifically registered.

Side Effects (Scalp Scrub): skin irritation, itching, erythema when exceeding the recommended dosage or with individual hypersensitivity.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Scalp Scrub): for external use, adjustment by body weight is not required.

Preparation Method (Scalp Scrub): dry extract 5 grams, finely ground fruiting body powder 10 grams, nettle hydrolate 50 grams, coconut oil 20 grams, natural honey 15 grams; dissolve the dry extract in the hydrolate at a temperature of +36...+38 °C, melt the coconut oil in a water bath at a temperature not exceeding +40 °C, combine the components, add the fruiting body powder and honey, mix thoroughly until a homogeneous mass is obtained, bring the mass to 100 grams.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Scalp Scrub): store at a temperature of +4...+8 °C, protect from light and sources of electromagnetic radiation; shelf life 30 days; after opening, use within 14 days.

Toxicity and Biosafety — Cantharellus cibarius

For Cantharellus cibarius, standardized LD₅₀ values for mammals (mg/kg body weight) with indication of animal species, route of administration, and extract type have not been found in available verifiable sources. Data on low acute toxicity are available in alternative model systems: in a biotest on Artemia franciscana nauplii, aqueous mushroom extracts were tested in the range of 50–1000 μg/ml and LD₅₀ was calculated; Cantharellus cibarius was classified by the authors as a species with the lowest toxicity in this model, but the numerical LD₅₀ value for C. cibarius is not provided in the abstract.

Pharmacodynamics — Cantharellus cibarius

The pharmacodynamics of Cantharellus cibarius are determined by a combination of water-soluble polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, peptide fragments, and lipid metabolites, forming a predominantly immunomodulatory and antioxidant profile. For polysaccharide fractions from fruiting bodies, β-glucans with a β-1,6-main chain structure and β-1,3 branches have been described, which in cell models activate innate immune cells: in macrophage cultures, a dose-dependent increase in the production of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory mediators TNF-α and IL-6 has been shown, and at the level of intracellular signal transmission, the effect is associated with the activation of MAPK cascades (ERK, JNK, p38), since inhibition of these branches reduces mediator release. This indicates targets at the level of signaling kinases and mediator systems, with potentially systemic action for soluble fractions and possible local effects on barrier tissues through innate immune cells. In parallel, aqueous extracts are characterized by antioxidant activity, confirmed in chemical test systems and cell models of oxidative stress; the contribution is associated with phenolic components and low-molecular-weight peptides, for which sequences have been described and protective effects have been shown in human cell cultures when modeling oxidative damage. The metabolite profile of aqueous extracts includes organic acids and fractions of unsaturated fatty acids, which may complement the membrane-tropic and metabolically modulating background of action due to effects on the lipid microenvironment of membranes and redox balance. A separate group of compounds is formed upon damage to fruiting bodies: for fatty acid derivatives, including cibaric acid, very weak antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity has been demonstrated, indicating a limited contribution of these "damage" metabolites to the overall pharmacodynamics compared to the dominant polysaccharide and phenolic fractions. An important practical detail of pharmacodynamics is the variability of the profile of phenolic compounds and organic acids depending on the processing and storage of the raw material: changes in the composition of phenolic components are accompanied by changes in antioxidant potential, therefore the spectrum of redox effects of aqueous extracts can differ markedly under different preparation technologies. In summary, the reliably described effects of Cantharellus cibarius fall into three key areas: immunomodulation through activation of macrophages and MAPK signaling, antioxidant protection due to phenolic compounds and peptides, and moderate membrane-tropic effects of lipid components; while part of the data was obtained in vitro and reflects the biological potential of the fractions, rather than the guaranteed severity of effects in vivo.

References:
- Qu Y. et al. 2021. Structural analysis and macrophage activation of a novel β-glucan isolated from Cantharellus cibarius. International Journal of Molecular Medicine.
- Režić Mužinić N. et al. 2023. Metabolites from aqueous extracts of golden chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius) and their antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. Molecules, 28(5):2110.
- Lu J. et al. 2025. Novel antioxidant peptides from Cantharellus cibarius. Food Bioscience.
- Anke H. et al. 1996. Assays of the biological activities of two fatty acid derivatives formed in the edible mushrooms Cantharellus cibarius and C. tubaeformis as a response to injury. Planta Medica, 62(2):181–183.
- Kim M.Y. et al. 2008. Effect of the conservation procedure on the contents of phenolic compounds and organic acids in chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Pharmacokinetics — Cantharellus cibarius

For Cantharellus cibarius, direct pharmacokinetic studies with a full description of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion for the specific taxon are insufficient in available scientific databases; therefore, the pharmacokinetic profile is correctly described through generalized properties of the main groups of substances characteristic of edible mushrooms and through the features of the routes of administration. Upon oral administration, water-soluble high-molecular-weight polysaccharides are largely not broken down by small intestine enzymes and exert effects in the intestinal lumen and at the level of the mucosal barrier; a significant proportion of such fractions pass through to the large intestine, where they are involved in metabolism by the microbiota, which changes the composition of the microbial community and the spectrum of microbial metabolites and indirectly affects the systemic "gut–liver" and "gut–immune system" signaling axes. Simultaneously, it has been shown that part of the soluble fungal glucans is capable of limited gastrointestinal absorption: pathways through microfold cells and lymphoid structures of the intestine with subsequent uptake by cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system are suggested; in distribution, the predominance of reticuloendothelial organs is expected, where polysaccharide fragments are recognized by innate immunity receptors and undergo gradual depolymerization and clearance. Low-molecular-weight phenolic compounds and related antioxidant components characteristic of mushroom raw materials, upon oral administration, are more subject to absorption in the small intestine after enzymatic and microbial transformations, then undergo biotransformation in the liver with the formation of more polar conjugates and are excreted mainly with bile and urine; part may undergo enterohepatic circulation. Mineral components and trace elements supplied with the raw material are distributed according to the general physiological patterns for the corresponding bioelements; in case of contamination with heavy metals, their accumulation in target tissues is possible, which belongs to the biosafety block of the raw material, not to the "drug" kinetics of active fractions.

For the transdermal route (creams, serums, masks), systemic exposure is generally lower than with oral administration, and the absorption profile is determined by the stratum corneum barrier and the type of base. For phenolic components, it has been shown that penetration into the skin layers depends on the dosage form and matrix: semi-solid bases and lipophilic carriers increase deposition in the epidermis and dermis compared to more aqueous systems, while a significant part of the activity is realized locally due to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms in the skin. Metabolism with external application includes local enzymatic transformations in the skin and partial systemic metabolism upon penetration of low-molecular-weight fractions; excretion of systemically absorbed small molecules occurs via hepatic and renal routes. With administration through mucous membranes, the potential absorption of low-molecular-weight fractions may be higher than through intact skin, but for fungal polysaccharides, predominantly local interaction with the mucosa and immune cells is expected without predictable systemic bioavailability. In general, the pharmacokinetic profile of the taxon under actual routes of use should be considered as a combination of local intestinal effects of poorly absorbed polysaccharides, limited systemic absorption of soluble glucans with redistribution into immune compartments, and more classical hepatic-renal kinetics for low-molecular-weight antioxidant fractions, especially with oral administration, while with external use, local exposure in the skin dominates.

References:
- Rice P.J., Adams E.L., Ozment-Skelton T., Gonzalez A.J., Goldman M.P., Lockhart B.E., et al. 2005. Oral delivery and gastrointestinal absorption of soluble glucans stimulate increased resistance to infectious challenge. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 314(3):1079–1086. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.go...)
- Zhao J., Zhang F., Liu Y., Stokke B.T. 2023. The Interaction between Mushroom Polysaccharides and Gut Microbiota and Their Effect on Human Health. Nutrients. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/a...)
- Ramberg J.E., Nelson E.D., Sinnott R.A. 2010. Immunomodulatory dietary polysaccharides: a systematic review of the literature. Nutrition Journal. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/a...)
- Butkevičiūtė A., Ramanauskienė K., Briedis V. 2022. Dermal Penetration Studies of Potential Phenolic Compounds Released from Semi-Solid Formulations. Pharmaceutics. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/a...)
- Gugleva V., Zasheva S., Hristova S., et al. 2021. Dermal Drug Delivery of Phytochemicals with Phenolic Structure: A Review. Pharmaceuticals, 14(9):837. (https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247...)

Geography of Use and Traditional Medicine — Cantharellus cibarius

The golden chanterelle is one of the most recognizable and culturally significant wild mushrooms of the temperate zone, traditionally harvested in the forest regions of Europe and adjacent territories of Eurasia; in everyday culture, it has become established primarily as a food resource, and its "folk-medicinal" narratives have formed unevenly and largely depended on the level of mycophilia in society. In Northern and Eastern Europe (Finland, Estonia, a significant part of East Slavic regions), the gathering of forest mushrooms is a stable tradition, where the chanterelle acts as a "reference" species for home preparation and seasonal nutrition; forms of use usually include the consumption of fresh and dried fruiting bodies, powdered raw material, aqueous extracts and infusions in food liquids, as well as household external forms on a fat basis for local application to the skin and scalp. Western and some Northern European countries are characterized by historical heterogeneity: in a number of Scandinavian societies, mycophobic attitudes persisted among the rural population for a long time, and the mass adoption of mushrooms as a "useful forest gift" strengthened in urban strata only in modern times under the influence of education, culinary fashion, and media; in this environment, the chanterelle became established as a symbol of "wild product" and an element of gastronomic identity, and non-medical contexts include seasonal practices of "forest gathering" as a form of leisure, the transfer of knowledge within the family, and local customs of giving dried mushrooms as a sign of well-being and connection to the forest. In the territories of the former Soviet cultural space (Russia, Ukraine, countries of the western border regions), folk-medical ideas about the chanterelle are largely of a late nature: ethnographic interviews and comparisons with historical written sources indicate that the inclusion of the chanterelle in "healing" narratives is often associated with the influence of later popular publications and the modern information environment, rather than a deep centuries-old continuous tradition; at the same time, methods of use are usually described as alcohol-based tinctures, aqueous extracts, and powder, used as "cleansing" and "strengthening" agents within the framework of everyday preventive culture. In the Balkan regions and parts of Central Europe, the chanterelle is part of local ethnomycological practices as a "health food mushroom," where home preparations and mild "tonic" narratives without strict fixation of recipes are common. In the Asian context (including East Asia), closely related chanterelle species are widely consumed as a seasonal forest product; in some modern interpretations of traditional medical schools, mushrooms are considered functional food components, but for the chanterelle, such interpretations are more often in the nature of later generalizations on the topic of "mushrooms as a source of strengthening substances" than stable classical canons. Ritual-magical narratives are less pronounced for the chanterelle than for a number of other mushrooms: its cultural role is more often associated with the symbolism of "forest gold," successful foraging, and seasonal abundance, as well as with everyday practices of "cleansing through nutrition" and "returning to the forest" as a space of strength and restoration in traditions where mushroom gathering is an important part of the lifestyle.