Agaricus blazei (Royal Sun Mushroom)
Also called Agaricus blazei Murrill, Agaricus brasiliensis, Agaricus subrufescens, royal sun agaricus, almond mushroom, himematsutake.
Best grade C across 6 graded outcomes Mushroom Last checked
We earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. It never changes our grades or rankings. How we make money →
The short answer
From 9 sourcesHuman evidence is small. In 72 people with type 2 diabetes on metformin and gliclazide, 1,500 mg a day of extract lowered insulin resistance vs placebo. A 57-woman trial found no change in inflammation markers. Allergy and bowel-disease studies used AndoSan, a blend that is 82% Agaricus.
Quick pick
From a partner brand · paid link
Solaray Fermented Royal Agaricus, 60 VegCaps
from HerbsPro
Label: 2 capsules: 1,000 mg organic fermented Agaricus blazei mycelium on whole oat biomass.
Best for trying one bottle: $29.69 one-time (checked Oct 15, 2026).
Every graded outcome on this page
6 rows · line = participants- CGrade CInsulin resistance in type 2 diabetesBlood sugarn 72
- DGrade DBirch-pollen allergy and asthma symptomsAllergyn 60
- DGrade DSymptoms, fatigue and quality of life in ulcerative colitisBowel diseasen 50
- DGrade DImmune markers, treatment response and survival in multiple myeloma (add-on during chemotherapy)Cancer caren 40
- ∅No effectInflammation markers in older womenInflammationn 57
- ∅No effectSymptoms, fatigue and quality of life in Crohn's diseaseBowel diseasen 50
- 3 more graded outcomes, in the evidence chapter
Key facts
- What it is
- A Brazilian mushroom; AndoSan is 82.4% Agaricus, 14.7% lion's mane and 2.9% maitake6
- Insulin resistance (72 people)
- HOMA-IR 3.6 vs 6.6 on placebo after 12 weeks, alongside diabetes drugs3
- Inflammation markers
- No change in IL-6, IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha with 900 mg a day in 57 older women2
- Birch-pollen allergy (60)
- AndoSan blend lowered reported symptoms and birch-specific IgE vs placebo4
What it is
Agaricus blazei (also A. brasiliensis or A. subrufescens) is a Brazilian mushroom sold as extracts and the AndoSan mushroom blend.
Forms, side by side
2 forms named in our sources. The rest show what our data holds, and say plainly where it holds nothing yet.
Agaricus blazei (Royal Sun Mushroom) forms compared
2 forms| 2 forms | Agaricus blazei dry extract capsules | AndoSan liquid blend (82.4% Agaricus, 14.7% lion's mane, 2.9% maitake) |
|---|---|---|
| Absorption in people | Not measured in the cited trials.23 | Not measured.6 |
| GI tolerance | The diabetes and older-women abstracts report no safety problems.23 | Patients reported no harms or unintended effects over 21 days.5 |
| Studied for | Insulin resistance, inflammation markers | Birch allergy, bowel-disease symptoms |
- Agaricus blazei dry extract capsules
- Studied for
- Insulin resistance, inflammation markers
- AndoSan liquid blend (82.4% Agaricus, 14.7% lion's mane, 2.9% maitake)
What the human research says
Human trials only, one row per outcome. The form line shows what each trial actually tested. Grades follow our evidence-grading policy.
Trial map
6 graded outcomes, largest study first6 graded outcomes: 3 improved, 3 no effect. The largest, a 2007 randomized trial of 72 people on insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes, found an improvement.
1Insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes
Improved · Grade C · RCT, 72 people, 2007
Chinese adults in Taiwan with type 2 diabetes on metformin and gliclazide (60 analyzed)
Dose, result and source| Outcome | Found | People | Study | Who was studied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes | Improved | 72 | Grade C · RCT, 2007 | Chinese adults in Taiwan with type 2 diabetes on metformin and gliclazide (60 analyzed) |
| Birch-pollen allergy and asthma symptoms | Improved | 60 | Grade D · RCT, 2019 | Norwegian blood donors with IgE-positive birch-pollen allergy or asthma |
| Inflammation markers in older women | No effect | 57 | No-effect grade · RCT, 2012 | Community-living older women in Brazil, mostly overweight |
| Symptoms, fatigue and quality of life in ulcerative colitis | Improved | 50 | Grade D · RCT, 2016 | Adults in Norway with symptomatic ulcerative colitis |
| Symptoms, fatigue and quality of life in Crohn's disease | No effect | 50 | No-effect grade · RCT, 2016 | Adults in Norway with symptomatic Crohn's disease |
| Immune markers, treatment response and survival in multiple myeloma (add-on during chemotherapy) | No effect | 40 | Grade D · RCT, 2015 | Adults with multiple myeloma having high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplant (Norway); 33 evaluable for immune endpoints |
Every graded row
6 rowsShowing 6 of 6 outcomes. Human trials only.
CGrade CInsulin resistance in type 2 diabetesBlood sugarLower insulin resistanceRCT
n 72 · 2007
Improved HOMA-IR was lower with the extract than placebo (3.6 vs 6.6, p = 0.04), and adiponectin rose 20.0% vs a 12.0% fall on placebo (p < 0.001).
- Design
- RCT, n = 72, 2007
- Population
- Chinese adults in Taiwan with type 2 diabetes on metformin and gliclazide (60 analyzed)
- Form
- Agaricus blazei Murill extract
- Dose
- 1,500 mg a day
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Source
- Reference 3 · PubMed 17309383 (opens PubMed)
DGrade DBirch-pollen allergy and asthma symptomsAllergyFewer allergy symptomsRCT
n 60 · 2019
Improved Allergy and asthma symptoms and medication use fell vs placebo during pollen season, as did birch-specific IgE (anti-Bet v 1 and anti-t3).
- Design
- RCT, n = 60, 2019
- Population
- Norwegian blood donors with IgE-positive birch-pollen allergy or asthma
- Form
- AndoSan (Agaricus-based mushroom blend)
- Dose
- 60 mL a day (full text)
- Duration
- 7 weeks before the pollen season
- Source
- Reference 4 · PubMed 31581605 (opens PubMed)
DGrade DSymptoms, fatigue and quality of life in ulcerative colitisBowel diseaseFewer symptomsRCT
n 50 · 2016
Improved Symptom scores fell from 5.88 to 4.50 (p = 0.001) and fatigue improved with AndoSan but not placebo; between-group models favored AndoSan. Fecal calprotectin did not change.
- Design
- RCT, n = 50, 2016
- Population
- Adults in Norway with symptomatic ulcerative colitis
- Form
- AndoSan (Agaricus-based mushroom blend)
- Dose
- 60 mL a day
- Duration
- 21 days
- Source
- Reference 5 · PubMed 26933886 (opens PubMed)
DGrade DImmune markers, treatment response and survival in multiple myeloma (add-on during chemotherapy)Cancer careNo effectRCT
n 40 · 2015
No effect Some immune markers changed (more regulatory T cells and dendritic cells; higher IL-1ra, IL-5 and IL-7), but treatment response, overall survival and time to new treatment did not differ from placebo.
- Design
- RCT, n = 40, 2015
- Population
- Adults with multiple myeloma having high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplant (Norway); 33 evaluable for immune endpoints
- Form
- AndoSan blend (82% Agaricus)
- Dose
- Dose not stated in the abstract
- Duration
- About 7 weeks
- Source
- Reference 9 · PubMed 25664323 (opens PubMed)
∅No effectInflammation markers in older womenInflammationNo changeRCT
n 57 · 2012
No effect No changes from baseline in IL-6, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, blood pressure or body composition in either group.
- Design
- RCT, n = 57, 2012
- Population
- Community-living older women in Brazil, mostly overweight
- Form
- Agaricus blazei Murrill dry extract
- Dose
- 900 mg a day
- Duration
- 60 days
- Source
- Reference 2 · PubMed 22010847 (opens PubMed)
∅No effectSymptoms, fatigue and quality of life in Crohn's diseaseBowel diseaseNo difference vs placeboRCT
n 50 · 2016
No effect Symptoms improved from baseline with AndoSan, but there was no significant difference between groups (p = 0.106); fatigue improved similarly in both.
- Design
- RCT, n = 50, 2016
- Population
- Adults in Norway with symptomatic Crohn's disease
- Form
- AndoSan (Agaricus-based mushroom blend)
- Dose
- 30 mL twice a day (full text)
- Duration
- 21 days
- Source
- Reference 6 · PubMed 27415795 (opens PubMed)
What the numbers add up to
Each point is worked out from the data and the sources numbered on this page, with the arithmetic shown under it. It adds no new data and is not medical advice.
One positive metabolic trial, one null inflammation trial
Bowel results are from a blend and are mixed
Studied doses
Doses used in research, shown against the official limits. They describe the studies, not a recommendation for you.
Studied doses in research, not advice. These are amounts used in research, not personal advice. Your clinician or pharmacist can say what fits you.
Doses studied in human trials
Interactions and safety
Published interactions only: each row cites a source. No row means none was found in our sources, not that a combination is safe.
What Agaricus blazei meets
1 cited rowMedicines 1
Supplements and foods 0
No supplement rows in our sources.
- Measured in a human study
Choose a medicine or supplement above to read its cited rows here.
Also cited:
Diabetes medicines
RCTMeasured in a human study
Diabetes medicines, for example metformin, gliclazide: In a 12-week trial in people with type 2 diabetes already taking metformin and gliclazide, 1,500 mg a day of extract lowered insulin resistance more than placebo. The effect may add to glucose-lowering medicines, so blood sugar is worth watching when starting or stopping it.
Source 3, J Altern Complement Med (2007)
Interactions
1 agent| Agent | What the source says | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Medicines1 | ||
| Diabetes medicinese.g. metformin, gliclazide | In a 12-week trial in people with type 2 diabetes already taking metformin and gliclazide, 1,500 mg a day of extract lowered insulin resistance more than placebo. The effect may add to glucose-lowering medicines, so blood sugar is worth watching when starting or stopping it.3 | RCT |
Check with what you take
Kept on this device onlyAdd what you take. We list every interaction our evidence profiles cite between Agaricus blazei and your picks, and between your picks.
- Loading names…
Add a supplement or medicine you take to check it against Agaricus blazei.
Starting from one medicine? The interaction checker rates how serious each pair is, on a curated list of 19 entries for 11 medicines. This cabinet has no severity rating: it lists every interaction row our supplement pages cite.
Who should be careful
3 groups- Liver disease or liver injury
- Case reports from Japan describe severe liver injury in people with cancer taking Agaricus extract: three patients in 2006 (two died of fulminant hepatitis; one relapsed on restarting it) and two in 2013 rated compatible with drug-induced liver injury resembling autoimmune hepatitis (both were also taking another extract, Ganoderma or fucoidan). No LiverTox entry was found.78
- Medicines and surgery
- NCCIH advises that supplements may interact with medications or pose risks before surgery, and to tell your health care providers about everything you use.1
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children
- No human studies of Agaricus extracts in pregnancy, breastfeeding or children were found, and NCCIH notes that many dietary supplements have not been tested in these groups.1
How to read the label
What to check on the Supplement Facts panel.
How to read the label
1 checksWhere to buy Agaricus blazei (Royal Sun Mushroom)
Products from brands we partner with that contain Agaricus blazei (Royal Sun Mushroom). Check the amount per serving against the doses studied above, and the label for other ingredients.
Agaricus blazei (Royal Sun Mushroom) products from partner brands
1 product Paid links · we earn a commission- Quick pickHerbsProSolaray Fermented Royal Agaricus, 60 VegCaps
2 capsules: 1,000 mg organic fermented Agaricus blazei mycelium on whole oat biomass; trials used fruiting-body extracts (900 to 1,500 mg) or the AndoSan liquid, not mycelium on oats
$29.69one-timeChecked Oct 15, 2026
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to common questions; the numbers link to the sources below.
Common questions
6 answersDoes Agaricus blazei help blood sugar?
In 72 people with type 2 diabetes already on metformin and gliclazide, 1,500 mg a day of extract lowered insulin resistance vs placebo over 12 weeks. It has not been replicated in the cited trials.3
Does it lower inflammation?
In 57 older women, 900 mg a day for 60 days did not change IL-6, IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha.2
Does it help allergies?
In 60 adults with birch-pollen allergy, the AndoSan blend taken before the season lowered symptoms and birch-specific IgE vs placebo.4
Does Agaricus blazei help people with cancer?
Is Agaricus blazei safe?
Trials of 3 to 12 weeks report no harms. But Japanese case reports describe severe liver injury in five people with cancer taking Agaricus extract (two alongside other extracts), two of whom died, and one whose liver worsened again after restarting it. Unexplained liver problems while taking it warrant stopping and medical review.5378
What is Agaricus blazei?
A Brazilian mushroom also called Agaricus brasiliensis or A. subrufescens. Some trials used AndoSan, a liquid blend that is 82.4% Agaricus with lion's mane and maitake.6
Sources
9 sources: trial abstracts, NIH fact sheets and reference databases. Numbers in the text link here.
Sources cited on this page
9 sources- 1Using Dietary Supplements WiselyFact sheet National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), 2019 · nccih.nih.gov
- 2Agaricus blazei Murrill and inflammatory mediators in elderly women: a randomized clinical trial.RCT Scand J Immunol, 2012 · PMID 22010847
- 3The mushroom Agaricus Blazei Murill in combination with metformin and gliclazide improves insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled clinical trial.RCT J Altern Complement Med, 2007 · PMID 17309383
- 4Agaricus blazei-Based Mushroom Extract Supplementation to Birch Allergic Blood Donors: A Randomized Clinical Trial.RCT Nutrients, 2019 · PMID 31581605
- 5Effect of a Medicinal Agaricus blazei Murill-Based Mushroom Extract, AndoSan™, on Symptoms, Fatigue and Quality of Life in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis in a Randomized Single-Blinded Placebo Controlled Study.RCT PLoS One, 2016 · PMID 26933886
- 6Effect of the Medicinal Agaricus blazei Murill-Based Mushroom Extract, AndoSanTM, on Symptoms, Fatigue and Quality of Life in Patients with Crohn's Disease in a Randomized Single-Blinded Placebo Controlled Study.RCT PLoS One, 2016 · PMID 27415795
- 7An alternative medicine, Agaricus blazei, may have induced severe hepatic dysfunction in cancer patients.Observational Jpn J Clin Oncol, 2006 · PMID 17105737
- 8Drug-induced liver injury associated with Agaricus blazei Murill which is very similar to autoimmune hepatitis.Observational Clin J Gastroenterol, 2013 · PMID 26181451
- 9Immunomodulatory effects of the Agaricus blazei Murrill-based mushroom extract AndoSan in patients with multiple myeloma undergoing high dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation: a randomized, double blinded clinical study.RCT Biomed Res Int, 2015 · PMID 25664323
What changed
Every dated change to this page: what changed, who made it and why.
Change log
2 entries| Date | Change | Who and why |
|---|---|---|
| evidence; interactions; who should avoid; FAQ; questions | Added a liver-injury caution from two Japanese case series (2006, 2013), a diabetes-medicine interaction based on the metformin and gliclazide trial (the page had none), an evidence row for the 2015 multiple myeloma AndoSan trial (marked as a clinical use), a clearer pregnancy note, an updated safety FAQ, a cancer FAQ and page questions. PubMed search found no Agaricus RCT or meta-analysis after 2019. No LiverTox or LactMed entry found in an NCBI Bookshelf search. Second pass: added goal-hub links (immune, metabolic). LactMed and LiverTox re-checked in NCBI's open-access archive: no entry for this compound. | Writer: Kymata Health EditorialTrigger: A–Z audit against docs/supplements/AUDIT-STANDARD.md |
| all | Initial editorial evidence review. Every PMID checked against NCBI E-utilities esummary (title, year, journal; none retracted) and each cited abstract read; numbers taken from the abstracts (full text only for AndoSan composition, doses and funding). Funding disclosed per study: University of Oslo / Oslo University Hospital with Immunopharma-supplied product (allergy), University of Oslo with inventor-authors (Crohn's), no specific funding with inventor-authors (ulcerative colitis); other abstracts name no funder (disclosed as not stated). Grade D for the AndoSan blend trials. Nulls shown: older-women cytokines and Crohn's between-group comparison. No Agaricus page exists on our approved safety sources, so safety rows use only NCCIH general supplement guidance. Where to buy: Solaray Fermented Royal Agaricus (label and price checked 2026-10-15; mycelium form flagged in the serving note). | Writer: Kymata Health EditorialTrigger: new page |
Supplement & Nutrient Encyclopedia. Educational information only; it is not medical advice and does not replace a clinician. Dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Statements about supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA.