Mushroom tinder varnished: photo, description, application

Varnished tinder fungus (photo below), or mushroom of spiritual power, is surrounded by many legends: Buddhist monks could not meditate without it; in ancient treatises, the mushroom is mentioned as a remedy for a thousand ailments. In the modern world, the popularity of the mushroom is growing rapidly.

Story

Over the centuries, the mushroom has acquired several names. For example, in Russia it is called differently: varnished tinder fungus, longevity mushroom, sacred mushroom, or ganoderma.

In Japan - a mushroom of spiritual strength (reishi mushroom), in China - a mushroom of immortality (linchi or lin-chi). The first mention of the miraculous properties of the tinder fungus was dated more than two thousand years ago in an ancient Chinese medical treatise. In ancient Japanese publications, the mushroom was mentioned as a means of giving longevity and eternal youth.

Spreading

In its natural habitat, it is very difficult to find a varnished tinder fungus. Where does this mushroom grow? It grows at the base of heavily weakened trees, on lifeless wood, predominantly of deciduous species. In rare cases, you can find it on living healthy trees. Favorite habitat is low stumps, it is on them that fruiting bodies are mainly found. In addition, occasionally they can be found on the surface of the soil, when sporocarps grow on the roots of trees sunk into the ground.

By its nature, the fungus is a saprophyte and contributes to the destruction of wood, causing white rot. Almost all countries of the world are the geography of the distribution of lacquered tinder fungus. Where does this unusual mushroom grow in Russia? It is widely distributed in the southern regions: Stavropol, Krasnodar, the North Caucasus. In recent years, tinder fungus has been increasingly found in the Altai Territory, in places where illegal logging is taking place.

Stocks of this valuable mushroom are limited. This rather rare and healing mushroom has long been considered a great value, and only wealthy citizens and court doctors of the emperor of China could buy it.

cultivation

In the seventies, a Japanese scientist was the first to grow varnished tinder fungus in the laboratory. Then it began to be cultivated in other countries. Fruiting bodies are the main raw material for obtaining biologically active substances that are used for medical purposes. They are obtained using intensive and extensive technological methods of production. Vegetative mycelium is obtained by submersible cultivation, which is rarely used as a raw material. In Southeast Asia, tinder fungus cultivation is widespread. In France, Canada, Japan and the USA, scientific research is being carried out to study the unique medicinal properties of the fungus, as well as its composition.

Polypore lacquered: photo and description

The mushroom got its name for its glossy surface. The fruiting body of the fungus is a hat-legged, annual. In rare cases, two-year-old specimens can be found. A flat ovoid or kidney-shaped hat reaches a diameter of about 25 cm. Its color is different, there are reddish, brown-violet, black-yellowish shades with clearly visible rings. The skin is shiny, smooth, wavy, divided into numerous growth rings.

The pulp can be conditionally divided into three types, which go sequentially: spongy, dense, woody. It is dark brown in color and has no taste or smell. The hymenophore is tubular in shape with rounded small frequent white pores, which eventually become yellowish, and then acquire a dark brown hue. The tubes are short. The leg is uneven, dense in height from 5 to 25 cm, with a diameter of about 3 cm. The powdery spores of the fungus are brown. Lacquered tinder fungus is the only fungus in the tinder family that has a stem.

Compound

The chemical composition of the tinder fungus was studied by scientists from the countries of America and Japan. It is very complex and contains a huge amount of vital and useful substances, the presence of which determines the healing properties of the fungus.

Due to the high content of germanium and polysaccharides, the lacquered tinder fungus (photo above) has preventive properties. The immunomodulatory and antitumor effect is due to the presence of beta-glucan polysaccharides, which also help to reduce blood glucose.

A high concentration of germanium increases antitumor activity, prevents the formation of metastases and improves immunity. And besides, germanium takes an active part in the process of transporting oxygen, preventing the development of hypoxia. Triterpenoids, which are part of the fruiting body of the fungus, improve blood properties, prevent the formation of blood clots, and lower cholesterol levels.

Beneficial features

Many interesting legends are associated with the beneficial properties of the reishi mushroom. In ancient Chinese treatises, for example, it was called a cure for a thousand diseases. The mushroom contains a large amount of proteins and amino acids, as well as a special combination of polysaccharides, zinc and germanium, which is rarely found in nature. Scientists are conducting scientific research to study this composition in order to use the fungus for the prevention of both benign and malignant tumors.

In folk medicine, the mushroom is used just for these purposes, in scientific medicine, they are cautious about the likely positive effect of mushroom healing. Studies mention that the effect of varnished tinder fungus on the patient is similar to the effect of modern chemotherapy. They also note that reishi mushroom in different climatic zones has different properties and differs in chemical composition. Substances contained in mushrooms can lower blood sugar, reduce blood pressure and improve the functioning of the digestive tract. The high content of iron, zinc, magnesium, manganese and potassium will help patients make up for the lack of these important minerals for the human body.

Traditional medicine recommends using ganoderma to strengthen the immune system, under heavy loads, both mental and physical, for the treatment of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. The use of the mushroom helps to get out of depression, improves mood, reduces chronic fatigue. Mushroom infusions are used in the fight against numerous pustular diseases. And scientists in Taiwan are investigating the use of reishi mushroom in the treatment of viral papillomas in humans.

Polypore lacquered: application

In oriental medicine, ling-zhi mushroom is used for all diseases. In each case, a special method of preparation and a different dosage are used. Traditional medicine recommends the use of the fungus for the following diseases:

• gastritis, ulcer, pancreatitis, colitis;
• hypertension, arrhythmia, atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke;
• various infections;
• diabetes mellitus;
• allergies of various nature;
• respiratory organs;
• immune system.

Tinder fungus tincture is successfully used for problems with potency. The mushroom is actively used by cancer patients. Preparations from it can be prepared by yourself or purchased ready-to-use. Dry extract from the mushroom is included in the official list of antitumor drugs in Japan. In pharmacies in Russia, it can be purchased in the form of a powder or capsules. An increase in the medicinal properties of tinder fungus was noted when taken simultaneously with ascorbic acid.

The course use of the fungus as a biologically active source of nutrients is recommended:

• residents of disadvantaged areas in terms of ecology;
• elderly people;
• in conditions accompanied by asthenia and immunodeficiency;
• with prolonged, exhausting loads of a stressful, mental, physical and psycho-emotional nature;
• in the complex therapy of drug and alcohol addiction;
• when working with toxic substances;
• citizens working in chemical industries, nuclear power plants, in heavy industry;
• when working in adverse conditions associated with climatic factors: high humidity, severe frost, heat.

Method of preparing a decoction: 10 g of crushed ganoderma is poured into a glass of water, brought to a boil and boiled for five minutes, stirring occasionally. Allow to stand for thirty minutes, filter, cool and take up to three times a day no earlier than thirty minutes before meals.

Introducing mushrooms into the diet

Daily intake of reishi mushroom has a positive effect on mental and physical performance, increases the resistance of the human body to the effects of harmful environmental factors, such as radiation, sudden climate change, low oxygen content in the air, severe frost, and heat.

The tinder fungus, being a powerful adaptogen, helps the body to mobilize internal energy reserves and increase endurance. In terms of strength, it is equal to ginseng, Chinese magnolia vine and mummy. Lacquered tinder fungus contributes to the removal of toxins, slags and salts of heavy metals from the human body, and prevents the effects of radiation.

It strengthens the nervous system, protects against stress. It is used for diseases of the endocrine system, has a positive effect on the functioning of the pancreas, helps to get rid of excess weight, slows down the aging process, improves immunity, has an antitumor effect, helps patients to endure radiation and chemical therapy.

Contraindications

• pregnant women;
• when breastfeeding;
• under the age of 7;
• in the presence of hemorrhagic diathesis;
• with a tendency to internal bleeding.

It is believed that the fungus grown on deciduous fruit trees has more beneficial properties and its healing effect is stronger than that of the tinder fungus from coniferous trees. It should be remembered that the mushroom is used only for medical purposes and before using it, you should still consult a doctor.