Black tree mushroom Muer: benefits

Mushrooms

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Kira Stoletova

The world of mushrooms is large and diverse, and the idea of the total number of species is constantly changing. Mushrooms do not belong to either the animal or plant world - they simply stand apart and have a lot of useful properties for humans. Particularly interesting is the black muer mushroom, which grows in Asia.

Black muer mushroom

Description of the mushroom

This mushroom resembles burnt paper and smells a little like smoked meat, and its flesh has a slightly sweet taste. For those who see this strange organism for the first time, it will hardly resemble anything edible.

This fungus grows on deciduous and coniferous trees, it is often found on alder, and is found in the Far Eastern region of the Russian Federation.

This organism received its popular name - “Ear of Judas” because of the shape of the fruiting body, the shape of which resembles a human ear. Muer mushrooms prefer a temperate climate for their development. They usually settle in places with sufficient light and moisture.

Irina Selyutina (Biologist):
According to the method of feeding, muer, or auricularia ear-shaped, can be both a saprotroph and a parasite. How can this be combined in one mushroom? At first glance this is quite strange. However, if you pay attention to the substrate that the mushroom chooses for its life, everything will immediately become clear. If auricularia settles on weakened tree species, then in this case, the fungal organism acts as a parasite. If mycelium develops on dead wood, the fungus will be a typical saprotroph. For its normal functioning, the mushroom prefers elderberry and alder.

The fruiting bodies of the black fungus are often found in city parks on tree trunks, along roadsides on dead wood, and even in gardens on fruit plants.

Enzymes

Their significance for the body also needs to be discussed, since we are talking about the benefits and harms of sea mushrooms. So, here are the enzymes that are included in drinks and other products made from Indian rice:

Lipase. It is also called the enemy of fats. Because she is directly involved in their collapse. The presence of lipase in the gastrointestinal tract is the key to normal digestion. In addition, its lack is fraught with metabolic disorders and atherosclerosis.
Amylase. A vital enzyme that contributes to the normal functioning of the body, as it is responsible for the breakdown of starch. If this process goes well, then blood sugar does not increase. The benefits of sea mushrooms are therefore appreciated by people suffering from diabetes.
Protease. An enzyme that breaks down proteins into amino acids. Protease also helps remove foreign protein substances from the body, which are present both in the gastrointestinal tract and in the circulatory system.

Also, the benefits of sea mushrooms are due to coenzyme Q10. It plays a vital role in ensuring the respiration of cells in the human body. But this is far from its only function. Others include:

Participation in the synthesis of ATP, which is a universal carrier of energy.
Providing an antioxidant effect.
Strengthening the action of other enzymes.
Maintains normal functioning of the kidneys, spleen, pancreas, liver and heart.

Adults should pay attention to sea mushrooms. Because as you age, your body loses its ability to produce enough Q10. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce an additional source of it into the diet.

Kinds

In Russia, black mushrooms are rare guests. They are little known and are often purchased in dried form. Two species are considered edible: Auricularia auriculata (Black Ear) and Auricularia pilosa (Silver Ear).

Description of Auricularia eariform:

the fruiting body ranges from 2 to 10 cm in diameter;
body thickness – up to 5 mm;
the stalk is missing, so they say that the fruiting body is sessile;
the appearance resembles the human auricle;
hymenophore smooth;
pulp is jelly-like;
the surface is velvety to the touch;
faint pleasant aroma.

The color of the “ears” changes with age. Young organisms have a violet tint, then become brown, darken, but retain a violet tint.

Black tree mushrooms do not grow alone, they are collected from trees in groups, like oyster mushrooms.

The description of Auricularia pilosa is somewhat different:

lighter shade;
fruiting bodies become denser with age and lose their translucency;
the consistency of the pulp is gristly;
the aroma is weak.

It is artificially grown on straw and trees in China. In Russia, this species is common in Primorye.

Beneficial features

Europeans do not collect muer, considering it useless and tasteless. Black tree mushrooms are more common in the Asian world, they are eaten and used for rejuvenating procedures, and they are used for treatment. In China and Thailand, the beneficial properties of these products are used to create decoctions, tinctures, ointments and medications. In Russia, gourmets use them in cooking and create truly masterpieces of haute cuisine.

The use of muer in creating dishes is limited only by the imagination of the cook, because these mushrooms have a great taste and aroma, which is said to be rich and refined. Dried muer mushrooms are an excellent seasoning for soups, meat, poultry, fish, and vegetables.

The mushroom is suitable for dietary nutrition

This organism surpasses meat in the amount of protein. It contains:

phosphorus;
calcium;
vitamins D, B;
enzymes;
a nicotinic acid;
iodine;
enzymes that prevent the formation of blood clots in blood vessels;
polysaccharides, etc.

Thanks to these elements, muer is widely used in medicine and nutrition. Chinese mushroom helps to get rid of excess weight and completely replenishes the lack of vitamins and saturates the body with microelements.

Treatment of diseases

When studying the topic concerning the benefits and harms of the sea porcini mushroom, you need to remember that it is actively used in modern alternative medicine. So, here is a short guide that will help you figure out how to take an infusion of Indian rice for various diseases:

For hypertension, take 200 g three times a day, after meals.
Eliminate severe headaches as follows: moisten a towel with the infusion and apply it to the forehead for 15-20 minutes. All this time, lie in a well-ventilated area on a comfortable surface.
You can get rid of fatigue by taking a warm bath with three liters of infusion.
If you have neuropsychological diseases, then you need to drink 150 ml of elixir three times a day for 1.5 months.
In order to treat problems with the gastrointestinal tract, it is recommended to consume 200 ml of infusion 3 times a day. Be sure to take it 1 hour before meals.
If you are overweight and have problems with metabolism, you need to drink half a liter of the drink 30-40 minutes before bedtime.
An 8-day-old infusion, taken 100 ml three times a day, an hour before meals, can cure dysentery. Be sure to lie on your right side.
If you have urolithiasis, you need to drink several glasses of infusion a day. Regular use promotes the gradual dissolution of stones.
A weekly infusion has strong anti-inflammatory properties, so it can also be used to treat a sore throat (gargle).
For arthritis, compresses with a warm infusion of sea rice help.
You can cure radiculitis by mixing the elixir with raw egg white and rubbing the resulting ointment on the painful areas. Leave for half an hour and then wipe off with a damp cloth. Of course, use it regularly.

Contraindications and harm

These organisms do not contain any toxic substances. They have poisonous counterparts. But they, like sponges, absorb harmful substances from the environment.

You should not pick mushrooms in urban areas, as well as near factories, garbage dumps and roads. Such “gifts” of nature can cause poisoning similar to poisoning from poisonous mushrooms.

The chitin content in them is high and people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract should refrain from consuming muer in large quantities.

The body of children under 14 years of age does not have the necessary amount of enzymes to process such heavy food, so for them there are restrictions on eating muer.

Coral delicacy

Well, above we talked in detail about the Indian sea mushroom. Now we know about the benefits and harms of this product, it’s time to talk about another product with the same name.

Take a look at the photo below. These are Korean-style sea mushrooms, the benefits and harms of which will now be discussed. They are also called differently. The most poetic name is snow mushrooms.

They are highly nutritious and low in calories - 70% dietary fiber. They also contain proteins, carbohydrates, 18 valuable amino acids, vitamin D, as well as plant glycogens and minerals. By the way, the calorie content of sea mushrooms is quite low - only 131 kcal per 100 grams of product.

Application in medicine

The main beneficial properties of this product include its antioxidant effect. Antioxidants are compounds that protect our body from the harmful effects of toxic compounds coming from the environment in any way (from food, from breathing, from water). Muer promotes restoration processes in the body and prevents the formation of blood clots in blood vessels and capillaries.

Based on it, medicines are created to treat thyroid diseases. Woody Chinese mushroom protects the body and promotes its recovery after severe operations or illnesses. Polysaccharides extracted from it help fight malignant tumors.

In dermatology, muer is used to create extracts, ointments and tinctures used in the treatment of skin diseases. For example, psoriasis, etc. are treated with such means in just a few courses.

Regular consumption of “ears” is beneficial for diabetics and people suffering from anemia and hypertension. They lower cholesterol levels, normalize heart function and regulate stomach acidity (acidity determines the secretion of hydrochloric acid of a certain, low concentration by special glands in the walls of the stomach). They have anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects. The walls of the stomach calm down and irritation of the mucous membrane goes away.

Chinese medicine believes that auricularia stops aging and promotes cellular regeneration, and is of great benefit for normalizing the amount of water in the body. Chopped mushrooms added to boiled rice help cope with swelling.

Regular intake of mushrooms during viral epidemics helps prevent infection by pathogens.

Vitamins

They are also included. Which ones exactly? These are vitamins C and D. Since we are talking about the benefits and harms of sea mushrooms, we need to talk about why they are important for the body.

So, the benefits of vitamin C are as follows:

Strengthening the body's resistance to viruses and strengthening the immune system.
Relieving symptoms and reducing the duration of respiratory diseases.
Strengthening the cardiovascular system.
Reducing the amount of cholesterol in the blood.
Increased iron absorption. A person who regularly consumes foods with vitamin C will not suffer from iron deficiency anemia.
Improving the functioning of the nervous system.
Reducing the level of uric acid in the blood.
Acceleration of collagen synthesis.
Restoration of damaged tissues.

Vitamin D, in turn, is needed by the body because its consumption results in the following positive effects:

Calcium is absorbed faster, which is involved in the functioning of the nervous system, muscle contraction and mineralization of bones and teeth.
The growth of cancer cells slows down.
The risk of developing psoriasis is minimized.
The functioning of the nervous system is normalized.
The overall tone of the body and immunity increases.

The sea mushroom, the photo of which is presented in the article, is a source of these vitamins. You should include it in your diet if you want to strengthen your body in all aspects, since these substances are contained in it in large quantities, and not in symbolic quantities.

Use in cooking

Black and silver “ears” are similar in taste. They have a pleasant aroma and excellent taste. The dried parts are pre-soaked in cool water for 3-4 hours. The fruit body swells and increases in volume by 6-8 times.

Muer tastes more like gristle or jelly.

Cooks enjoy using this product to create original sauces and seasonings. They add it to soups, meat and fish dishes. “Ears” are suitable for filling pies, for pickling, frying or baking.

Irina Selyutina (Biologist):
When buying a package of muer at the supermarket, carefully read the instructions for preparing it. However, there are some points that are implied but not stated. Therefore, please note:
First, the muer needs to be soaked so that the mushrooms from the compressed mass become individual specimens. Attention! Hot water cannot be used to soak muer, because... when exposed to high temperatures, you will end up with something slimy and unedible. Water slightly warmer than room temperature is suitable for this purpose.
After soaking, they need to be sorted out, rinsed and filled with cold water for at least 12 hours. Although there are recipes that give other time frames for soaking.
Fans of this mushroom often recommend lightly salting the drained mushrooms and seasoning them with a small amount of 9% vinegar before cooking.

They are almost never used as independent dishes in European cuisine. But Asian cuisine is famous for a wide variety of dishes with the addition of these woody organisms. In Korea, they are fried with hot red pepper and other spices, sprinkled with fresh herbs and served as a main dish. “Silver ears” are well suited as a side dish to fried or boiled potatoes, rice and pork. Pairs well with fresh vegetables in salads.