The efficacy and function of catalpa

As a traditional Chinese medicine, Catalpa ovata has great medicinal value and can treat many diseases. Let’s take a closer look at it below.

[Source] Medicinal material source: The fruiting body of the Polyporaceae fungus, Polyporaceae.

[Original morphology] The fruiting body of the hard-shelled polypore is perennial, lateral and sessile. The cap is mostly flat, rarely hoof-shaped, (8-17) cm × (10-21) cm, 3-6 cm thick; the cap skin is very hard, dark brown to black, smooth, ridged, and blunt-edged. The tube mouth is white to beige; the tube mouth is small and round, with 4-5 per 1mm; the bacterial tube has multiple layers, each layer is about 3-5mm long, and is nearly white to light beige. The flesh is woody, hard, white, and gradually turns to brown, 4-8mm thick. Spores are oval, colorless, smooth, (6-8)μm×(4-5)μm.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: grows on dead standing trees such as oak.

【Properties】 Characteristic identification: The fruiting body is sessile. The cap is mostly flat and shell-shaped, with a long diameter of 10-21cm, a short diameter of 8-17cm, and a thickness of 3-6cm. The surface is crusty, dark brown or black, smooth, and has concentric rings. The surface of the tube mouth is white, the tube mouth is round, and there are 4-5 of them every 1mm. Multiple layers of bacterial tubes can be seen in the longitudinal section. Wood. Slight odor, light taste.

【Functions and indications】Calming down the nerves; stopping bleeding; dispelling wind and relieving itching. It is used to treat acute and chronic convulsions in children; hemoptysis; and skin itching.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction, 6-12g.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

This is all I have to say about the effects of Catalpa ovata. I hope it will be helpful to you. Although the value of catalpa mushrooms is very high, we must be cautious when eating them.