The efficacy and function of wild mushrooms

We know that there are many kinds of Chinese medicinal materials, and wild mushrooms are one of them. In order for wild mushrooms to play their role correctly and scientifically, you need to master the method of eating them, because different medicinal herbs have their own unique nutrition and efficacy. Let’s study it below.

[Source] Medicinal material source: The fruiting body of wild mushrooms of the Agaricus family.

[Original morphology] The cap is semicircular, convex in the middle, and slightly flattened in the later stage. Diameter 6-8cm. The lid surface is smooth and dry; it may be slightly cracked in the later stage, and there may be inconspicuous small scales in the center of the lid. White, milky white or creamy yellow, slightly yellow when squeezed. The flesh of the mushroom is white. It tastes slightly sweet with a slight anise flavor. The gills are dense and separate, white at first, and turn pink or dark brown when mature. The petiole is columnar, nearly of equal thickness, with a flocculent membrane outside the junction of the middle end and the lid edge, which is white or creamy yellow, brittle and easily broken. There are 4 basidiospores, which are oval in shape, with smooth walls, (7-8.5) μm × (5-6) μm. They are light brown to dark brown. The bud and bloom seasons are from late spring to late autumn.

【Habitat distribution】Ecological environment: grows in grasslands, steppes and forest edges.

[Properties] Identification of properties: The cap is hemispherical, oblate or flat, with a diameter of 6-18cm, white, creamy yellow or light yellow, with a smooth or slightly cracked surface, and sometimes with inconspicuous small scales. The flesh is thick and white. The gills are dense, unequal in length, white, pink or dark brown. The stipe is cylindrical, 4-12cm long, 1.5-3.0cm in diameter, white or creamy yellow, with a ring sometimes visible in the middle and upper part. The annulus is double-layered, large and thick. It has a fragrant smell and a unique taste.

[Chemical composition] Contains trace elements such as arsenic, copper, potassium, phosphorus, cadmium, mercury, vanadium, chromium, zinc and lead. It also contains urea, fatty acid, triterpenes, mannitol, ergosterol, and vitamin C.

【Nature and flavor】 Salty; warm

【Functions and indications】Dispel wind and cold; relax muscles and activate blood circulation. It is used to treat wind-cold-dampness arthralgia, pain in the waist and legs, and numbness of the hands and feet.

【Usage and Dosage】 For oral administration: grind into powder, 6-9g; or make into pills.

[Discussions by various scholars] "Xinhua Compendium of Materia Medica": Tastes slightly salty, warm in nature. It has the functions of relaxing muscles and tendons, dispelling wind and cold. Used to treat numbness of hands and feet.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Everyone should know about the medicinal value of wild mushrooms. We should pay more attention to information in this area so that we can be prepared when encountering problems and avoid panic.