The efficacy and function of black stone ear

Black stone fungus is a very common Chinese medicine in our daily life. It is also very important in our daily life. However, some people don’t know much about the efficacy and functions of black stone fungus, so let us learn about it in detail below.

[Other names] White stone ear, stone ear, rock mushroom

[Source] Medicinal material source: It is the lichen of the pericarp of the plant family Periocarpaceae.

[Original morphology] The body of the lichen is leaf-shaped, 0.45-0.5mm thick, irregularly round, and 2-4cm in diameter. The back is gray-brown or dirty gray, and the surface is covered with a powdery frost-like substance. The ventral surface is dark brown or black brown, with clustered rhizomes attached to the matrix. The quilt organ is buried under the surface layer on the back. It is spherical with a diameter of 0.3mm. The protruding holes are in the shape of small dots, and the surrounding mycelium layer is dark brown. Spores are oblong, colorless, 1-loculed, (14-17)μm×(6-9)μm.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Grown on the rock surface beside river banks and streams in the moister areas of low mountains, especially limestone.

[Properties] Identification of properties: The lichen body is leaf-shaped, irregularly round, and has a diameter of 2-4 cm. The surface is grayish white; the inside is yellowish brown, with clustered rhizomes attached to the matrix. Slight odor, light taste.

[Chemical composition] Lichen contains D-manno-D-volemitol, polysaccharides, etc.

[Pharmacological action] Black fungus has a significant antihypertensive effect on both anesthetized and awake animals. Studies have shown that polysaccharides are its effective ingredients for lowering blood pressure.

【Nature and flavor】 Light; slightly bitter; neutral

【Meridian】 Stomach meridian

【Functions and indications】Digestion; diuresis; blood pressure lowering. Mainly used for indigestion, abdominal distension, dysentery, malnutrition, and hypertension

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 9-15g.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The above content is an introduction to the traditional Chinese medicine black stone fungus. We should learn more about black stone fungus in our daily lives so that we can use it more reasonably and better realize its value.