The efficacy and function of straw mushrooms

There are many kinds of common Chinese medicinal materials in life. Many people don’t know how to choose when using them, such as straw mushrooms. Therefore, before choosing, you need to have a certain understanding of its efficacy and dosage. So do you know what the efficacy and effects of straw mushrooms are?

[Other names] Straw mushroom, orchid mushroom, stalk mushroom, hemp mushroom, domestic mushroom, Nanhua mushroom, grass mushroom, delicious mushroom, foot mushroom

[Source] Medicinal material source: The fruiting body of the Volvariella volvacea of ​​the family Agaricus.

【Original morphology】 The cap is 5-19cm wide. Nearly bell-shaped; stretched out and slightly convex in the middle, dry surface, gray to gray-brown, darker in the middle, with radial stripes. The flesh is white, soft and slightly thick in the middle. The gills are white then turn pink, slightly dense, wide; free and of unequal length. The stipe is nearly cylindrical, 5-18cm long, 0.8-1.5cm thick, white or slightly yellowish, smooth, and medium-solid. The stipe is large, bract-shaped, thick, and dirty white to gray-black. Spore print pink. Spores are smooth, oval, (6-8.4) μm × (4-5.6) μm. The cystic body of the fold margin is club-shaped, with a pointed apex or nearly caudal, (95-100)μm×(16-35)μm.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: grows on piles of straw and other grass. It is mostly cultivated artificially in summer and autumn.

[Cultivation] 1. Biological characteristics: Volvariella volvacea is a high-temperature saprophytic fungus with a growth temperature range of 10-44°C and a relative humidity requirement of 80%. It is an aerobic fungus with an optimum pH of 6-7.5.

【Properties】 Identification of properties: Most fruiting bodies have been cut into two parts longitudinally. The complete cap is bell-shaped, or flat and slightly convex in the middle, with a diameter of 5-19cm, gray or gray-black, with dark cilia, forming radial stripes. The middle part of the mushroom is thicker, softer and yellowish-white. The gills are dense and wide, of unequal length, and white or pink. The stipe is nearly cylindrical, 5-18cm long, 0.8-1.5cm in diameter, yellowish white or light yellow, and solid inside. The stipe is large, thick, cup-shaped, dirty white, with a yellow-black upper edge. It has a fragrant smell and a unique taste.

[Chemical composition] Contains volvotoxin, vulpinic acid, vitamin C, polysaccharides, ergosterol, γ-ergostenol, provitamin D2, D4, 24β-methylcholesta-5,7-dien-3β-ol, 24β-methylcholesta-7-en-3β-ol.

[Pharmacological action] 1. The toxins and fox skin acid contained in this product have antibacterial effects on Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, and acid-fast Clostridium difficile.

【Nature and flavor】 Sweet; Cold

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat and relieves summer heat; replenishes Qi and blood; lowers blood pressure. Mainly used for summer heat, thirst, weak constitution, dizziness, fatigue, and high blood pressure

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 9-15g, fresh product 30-90g; or taken as food regularly.

[Discussions by various scholars] "Xinhua Compendium of Materia Medica": Whole plant: sweet in taste, cold in nature. It has the functions of clearing away heat, invigorating qi, and anti-cancer.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The above is a detailed description of the effects and eating methods of straw mushrooms. Medicines like straw mushrooms are very effective in treating diseases. However, it should be noted that when using straw mushrooms, they need to be used in moderation and not too much, otherwise it will not be of any benefit to the body.