Can moldy Cordyceps sinensis be eaten?

When it comes to Cordyceps sinensis, everyone knows that it is a very precious Chinese herbal medicine with high nutritional value. So it is normal that it has become one of the best choices for gifts. That is why many people will buy a lot of them to take home during the holidays. In the later period, some Cordyceps sinensis became moldy because they were not sent out for a long time. So, can moldy Cordyceps sinensis still be eaten?

Unprocessed Cordyceps sinensis is very easy to deteriorate, become hollowed out and moldy during storage due to the breeding of bacteria, mold and even parasites and high moisture content. Not only does it lose its medicinal value, it can also be harmful to the body. Studies have shown that moldy substances can lead to a significantly increased incidence of liver cancer and digestive tract cancer. Even soaking in white wine or alcohol cannot remove them, and washing and drying them are even more impossible to eliminate. They must never be eaten.

In terms of efficacy, not only has the efficacy been lost, but more importantly, even if the mildew spots on the surface are removed, the aflatoxin contained in it cannot be removed. Aflatoxin is a strong carcinogen. Animal experiments have shown that it takes as little as 24 weeks for aflatoxin to cause cancer. It has relatively stable chemical properties and can only be destroyed at high temperatures above 280°C. It is recommended that you pay attention to the storage method of expensive Cordyceps sinensis. Usually the humidity of Cordyceps sinensis should be kept between 5%-8%, and it is best to store it in the refrigerator.

The amount of Cordyceps that an average family buys each time will be slightly more than the amount taken at one time, so it is necessary to pay attention to the storage of Cordyceps. If the amount of Cordyceps sinensis is small and the storage time is not long, just put it together with a small amount of Sichuan pepper or Cortex Moutan in a sealed glass bottle and refrigerate it in the refrigerator. If the quantity is large or needs to be stored for a long time, it is best to put some desiccant in the storage area in addition to the pepper and moutan bark. If you find that the Cordyceps has become damp and soft, you should take it out immediately and expose it to the sun or roast it lightly over charcoal fire. If you have a kimchi jar at home, you can also put some quicklime at the bottom of the jar, put a small pad on the lime, then put the Cordyceps on the pad, cover it, and put some clean water next to the sink. This way, it can be preserved for a longer time. It is generally best to store Cordyceps for no more than a year, otherwise its effectiveness will be greatly lost.

Precautions

1. Don't use the freezing layer of the refrigerator, just use the fresh-keeping layer.

2. Be sure to seal it, which is why you need to use two layers of plastic bags, or maybe you can use three layers.

3. Check regularly, at least once a month. If you find any moisture or mold, be sure to dry it in the sun and then store it as mentioned above.

At home, we can completely follow the method of Cordyceps merchants. In addition, we can also put peppercorns in a cloth bag and store them together with the Cordyceps. Sichuan pepper not only has a certain moisture absorption function, but more importantly, its smell can kill bacteria.

We all know that Cordyceps sinensis is a very expensive medicinal material with high medicinal value, so many people are reluctant to throw it away when Cordyceps sinensis becomes moldy. But after reading the above content, I hope everyone knows that some moldy medicinal materials cannot be eaten, no matter how valuable they are. Your own body is the most important thing, this is something everyone should understand.