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The healing properties of scaly tinder fungus deserve careful study. The tree fungus is a parasite for the trunks on which it grows, but has a very beneficial effect on the human body.
What it looks like and where it grows
The scaly tinder fungus (Cerioporus squamosus) belongs to the Polyporov family and is considered conditionally edible. You can also meet him under the names variegated tinder fungus, hare, elm and motley. Inhabits fallen trunks and weakened trees, forms mycelium directly inside the wood.
The main part of the fruiting body is a cap up to 30 cm in diameter, at first kidney-shaped, flat and spread as it grows. In structure, it is thick and fleshy, with a leathery yellowish surface and thin edges. The dark scales at the top are arranged in symmetrical circles.
The lower surface of the cap is yellowish and tubular, with large angular pores. The flesh of the mushroom is dense, creamy, with a pleasant rich honey aroma. At a young age, it is quite juicy, but in old specimens it stiffens and becomes unfit for food consumption. The tree tinder fungus has a thick lateral leg up to 10 cm in length, also covered with brown scales.
The mushroom is widespread in the Northern Hemisphere, it can be found throughout Europe, in Russia, in the United States. Grows singly or in groups, usually at a height of 10-12 m on trunks, sometimes located close to the ground. You can see it from May to August, and in the spring, fruiting bodies appear most actively.
Chemical composition
The scaly pestle mushroom is prized in folk medicine for its chemical composition. The pulp contains:
- phytoncides and phytosterols;
- aromatic resins;
- organic acids;
- ergosterol;
- minerals and vitamins;
- peptides;
- essential oils;
- polysaccharides;
- chitin;
- triterpenes.
When used correctly, scaly tinder fungus can improve well-being and help in the fight against serious ailments.
The healing properties of scaly tinder fungus
Scaly tinder fungus is beneficial to health when consumed in moderation. In particular, the mushroom:
- helps to restore the body after poisoning;
- removes slags, heavy metals and toxins from tissues;
- normalizes digestion and metabolism;
- has antiseptic properties and fights inflammation;
- promotes weight loss on a diet while maintaining healthy muscle mass;
- accelerates the breakdown of fats in the body;
- protects the liver and accelerates its recovery;
- normalizes blood glucose levels;
- when applied externally, it helps to fight nail fungus;
- stops bleeding and accelerates the healing of wounds and cuts.
Regular consumption of scaly tinder fungus in food has a beneficial effect on the immune system.The body becomes more resistant to any viruses and infections.
Application in traditional medicine
In home health recipes, scaly tinder fungus is very popular. Traditional medicine offers many schemes for the use of a beneficial mushroom.
For constipation
Scaly tinder fungus normalizes intestinal peristalsis and helps relieve constipation. For treatment, it is necessary to prepare a powder. The dried mushroom is crushed by hand or using kitchen equipment to a dust state.
For medicinal purposes, it is necessary to take a pinch of powder every morning with 100 ml of water. You can also dilute the medicine in liquid and drink it like an infusion, along with the sediment. The whole course of therapy continues for a week.
With wounds
Dry powder of scaly tinder fungus can be used for skin lesions. It is prepared in the standard way, the harvested pulp is carefully chopped. Powder is sprinkled over wounds and cuts and a sterile bandage is applied on top. It needs to be changed twice a day, and the entire treatment is continued until the integrity of the skin is restored.
With oncology
The valuable properties of scaly tinder fungus are used in the complex treatment of cancer. This broth is prepared:
- dry mushroom is crushed to a powder state;
- measure out 1/2 small spoon of the product;
- pour 400 ml of boiling water and boil over low heat for 20 minutes.
The finished product is filtered and cooled. You need to drink the broth three times a day for a large spoon.
For insomnia
The scaly tinder fungus has sedative properties and has a beneficial effect on the nervous system. For insomnia and increased anxiety, you can prepare the following remedy:
- dry mushroom is ground into powder;
- pour 180 g of raw materials with 500 ml of high-quality vodka;
- in a closed container, remove to a dark place for three days;
- filter after expiration.
Useful tincture in a volume of 5 ml is diluted in 100 ml of water and taken one hour before bedtime.
With heart disease
Scaly tinder fungus strengthens blood vessels, normalizes cardiac activity and serves as the prevention of heart attacks and strokes. To strengthen the body, you can take the following remedy:
- two small tablespoons of mushroom powder are poured into a glass of warm clean water;
- cover the container with a lid and leave in a dark place for two days;
- pass the product through cheesecloth.
The infusion is taken in a large spoonful three times a day on an empty stomach. You can continue therapy until the condition improves.
To cleanse the blood
Scaly tinder fungus removes toxins and toxic substances not only from the tissues and intestines, but also from the blood. In order to cleanse the body, the following treatment regimen is used:
- the first two days, take 5 g of powder, washed down with 100 ml of water - throughout the day with intervals of 2.5 hours;
- on the third day and further, the previous dosages are left, but the agent is used only three times a day.
It is necessary to continue therapy for two months. In all cases, scaly tinder fungus powder is taken on an empty stomach, shortly before eating.
With psoriasis
For skin diseases, compresses with scaly tinder fungus bring a good effect. They do it like this:
- 100 g of powder is poured into 500 ml of boiling water;
- the remedy is insisted in a thermos for about six hours;
- filter from sediment.
In the resulting liquid, a sterile bandage is moistened twice a day and fixed on the affected skin areas until the condition improves.
With hepatitis
The valuable properties of scaly tinder fungus can be used for liver hepatitis. The following infusion is prepared for treatment:
- dry mushroom is soaked in a little water for four hours, and then passed through a meat grinder;
- 200 g of raw materials are poured into a glass of fresh warm liquid and left in a dark place for two days;
- the finished product is filtered and added with the water in which the tinder fungus was originally soaked.
You need to take the infusion three times a day, 10 ml each. In total, treatment is continued for three months.
Slimming
A useful fungus, scaly tinder fungus, helps to remove toxins from the body, accelerates the breakdown of fats and helps to get rid of extra pounds. On a diet, you can use the following mixture:
- 1/2 small spoonful of mushroom powder is diluted in 100 ml of water;
- stir well;
- leave to stand for 10-15 minutes.
The finished product is used together with sediment at the bottom twice a day. You need to drink the infusion half an hour before meals.
Cooking applications
Young scaly tinder fungi have a soft, rather tasty pulp and belong to the fourth category of edibility. They can be:
- add to soups;
- fry and simmer;
- use for cooking cutlets;
- salt and pickle for the winter.
Immediately after harvesting, the mushrooms are pretreated, namely:
- for 12 hours soaked in water, changing the liquid every hour;
- remove the legs and finely chop the caps;
- process fruit bodies in boiling water for 40 minutes;
- cleanse mushrooms from scales and skins.
A ready-to-eat scaly tinder fungus should not be tough; it should be tasted regularly when boiled. Since the product contains chitin, which is difficult for the body to absorb, it is recommended to eat no more than 100 g of the mushroom per day, otherwise it can lead to the development of constipation.
Contraindications and possible harm
The beneficial properties of the scaly tinder fungus are closely related to contraindications. It is not recommended to eat pestle mushroom:
- during pregnancy and lactation;
- with sluggish digestion;
- with individual intolerance;
- with urolithiasis;
- under the age of seven.
Only those mushrooms that grow in ecologically clean areas, far from major roads and industrial facilities, can be eaten and used for preparing medicines. Before harvesting the fruit bodies, it is important to make sure that they belong to the edible species and are not false doubles.
Conclusion
The medicinal properties of scaly tinder fungus are used in the treatment of digestive ailments and oncology. The pulp of the mushroom contains many valuable components, but when using it for medicinal purposes, it is important to observe safe dosages and take into account contraindications.
