Content
Tinder fungus is an inedible, but medicinal representative of the Polyporov family. The species is unique, grows everywhere, on damaged trunks of deciduous trees. Since it has medicinal properties, it is widely used in folk medicine. But before starting self-medication, you need to know the external description, view photos and videos, and consult with a specialist.
Where does the real tinder fungus grow
A real tinder can be found anywhere in Russia. He prefers to settle on damaged, rotten deciduous wood. Also, single specimens grow on stumps, dead and fallen trees.
When settling on a living tree, the fungus develops white rot on it, as a result of which the wood turns into dust and disintegrates into plates. Spores begin to develop rapidly after penetration into the trunk through cracks, mechanical damage to the bark and branches.
What does blood sponge mushroom look like?
Acquaintance with this representative of the forest kingdom, you need to start with external characteristics.
At a young age, the species has a semicircular shape, as it grows, it becomes hoof-shaped. Since the mushroom has no legs, it grows to the tree with its lateral side. The adult fruiting body reaches 40 cm in diameter and 20 cm in thickness. The wavy, slightly ribbed surface is smooth; when fully ripe, it becomes covered with small cracks. A dense matte top layer with clearly visible concentric zones is colored light gray, beige or ocher.
The pulp is tough, corky, velvety to the touch on the cut. The color is yellow or brown. Mushroom without taste, but with a pleasant fruity aroma. The lower layer is painted in a gray-whitish color; when pressed, a dark spot appears. Reproduction occurs in microscopic, cylindrical, colorless spores.
The fungus grows on both live and dead wood
Is it possible to eat a real tinder fungus
Polypores are not used in cooking due to their tough pulp. But thanks to its beneficial properties, mushroom pickers collect it for the preparation of healing infusions and decoctions.
Medicinal properties and use of the present tinder fungus
Polypore real fomesfomentarius, or as it is popularly called "blood sponge", is widely used in folk medicine. Medicinal properties:
- stops the growth of cancer cells;
- stops bleeding, the pulp absorbs blood perfectly, and the mushroom can be used instead of a bandage;
- thanks to agaric acid, it removes toxins and bad cholesterol;
- cleanses the liver of toxins and restores cells;
- helps with respiratory diseases.
This representative of the forest kingdom has been known since ancient times.In ancient Greece, the mushroom was used to treat gastrointestinal diseases, with the help of it they got rid of stress and depression. It was also used in surgery as a hemostatic material.
In China, the mushroom is recommended for people with obesity, digestive problems, and impotence. And women use mushroom-based products to improve the condition of their skin, nails and hair.
False doubles
This forest dweller, like any representative of the mushroom kingdom, has similar twins. Such as:
- False - an inedible specimen grows on living deciduous wood. When infected, white rot appears on the tree, which leads to its death. You can recognize the species by the kidney-shaped or spherical shape of the brown-ocher color. The pulp is thick, firm, reddish-brown in color. The pulp has no smell and taste.
The species infects wood with white rot
- Bordered - a perennial and inedible species, resembling a small hoof in shape. The surface with pronounced concentric zones is gray-gray. Beige or light brown pulp is dense, woody, tasteless and odorless. The species is a saprophyte, when wood is destroyed, the soil is enriched with nutrients and becomes fertile. Fruit bodies are used in Chinese medicine to treat blood disorders.
This type is able to cure blood diseases
Collection rules
Collecting this tinder fungus is carried out all year round. For this, a mushroom growing on living wood is carefully cut with a sharp knife. The harvested crop can be dried and made into infusions. The prepared medicine is stored in the refrigerator for no more than six months.
Infusions are made from freshly picked mushrooms filled with boiling water or vodka. Insist and take within a month 2 times a year.
Since the real tinder fungus has similar counterparts, before mushroom hunting, you need to carefully read the description and view the photo.
Conclusion
Tinder fungus is a medicinal representative of the mushroom kingdom. It grows on dead and living wood and bears fruit all year round. Due to the tough, dense pulp, the mushroom is not used in cooking.
