Birch fungus (tinder fungus, chaga). Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

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Birch fungus (tinder fungus, chaga). Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

Content

Photos, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism
Basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism
Botanical description, reference data, useful information, illustrations
Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology
Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

Birch fungus (bone fungus, chaga), Inonotus obliquus. Photos of the plant, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Birch mushroom (tinder fungus, chaga)

Basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Sort by: Birch mushroom (Piptoporus betulinus)

Family: Fomaceae (Fomitopsidaceae)

Origin: The birch fungus comes from the forests of the temperate zone of Eurasia and North America. It is a parasitic fungus that usually grows on birches, but can sometimes be found on other types of trees.

Area: Birch fungus can be found in various regions of the world, including North America, Europe, Asia, and Scandinavia.

Chemical composition: Birch fungus contains polysaccharides, phenylpropanoids, terpenes and other biologically active substances that can have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The mushroom also contains xyloglucans, which can be used as prebiotics.

Economic value: Birch fungus is used in folk medicine as a remedy for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract and skin diseases. Also, the fungus is used in cosmetology for the production of creams and lotions. Currently, studies are underway on the possibility of using birch fungus as a source of biologically active substances for the production of new drugs.

Legends, myths, symbolism: In the northern regions of Japan and China, birch fungus has been considered a symbol of longevity, health and well-being. In Finnish mythology, the birch fungus was considered a symbol of life and fertility, and was used to create talismans and amulets. In some cultures, birch fungus was used in rituals associated with the worship of ancestors and nature spirits.

Birch fungus (bone fungus, chaga), Inonotus obliquus. Description, illustrations of the plant

Birch fungus (bone fungus, chaga), Inonotus obliquus. Description of the plant, area, cultivation, application

Birch mushroom (tinder fungus, chaga)

Parasitic tinder fungus often develops on adult birch trunks.

The spores of this fungus enter places with damaged bark, germinate there, penetrate into the wood to the core, forming a mycelium.

Then, a fruiting body develops under the bark, which, tearing the bark, comes to the surface. The growth, gradually increasing, reaches 40 cm in length, more than 15 cm in thickness, about 5 kg in weight. Grows 10-15 years.

Birch fungus, jelly-shaped, black on the outside, cracked, with a bumpy surface, numerous shallow cracks. The middle part of the fungus is dark brown or brownish in color, very dense, at the base, at the points of attachment to the tree - softer, lighter, pierced with small yellowish veins.

Chaga contains many biologically active substances: chromogens, intensely colored pigment substances of complex chemical composition, triterpenoid inonothodiol, polysaccharides, alkaloids, sterols, organic acids (agaricinic, vanillic, butyric, formic, acetic, oxalic, etc.), resins, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc, flavonoids, etc.

For economic purposes, chaga is used in veterinary medicine - calves suffering from dyspepsia are given water with chaga infusion.

In nutrition, birch fungus powder is used, which is brewed and drunk like tea. 1/2 teaspoon of birch fungus, 250 ml of water.

In folk medicine, chaga is used in the treatment of many diseases.

Chaga preparations have a tonic, analgesic, restorative effect, improve the state of the central nervous system, appetite, functions of the stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, reduce spastic pain in the abdomen, improve the well-being of patients with peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, gastritis, colitis, cancer , especially the digestive, respiratory, mammary glands.

Infusion of chaga. Soak the washed mushroom in chilled boiled water for 4-5 hours, drain the infusion. Grind the mushroom on a grater, or in a mortar, or pass through a meat grinder, pour infusion heated to a temperature of 40-50 ° C in a ratio of 1: 5, leave for 48 hours, then drain the infusion again, squeeze out the rest. Then mix the infusion and chaga and drink 200 ml 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals or 100 ml 6 times a day for chronic gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, colitis, general weakness, poor appetite, cancer of various localizations as symptomatic remedy.

For tumors in the pelvis, warm microclysters are made from an infusion of 50-100 ml per night.

In pharmacies there are tablets of chaga extract - befungin. The rules of use are described in the attached instructions.

When treating with chaga, one should limit or exclude the use of spicy, spicy dishes, canned food, smoked meats, meat, fats, especially margarine; you can not prescribe antibiotics, intravenous administration of glucose.

In diseases where fluid intake is limited, a concentrated infusion of chaga is prescribed (5 parts of chaga for 2 parts of water).

Contraindications There are no direct contraindications to taking chaga preparations. With prolonged use of them in some patients, the excitability of the autonomic nervous system may increase.

In these cases, you should reduce the dose of drugs or temporarily stop taking them.

Birch mushroom (tinder fungus, chaga)

Chaga can be harvested at any time of the year from living trees. The mushroom is cut down with an ax, a billhook under the very base, the loose part is cleaned off, the bark, wood, birch bark are separated, chopped into pieces of 3-10 cm and dried in the summer in attics, under a canopy, in well-ventilated rooms, spreading in a thin layer, periodically turned over, in the fall and in winter - in dryers, ovens, ovens at a temperature not exceeding 60 ° C.

The dried mushroom is very hard, dark brown with small yellow veins, odorless, bitter taste. Store raw materials in bags in a dry, well-ventilated area for up to 2 years.

Birch chaga should not be confused with other growths on birch - tinder fungus, since poisoning can be observed when using them instead of chaga.

Chaga birch round or oval, cracked, pitted with many cracks, black on the outside, dark brown, brown on the inside, pierced with yellowish veins at the base.

A real tinder fungus is a hoof-shaped semicircle, flat on the underside, with a wide base. The surface is smooth with concentric grooves, covered with a hard, brownish or grayish crust. Easily removed from the tree.

False tinder fungus - hoof-shaped, convex from above, the lower part is flat. The surface is velvety with concentric circles, the crust is hard, black-brown or grayish-black.

Authors: Alekseychik N.I., Vasanko V.A.

Birch fungus (bone fungus, chaga), Inonotus obliquus. Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

Ethnoscience:

To boost immunity: prepare a chaga tincture, pour 1 glass of boiling water with 1 tablespoon of crushed chaga and leave for 4-6 hours. Drink a glass of tincture throughout the day to strengthen immunity.
For the treatment of gastritis and stomach ulcers: prepare a decoction of chaga, pour 1 cup of boiling water with 1 tablespoon of chopped chaga and leave for 2-3 hours. Drink a glass of decoction before meals to improve digestion and reduce inflammation in the stomach.
For the treatment of skin diseases: mix chaga powder with olive oil and apply on the affected areas of the skin. Leave on for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. This recipe will help reduce inflammation and itching on the skin.
To treat a cold: prepare a decoction of chaga, pour 1 cup of boiling water with 1 tablespoon of chopped chaga and leave for 2-3 hours. Add honey and lemon juice to taste and drink throughout the day to reduce cold symptoms and boost your immune system.

Cosmetology:

Face tonic: mix a teaspoon of chaga powder with 200 ml of boiling water and infuse for 30 minutes. Add a few drops of rosemary or lavender essential oil, if desired. Wipe your face with toner using a cotton pad to hydrate and refresh your skin.
Mask for the face: Mix a teaspoon of chaga powder with a teaspoon of honey and enough water to make a paste. Apply the mask on your face for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with warm water. This mask will help reduce inflammation and irritation on the skin.
Body cream: mix chaga powder with olive oil and honey in equal proportions to get a creamy consistency. Apply the cream on the skin of the body after a shower to moisturize and nourish the skin.

Attention! Before use, consult with a specialist!

Birch fungus (bone fungus, chaga), Inonotus obliquus. Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

Birch fungus, also known as tinder fungus or chaga, is a valuable medicinal plant that you can grow on your property.

Tips for growing, harvesting and storing birch fungus:

Cultivation:

Birch fungus can be grown on birch trees. Choose a healthy tree that is free from diseases or pests.
Prepare a place for planting, clean the tree trunk from excess branches and bark.
Determine the place where the mushroom will be. It is recommended to choose a place on the north side of the tree where there will be some shade and sunlight will not directly hit the mushroom.
Planting is carried out with the help of packing material (birch disks or pieces of trunks) about 10 cm in diameter and about 10-15 cm in length. They must be fairly fresh and healthy.
The nozzle must be fixed to the tree trunk with thread or wire.
The distance between plants should be at least 1 meter.
Birch fungus prefers damp places, so plant it on trees that grow in fertile soil with good water-holding capacity.
Lighting is also important for mushroom growth. It is recommended to choose a place where there will be a slight shade and sunlight will not directly hit the mushroom.
Birch mushroom does not require special care. It grows slowly, so don't expect quick results.
Keep the soil around the tree moist and provide a constant supply of water.
Check the mushroom regularly for diseases or pests. If you find any problems, apply appropriate control measures.

Workpiece:

Chaga is recommended to be collected in spring or autumn, when it contains the maximum amount of nutrients.
Chaga should be mature, tough and dark brown in color. Do not use mushrooms that are bright red or orange, as this may be a sign that the mushroom is infected with a fungal disease.
After harvesting, the chaga must be thoroughly cleaned of dirt and excess bark. To do this, you can use a soft brush or sponge.
Then, the chaga is cut into pieces and dried in a ventilated place at room temperature.
After drying, chaga can be stored in a paper or cloth bag.

Storage:

Dry chaga is stored for a long time, but storage conditions must be monitored to avoid infection with fungal diseases.
Chaga should be stored in a dry place at a temperature of 5 to 20 °C.
It is recommended to use glass or plastic containers for storing chaga, closed with a lid to prevent moisture and fungal spores from entering the container.

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