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The medicinal properties of birch tinder fungus are of interest to traditional medicine. The fungus is a parasite on wood, but at the same time has a beneficial effect on human health.
What it looks like and where it grows
Birch tinder fungus is a tree fungus that does not have a stem and consists exclusively of a large cap. In young specimens, the fruiting body is ovoid, in adults it is flattened, up to 25 cm in diameter, hoof-like.
The surface of the birch tinder fungus is white or creamy yellow in color and covered with a film. In adult mushrooms, the cap hardens and takes on a brown or brown tint. The lower surface of the tinder fungus is tubular in structure, white or yellowish. In the initial stages of development, it remains rather soft, but over time it also becomes lignified. The taste of young specimens is sour, exuding a strong mushroom smell.
This species of tinder fungus grows exclusively on birches, which explains the name. Found throughout Russia, most often in Western Siberia. It usually settles on dead trunks and dry ones. Sometimes it lives on weakened and diseased trees, and is a parasite and additionally oppresses them.
Chemical composition
Photos and medicinal properties of birch tinder fungus are of interest due to its chemical composition. The fruiting bodies contain:
- vitamin C;
- ergosterol peroxide;
- antioxidants;
- fatty acid;
- lycopene and beta-carotene;
- oleic and linoleic acids;
- betulin and lupeol;
- phomedicic acid;
- pectins;
- chitin.
When used carefully according to recipes, birch tinder fungus can improve well-being. It is used for acute diseases and severe chronic ailments.
The healing properties of birch tinder fungus
Traditional medicine has been using the mushroom for several decades. In small doses, birch tinder fungus benefits the body, namely:
- helps with chronic constipation due to the laxative effect;
- cleanses the body of toxins and improves liver function;
- strengthens the immune system and prevents colds;
- relieves pain and inflammation in joint ailments;
- accelerates skin healing and disinfects tissues for cuts, wounds and ulcers;
- improves mood and has a tonic effect;
- serves as the prevention of cancer and stimulates the body to resist malignant tumors;
- has a mild analgesic effect;
- soothes irritations of the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines;
- improves the functioning of the kidneys and the reproductive system.
Birch tinder fungus reduces appetite. This makes it useful in the diet, it promotes weight loss.
Preparation and application methods
Traditional medicine uses the pulp of a birch tinder fungus to prepare several medicines. They can be applied externally and internally.
Tincture of birch tinder fungus
Alcohol tincture of woody mushroom is beneficial for nervous disorders and sleep disorders. They make it according to this recipe:
- dry tinder fungus is crushed to a powder state in an amount of 200 g;
- pour raw materials 500 ml of high-quality vodka;
- clog the vessel and put it in a dark place for three days;
- filter the medicine from the sediment.
Ready tincture is taken in a small spoon an hour before going to bed. It is necessary to continue the course of treatment for three weeks.
Infusion
With cardiovascular ailments and intestinal diseases, you can take an aqueous infusion of woody fungus. The recipe for the preparation looks like this:
- dry mushroom is crushed in the amount of two small spoons;
- pour the resulting powder 200 ml of hot clean water;
- when closed, leave to infuse for two days;
- after a lapse of time, the agent is filtered and poured into a new container.
You need to take the infusion 15 ml three times a day on an empty stomach.
Powder
One of the recipes for using birch tinder fungus recommends using dry powder of fruit bodies. Medicinal raw materials disinfect damage and promote rapid skin recovery. Wounds and ulcers are washed with peroxide or alcohol, and then sprinkled with mushroom powder and a sterile bandage is applied on top.
The use of birch tinder fungus in folk medicine
Homemade recipes recommend using birch tinder fungus for a wide range of diseases. Organic acids and tannins in the composition of the fungus are beneficial for external damage, for ailments of the respiratory and digestive systems, and even for oncology.
With bronchitis
An aqueous infusion of a tree fungus helps well against bronchitis and a cold cough. It is prepared according to this recipe:
- crushed raw materials in a volume of 100 g;
- pour 2 liters of hot liquid;
- simmer in a water bath for half an hour;
- removed from the stove and kept under a lid and a towel for another four hours.
The strained infusion is taken in a large spoon up to four times a day on an empty stomach. The product helps fight bacterial processes in the respiratory organs, eliminates cough and sore throat.
For wounds and cuts
You can disinfect skin lesions and ulcers with alcohol tincture of dry tinder fungus. Prepare it as follows:
- fruit bodies are ground into powder in a volume of 10 g;
- fall asleep in a glass vessel and pour 150 ml of vodka;
- when closed, they are removed for two weeks in a dark, cool place.
After the time has elapsed, the tincture is filtered. The finished product is used to wipe wounds and open ulcers in order to prevent the development of bacterial processes and to speed up healing.
For constipation
Birch tinder fungus stimulates peristalsis and improves chronic constipation. Traditional medicine offers such a remedy:
- dry raw materials are crushed in a volume of 1.5 large spoons;
- powder is poured with 500 ml of hot water;
- boil over low heat for half an hour;
- in a closed form and under towels, they insist for another four hours.
The filtered agent is taken four times a day, 15 ml.
With oncology
The analgesic properties of birch tinder fungus are used in the treatment of cancer in severe forms of the disease. The decoction recipe looks like this:
- wood mushroom is ground into powder;
- 400 ml of hot water is poured into 15 g of dry raw materials;
- simmer over low heat for 20 minutes;
- filter through cheesecloth.
You need to take the broth in a large spoonful three times a day to relieve pain.
To cleanse the liver
Birch tinder fungus effectively removes toxins and toxins from the body. The following infusion has a beneficial effect on the liver:
- the mushroom is chopped in the amount of two small spoons;
- the raw material is poured with a glass of warm water and left for two days under the lid;
- filter after expiration.
The drug is taken on an empty stomach three times a day, a single dosage is 15 ml. You can use tinder fungus after poisoning and as a preventive measure for liver health.
With rheumatism
Tincture of birch tinder fungus has a good effect on joint diseases. Prepare it like this:
- 5 g of dried mushroom is ground into powder;
- pour raw materials 150 ml of good vodka;
- in a closed vessel, remove to a dark place for two weeks.
The strained agent is used for rubbing joints and for compresses.
With nail fungus
Tinder fungus helps to cope with fungal diseases and strengthens the nail plate. For medicinal purposes, such a remedy is prepared:
- the pulp of a young mushroom is poured with water for five hours until softened;
- after the lapse of time, cut the tinder fungus into small pieces;
- pour 30 g of raw materials with 500 ml of vodka or diluted alcohol;
- keep the product in a dark place for two weeks.
Over time, the pieces of tinder fungus are removed from the tincture and, using a blender, brought to a state of homogeneous mass. The resulting product is rubbed daily overnight into the nail plate.
Application for weight loss
Wood tinder fungus speeds up metabolic processes and helps to quickly lose weight. On a diet it is useful to use such a remedy:
- crushed birch mushroom in an amount of 5 g;
- pieces or fine powder are poured into 100 ml of hot water at about 80 ° C;
- kept closed for a quarter of an hour and filtered.
The product is taken completely chilled three times a day right with meals. The course must be continued for two months.
Home use
The tinder fungus from birch is useful not only for its medical qualities. Fruit bodies are also used for other purposes. Namely:
- to create highly flammable tinder, the pulp is first boiled together with ash, and then dried qualitatively;
- for plastering walls - if you grind the porous white bottom surface with high quality, you can get a mixture with good antifungal and sticky properties;
- for sharpening blades - dried tinder fungus helps to restore sharpness to scissors and knives;
- for polishing metala - you can use a mushroom instead of fine sandpaper;
- for repelling insects - if you cut a dry tinder fungus into slices and set it on fire, the smell will scare away mosquitoes.
In the old days, the tree fungus was used in the manufacture of ink. The dried pulp was also used as a base for attaching collection insects.
Contraindications and possible harm
Useful properties and contraindications of the birch tinder fungus depend on the characteristics of the organism. It is not recommended to use products based on the product:
- with individual allergies;
- during pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- with severe kidney and liver diseases;
- during exacerbation of pancreatitis and stomach ulcers;
- in children under 12 years of age.
When using fruiting bodies for medicinal purposes, safe dosages must be observed. If the recommended volumes are exceeded, side effects may develop - nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and skin rashes.
Conclusion
The medicinal properties of birch tinder fungus are beneficial for colds and have a beneficial effect on the digestive processes. The tree fungus can be used to heal lesions and to relieve pain, but in all cases, small dosages are required.
