Is Black Fungus Poisonous? Benefits, Contraindications, Soaking Time and Recipes Explained
Black fungus is an edible fungus of the Auriculariaceae family, named for its ear-like shape and dark brown color. Its nutrients are complete and rich in variety, earning it the title “meat among vegetables”; black fungus not only has edible value but also certain medicinal value. So, what are the benefits of black fungus and its contraindications? Is it poisonous? How long should it be soaked? What recipes are there?
1. What are the benefits and contraindications of black fungus?
1. Nutritional components of black fungus
2. What are the benefits of black fungus?
(1) Anti-tumor: Black fungus contains polysaccharides, which can enhance the body's immunity and have a certain anti-tumor effect. In Chinese folk medicine, black fungus is also decocted with water and taken to treat cervical cancer and vaginal cancer in women.
(2) Cleansing the stomach and intestines, preventing stones: Black fungus contains cellulose, plant collagen and other components that can promote gastrointestinal peristalsis, remove and expel toxic substances in feces and dust and impurities remaining in the human digestive system, dissolve endogenous foreign bodies such as gallstones and kidney stones in the body, and promote the discharge of stones.
(3) Preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases: Black fungus contains vitamin K, calcium, magnesium and other minerals, which can reduce blood clots, prevent the occurrence of conditions such as thrombosis, and prevent and treat atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. It also has the effect of promoting blood circulation and anticoagulation.
(4) Beautifying the skin and nourishing the blood: Black fungus has a high vitamin E content, which can whiten the skin. The polysaccharides it contains have an anti-aging effect. It also has a high iron content, which can beautify the skin, nourish the blood, and prevent iron deficiency anemia.
(5) Weight loss: Black fungus contains lecithin, which can make body fat take on a liquid state in the body, helping to drive the movement of body fat and allowing fat to be completely consumed in the body. The cellulose it contains can promote intestinal peristalsis and promote fat excretion, playing a role in weight loss.
3. What are the dietary contraindications of black fungus?
(1) What black fungus should not be eaten with: It should not be eaten with radish, dwarf lilyturf tuber, conch, river snail, pheasant, wild duck, tea, etc. Eating it with radish can cause skin allergies and dermatitis; eating it with dwarf lilyturf tuber can cause chest tightness; eating it with conch is not conducive to digestion and can cause abdominal bloating; eating it with river snail can cause poisoning; eating it with pheasant can induce hemorrhoid bleeding; eating it with wild duck can cause indigestion; and eating it with tea can affect the human body's absorption of iron.
(2) Who should not eat black fungus: People with bleeding disorders, people prone to diarrhea, people with poor digestive function, people with allergic constitutions, pregnant women, infants and young children, etc. should not eat it. Black fungus has the effect of promoting blood circulation, so people with bleeding disorders who eat it will experience increased bleeding, and pregnant women who consume too much may easily miscarry. Black fungus is rich in cellulose, so people prone to diarrhea and people with poor digestive function who eat it may easily experience gastrointestinal bloating and diarrhea. Fresh fungus contains a photosensitive substance called porphyrin, and people with allergic constitutions who eat it and then are exposed to sunlight will develop photosensitivity dermatitis. Fungus has a laxative effect, and since infants and young children have weak stomachs and intestines, it is recommended that they do not eat it.
2. Is black fungus poisonous?
Black fungus itself is non-toxic, but fresh fungus is not edible because fresh fungus contains a substance called “porphyrin,” and after eating it, exposure to sunlight can cause skin itching, redness, swelling, and painful itching, so it is better to make it into a dried product. If it is made into a dried product, the soaking time for black fungus should not be too long. Long soaking makes it prone to spoilage and the production of biological toxins, and eating it can cause poisoning symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. Therefore, each time only soak the amount of black fungus to be eaten for that meal for a short time, and do not eat black fungus that has been soaked overnight. After soaking black fungus, if an off odor is found or it feels slimy to the touch, it should be discarded immediately.
3. How long is it appropriate to soak black fungus?
Black fungus can be soaked in cold water, hot water, salt water, or a microwave. Soaking in cold water generally takes about 3-4 hours, and the best is to soak it in 15-25 degree water for 8 hours. Soaking in hot water generally takes 15-20 minutes, but black fungus soaked this way has a low expansion rate and a soft texture rather than a crisp one. Soaking in salt water generally takes about 1 hour, which can effectively rub off the sand in the black fungus. Soaking in a microwave generally takes only 4 minutes: place the dried black fungus in a container with an appropriate amount of water, cover it, and heat it on high in the microwave for 4 minutes before taking it out.
4. What recipes are there for black fungus?
After soaking, black fungus can be eaten directly as a cold dish, or stir-fried, stewed in soup, or used as filling for steamed buns and dumplings. Cold dressed black fungus is a home-style dish made with black fungus as the main ingredient, mixed with cilantro, onion, chili, and seasonings. It tastes refreshing and palatable and is suitable for summer. Stir-fried black fungus can be stir-fried directly with chili and seasonings, or stir-fried separately with celery, pork, cucumber, lotus root slices, etc. Black fungus stewed in soup can be stewed directly with water and seasonings, or stewed separately with red dates, cucumber, kelp, tofu and vegetables, pork ribs, Chinese yam, etc. Black fungus can also be minced to make filling for steamed buns and dumplings.