Balck fungus, Ear fungus or Cloud ear fungus (Auricularia auricula) is a type of fungus derived from the species A. Auricula-judae and derived from the family auriculariaceae. it is called an ear fungus because of its shape that looks like the ear of human.

In Japanese society, ear fungus is also known as kikurage, in Chinese society it also usually called Mu Er, and in English, the ear mushroom is called the Jews Ear / Judas’

The Characteristic of Black Fungus Mushrooms

• In a fresh state, ear fungus has chewy texture. Whereas if in a dry state, this fungus has a hard texture like a bone
• The shape resembles a bowl, and sometimes looks like ear lobe.
• It has a diameter of 2 to 15 cm with thin and chewy meat texture.
• Has a black, or dark brown color.
• The processes of vegetative reproduction in ear fungus is called sprouting, conidia, and mycelium fragmentation. While generative reproduction takes place by using a special parts of its body that commonly called the basidium to produce spores for reproduction, named basidiospores.
• Its life cycle is almost equal to the life cycle of oyster mushrooms and shiitake mushroom, which also produces spores in large numbers, small and lightweight shape when the fruit body is aging.

The Nutrition of Black Fungus Mushrooms

Here are some nutritional content contained in mushroom, among others are:

The serving amount = 99 grams
Nutritional Content (%)
Calories 24.7 kcal 1%
Carbohydrates 6.7 g 2%
Protein 0.5 g 1%
Vitamin C 0.6 mg 1%
Thiamin 0.1 mg 5%
Riboflavin 0.2 mg 12%
Niacin 0.1 mg 0%
Vitamin B6 0.1 4%
Folic acid 18.8 mcg 5%
Phantotenic acid 2.0 mg 20%
Calcium 15.8 mg 2%
Iron 0.6 mg 3%
Magnesium 24.7 mg 7%
Phosphorus 13.9 mg 1%
Potassium 42.6 mg 1%
Sodium 8.9 mg 0%
Zinc 0.7 mg 4%
Copper 0.4 mg 22%
Manganese 0.1 mg 5%
Selenium 11.0 mcg 16%
Water 91.7 gr

The black fungus mushrooms benefits for health, such as:

1. Reduce the risk of cardiovascular disorders

Ear fungus is one type of vegetables that has low calories and has a high enough content of protein. The fat content in this mushroom is also hardly found, which is better.

According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, women should consume protein as much as +/- 46 grams per day, and for men as much as 56 grams per day. Polarisaccharide content contained in mushroom is believed to be activated as cardioprotoctive by increasing superoxide dismutase activity and reducing lipid peroxidation process.

2. Had the ability prevent Alzheimer’s disorders

black fungus mushroom is one type of food that is very good when consumed by old-aged people. Polysaccharide extracts which also can be found in ear mushrooms, were able to start inhibitory activity against one of the key enzymes involved in Alzheimer’s disease.

3. Prevent irritation and inflammation

Polarisaccharide extracts present in the benefits of ear fungus for health are able to start and activate anti-inflammatory properties. It is useful to overcome or treat the irritation and inflammation that occurs in the mucous membranes.

4. As an antithrombotic agent

Polysaccharide extracts found in ear mushrooms are believed to inhibit platelet aggregation and increase in vitro and in vivo freezing time. Anti-coagulant activity occurs due to catalysis of thrombin inhibition by antithrombin not by cofactor heparin.

5. Lowering cholesterol

In a study conducted on mice suffering from hyperlipidemia. Studies have shown that polarisaccharide content found in ear mushrooms can lower blood cholesterol (TC), triglycerides and LDL. It can also increase HDL in the blood of the mice.

6. Prevent anemia

Iron is a mineral that is very important in the production process of blood cells that produce a number of proteins in the body such as hemoglobin and myoglobin. This protein will helps bringing oxygen throughout the body. Iron deficiency in the body can cause anemia, which is usually characterized by symptoms such as fatigue, weakness and dizziness.

Black fungus mushrooms benefits for health to prevent anemia. The recommended intake of iron for men and women over the age of 51 is 8 milligrams per day, and for women under the age of 50 it is recommended +/- 18 milligrams per day. Each serving of ear mushrooms of 99 grams can meet the needs of iron in the body to reach 3% per day.

7. Reduce the risk of stress

The content of vitamin B-2, known as riboflavin contained in the ear mushrooms can help support the immune system and increase the body’s ability to avoid stress.

8. An antidote to free radicals

The body of a person also needs riboflavin to help convert carbohydrates into glucose which will then act as fuel in the body. These compounds also greatly help maintain healthy hair, skin, eyes, and liver function.

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) in the ear fungus is also able to act as an antioxidant that can protect the body from damage caused by the effects of free radicals that can cause premature aging or increase a person’s risk for cancer and heart disease.

9. Treating stroke and heart disease

Stroke and heart disease is one of the diseases caused by blood cells that eventually lead to blockage of blood flow to the heart and to the brain. Ear mushrooms that have been boiled can help reduce the risk of this disease is by helping the process of blood thinning and can balance the blood in the body.

This will be very helpful to clear the circulation of blood in the body that later can contribute in the healing process of stroke disorders

10. To eliminate toxic effects

Mucus contained in ear mushrooms can be useful for treating a body that is being poisoned. For this reason, the benefits of ear fungus for the body are often used to eliminate toxins in various food preparations. Ear fungus can be used as an antidote to toxins such as vegetable toxins, toxic pesticide residues, as well as toxins derived from heavy metals.

11. As food for the surrounding plants

Ear mushrooms are able to decompose dead wood from the trees that become the place of its life, he will leave the nutrients in the soil, so that other plants can take these nutrients for their growth and profits. In addition, during the decay process, the fungus releases the carbon dioxide used by plants to produce their food.

12. As a treatment to hypertension

Some scientific evidence has shown that the benefits of ear mushrooms have the power of drugs that are very effective in lowering cholesterol levels and blood glucose levels. The effects of fungal hypercholesterolemia can be the reason why this plant is said to be able to treat obstruction in the arteries and veins, sclerosis of blood vessels and hypertension.

A person who has high cholesterol levels in his bloodstream can cause excess cholesterol in the arteries and veins and can cause atherosclerosis and obstruction of blood vessels and arteries.

One of the causes of hypertension is the narrowing of the renal arteries and by reducing cholesterol in some way, then the possibility of constriction may be delayed.

Meanwhile, there are many black fungus mushrooms benefits for health that you can try to eat it now. Most of Chinese food uses black fungus mushrooms as their food complement.

Important Note!

Some side effects may occurred to your health if you eat poisonous black fungus mushroom.