Black Fungus

Dry Oo-chi-na

Black fungus (Wood Ear) is also known as Rat Ear (Oo-chi-na) in Manipur. It grows on trees (both on death and living wood) and is found throughout the year in temperate regions due to the vast untapped vegetation. The Manipuris have a keen desire for this food. It is cooked either as a sauté or being shimmered with vegetables.

Oo-chi-na sauté

The mushroom is extremely popular among the Mongolians as dated back in centuries.

Its applications in traditional medicine include preventing iron deficiency anemia, haematemesis, uterine bleeding, hemorrhoid, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, and  cancer prevention. 

The following are some important Nutritional Benifits of Black Fungus:

1. 1. It is rich in protein, vitamins B1, B2 and D and also a good source of calcium, having twice the amount of calcium compared to milk.
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3. 2. Iron contained in black fungus is one of the highest among all the vegetables. It enriches blood and prevents iron deficiency anaemia.
4. 3.  It improves blood circulation, fluidity and prevents atherosclerosis.
5. 4. It helps in reducing blood pressure and LDL cholesterol levels. For this, the fungus is being boiled and consumed.
6. 5.  It also helps the lungs, liver and stomach by being a good “absorbent” and“scavenger”of toxic substances in the body and absorbs the dust in lungs and digestive system through pectin and then excretes together. 

          Thus, these are some of the most valuable and greatest benefits we have had from the olden times. So, let us always give prior importance to our esteemed values we have from the very old times.