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Multi-colored trametes (Trametes versicolor) is a woody fruiting body from the large Polypore family and the genus Trametes. Other names of the mushroom:
- Tinder fungus multicolor, azure;
- The tinder fungus is motley or multi-colored;
- Coriolus multicolor;
- Tail of a turkey or peacock;
- cuckoo’s tail;
- Boletus dark brown;
- Parsley mushroom;
- Misty mushroom or wungji;
- Kawaratake or mushroom growing near the river;
- Cup-shaped cells;
- Polyporus caesioglaucus;
- Polystictus neaniscus.
Trametes multi-colored, braided with ivy
Description of multi-colored trametes
Trametes multi-colored consists of a cap attached sideways to the substrate. The leg is absent even in its infancy. The shape is fan-shaped, rounded-folded. Very rarely can form a petal rosette. The surface of the cap is dry, varnish-shiny, pleasantly silky. Partially covered with a thin velvety pile. The edge is pointed or rounded, usually white, cream. The radius of the cap can vary from 2,5 to 10 cm.
The multi-colored trametes looks like a bizarrely ornamented bird’s tail or a half-cropped image of Jupiter. Concentric semicircles of various widths and the most amazing coloration run from the place of growth to the edge. All the colors of the rainbow are far from the limit for this original. Most often there are shades of black and dark brown, red-ochre-yellow, blue-green. May have a gray-silver, cream, lilac or azure color.
Heminophore tubular. In a young mushroom, the mouths are barely distinguishable, the surface is velvety, white-cream and yellowish. Then the pores expand, becoming visible, angular, of various shapes, and the color darkens to brown-ochre and reddish-brown.
The pulp is dense, rubbery, very thin. It does not break and is difficult to tear. On a break, a fresh mushroom is yellowish-brown. The dried fruiting body has a white-beige color. The aroma is barely perceptible mushroom, the taste is almost not felt.
The inner surface of the multi-colored trametes is folded, the pores are almost invisible
Where and how to grow
Trametes multi-colored is widely distributed throughout the globe. But in Our Country it is little known and practically not used. You can meet him all year round. Prefers deciduous, moist forests. He loves loose wood of poplar, willow, aspen. It also feels great on birches, oaks, hornbeams. Occasionally found on conifers. The rapid development of fruiting bodies falls on the period from mid-summer to late autumn.
It can settle on dead trees, deadwood, stumps, loves old clearings and conflagrations. It grows on the damaged bark of living trees in large, rapidly growing groups, capturing new territories during the season. Often separate fruiting bodies form a single organism. The mushroom picker remains in one place for many years until the wood is completely destroyed.
The tree on which this handsome man settled is dying very quickly.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
Trametes multi-colored belongs to the category of inedible mushrooms. Recent studies have found biologically active substances in its composition. These fruiting bodies do not contain toxic or poisonous compounds.
The tough, woody flesh makes the tamarind bastard unsuitable for culinary use.
Twins and their differences
Due to the unusual coloring, the multi-colored trametes is easily distinguished from similar fruiting bodies of the Tinder fungus species.
Polypore variegated scaly. Conditionally edible tree fungus. It can be distinguished by pronounced scales on the outer surface of the cap and a more faded color.
The scaly tinder fungus has a thick eccentric leg, with which it is attached to the tree.
Trametes is hard-haired. Inedible. It is distinguished by its gray color and hard fluff on the top of the cap.
Tubular spore-bearing layer of beige-brown color, spore openings uneven, angular
Fluffy trametes. Inedible. It is an annual and can be distinguished by its pubescent hat and duller, grey-olive coloration.
Geminophore spongy, with clearly visible pores, gray-brown in color
Medicinal properties of multi-colored tinder fungus
Despite the extremely cautious attitude of the official pharmaceutical science, the multi-colored trametes is widely used in traditional medicine of various peoples as a medicine. He found especially mass application in the East: in China, Japan. In Our Country, the mushroom is almost unknown, only in some regions can one find references to its use as a healing infusion or ointment. It contains:
- Phenolic and flavonoid antioxidants help boost the immune system, reduce inflammation and protect the body from premature aging.
- Polysaccharides that strengthen immunity at the cellular level, help fight various diseases, including oncology, reduce and remove inflammatory processes.
The prebiotics contained in the pulp of the varicolored trametes help to normalize digestion, have a beneficial effect on the development of beneficial microflora of the gastrointestinal tract and inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria.
The mushroom is not only beautiful, but also has a number of useful properties.
The use of variegated tinder fungus
Thanks to recent laboratory studies, about 50 unique polysaccharides, including coriolan, have been isolated from fruiting bodies and mycelium. It has a beneficial effect on cell immunity and helps the body fight repeated metastases after surgery.
Trametes multi-colored products help reduce inflammation and fight a number of pathogenic bacteria and viruses. They allow you to increase efficiency and remove fatigue, and also have a beneficial effect on patients with diabetes.
Fruiting bodies can be harvested in August and September. Young, not overgrown mushrooms should be collected. Having cleared of forest litter, they can either be dried or used as a decoction.
Trametes multi-colored is considered to be a unique drug with a wide spectrum of action.
In traditional medicine
In China and Japan, fungotherapy is recognized as official medicine; the history of the use of mushroom pulp for therapy goes back more than 20 centuries. The medicinal properties of the varicolored trametes are different, as well as the methods of its preparation. Powders, ointments and tinctures are prescribed to patients with the following diseases:
- liver problems, including chronic hepatitis;
- low immunity;
- viral infections: herpes, lichen, influenza and cytomegalovirus;
- fungal infections – candidiasis, ringworm and others;
- prevention and treatment of cancer;
- rheumatism, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, wet cough;
- problems of the cardiovascular system;
- prescribe multi-colored trametes for dermatomyositis, sclerosis, lupus;
- used in the complex treatment of the gastrointestinal tract.
In folk medicine
The method of preparation of alcohol tincture from the trametes mushroom is multi-colored:
- dried powder – 20 g;
- vodka 40% – 300 ml.
Mushroom powder insist on alcohol for 14-30 days. Be sure to shake before taking, pouring along with the sediment. Take 3 times a day 20-25 minutes before meals, 1 tsp. within 15 days.
How to prepare a decoction of trametes multi-colored:
- chopped fruit bodies – 4 tbsp. l.;
- water – 1 l.
Mushrooms pour water, cook over low heat for 1 hour. Strain through a cheesecloth or fine sieve, cool. Take 2 times a day half an hour before meals, 1 glass.
The healing effect of folk recipes from multi-colored trametes is very effective
With oncology
Medicinal practices of many peoples recognize the colorful trametes as a cure for various cancers. In Japan, infusions, ointments and decoctions must be prescribed along with radiation, before and after procedures. People taking 1-4 g of powder along with traditional treatment showed better dynamics.
With oncological ulcers, an ointment made from animal fat and dried chopped mushroom is good.
Shown powder trametes multi-colored in breast cancer.
Decoctions and infusions of the fruiting body help prevent cancer of the internal organs of the gastrointestinal tract.
Infusions and decoctions of multi-colored trametes can also be taken with benign formations: adenomas, papillomas, polyps
Conclusion
Trametes multi-colored is a unique medicinal mushroom. Grows on old stumps, rotting wood and damaged or dying trees. Likes damp places and hardwoods. Inedible due to hard pulp, but does not contain toxic substances. No toxic twins were found in him either. It is used in folk and official medicine in different countries. In Our Country, it is not recognized as a drug.
