Snow fungus are a group of vegetables that are rich in health benefits. What are the health benefits of snow mushrooms? In this article we will talk about this. In plant science, this fungus is called Tremella fuciformis, it is classified as a fungus that grows wild in the world. This fungus is edible and belongs to the “Tremellaceae” family. Snow fungus is a fungal plant originating from tropical and subtropical areas around the world including Indonesia. Then it expanded to areas with temperate climates in Asia and America. Now this mushroom is known throughout the world, even South and Central America.
Snow fungus has many names according to the specific area where the fungus is. Among the names used for snow fungus are snow ear, silver ear fungus, white jelly mushroom, bai mu erh, shirokikurage, and silver tree-ear fungus. In addition, there are many other names used for these mushrooms. Sometimes you hear names like: white jelly-leaf, white tree-ear, white muer, wood ear fungus, White fungus, Tremella mushroom, Silver Ear mushroom, White Jelly fungus, Chrysanthemum Mushroom, White Brain Jelly Fungus, White Tree fungus, snow mushroom, and White brain jelly fungus.
Snow fungus grows in tropical areas, not snow areas. It is called snow fungus because it looks like snow, but this is not snow but mushrooms. It grows on tree branches with broad leaves in the tropics. In China, snow mushrooms are specially cultivated because of their medicinal value. Snow fungus is also used in many culinary needs to add texture to food.
Snow Mushroom Description
The Snow fungus is almost transparent white with a width of about 3 inches and a height of about 12 mm. The shape is almost the same as the lut grass which has small branches above it and is also almost the same as jelly. It is translucent, gelatinous and crunchy.
Snow fungus is usually found in tropical areas and lives on dead branches, especially on plants with large leaves. But in China, snow mushrooms are not only found wild in nature, but are also cultivated on a large scale for medicinal purposes. in fact, snow mushrooms are one of the most famous types of mushrooms in Chinese cuisine.
Snow Fungus Facts
Before we take a look at the health benefits of snow mushrooms, let’s first take a look at some facts about snow mushrooms.
Snow fungus has very many other names. Among other names of jamus Snow are: silver tree-ear fungus, snow ear, white jelly mushroom, shirokikurage, white muer, white jelly-leaf, white tree-ear, bai mu erh, wood ear fungus, silver ear fungus, silver ear mushroom, White Jelly fungus, Tremella mushroom, White fungus, White Tree fungus, snow mushroom, White Brain Jelly Fungus, Chrysanthemum Mushroom, White brain jelly fungus
Snow fungus grows on dead woody stems or branches, usually on large leafy trees. Snow fungus has been used since 2000 years ago by Chinese medicine experts. They use snow fungus for medicinal purposes, especially in treating heart disease, lack of fluids in the body, and dry coughs. A good quality type of snow fungus is one that is pale yellowish in color and slimy.
Why are the health benefits of snow mushrooms quite astonishing? The reason is because it contains as much collagen as the collagen in swallow nest. That is why there are also those who call this snow mushroom the name of the poor man’s swallow nest.
Health Benefits of Snow Fungus
Snow mushrooms are rich in nutrients, so their health benefits are enormous. This mushroom is a good source of iron, vitamin C, phosphorus and calcium. The content of fat and sap in snow mushrooms is very beneficial for health. In fact, this sap is considered an excellent supplement for the body. For patients with constipation conditions, snow fungus can be useful as a mild laxative.
1. Snow fungus prevents cancer development
One of the effects of eating snow fungus is to get active natural killer (NK) cells and can increase antibodies to be better. This fungus can reduce the spread of cancer cells. For its spread, the tumor needs to form its own blood vessels, so in the presence of compounds in snow fungus, this chemical platelet activation factor is prevented. The result, blood does not tend to clot, and rotates the fibrin tissue around the blood vessels. The presence of nutrients in snow mushrooms is very important in preventing cancer from growing and spreading.
2. Snow fungus is useful for preventing atherosclerosis and high cholesterol
The Japanese use snow fungus as a medicine to prevent atherosclerosis, this is a buildup of cholesterol in the blood vessels that causes plaque to form. Higga is currently only one raw material whose benefits are towards the prevention of Atherosclerosis.
However, research on the polysacchairdes fungus in its function as an antidote to infection has been tested and proven to maintain cholesterol levels in the cell layer. Wherever there is a need for cholesterol, the cholesterol in these cells will be taken and excreted from the bloodstream.
3. Snow fungus is good for skin health
Snow fungus contain high amounts of polysaccharides and gelatinous structures. So, with these ingredients snow fungus have made headlines in terms of cutting-edge beauty treatments so far. The structure of the gelatin can be a natural ingredient to increase hydration of the skin. As a result, snow fungus is beneficial in keeping skin elastic and healthy.
This snow mushroom is said to contain up to 18 amino acids essential for the body and even more. Besides that, snow mushrooms are also rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. The benefits of snow jamru are able to accelerate wound healing, help maintain healthy skin, and provide beauty to your skin.
4. Snow fungus is beneficial for heart health
Research shows that snow fungus is useful for curing atherosclerosis by maintaining vascular endothelial cells – cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels. If these cells die, they cause health problems called atherosclerosis, hypertension (high blood pressure) and thrombophlebitis. Snow fungus is also useful for repairing the endothelial sle which will repair histamine which is useful for accelerating blood clotting.
5. Useful for increasing immunity
Snow fungus is rich in polysaccharides, these are compounds that play an important role in the formation of immunity. It was stated that the polysaccharides in special snow mushrooms are useful in increasing the secretion of interferons and interleukins, these are important immune components that trigger the formation of germ-eating macrophages.
In addition, the health benefits of snow fungus are increased activity of NK (natural killer) cells. It is a form of white blood cell that is important in preventing or protecting the body from invading viruses and bacteria. These cells are also useful in increasing antibodies, which are also useful for the body’s resistance to viruses and bacteria. In traditional Chinese medicine, snow fungus plays a very important role in improving the health of the elderly due to dry breathing and cough.
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6. Snow fungus is useful for relieving fatigue
Fatigue is a health symptom that is caused by stress either physical or psychological. The polysaccharides and antioxidants in snow fungus are very useful in slowing down fatigue in skeletal muscles. These health benefits will promote protein and RNA synthesis. So, one way to prevent fatigue or slow you down is to consume snow mushrooms or white tree-ear.
7. Snow fungus is good for brain health
The compounds in snow mushrooms are useful in maintaining and protecting brain organs. Just physically, snow mushrooms have a shape similar to the brain. Furthermore, it is stated that snow fungus is useful for protecting nerves and ultimately can prevent diseases related to nerve health such as Alzheimer’s.
Snow fungus also increases super-oxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the brain. SOD functions like a defense system or line of defense in protecting nerves so that it can prevent nerve damage or Alzheimer’s disease.
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8. Useful for diabetes
The benefits of snow fungus are able to reduce polysaccharides or glucuronoxylomannan. This will help decrease plasma glucose levels (52%). Its benefits can also increase plasma glucose, increase glucose disposal, it is also useful for increasing glucose sensitivity and systemic insulin sensitivity.
9. Also useful for treating Alzheimer’s
Still related to polysaccharides, snow fungus is useful in preventing and treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Consuming snow mushrooms or white jelly-leaf can encourage nerve growth due to neurite growth. This will reduce the neurotoxic effects and prevent reactive oxygen species accumulation.