Ear of Judah

Alina Murar

March 28, 2025

Simbol al regretului și al trădării, Urechea lui Iuda (Auricularia auricula-judae) este o ciupercă medicinală și comestibilă, ce crește mai ales pe lemn de Soc (Sambucus spp.) – specia de copac de care se pare că s-a spânzurat Iuda după ce L-a trădat pe Isus călăilor săi, de unde și numele.

Commonly grows in damp areas of deciduous forests, on dead trees or fallen logs of elder, oak, acacia. It is mainly found in the cold months, but with favorable moisture conditions it can be found all year round.

It is brownish in color, with a very elastic (starchy) texture and an irregular, downward-pointing funnel shape, sometimes resembling an ear, hence the name. The upper part is covered with very small beads which give it a velvety look and feel. The underside has irregular striations. The foot, if there is a foot, is very small, almost almost invisible.

As long as there is moisture, the fungus is gelatinous, rubbery (starchy). It dehydrates in dry periods, becoming brittle when completely dry. May freeze in cold months, but is unaffected by this.

Auricularia auricula auricula-judae is edible and used as a food supplement, especially in Asian countries where it is often also cultivated. We often find it cooked especially in soups, sauces, salads, vegetable dishes or risotto. It has a high nutritional content of carbohydrates and proteins, but also amino acids, trace elements and vitamins.

There are several studies proving the mushroom's safe use and high potential as a functional food. In a randomized, double-blind, double-blind study involving 56 people over 50 years of age, consumption of functional food based on A. auricula-judae powder resulted in limited but significant improvements, particularly in reducing waist circumference and triglyceride levels.

Increasing studies confirm the traditional uses of the mushroom Auricularia auricula judae, which exhibits significant biological activity, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic, anticarcinogenic, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antihypercholesterolemic and radioprotective properties. Find them in the Studies section of the Essentials app, where we'll add more as they appear.

With its sometimes strange shapes and at least promising properties, Judas Ear is a mushroom worth seeking out and eating.

Always eat mushrooms ONLY from reliable sources or after you have thoroughly identified them!!!! There are many mushrooms that can easily be mistaken for toxic or even deadly. If you are not sure, wait until you correctly identify the specimen beyond a doubt. Pay attention to all the characteristics that can help with identification, not just general appearance. Any mushroom can be dangerous if picked or eaten incorrectly, or if contaminated with toxic substances in the environment.

You can find information on mushroom identification in the Identification section of the Judas Ear monograph in the Essentials app.

If you have questions, please send us a message

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