Pleurotus Tuber-Regium Uses.

Pleurotus tuber-regium is the king tuber mushroom which is found growing on dead trees or wood in

the tropics. It is an edible fungus which grows in Africa, Asia and Australia. The fungus produces a storage tuber called sclerotium in the wood or soil below and fruiting bodies on top, as it feeds on the dead wood. Both the fruiting body and the underground tuber are edible. The sclerotium is dark brown on the outside and white inside. It can be up to 30cm wide.

In Nigeria, the king tuber mushroom sclerotium is popularly used in cooking in South East region where it is called usu, isuo or isu in Igbo language. It is also used in traditional medicine.

Pleurotus tuber-regium is beneficial for nutrition and healing because it contains polysaccharides which are a dietary fiber source that are responsible for a lot of its beneficial properties.  King tuber mushrooms have the following properties;

• Antioxidant.
• Anti-inflammatory.
• Anti-diabetic or antihyperglycemic.
• Antihyperlipidemic.

Some of its health benefits are below;

• To regulate blood sugar levels.
• To lower blood cholesterol levels.
• To relieve stomach and digestive issues.
• To lower blood pressure.
• To maintain a healthy weight.                    
• To boost the immune system.

The fruiting body is rich in proteins and fiber. The fruiting bodies are used in cooking too. The fiber-rich tuber or sclerotium is used as a soup thickner because of its ability to swell in water and add bulk. It is used in cooking egusi (melon) soup.

There are so many cheap food ingredients that promote wellness that we have overlooked over time. Usu is one of such. 

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