Qianshan Stone Ear

Qianshan Stone Ear

　　Stone Ear: Belongs to the family Umbilicariaceae of the division Lichens. The fungal body is leaf-shaped. The sun-facing side is grayish-white or green, while the side attached to the rock is dark brown. During its growth phase, it has filamentous hairs with a central umbilicate protrusion, growing on the rocky substrate. After moisture evaporates, its leathery texture becomes brittle and easily breaks. It mostly grows in damp, shady crevices of cliff walls at altitudes between 700 and 1800 meters. Depending on climate and the length of the rainy season, generally, longer rainy seasons produce Stone Ears with one-centimeter-wide rims, forming small colonies with varying numbers from a few to several dozen. Based on leaf size, about 1400 dried Stone Ears make up one kilogram. Stone Ear has high medicinal value; ancient Chinese texts such as the “Shennong Bencao Jing” (The Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica) classified it as a top-grade medicinal herb, and it has been used in medical treatment for over 3000 years.

　　According to the “Qianshan County Annals”: “Stone Ear is produced on the cliffs of lofty mountains. It has a cool nature and benefits the lungs, treating lung heat and also helping with intestinal wind and bloody stools. Its nature is mild, cool, and slightly bland.” Based on pharmacological biochemical analysis, the main components of Stone Ear include amino acids, proteins, lecithin, choline, pectin, ergosterol, and various trace metals from granite. Its medicinal functions include nourishing yin, moistening the lungs, stopping bleeding, and treating common ailments such as hypertension, various febrile conditions, gastrointestinal bleeding, and hemorrhoidal bleeding. Recent medical reports also indicate that Stone Ear has the effect of inhibiting malignant tumors and bleeding. In addition to its medicinal uses, Stone Ear, which contains a variety of vitamins and essential trace elements, can also be used as a food ingredient.