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Medicinal Mushrooms: Ancient Remedies Meet Modern Science... learn how they can help save the world.
How Mushrooms Are Turned Into Bacon And Styrofoam | World Wide Waste
"Mushrooms, the fruiting bodies of macroscopic filamentous fungi that grow above the ground, have been a part of the human diet and used as both food and medicine for centuries."
All underlining's link to research and other sources.
Health Benefits of Medicinal Mushrooms
Scientific research has proven many health benefits of mushrooms. More than 50,000 scientific studies have verified the millennial experiences of traditional medicine and found that medicinal mushrooms:
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regulate blood sugar and fat (cholesterol and triglycerides),
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reduce atherosclerotic plaques and ischemia thus improving heart and brain health,
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and many more. (Sleep)
Mushroom Research
This research section is organized by topics of interest. For nutrition composition of common edible and culinary mushrooms, see: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. Food Data Central, 2019. fdc.nal.usda.gov.
Scientists now estimate there are between 2.2 and 3.8 million species of fungi worldwide, although we only know about 10% of them.
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Romans perceived them as the “Food of the Gods.” For centuries, the Chinese culture has treasured mushrooms as a health food, an “elixir of life.” They have been part of the human culture for thousands of years and have considerable interest in the most important civilizations in history because of their sensory characteristics.
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The mushroom, Poria cocos, used as a traditional Chinese medicine which is used alone or in the combination with other herbs to cure diabetes and other disorders related to diabetes (Lindequist et al. 2005)
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How many times have you seen a picture of a fairy sitting on a mushroom? If you’ve watched the classic animated film, Alice in Wonderland, you’ll notice them all over the scenes.
Mushrooms offer so many benefits that we have yet to discover. However, here are 12 unexpected health benefits you may find interesting.
1. Reduce Systemic Inflammation
6. Natural Source of Vitamin D
9. Restore Health of Skin and Nails
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The Fungi Your Immune System Has Been Waiting For
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Did you know humans have more in common with fungi than any other kingdom? We share the same pathogens, meaning bacteria and viruses.
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Chinese medicine has used mushrooms for over 1,000 years.
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50 years of research has yielded very positive results, particularly for immune health.
Why Your Immune System Loves Mushrooms
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Several prominent polysaccharides, including beta-glucans, actually stimulate, or turn on, your body’s natural defense mechanisms.
Where do mushrooms get these beneficial compounds?
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From the mushroom’s host — usually a tree or other plant that has absorbed and stored healthful nutrients for decades.
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Mushrooms embrace and soak up these special nutrients, transforming into a little medicinal powerhouses.
Health benefits of Mushrooms:
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Reduced risk of heart disease
Mushrooms are Packed with These Vitamins and Minerals
It’s best to blend several mushroom species. A good trio includes:
Reishi Mushroom
Reishi has been called the “Mushroom of Immortality,” and has been used in Asia for thousands of years. It has ganoderic acid, which is being used to support cellular abnormalities.
Other Benefits: (Cancer regression rate) 98.5%
Shiitake Mushroom
A key component of Shiitake is Lentinan, which has been found to protect the liver and provide relief for a variety of stomach ailments. Lentinan has also been linked to combating illnesses that attack the immune system.
Other Benefits: (Medicine)
Cordyceps Mushroom
Called “Caterpillar Fungus,” Cordyceps is unique in that it grows out of an insect host rather than a plant host. Cordyceps has properties similar to those of ginseng and is traditionally used to help the body build strength and endurance. In traditional Chinese medicine, cordyceps has been used to benefit the glandular system in both women and men. In addition, cordyceps supports the kidneys, aids the upper respiratory tract and may help the body maintain proper blood viscosity.
Other Benefits: (Easily Grown / Bins & Jars)
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Mushrooms are extremely hearty organisms that thrive in good, and bad, environments. In ideal conditions, they absorb and concentrate healthful compounds. In poor conditions, they absorb and concentrate unhealthy, harmful, and even deadly substances. Be sure your mushrooms come from a reputable, safely grown source.