All About Mushrooms

Medicinal mushrooms (sometimes called toadstools) have been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. They offer a variety of health and therapeutic benefits. Some nicknames for various mushrooms include immortal mushroom, fairy stool, hen-of-the-wood, hedgehog fungus, royal sun agaricus, and monkey's head. Below, you can review products for information like how to use, benefits, botanical names, cautions, references, and therapeutic uses.

Understanding Mushrooms

Mushrooms are small living organisms that resemble small umbrellas. Although they may look similar to plants, they are classified as fungi. Over 3,000 types of mushrooms are currently known.

The Fascinating History of Mushrooms

Mushrooms have an intriguing past and present history. Notably, penicillin and tetracycline are derived from common mushrooms. Traditionally, people gathered mushrooms to apply to open wounds, sores, and rashes using compresses or poultices.

Mushrooms and Nutrient Absorption

Look carefully at mushrooms. They lack chlorophyll, so how do they obtain food and nutrients? Mushrooms absorb nutrients from the soil and decaying wood in their environment through slender filaments called mycelium. These mycelium penetrate underground to assimilate nutrients. Mycologist Paul Stamets explains, "The entire food web of nature is based on these fungal filaments. The mycelium network that infuses all land masses in the world is a supportive membrane upon which life proliferates and further diversifies."

Medicinal and Poisonous Mushrooms

Some mushrooms have medicinal properties, while others contain poisonous flesh. Many mushrooms look similar, making it difficult even for professional mycologists to differentiate them. Therefore, you should never eat a mushroom unless you are absolutely certain of its identity.

Parts of Mushrooms
Mushrooms have a variety of different parts. See the diagram on the left to identify what each part of the mushroom is.

Cap: The cap is the top of the mushroom (and often looks sort of like a small umbrella). Mushroom caps can come in a variety of colors but most often are brown, white, or yellow.

Gills, Pores, or Teeth: These structures appear under the mushroom's cap. They look similar to a fish's gills.

Ring: The ring (sometimes called the annulus) is the remaining structure of the partial veil after the gills have pushed through.

Stem or Stipe: The stem is the tall structure that holds the cap high above the ground.

Volva: The volva is the protective veil that remains after the mushroom sprouted up from the ground. As the fungus grows, it breaks through the volva.

Mycelium: The mycelium of a mushroom is essentially the root system. These thin strands stretch outward and downward to search through the soil for nutrients. 

Mushrooms

Some of the chemical constituents commonly found in mushrooms include inoleic acid, oleic acid, chitin, glycogen, trehalose, mannitol, β-glucans, polysaccharides, potassium, ergosterol, provitamin D₂, and phenolids with antioxidative properties. 

How to incorporate medicinal mushrooms into your diet

Incorporating medicinal mushrooms into your diet can be a great way to enhance your overall health and well-being. Here are a few ways to add them to your daily routine:

Adding powdered mushrooms to your smoothies: You can blend powdered medicinal mushrooms like Reishi or Chaga into your favorite smoothie recipes for a nourishing boost. Please note when adding to smoothies, the powder is usually very fine, and you may have a small amount of the powder settle to the bottom.   Super simple remedy, just stir with spoon.

Brewing mushroom tea: Many medicinal mushrooms, such as Lion's Mane or Cordyceps, can be brewed into a delicious and health-promoting tea. Simply steep the mushrooms in hot water and enjoy.  Mushrooms may have different brewing times, depending upon the mushroom.   Brewing a mushroom for 3 minutes versa 10 minutes will provide a different taste. 

Cooking with mushrooms: Incorporate fresh or dried medicinal mushrooms into your cooking. They can be added to soups, stir-fries, and even pasta dishes for an extra dose of nutrition.

Choosing the right medicinal mushroom supplement

When it comes to choosing a medicinal mushroom supplement, there are a few factors to consider:

Quality and sourcing: Look for supplements that are made from organically grown or wildcrafted mushrooms. This ensures that you are getting the highest quality and most potent mushrooms.

Extraction method: Different extraction methods can affect the bioavailability and efficacy of the mushrooms. Look for supplements that use extraction methods like hot water extraction or dual extraction to ensure maximum benefits.

Certifications: Check for certifications like Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and third-party testing to ensure the supplement is safe and free from contaminants.

References

• Kalač P. A review of chemical composition and nutritional value of wild-growing and cultivated mushrooms. J Sci Food Agric. 2013 Jan;93(2):209-18. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.5960. Epub 2012 Nov 21. Review. PubMed PMID: 23172575.
• https://www.uclahealth.org/news/7-health-benefits-of-mushrooms
• https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-mushrooms/
• https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/mushrooms/
• https://share.upmc.com/2014/08/6-reasons-mushrooms-make-awesome-addition-meal/