Practical Herbalism: Medicinal Mushrooms for Vitality
Medicinal mushrooms (sometimes called functional mushrooms or Medicinal Fungi) have been used throughout Asia for thousands of years and are staples of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western Herbalism.
Our forefathers in Herbalism used Medicinal Mushrooms in a variety of applications including these:
Hippocrates (Greek Physician, 450 BC) used the amadou mushroom as an anti- inflammatory and for cauterizing wounds.
Tao Hongjing (Alchemist, 5th Century) documented the healing properties of Reishi mushroom in China.
Ötzi, the Ice Man (lived 5300 years ago) carried amadou and birch polypore in a pouch. He did this to help him survive the harsh conditions of the Alps of northern Italy. • First Nations Peoples in North America used and still use puffball mushrooms to heal wounds.
Fungi in general have also long been used in traditional medicine; the ability to identify and extract the ingredients responsible for healing started when penicillin was discovered in 1928 by Alexander Fleming. In the years since then, many modern medicines have benefited from the compounds found in, or created by, medicinal fungi.
Why Herbal Remedies Are Just Catching On
Modern Western society has been slower than others to use mushrooms medicinally.
“..some mushrooms can feed you, some can heal you, some can kill you, and some can send you on a spiritual journey [which] speaks of their diverse chemical constituents. From an evolutionary and survival point of view, it is safer to avoid that which is poorly understood yet so powerful. Hence, mushroom medicines have remained an eclectic science.” -Medicinal Mushrooms: Ancient Remedies Meet Modern Science
Perhaps authors Paul Stamets and Heather Zwickey are correct in attributing this lag to confusion about the functional uses of mushrooms. After all, no one wants to mistakenly poison themself.
That said, the fact that mushrooms are so functionally diverse and have incredibly long- standing use as medicine has stimulated a new wave of Herbalism in North America.
Medicinal Mushrooms Embody Ancient Wisdom for Modern Lives
New Earth Organics’ founder and Master Herbalist, Derek Fleming, is a mushroom- lover, hunter, researcher, educator and aficionado – also known as a ‘mycophile.’ When it comes to consuming medicinal mushrooms, he prefers mushroom powders because they can be stirred into literally anything from tea, coffee, soup, stews, sauces, smoothies, nut butters and elixirs. Compliance is the biggest key when it comes to herbalism, and no natural remedy is going to be effective if you don’t comply in using it!
In no particular order, here are Derek’s favourite Medicinal Mushrooms:
Reishi – Reishi helps to promote relaxation and calm without making you drowsy. Reishi is not only used for inflammation and stress, but it is used to address many body systems such as liver health, kidney health, heart health and even brain health.
Chaga – Chaga is rich with antioxidants, Beta-glucans and minerals. Chaga has been traditional used as a lung tonic, against tumors/mutated cells, and as an anti-aging powerhouse!
Lion’s Mane – Well known for its possible neurological protective and enhancing benefits, Lions Mane has been used to increases focus, enhances memory and cognitive function, and has also been used traditionally for various gastrointestinal ailments.
Turkey Tail – The great supporter of immune health and fortifier of gut microbiome. Turkey tail is the most well researched medicinal mushroom to date. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is recommended for Liver, Lung and Spleen issues, while also recommended for its rich array of Beta-Glucan signaling molecules for cell integrity.
Cordyceps – Renown for its Lung tonifying abilities, Cordyceps helps the lungs assimilate oxygen better, improving energy and supporting the micro-circulatory system. Cordyceps also has an affinity to help support the mesenteric lymph nodes (intestinal lymph system). Need a non-stimulant pick-me-up? Try Cordyceps.
Poria - A skin enhancing beauty tonic that also helps keep the body’s fluids in balance. Traditionally used to drain ‘dampness’ out of the body. Poria is the most used mushroom in Traditional Chinese medicine as it is known as the great harmonizer to balance out herbal formulas. Poria is also used for weak digestion and Candida related issues.
Maitake - Stabilize blood sugars, support cardiovascular and reproductive health and was the first medicinal mushroom to be introduced into North America many years ago. Maitake is the forgotten hero of the fungi kingdom and such an amazing medicinal mushroom for use in metabolic imbalances/syndrome.
Agarikon – One of the rarest medicinal mushrooms to date, Agarikon contains antiviral molecules that are new to science and undergoing much research - including by the US Defense Department security laboratory in Fort Dietrich, Maryland. Fort Dietrich houses the US Military BIO Shield Program which searches for cures to biological warfare agents.
At one time in history obtaining any of these medicinal mushrooms from the wild was a great gift and extraordinary feat! Many mushroom pickers in China would hide the mushrooms they found and use them in secret, for fear of them being stolen, or worse, being forced to turn them over to the Emperor’s guard – some times with grave consequences.
Thousands of years later, we live in an extraordinary time - you can walk into any health food store across the country and find ALL of the medicinal mushrooms mentioned above (and more) – each kind and type right at your finger tips for you to experience the multiple health-promoting benefits behind them.
While there have been thousands of years of proven traditional use, the modern research done to date is also quite exciting, and while new, helps us to further understand the amazing health-promoting benefits of medicinal fungi. At New Earth Organics we believe that Medicinal Mushrooms are our greatest ally from nature, and it is our true honour to share them with you.
Interested in Medicinal Mushrooms but don’t know where to begin? Here is a great, simple, delicious Medicinal Mushroom Hot Chocolate recipe for you to enjoy!
Medicinal Mushroom Hot Chocolate Recipe
Medicinal mushroom powders go undetected in this simple hot chocolate recipe!
Blend until smooth:
1.5-2 cups hot milk or milk-alternative (ie Almond Milk)
2 tablespoons of (your choice) Cashews/Nut butter/Butter/Ghee/Coconut Butter
1-2 tablespoons of cocoa or cacao powder
1 teaspoon of any New Earth Organics mushroom powder
1-3 teaspoons of honey or maple syrup (or low glycemic sweetener like monk fruit or stevia drops)
Sip and enjoy!
Blog post submitted by: New Earth Organics (Derek Fleming M.H. & Andrea Fleck)