Spring and the Wood Element
Medicinal mushrooms have become a big topic in recent years but I wanted to delve slightly deeper into them, so we can explore how to actually use them in daily life.
There are over 2 million species of fungi on the Earth (Fungi – yeasts, moulds, edible and medicinal mushrooms) and we share 40% of our DNA with them.
Around 270 0f them are medicinal. There is a world wide web – mycelial network under the ground that communicate with each other , as well as other plants, trees and so on, connecting them to share nutrients and resources. They even communicate about predators and possible dangers.
Mushrooms are often seen the earth’s intelligence and nervous system - often connected to the Shen and our Spiritual health.
They connect us to our deep unconscious, our shadow, past and ancestors.
They also connect us to the earth, to the past, present and future, to life and death.
If you really think about it, when something dies on the soil, its broken down and taken in by the earth and its things like the yeasts and moulds that aid in its break down and then rebirth..
They are regulators (or a cellular bridge) between the environment and habitats immune system. They break down dead matter and turn it into growth for new life. We receive strong immunity through mushrooms.
- They have many active constituents such as polysaccharides (like beta glucans which are immune modulating and inflammatory regulating).
- They have polyphenols, sterols, triterpenes – all with antioxidant activity.
- They have flavonoids, peptides, digestive enzymes.
- They have vitamins, minerals, tace minerals and proteins, carbs and fibre
- Essential amino acids (the building blocks for proteins)
They are brilliant for
- Immune system support
- Clearing toxicity
- Eliminating heavy metals and plastics
- For both those who feel healthy and those with chronic health conditions
HEALTH BENEFITS
- Stabilise blood sugars
- Reduce cholesterols
- Act as prebiotic in the intestines and provide fertile environment for beneficial microorganisms
- Improve the function of lymphatic and circulatory system
- Benefit the nervous system and support brain function
- Have high levels of antioxidant content, which provide protection and recovery from free radical damage
- Adaptogenic effects – support the body’s ability to effectively respond to all kinds of stress
- Can be used both for prevention and treatment of disease
- Can be used over long periods of time without side effects
CHOOSING MUSHROOMS
These 3 mushrooms are wonderful and powerful medicinal mushrooms. They are usually found in tincture form - although things like Reishi can be added into long/ slow cooking like a broth too but is very bitter in nature
REISHI
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HEART – REST – DEFENCE
Its commonly known as the “Queen of Herbs” “Mushroom of Immortality” and “Mushroom of Spritual Potency” -
Its thought to be protective to the Kidneys (renoprotective), as well as the Liver (hepatoprotective) where it helps with detoxification, as well as a huge support in helping to regulate the Nervous System.
With over 600 active constituents
It nourishes all 3 treasures and has anti imflammaorty and antioxidant effects.
Being an adaptogen means it can support the immune system when its weakened or indeed overly active.
Supports cardiovascular system and heart health - being able to help maintain healthy cholesterol levels and keep high blood pressure in check.
In TCM its thought to help nourish the Heart and quieten the Spirit
Its believed to be able to help to calm the mind and ease anxiety, as well as nurturing the endocrine system, adrenal glands, thyroid and central nervous system,
Great for the Shen
Anchors the spirit
It is usually taken as a tincture as its a hard and woody mushroom that can not be eaten with out being either made into tincture or soaked/ broken down.
CHAGA
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ADAPT – REGENERATE – DEFENCE
It is heralded as the most nutrient dense super food in the world. Can be found mainly in Russia growing on the side of a birch tree and can take up to 15 years to do this.
Antioxidant rich ( full of superoxide-dismutase) which improves the bodies ability to produce antioxidants and even helping the skin by preventing the formation of wrinkles and age spots.
Its known to help with inflammatory Bowl Disease reducing oxidative stress in the Lymphocytes of both IBD patients and healthy.
Its very high in minerals (such as zinc, magnesium and iron) and incredibly alkalising.
Its also wonderful at helping to boost the immune system.
It like Reishi also works on all 3 treasures
Generally more jing supporting
Similar to Reishi this isnt a culinary mushroom but needs to be processed - often made into tincture or powder before using
CORDYCEPS
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ENERGY - FOCUS - PERFORMANCE
Jing tonic
Supports endurance and athelric performance
Nourishes Qi
Immune system response
Supports health of kidneys and lungs
Culinary medicinal Mushrooms
Here are my favourite culinary medicinal mushrooms
SHITAKE
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SKIN - DEFENSE
Nourishes the Qi, very high in vitamin D due to their high ergosterol content and rich in beneficial polysaccharides, minerals and proteins.
Supports liver function, detoxifcation and regeneration
Very high in B-glucans which are soluble fibres recognised by the immune system and linked with anti cancer fighting properties.
Wonderful for skin health, reducing inflammation and helping combat acne.
Good for immune system support, as well as anti viral and anti bacterial and helpful at lowering Cholesterol
Effective in treatment of certain cancers and HIV
Supports health of the stomach and spleen
Regulates blood sugars, reduces cholesterol and lowers blood pressure
Its a culinary mushroom thats delicious pan fried or you can even have as a tea
BLACK CLOUD FUNGUS
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Anti-inflammatory: Black fungus has anti-inflammatory properties.
Antiviral: Black fungus has antiviral properties.
Anticoagulant: Black fungus has anticoagulant properties.
Antitumor: Black fungus has antitumor properties.
Other health benefits
Liver protection: Black fungus may protect the liver.
Cholesterol lowering: Black fungus may lower cholesterol.
Gut health: Black fungus may boost gut health.
Fiber: Black fungus is high in fiber
Antioxidants: Black fungus is rich in antioxidants.
This is usually found dried. Once soaked and rehydrated its wonderfully delcious and amazing in broths, soups and congees
LIONS MANE
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BRAIN- COGNITION - DEFENSE
Known as “Money Head Mushroom”
Nourishes 3 treasures – particulary the Shen
It’s brilliant for cognitive function and helps to provide a brain boost. The supplementation of Lionsmain has shown increasing beneficial effects on patients with Dementia. Its also shown in recent years that is has the ability to protect nerve cells against damage, degeneration and impairment of function.
High in immune modulating properties as well as anti inflammatory and anti oxidant properties.
Connects to the nervous system
Regenerates brain cells
Enhances cognition
This mushroom can be used in the kitchen and makes delicious steaks, as well as being used in all sorts of way with cooking (adding to stews, pan fried etc) but also possible to find in gummies, powders and tinctures
OYSTER MUSHROOMS
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OYSTER MUSHROOMS
In terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Oyster Mushroom is known for its ability to resolve dampness. In general the ancient Chinese medical texts cite that it enters the Stomach and Spleen. The flavor of Oyster Mushroom is sweet, and it is considered to be warm in temperature.
TREMELLA
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Yin tonic
Beauty enhancer
Moistening for bodys tissues
Supports health of liver and lungs
This is usually found dried. Once soaked and rehydrated its wonderfully delcious and amazing in broths, soups and congees
DID YOU KNOW?…
….that you can add more Vitamin D to your mushrooms before you cook with them? You can simply shop them up and place them on your windowsill and they will soak up the Vitamin D from the sun and be absorbed into the mushrooms (which are naturally rich in Vitamin D). Clever no?
grow your own
grow your own
I love including mushrooms into the food we eat and have found growing them to be an incredible way to understand them more.
If you’d like to grow mushrooms the lovely people from FAT FOX mushrooms have kindly given me a discount code GEORGIE10.
Growing my own mushrooms has been one of the MOST exciting things to do in the kitchen, loved by adults and children. My children are not interested in eating mushrooms much but they are loving seeing them grow right in front of our eyes and much more open to the suggestion of giving them a go now we are growing them.
I love having things growing around me and have found this the next level of fun, amazement and learning!
Here is a video of me using one of their boxes - HERE and another video HERE of me talking about the fact that you can increase the amount of Vitamin D in your mushrooms by simply doing one thing before cooking with them….
BRISTOL FUNGARIUM
BRISTOL FUNGARIUM
I also love the tinctures. Tinctures are generally used, a bit like a supplement, and made from extracting the properties inside the mushroom (usually in an alcohol base). I love tinctures made by Bristol Fungarium. With life being busy it can be a nice way of including mushrooms into your life when needed. You can find out more about mushrooms through Bristol Fungarium - I have taken some of their information and shown it here but there is plenty more to learn
I would like to add, that if you are taking medicinal mushrooms regularly it might be worth having a proper consultation with a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner so that they can access your constitution and what may or may not support you. As, much as the above can support you and help to boost immunity they can also exasperate systems if taken when out of balance