Emma Wilson
Mushrooms are a type of fungus, often used as food due to their delicate flavour and meaty texture. They are also packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which provide several health benefits. In addition to their culinary and nutritional value, mushrooms have been used for their medicinal properties for thousands of years. Ancient civilisations used mushrooms to promote health, strength, and longevity. Modern science has since discovered that mushrooms contain bioactive compounds, which have therapeutic and pharmacological effects.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medicinal uses | Used to treat depression, manage alcohol addiction, and treat cancer |
| Used to promote well-being, longevity, and strength | |
| Used as wound healers | |
| Used as "magic herb" in ancient Asian regions | |
| Culinary uses | Used as a food source in Asia for hundreds of years |
| Used as an ingredient in homemade pizza | |
| Sprinkled chopped cremini mushrooms on salads | |
| Cooked with garlic and butter for a tasty side dish | |
| Added to pasta sauce | |
| Mixed into cooked beef, chicken, or turkey | |
| Nutritional value | Good source of ergothioneine, an amino acid and antioxidant that prevents or slows cellular damage |
| Good source of vitamin D, which assists with cell growth, boosts immune function, and reduces inflammation | |
| Good source of vitamin B6, which helps form red blood cells, proteins, and DNA | |
| Good source of potassium, a nutrient that reduces the negative impact of sodium on the body | |
| Good source of zinc, an important nutrient for the immune system and optimal growth in infants and children | |
| Low in calories, fat, cholesterol, and sodium |
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What You'll Learn
- Medicinal mushrooms have been used for thousands of years to treat various ailments
- Mushrooms are a good source of vitamin D, selenium, and vitamin B6
- Some mushrooms are toxic and can be deadly if consumed
- Mushrooms are a low-calorie food, rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
- Magic mushrooms are being studied for their potential therapeutic benefits
Medicinal mushrooms have been used for thousands of years to treat various ailments
Mushrooms are a fungus that has been incorporated into meals and medicines for thousands of years. They have been used to treat a variety of ailments and are known to possess medicinal properties.
The ancient Greeks used mushrooms as medicine. Hippocrates, circa 450 BCE, classified the amadou mushroom as a potent anti-inflammatory and used it for cauterizing wounds. The alchemist Tao Hongjing, from the 5th century, described several medicinal mushrooms, including ling zhi and zhu ling, which were reportedly used by Shennong many centuries earlier. Ötzi, the Ice Man, who lived nearly 5300 years ago, carried amadou and a birch polypore in a pouch to help him survive in the Alps of northern Italy. The First Peoples of North America also used puffball mushrooms as wound healers.
In traditional Chinese medicine, Ganoderma lucidum, also known as ling zhi or reishi, has been used to promote well-being and longevity since ancient times. It was included in Shen Nong's Materia Medica (206 BC-8 AD) and is now listed in the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and Therapeutic Compendium. It is also widely used as an adjuvant in the treatment of various types of cancer. Coriolus versicolor, commonly known as turkey tail, has also been used as a "magic herb" in China for thousands of years. Its extracts have been approved for routine clinical practice in China since 1987 and in Japan since 1977, especially in integrated cancer therapy in conjunction with chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Mushrooms are rich in polysaccharides, the most abundant carbohydrate in mushrooms. These polysaccharides stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in the colon. They also contain macronutrients that support a healthy immune system, including selenium, vitamin D, and vitamin B6.
Modern science has recently begun to explore the medicinal properties of mushrooms, and more than 600 studies have been carried out worldwide. Clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate the anticancer, antihypertensive, cardioprotective, and neurological effects of various mushrooms. Several mushroom compounds have been used extensively and successfully in Asia, and to a lesser extent in Europe, in the treatment of various cancers and other diseases.
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Mushrooms are a good source of vitamin D, selenium, and vitamin B6
Vitamin D is essential for bone and immune health, and it assists with cell growth and reduces inflammation. Mushrooms exposed to ultraviolet light, such as sunlight or a UV lamp, are an excellent source of vitamin D2, a form of vitamin D also found in fungi and yeast. Vitamin D-enhanced mushrooms are the only non-animal food product with substantial amounts of bioavailable vitamin D, making them a valuable source for vegans and vegetarians.
Selenium is another important nutrient found in mushrooms. It helps the body produce antioxidant enzymes that prevent cell damage. Cremini and portabella mushrooms are particularly rich in selenium.
Vitamin B6 is also present in mushrooms, especially shiitake mushrooms. This vitamin helps the body form red blood cells, proteins, and DNA.
In addition to these vitamins, mushrooms contain polysaccharides, their most abundant carbohydrate, which stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in the colon. They are also a source of ergothioneine, an amino acid and antioxidant that prevents or slows cellular damage.
The use of mushrooms as medicine is not a new concept. Our ancestors have used mushrooms for their medicinal properties for thousands of years. Ancient civilizations in China, Greece, and North America all recognized the healing potential of mushrooms. Modern science is now rediscovering the medicinal value of mushrooms, exploring their potential in cancer therapy, their ability to ward off chronic diseases, and their positive impact on weight loss and overall health.
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Some mushrooms are toxic and can be deadly if consumed
Mushrooms have been used as medicine for thousands of years. However, some species are toxic and can be deadly if consumed. Poisonous mushrooms can be mistaken for edible ones, sometimes with fatal consequences. While only a few of the 70-80 known species of poisonous mushrooms are fatal when ingested, many of these deadly fungi bear an unfortunate resemblance to edible mushrooms, making them extremely dangerous.
One of the most toxic North American mushrooms is Amanita bisporigera. Symptoms of ingestion include vomiting, delirium, convulsions, diarrhea, liver and kidney failure, and often death. Another deadly mushroom is the Galerina marginata, which contains the same amatoxins as the death cap mushroom. Amatoxins are highly toxic compounds that travel through the bloodstream, disrupting cell metabolism and damaging vital organs, including the liver and heart. Ingestion of G. marginata causes diarrhea, vomiting, hypothermia, and liver damage, and can result in death if left untreated.
The autumn skullcap mushroom is another poisonous variety that can be deadly if eaten. It is often mistaken for hallucinogenic Psilocybe mushrooms, which are edible. The false morel is yet another toxic mushroom that resembles the prized and tasty morel mushroom. However, unlike true morels, false morels contain the deadly toxin gyromitrin, which becomes monomethylhydrazine—a toxic compound used in rocket fuel—when broken down in the body.
It is important to be able to distinguish between toxic and non-toxic mushrooms to avoid accidental poisoning, which can have severe and sometimes fatal consequences.
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Mushrooms are a low-calorie food, rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
Mushrooms are a low-calorie food, packing a nutritional punch with their rich content of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are a fungus, but that hasn't stopped most Americans from adding them to their meals. The average American consumes about three pounds of mushrooms each year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Mushrooms are prized for their savory flavor, which reduces the need for added salt, keeping blood pressure in check.
Mushrooms are a good source of vitamin D, an essential nutrient for bone and immune health. They also contain selenium, which helps the body produce antioxidant enzymes to prevent cell damage, and vitamin B6, which aids in the formation of red blood cells, proteins, and DNA. The Mushroom Council specifically recommends cremini or portabella mushrooms for their high selenium content and maitake mushrooms for an easy way to add vitamin D to your diet. Shiitake mushrooms, in particular, are known for their cholesterol-lowering properties.
The health benefits of mushrooms don't stop there. They are also a rich source of potassium, which can reduce the negative impact of sodium on the body and help lower blood pressure. Additionally, mushrooms have anti-inflammatory properties, which can improve the efficiency of the immune system. Long- and short-term studies have shown that mushrooms, in combination with exercise and lifestyle changes, can positively impact weight loss.
Mushrooms are also the only vegan, non-fortified dietary source of vitamin D. They contain various B vitamins, including thiamine, riboflavin, B6, and B12, which are essential for overall health and well-being. The nutritional profiles of mushrooms vary between species, with some being edible and others used solely for medicinal purposes, such as reishi. Mushrooms have been valued for their culinary, nutritional, and medicinal properties, and they are now widely used as dietary supplements and functional foods.
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Magic mushrooms are being studied for their potential therapeutic benefits
Mushrooms have been used as food and medicine for thousands of years. Ancient formulations based on mushrooms have been used in China to promote good health, strength, and longevity. In modern times, mushrooms are increasingly valued for their medicinal properties, and are used as dietary supplements and functional foods.
Magic mushrooms, or mushrooms containing psilocybin, are being studied for their therapeutic potential. Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic chemical found in certain mushrooms, and is a powerful psychedelic. It is capable of altering perception of space and time, causing visual distortions, euphoria, and mystical experiences.
Despite the social stigma and legal status of psilocybin as a Schedule I drug, researchers are conducting clinical trials to study its therapeutic uses. Psilocybin has been used by Indigenous communities for over 1000 years, and some researchers believe rock paintings in Western Australia show its use in Indigenous ceremonies over 10,000 years ago.
Psilocybin has been studied for its potential to treat a range of psychiatric and behavioral disorders, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It may also be useful in treating addiction and cancer-related psychiatric disorders. Research suggests that psilocybin is not addictive, and no physical symptoms occur after stopping use. However, further research is needed to understand the potential risks and benefits of psilocybin.
In a clinical setting, a controlled dose of psilocybin is given to the patient under the supervision of a medical professional. This reduces the risk of a bad reaction, which can occur when taking magic mushrooms recreationally.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that has been consumed as food for hundreds of years. They are also known to have medicinal properties and have been used as medicine for thousands of years.
Mushrooms are packed with essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D, vitamin B6, potassium, and zinc. They are also a source of ergothioneine, an amino acid and antioxidant that prevents or slows cellular damage. Research suggests that eating mushrooms may lower the risk of cancer.
Lion's Mane, Reishi (or Ling Zhi), and Shiitake mushrooms are some examples of mushrooms with medicinal properties.
Reishi mushrooms are known to aid sleep and act as immunomodulators. They have been used to promote well-being and longevity in traditional Chinese medicine.
