What are medicinal mushrooms and why should I take them?

From hypha to fungus

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Anyone who likes mushrooms will love medicinal mushrooms. Don't worry, we're not talking about the psychoactive little ones (magic mushrooms with psilocybin) here, but rather about medicinal mushrooms from nature with special properties. If, like me, you take the time and explore the world of mushrooms, you are literally enchanted and somehow understand the world a little better. Since I started working with mycotherapy, I have been delighted and amazed at how potent these plants are.

The mushroom mycelium of God

Mushrooms are eukaryotic organisms and are known to consist of fruiting bodies and mycelium. The latter can take on indescribable proportions and runs underground through the forests undetected. Mycelium is the whole of the hypha, the thin thread-like cells of a fungus. Mushroom mycelia can be square kilometers in size and are often very old. The so-called fruiting body is the part that you can see of the mushroom shooting out of the ground. We like to call this part a mushroom, although the mushroom is actually the entire network underground.

Mushrooms can conduct electrical impulses via their brain-like network, something that continues to be the subject of massive research. Similar to our neurons in the brain, there are said to be voltage peaks, which arouses great interest in science. By the way, the white something on the Camembert is nothing other than growing mushroom mycelium and anyone who has ever grown oyster mushrooms in coffee grounds already knows that the fluffy mold is actually mycelium. Since then, I have looked at mold in cream cheese completely differently. :)

What abilities do medicinal mushrooms have?

There are an estimated 3 to 5 million mushrooms on earth, many are edible, many are not. Medicinal mushrooms, also known as medicinal mushrooms, bring special added value and far outpace normal edible mushrooms in terms of competence. I use them individually or in a suitable combination to combat my illnesses or complaints. Traditionally, medicinal mushrooms are used specifically against all kinds of diseases in Chinese and Japanese culture. While in China the reishi is the king of mushrooms, for the Japanese the maitake is considered gold (the ending “take” translates as mushroom). In the field of TCM, medicinal mushrooms are used against physical and mental ailments, so to speak medicinal mushrooms on a doctor's prescription because they are considered medically effective and enjoy full recognition there.

Which are the most important medicinal mushrooms?

I'll list the medicinal mushrooms that are interesting to me and that I also use for myself, then you have them Medicinal mushroom experience right on top! By the way, there are many different German terms for the Latin names. I only write down the expressions that are common to me.

• Polyporus (Squid hare): My special helper because it is considered to be highly detoxifying and draining. He repaired my emaciated, straw-like hair and even allowed me to grow new hair. So I always take the medicinal mushroom Polyporus in capsule form Hifas da Terra and use the product as a hair treatment from the inside lasting several months. *10% discount on your entire purchase at Hifas da Terra with discount code: diepfeifferin

  
  

  • Hericium (lion's mane, hedgehog's beard): Also my “must have” because it is considered a nerve fungus and I need it for my gastrointestinal cleansing.

    
    

    • Reishi (Lingzhi, Shiny Lackporling): It is considered the king and mushroom of life and an all-rounder for daily mycotherapy. 500 mg or one capsule is sufficient as a prophylactic measure. If you want to act therapeutically, you would have to take three times the Reishi dose.

      
      

      • Maitake (common rattlesponge, broadleaf porling): The “dancing mushroom” is Japan’s secret weapon and is said to have a positive effect on hormone balance. For example, if I had If I have type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or are overweight, I would use it in the long term. Personally, I take it as an extract every now and then as a balancing treatment. In my experience, extracts have a very high bioavailability.

        
        

        • Cordyceps (caterpillar fungus): The competitive athlete among medicinal mushrooms is a kind of coffee substitute for me on writing days. Not only does it boost my performance (can improve oxygen uptake in the blood), but it is also essential as a stimulant for sexual desire.

          
          

          • Judas ear (Chinese morel): I treat myself to this candidate “naturally” by ordering shredded, organic Judas ear. Very tasty and useful for my eye problems. The slimy mushroom is very tasty (umami bomb) and is used in TCM, for example, to combat arteriosclerosis.

            
            

            • Chaga (Slate Schillerporling): The melanin bomb is Russia's counterpart to the Chinese reishi, also a kind of life mushroom. I'll cover it Smaints from Northern Finland in organic quality Chaga cut directly from the tree! I take this expert for many reasons, for example because of the strong anti-inflammatory properties, the anti-aging benefits and the stimulating properties. *Discount 5% with discount code: diepfeifferin

              
              

              • Shiitake (Pasania mushroom) : I am currently using this delicious representative in dried form as organic shiitake. Wherever possible, I mix the spicy mushroom into dishes and at the same time benefit physically, especially my intestinal flora. The well-known Shiitake medicinal mushroom effect is also the reduction of cholesterol by changing bad LDL cholesterol to better HDL cholesterol. It is suitable, among other things, for cardiovascular diseases and cleans the arteries.

                
                

                • Oyster mushroom (oyster mushroom) : The Pleurotus ostreatus is known to be very delicious from the pan, a favorite of many veggies and has a very meaty structure. The mushroom is heavily cultivated due to its popularity and also provides health benefits for me.

                  
                  

                  How do medicinal mushrooms help against illness?

                  
                  

                  The bio-chemical relevant ones

                  Active ingredients in medicinal mushrooms

                  are glycoproteins (ß-glucans, PSP, PSK), mycosterols (triterpenes, ergosterol), statins, lectins, peptides, B vitamins, minerals, trace elements, enzymes, fiber. For God's sake, I'm not a biochemist, but I was trained by one in mushroom matters, so I know that every type of mushroom here has a different composition. For example, shiitake, reishi and oyster mushrooms have the highest sterol (mycosterol) content. These are very similar to human steroid hormones, for example testosterone, estradiol and vitamin D.

                  
                  

                  The proteoglycans PSP and PSK are particularly found in the butterfly mammal. Unfortunately, this mushroom is not (yet) approved as a NEM in the EU, but it grows in many forests, so theoretically you can use it. It is considered the most effective immunomodulator in nature and is powerful

                  antiviral against EBV, CMV and varicella zoster

                  . Extremely exciting for me, which is why I have already “collected” it to make an extract. He who seeks finds. However, anyone who collects mushrooms in the forest should know this to avoid poisoning. There are various apps for mushroom detection. However, a guided tour with experienced mycologists would be recommended. I don't (yet) have the confidence to assess all mushrooms with certainty.

                  
                  

                  Disclaimer: Dietary supplements (NEM) never replace a healthy lifestyle or a visit to the doctor. If you feel unwell or ill, you should consult your local family doctor!