Why mushrooms are magnificent
If you’ve been seeing mushrooms everywhere lately, you’re not imagining things. Mushrooms are having a major moment right now in the wellness world with all the health benefits they’re said to possess. In the past, the medicinal value of mushrooms has often been shrouded in mystery and plane taboo. Perhaps due to associations with fungi of the psychedelic variety. But now, mushrooms are hitting the mainstream, and health experts are getting excited well-nigh their benefits.
Dr Alistair McTaggart, a fungal genetics researcher at University of Queensland shares “Mushrooms and all fungi are gaining traction. Australians are recognising mushrooms as sustainable and upstanding sources of foods and medicines.”
Excitingly, Mycologists – those who study fungi, suggest that we’re only scratching the surface of understanding the power and potential of mushrooms. To date, 120,000 species of fungi have been formally identified, yet scientists estimate that there are over six million species, meaning that 98 per cent are yet to be discovered.
Ready to step into the world of mushrooms? Read on to learn well-nigh what makes mushies so magic.
The history of mushroom medicine
The use of mushrooms dates when thousands of years and has been used by myriad cultures. They’ve long been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, with the use of medicinal mushrooms dating when to some of the first medical texts. For example, reishi’s medicinal mushroom reputation dates when to well-nigh 200 AD in the archetype herbal text, the Shen Nong Ben Cao.
For a long time in Western culture, the potential of mushrooms was not fully understood. To many they were merely an spare item tossed into our supermarket trolley. While we’re still learning well-nigh the zillions of benefits that the unobtrusive mushie holds, what we’re discovering is truly amazing.
Why medicinal mushrooms are magnificent
Where to start ….. mushrooms are a rich polysaccharides and antioxidants withal with vitamins and minerals but particularly vitamin D (hello immune health!)! Fun fact – when exposed to the sun, mushrooms have been shown to convert ergosterol (the compounds present in mushrooms) into vitamin D and there you have it a plant-based vitamin D.
Poly – what? Poly-saccha-rides particularly β-d-glucans have immunomodulating activity. Although there is still a lot to learn, polysaccharides are said to function by modulating the immune function.
Active with antioxidants, mushrooms contain naturally occurring vitamin C, carotenoids and other antioxidant compounds. Antioxidants are said to protect cells from self-ruling radical damage. The mushrooms taking a moment in the antioxidant realm include Chaga, Maitake, Reishi and plane Shiitake.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Wanderlust Naturopath Deanna Mascioli shares “Interestingly, what we’re finding is variegated species of mushrooms may offer variegated medicinal benefits, such as the mushroom specie shiitake, rich in vitamin D to support immune function. While this mushroom is now mainstream, shiitake has been used for thousands of years in Japan, China and Korea. Or the specie Reishi – modern vestige suggests it has immune-modulating, anti-allergic, and antioxidant properties. ,. Once again, while new to the western world, Traditional Chinese Medicine has long been privy to the wonders of Reishi.” Says Deanna.
How to integrate mushrooms into your wellness ritual…
Convinced it’s time you tried mushrooms? There are some unconfined powders composite with five mushrooms including Shiitake, Enokitake, Oyster, Trumpet and Maitake mushroom powders.
The weightier thing is they can be hands widow to whatever your making next – whether it’s a smoothie, comic specie or perhaps your next curry, the subtle flavour won’t take over the recipe, it will just requite it a uplift of mushie goodness.
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1The post You Aren’t Tripping: Mushrooms Are Everywhere Right Now appeared first on Wanderlust.
