Medicinal Mushrooms: The Facts

Mushrooms are commonly used ingredients in many different dishes. Where would your Beef Wellington be if not for the duxelle that makes up the filling between the beef and the pastry crust? Mushrooms can add a bold flavor or a mild flavor to any dish you wish to make. It all depends on the type of mushroom you use. But did you also know that mushrooms have been used for centuries as a medicinal aid? Medicinal mushrooms are experiencing a revival. You may be happy to discover that your favorite mushroom dish actually helps your body. This article will help you uncover the delectable delights that mushrooms can bring your palate as well as your body. You may find yourself trying to incorporate more mushrooms into your daily diet just so you can reap the benefits.

What are medicinal mushrooms?

Medicinal mushrooms are a bit of a misnomer in the fact that most edible mushrooms do have medicinal properties. There really are not any that do not aid the body in some way. Granted there are some that are better than others but it really depends on the result you want. The heartier strains of mushrooms give off the best benefits but come with a much bolder taste. Those button mushrooms that are included in so many dishes also offer up some medicinal qualities but not as much as the aforementioned. Regardless of what type of mushroom you are eating, provided it is not hallucinogenic or poisonous, you are reaping the benefits of its medicinal qualities. You would be amazed at the varieties of edible mushrooms that can actually improve your body's health.

Can I find medicinal mushrooms in the wild?

Typically all mushrooms, medicinal and not, are grown in the wild. For the experienced mushroom hunter many varieties are easily found depending on the season. In recent years there has been a boom in growing mushrooms for retail sale. More mushrooms can be grown safely in a controlled, chemical free environment than you can harvest in the woods. Plus you have the benefit of knowing exactly what you are harvesting without having to be an expert. But hunting for mushrooms in the wild does have its benefits. If you know what you are looking for it can be an enjoyable day outside in nature. You will get exercise and you can even make it a family outing.

Can you grow your own medicinal mushrooms?

You can absolutely grow your own medicinal mushrooms. It is going to take some work but not nearly the amount it takes to grow other vegetables. You can buy starter kits that will contain the spores and the materials you need to help them grow. One thing you have to keep in mind is that mushrooms tend to grow in moist, dark climates. So if you have a spot that is out of sunlight and can remain cool then you can easily grow your own medicinal mushrooms.

How can I prepare medicinal mushrooms?

You can prepare medicinal mushrooms in virtually any way you would prepare any other food. You can cut them up fresh and then add a hot broth, such as chicken, a few scallions and have a wonderful soup. You can grill the larger mushrooms such as the Oyster or the Portobello on the grill as a meat substitute. You can add button mushrooms to sauces. You can take the Maitake mushroom and slice it up to go in a stir fry. Any way you fix them it is definitely umami and delicious.

Related topics about medicinal mushrooms
Cordyceps Mushroom Variety
It has been said that this mushroom was discovered in the pastures of the Tibetan mountains over 1,500 years ago, after noting that the animals that grazed there became more energetic after consuming this medicinal fungi. After that it was considered an energy tonic in the Orient and now modern studies and research have just begun to reveal the health benefits of medicinal mushrooms such as these. It has been shown that the benefits to the glands result in an increase in the body's energy level.

Do You Know About Active Mushrooms?
According to experts, people took these mushrooms for their hallucinogenic effect, in order to make a path to follow to the afterlife and God. However, they also ate this active, organic mushroom as a dietary supplement. The Mayans were thought to have a mushroom culture or cult, as they built massive temples in honor of the mushroom, which played a role in the religion of the natives.

Medicinal Mushroom Varieties
According to mushroom history, some of the oldest recorded uses were as remedies against intestinal parasites, as well as being used to stop bleeding and cauterizing wounds. The mushrooms used were polypores, named because they have pores rather than gills underneath the heads. No known species of the polypore fungi are poisonous and they are normally found to grow on trees, both alive and dead.