A Taste of Mushrooms Part 1.

I have never been a fan of mushrooms as a child but, with the dive into the world of plant medicine. They have become one of super foods I never thought I would have found. More than the traditional stalk bottom and cap looking top, mushrooms come in all different sizes, shapes, colors, wonders, and of course benefits.

What is a mushroom… Mushrooms are apart of the fungi family and are a hidden heterotrophs of the plant kingdom. This means they can acquire nutrients from both decaying/ dead or live plant material. Mushrooms, as small as they are in comparison, have very unique capabilities for their environment. The technical term to describe mushroom activity include saprophytic, mycorrhizal, parasitic, and endophytic. These terms illustrate what mushrooms can do for their environment which ranges from feeding off of what could make the environment sick and providing nutrients back into the soil for the surrounding plants to thrive. To attacking insects and other plant life which could cause the environment harm (even attack some fruit trees, which could be bad for farming). Finally, some mushrooms have the ability to become apart of the plant like an infection but, instead of harming the plant it helps the plant adapt to its environment and protect the plant insects and infections.

A general diet break down… Having a colorful healthy diet can seem almost impossible when we are surrounded by constant advertisements which support an unhealthy one…BUT… it is possible. It is possible to make small simple life changes which will train your eyes to crave what would give your body nutrients. Adding a wide range of mushrooms to your diet can be a small adjustment.

A famous quote from Hippocrates commonly used by holistic healers, nutritions, and health advocates is, “Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food.” Adding mushrooms chopped, powered, sliced, cooked, raw, grilled, pilled, in coffee/tea, or tinctures form are great ways to add them to your daily health regimen. Different species of mushrooms provide your body with a wide range of vitamins, trace and macro minerals, fiber, protein, carbohydrates, and fatty acids your body needs packed into a tiny package.They are known for having a good source of iron, phosphor, copper, potassium and selenium. This tiny plant can aid in supporting your body by making available what is already missing from your daily diet. Giving your body the needed support it needs daily. (Vegetarians often consume mushrooms as a source for vitamin B12, protein, and vitamin D).

Supporting the body systems…

Immune System– The immune system is mainly responsible for keeping the body free from illness, fighting off infection, and destroying cells damaged cells. Mushrooms (varies per mushroom type) have a high amount of beta glucan. Beta glutcan acts to stimulate the immune system to act as it should, along with strengthening it (short explanation). Some health practitioners will recommend consuming at least 6 grams per day to have an effect on the immune system along with switching up the mushroom type every 3 or so months. If your looking for an immune boost, turkey tail, reishi, shiitake, and split gill mushrooms are common most used mushrooms for the immune system. I often use turkey tail, reishi, maitake, and chaga mushrooms in my coffee, tea, and immune boosting mushrooms blends.

Heart System Support (heart disease prevention)– Mushrooms are often used in traditional Chinese medicine to support the cardiovascular system. This is possible because mushrooms can support the liver, aiding it to clean bad cholesterol out the of system, with the added bonus of decreasing inflammation in the body which results in improved circulation. Some health practitioners will suggest taking a 1 teaspoon of a powdered mushroom extract once or twice daily, if you have a family history of high cholesterol, heart disease, or currently have high cholesterol. Common most reached for mushrooms for heart support are reishi, shiitake, and oyster.

Mental Alertness– Some people today are switching from regular coffee to mushroom coffee. More research has come to light in the last eight years, mushrooms are known to contain compounds that may improve brain function along with protecting against age-related cognitive decline. Today’s studies have shown an improvement on memory performance along with seeing evidence of new nerve growth. Of course using mushrooms has been long used by traditional Chinese medicine, where taking 2 grams or 1/2 a teaspoon of red reishi tea powder has been taken in a litter water or tea to strengthen memory. The most used mushrooms for memory support include lion’s mane, reishi, and chaga mushrooms; which you will probably find in any herbal blend supporting mental alertness.

Other Benefits- Mushrooms are also utilized for their ability to aid with sexual vitality; nerve, cancer, kidney, liver, and digestive support; weight management; and promoting sleep. Reishi and cordyceps mushrooms are commonly used to increase libido in both men and women- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of these mushrooms in powdered form 1-2 times per day in water or tea can go along way.

Traditional Chinese Medicine has long used mushrooms to aid with an overactive nervous system. It is commonly used in support of a person with muscle spasms, ticks, and seizures. Laboratory study have found mushrooms have the ability to stimulate nerve growth factor to promote the repair and reduction of nerve inflammation. Common mushrooms used are honey, lion’s main, and reishi mushrooms.

Since my new found knowledge of how beneficial mushrooms are… I incorporate them into my meals weekly, created a tincture to add to my tea and coffee daily, I also brew my coffee and tea with mushroom, and blend them into my face wash sometimes. Being pregnant with baby number four I can notice an energy boost and mental clarity the days I ingest them vs the days I don’t. A little goes a long way. When you start cleaning out your system slowly and providing real nutrients both macro and micro; your body craves what it truly needs and rejects an abundance of anything less.

Consistency is one of the key components… (and grace) when adding herbal supplements or trying a new health regimen. Cleansing your body is another key component (not a rapid cleanse but a slow one). Ask yourself how you feel with a supplement and without it (some supplements take using it for a couple days to weeks to notice a difference). Ask yourself how regular food makes you feel. It should not make you feel heavy or tired but, energized. You may notice that as you eat healthier you eat more often but not quite as much in one sitting.

Health and wellness begins with what we consume- what we eat, drink, inhale, and place on our skin. Each item we ingest, smell, or rub on our skin is either being utilized toward good health or being combated to prevent bad health (in simple terms).

Enjoy each day and take a moment to observe the blossoms, wakening trees, gentle rejuvenating breeze, animals playing, and people becoming more active. I congratulate you in starting and continuing on your health journey along with the rediscovering of yourself.

Jasmine Hutchinson PHN, BSN, RN

Want to try organic herbal products… Check out the ReachWellness Etsy Shop for other organic handmade herbal blends, teas, and classes.

DISCLAIMER…THIS BLOG IS INTENDED SOLELY TO SERVE AS A RESOURCE TO HEALTH INFORMATION AND TO PROVIDE YOU WITH BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE SYMPTOMS, CAUTIONS, SAFETY CONCERNS, NATURAL REMEDIES, DIY RECIPES, AND NUTRITIONAL CONCERNS RELATED TO ALL ASPECTS OF HEALTH. THIS BLOG DOES NOT PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE EXPLANATION OF ALL ASPECTS OF ANY HEALTH CONDITION OR CONCERN OR EVEN THOSE ASPECTS THAT ARE DISCUSSED IN THIS BLOG. THIS BLOG IS NOT INTENDED TO BE–AND YOU SHOULD NOT USE IT AS–A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE OR HEALTH CARE GIVEN BY A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. BE SURE TO SEE A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER TO HELP ENSURE YOUR HEALTH AND THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF YOUR FAMILY.