Mushrooms have been treated as medicinal plants for thousands of years. While there are 38,000 different types of medicinal mushrooms, we will focus on three varieties here.
The most widely used medicinal mushrooms today are Reishi, Maitake, and Shiitake.
As early as the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) in China, shiitake mushrooms were in cultivation for use in traditional Chinese medicine. Shiitake mushrooms were referred to as the “elixir of life” in early writings due to their healing properties.
Shiitake mushrooms seem to be the most popular mushroom for culinary use in addition to its medicinal value. Research has found that the consuming of shiitake mushrooms is effective in lowering cholesterol and improving heart health.
The Reishi mushroom was so revered in ancient China that it was traded for its weight in gold. Only the Emperor was allowed to partake of this mushroom. Today it is known as an immune booster, due to its ability to increase the activity of white blood cells. It is also reported to reduce anxiety and depression.
Another valuable mushroom is the Maitake. Maitake mushrooms, which are also known as “hen of the woods”, have been found to assist in the regulation of blood pressure and the lowering of blood sugar. Early studies indicate that Maitake mushrooms may prove beneficial in the prevention of cancer.
If you find that fresh medicinal mushrooms are not sold in your area, many of these mushrooms are now conveniently available in the form of supplements.
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