In our vast natural world, there exists a rather unassuming yet powerfully potent ally in bolstering wellbeing and fostering a healthier environment – the humble mushroom. We cohabit our globe with an astonishing array of fungi, with over a million species among which 270 have been reported to possess healing properties.
As a wellness editor who has been writing about integrative health and holistic healing trends for over two decades, I am inspired by the growing popularity that the humble mushroom is having in both as a culinary and consciousness-enhancing ingredient.
From Merlin Sheldrake and fungi aficionado, author of Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds. Change Our Minds And Shape Our Futures, to Fantastic Fungi and How To Change Your Mind trending on Netflix, a deeper exploration into these incredible organisms uncovers their immense potential in combating disease, delighting our taste buds, remedying our environment, and much more.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SUPERFOOD
Whilst you might be familiar with the typical button mushroom garnishing your pizza or salad, the world of fungi stretches far beyond the culinary sphere. Mushrooms harbour an abundance of potent compounds such as selenium, copper, niacin, phosphorus, and vitamin D (when sun-grown), thus making them nutritional powerhouses.
Research has unveiled that even the common white button mushroom harbours potential anticancer properties. Studies at the Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope in CA discovered that these fungi can aid in combating tumour growth in breast cancer cells. This effect emanates from the mushrooms' ability to disrupt the estrogen activity of the cells, restoring them closer to their baseline condition.
Moreover, mushrooms like Reishi, Chaga, Turkey Tail, Cordyceps, Lion’s Mane, Maitake, Shiitake, Zhu-Ling, and Oyster, each contribute unique health benefits. These benefits span from enhancing athletic performance, promoting heart and liver health, to reducing cholesterol, and augmenting memory and concentration.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF FUNGI
However, mushrooms offer more than mere wellness benefits. They're also remarkable environmental stewards. The mycelium - the vegetative part of a fungus, consisting of a mass of branching, thread-like hyphae - can transform waste, tackle diesel spills, and even break down plastics. Research by mycologist Paul Stamets and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory demonstrated that oyster mushrooms could successfully remediate diesel-contaminated soil.
A CULINARY DELIGHT & NUTRITIONAL GOLDMINE
Beyond their health and environmental benefits, mushrooms are a culinary delight. They're bursting with flavour and offer a superb texture for a multitude of dishes. Plus, they're laden with nutrients, low in calories, and devoid of fat and cholesterol. A cup of sliced or chopped raw white mushrooms, for instance, provides:
2.3 g carbs
1.4 g sugar
0.7 g dietary fibre
2.2 g protein
0 g fat
15 calories
When incorporated into your diet, they serve as an excellent source of essential nutrients and minerals. However, to unlock their benefits and neutralise certain toxins, it's best to cook them first.
BEWARE OF WILD MUSHROOM HUNTING
In addition to writing about mushrooms, as a curator of holistic healing retreats I focus on taking groups of Wellbeing Explorers into the great outdoors to engage with nature and hunting for wild mushrooms. Whilst it is an enthralling hobby, it carries potential hazards. It's crucial to seek expert guidance to identify safe varieties and avoid toxic ones.
This is why our forthcoming retreat in the Maremma region of Southern Tuscany will be a perfect opportunity for you to discover Tuscany mushrooms.
MUSHROOMS TO DISCOVER IN TUSCANY IN OCTOBER
Porcini (Boletus edulis)
Chanterelles (Cantharellus cibarius)
Honey fungus (Armillaria mellea)
Field mushroom (Agaricus campestris)
Horse mushroom (Agaricus arvensis)
PSYCHEDELIC HEALING & CONSCIOUSNESS EXPERIENCES
The rising popularity of mushrooms extends into the realm of mind exploration, with certain fungi being recognized for their psychoactive properties. Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as 'magic mushrooms,' are consumed for their hallucinogenic effects, leading to a wide range of experiences, from visual and auditory changes to shifts in time perception and spiritual encounters. Curated by trained and accredited experts, psychedelic healing and consciousness experiences are gaining traction as a form of alternative therapy for various psychological disorders, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
DO'S & DON'TS OF PSYCHEDELIC HEALING
DO seek guidance from trained, accredited professionals for psychedelic therapy.
DON'T consume psilocybin mushrooms without understanding their potential effects.
DO follow guidelines for set (mindset) and setting (environment) to have a safe experience.
DON'T mix psilocybin mushrooms with other substances without expert advice.
MUSHROOM STATISTICS
There are over a million types of fungi, with 270 known for their healing properties.
We share 80-85% of our DNA with mushrooms.
Research has shown that even common white button mushrooms can help fight tumour growth in breast cancer cells.
Many mushrooms are packed with essential nutrients and vitamins, making them a superfood.
FUN MUSHROOM FACTS TO FEAST ON
The largest organism on the planet is a fungal network in Oregon, USA.
A fossil discovered in Saudi Arabia suggests giant mushrooms, as tall as trees, existed 420 to 350 million years ago.
Reishi mushrooms have been revered for over 2,000 years in China, known as the “fountain of youth.”
Certain mushrooms can break down waste, including diesel spills and plastics, playing a pivotal role in environmental remediation.
Clearly, mushrooms are far more than a tasty addition to your meal. They're nutritional goldmines, potent health enhancers, environmental warriors, and gates to profound mind exploration. As we continue to delve into their potential, we deepen our understanding of these marvellous mycelium, unlocking even more benefits for our health, mind, and the planet. It's time we all take a leaf – or in this case, a spore – out of the book of nature and appreciate the powerful, delicate balance it offers.