Scientists estimate that there are over five million species of fungi and we have only discovered one percent of them. It is probable that it was fungi breaking down rocks into earth that eventually created the soil allowing the evolution of plant life. A mushroom’s outer form or ‘fruiting body’ merely crowns what is underneath it. There is a complex and intricate mycelial network that unites entire ecosystems, and the largest terrestrial organism by mass is a honey mushroom found in the mountainous forested regions of the US.
Fungi produce compounds that lab technicians still cannot reproduce, and we have barely scraped the surface of what we could learn from them.
You may have seen recent reports on serious research into the medicinal use of chemicals found in mushrooms. These substances called psilocybin, are being used to treat conditions ranging from drug or alcohol dependence to depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. While the practical implications of this research are still to be fully confirmed, it is timely to remember that other cultures have long been harnessing the healing power of mushrooms, and we now have the advantage of understanding the science behind how they can benefit the human system.
Within the cell walls of the medicinal mushrooms are found beta glucans. These play an important role in stimulating the immune response by activating microphage, T-helper cells, natural killer (NK) cells and B cells, which in turn increases the production of antibodies. In this way, beta glucans encourage the immune response to the invading pathogens and infected cells. This is useful both in the aftermath of a pandemic and also as part of a preventative approach – if your internal health is good, your external defences stand a better chance of adapting appropriately to whatever is encountered in its environment.
As ever, this does not mean we can all rush out to the nearest forest and start filling bags with unidentified fungi – aside from the potential illegality, it is absolutely essential that a reputable and reliable source is used or disastrous effects could ensue, possibly even fatal. If you are interested in benefitting from the compounds found in medicinal mushrooms, this is best achieved by using products that have been subjected to rigorous testing, and which are supervised by a trained practitioner.