Book Review
Medicinal Mushrooms: An Exploration of Tradition, Healing and Culture
by Christopher Hobbs
This book is subtitled "An Exploration of Tradition, Healing and Culture". It is drawn from a broad range of written work from the historical record, relatively recent clinical reports and scientific studies. Hobbs is quick to point out that the credibility of some sources is difficult to determine so one must be a bit wary of the material presented in the book. Nonetheless, Hobbs does a great job of accumulating the breadth of information on a wide range of species. This information is critical to you if you are thinking about entering the medicinal marketplace with your mushrooms.
The book begins with an introduction and nine chapters which span the botany, history, medicinal value and nutritional value of mushrooms. The core of the book, for anyone interested in a particular species, is the section of 27 monographs which address the following species in detail:
- Amanita muscaria, Fly Agaric or beni-tengu-take: contains a number of potentially hallucinogenic and toxic compounds.
- Armillaria mellea, Honey Mushroom or mi huan jun: we recently saw this mushroom reported as an ingredient in a restaurant recipe. It is very common in the wild, but consider your neighbors as it is a pathogen to certain tree species.
- Auricularia polytricha and A. Auricula, wood ear, tree ear, Judas' ear or mu erh: Traditional Chinese uses include hemorrhoid and stomach treatments. It has also been used as a throat inflammation treatment, stomach tonic and immune tonic and is an anticoagulant.
- Boletus edulis, king bolete, or cepe: This species is not easily cultivated, but wild specimens have shown some tumor inhibition activity in mice. Many mycophagists consider this the best of the best edible mushrooms. If you can find a way to grow this species, you won't have any trouble selling it as a food!
- Claviceps purpurea, ergot, holy fire, clavus: This species can be toxic, producing such undesirable effects as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, unconsciousness, respiratory collapse, heart failure and death. Certain derivatives are useful for the control of migraine.
- Cordyceps sinensis, caterpillar fungus: This fungus gets its common name from its habit of infecting caterpillars and fruiting directly out of the host's body. It is being cultivated in the U.S. From a marketing standpoint, the positive effects on sexual drive are of most interest. It also fights cancer and asthma.
- Fomes fomentarius, tinder polypore, amadou: Certain extracts inhibit growth of herpes simplex and specific cancers.
- Fomitopsis officinalis, white agaric or quinine conk: It has been used in the past for asthma and sweats. It also reportedly inhibits certain cancers and is a laxative.
- Fomitopsis pinicola, red-belted polypore, tusgasaruno-koshikake: A tea made from this species has been used as a tonic to increase disease resistance and fight cancer.
- Ganoderma applanatum, artist's conk: Used as a tea to stimulate the immune system.
- Ganoderma lucidum, ling zhi, reishi: Reishi has a number of active constituents that inhibit histamine release, inhibit tumors, stimulate the immune system and offer many other beneficial effects.
- Geastrum triplex, earthstar: A tea made from this species has been used as a tonic for the lungs and throat.
- Grifola frondosa, hen of the woods, sheep's head, maitake: This species was first cultivated in 1979. The major effect seems to be the lowering of blood pressure, but this species also produces a number of anti-cancer and immune stimulating compounds.
- Grifola umbellata, zhu ling: Used as a diuretic in traditional Chinese medicine. It also apparently has anti-tumor and antibiotic effects.
- Inonotus obliquus, pilat, chaga, birch mushroom: Approved for public use against cancer by the Medical Academy of Science in Moscow in 1955. It has a long history of anti-cancer use.
- Lentinula edodes, shiitake, hua gu: Anti-tumor and immune stimulation seem to be the most widely researched effects. It also appears to have antiviral, antibiotic, liver protection, and cholesterol lowering effects.
- Lenzites betulina, gilled polypore, kaigaratake: Cancer inhibition and immune stimulating effects.
- Lepista nuda, blewit: Anti-tumor activity and vitamin B-1.
- Peziza vesiculosa, bladder cup: Anti-tumor and anti-bacterial, but cook before eating.
- Phellinus igniarius, false tinder polypore, nisehokuchitake: Used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat the suppression of menstruation and mucus discharge from the vagina.
- Pleurotus ostreatus, oyster mushroom, hiratake: Tumor inhibition and reduction of very low density lipoprotein (cholesterol) in the blood.
- Polyporus tuberaster, stone fungus: No known medical uses, but it is discussed in the book as being often confused with Wolfiporia cocos (see below).
- Psilocybe spp., liberty cap, magic mushroom: Produces visual distortion and alteration of hearing. Traditionally used for religious purposes, now mostly used for recreational purposes although illegal in the U.S.
- Schizophyllum commune, split-gill, split-fold: Anti-tumor and immune enhancement effects. Apparently inhibits chromosomal damage caused by chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
- Trametes versicolor, turkey tail, kawaratake, yun-zhi: An extract is a major anti-cancer drug in Japan. Also popular in Europe for floral design.
- Tremella fuciformis, snow fungus, bai mu erh: Immune system enhancement, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and liver protectant. Lowers LDL cholesterol in mice.
- Wolfiporia cocos, tuckahoe, hoelen, fuling, matsuhodo: Anti-tumor, immune stimulation, antiviral, and anti-mutagenic. One extract promoted hair growth on mice.
Thirteen other species (Agaricus bisporus, Calvatia gigantea, Valvatia spp., Cantharellus cibarius, Flammulina velutipes, Lactarius russula, Morchella esculenta, Phallus impudicus, Piptoporus betulinus, Polyporus mylittae, Pycnoporus sanguineus, Ustalago maydis, and Volvariella volvacea) are addressed briefly.
The discussions are supported with a bibliography that runs almost 40 pages.
The bottom line: if you want to pursue medicinal markets, you need this book.