Our world is a very busy place. When you look out past your doorstep and across your front lawn, you notice you are surrounded by humanity. A human world filled with wonderful things that make our lives amazing. Imagine your life without a smartphone, a computer, the internet, automobiles, Netflix, and many more modern wonders that would fill pages and pages, a list without end. We experience our lives on top of the soil and in the water on this rotating ball we call Earth, but what about what lies under the grassy fields, the high-rise buildings of downtown, the paved highways, or the forests? Does anyone ever stop and think about the dark magical world beneath our very feet? In the soil? Under the rocks? Wrapped around the roots of towering oak trees?

I am so grounded in this physical world that honestly; I really never gave any thought to the hidden world beneath my feet. It wasn’t until I accidentally came across a wonderful documentary that I suggest everyone watch. It is called “Fantastic Fungi, the magic beneath us.” You can watch it online for free by going to https://archive.org/details/fantastic-fungi-the-magic-beneath-us . This wonderful movie captivated me. It opened my eyes to a world I would have never noticed, but most importantly, it was the catalyst that propelled my journey into the mystical world of mushrooms and the beneficial effects they can have on your life.

These fantastic lifeforms are not plants or animals. They are actually a form of life that is totally unique. Their mycelium, a spidery network of fungal growth, forms the largest mass of any organism in the world and covers thousands and thousands of acres, and permeates all the landscapes of the Earth. This network that resembles a dense spidery web is what keeps our soil and the plants and animals that live and thrive in that soil healthy. Mycelium work tirelessly under the ground growing, spreading, transferring nutrients to plants and trees, breaking down dead animal and plant matter, creating a dense network that nourishes the life on our planet.

If it wasn’t for the fruiting body of the mushroom that appears above ground, humans may not have even noticed this edible, medicinal, and sometimes deadly life form. The fruiting body is the reproductive organ of the mushroom and is produced by the mycelium when it is time for the mushroom to spread its spores across the landscape. These spores are the mushrooms’ children. For thousands of generations, humans have foraged for the edible and medicinal forms of mushrooms. They have played an important role in the survival of our species. Over time, our ancestors discovered which mushrooms were poisonous, were nutritious, and which ones could heal, promote health, and cure disease.

There are thousands of different types of mushrooms, and their mycelium is more plentiful than all the plant and animal life combined. Fungi are fueled by carbon in the soil. They break down any substance that is made of carbon molecules. Fungi are known as the digestive system of the forest because, without them, dead animal and plant material would never break down. Mushrooms rot any natural hydrocarbon-based substance and can even digest oil from oil spills. As long as the mycelium has food, it can live forever. During extinction events when most of the Earth’s animal and plant life perished, mushrooms survived. They were here in the beginning of life on our plant and will be the last form of life to survive if there is another cataclysmic event.

Fungi is essential to keeping us healthy. They make enzymes that help fight off their competition – bacteria, other fungus, viruses, and microbes. Humans have been able to use certain mushrooms to create antibiotics and other medicines. Certain mushrooms have been proven to help treat infections, certain disease processes, improve memory, relieve pain, and have many other applications. Mushrooms are definitely magical and are surrounded in a cloak of mystery. I am going to make an attempt to lift this veil and share some of the magic that makes up this secretive world.

In the next pages, I am going to list a few of these marvelous fungi and share what they can be used to help treat. This information will not replace the advice of your physician. Mushrooms are just another tool in the health toolbox. Remember, allergies and interactions with medications can always occur when anyone introduces something new to their food supply. Also, please make sure you use reputable sources when purchasing mushrooms, mushroom powders, or tinctures. I would not use products made in China or other countries that have been known to sell contaminated and fake products.

Now, join me on my journey into the wonderful, mystical world of mushrooms.

Lion’s Mane

Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)

What does this mushroom look like and where can it be found?

Lion’s Mane is a creamy white mushroom that resembles fluffy pompoms. It has long, relaxed spines that protrude from its base. Found in late summer to fall, it grows in clumps on hardwood trees, favoring the American beech tree. It can also be found growing on maple, oak and birch trees. They grow in North America and can also be found in Japan and China.

How is Lion’s Mane prepared?

This mushroom is considered to be one of the most delectable mushrooms on the market. It can be eaten raw or cooked. It has a taste that is often compared to that of crab or lobster. It is often served on pasta, in stew or soup. As a medicinal mushroom, it can be eaten whole or obtained in capsules, powders, and tinctures. For the best potency, find a reputable source that dual extracts the beneficial compounds out of the whole fruiting body.

What diseases and conditions is Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) used for?

• Memory issues
• Dementia
• Nerve Pain and Neuropathy
• Stomach problems
• Cancer
• Anxiety and Irritability
• Weight loss
• MS

What are the risks of taking Lion’s Mane?

Lion’s Mane mushrooms are safe to eat. There are no negatives to ingesting this mushroom either in its natural state or through powders or tinctures. Allergies are always a concern, so it is recommended that smaller doses are taken at first.

How much Lion’s Mane do you need to take in order to get the benefit?

The amount of mushroom to take daily varies depending upon the source of your information and the supplier. If you consume the mushroom in its natural state, you will need to eat at least 6-8 ounces since most of the fruiting body is made up of fiber. If you consume Lion’s Mane in the form of an extract the recommended amount will vary between 1 – 3 grams depending upon the source of your information. Some sources recommend supplementation once a day and others two to three times per day. There is no established scientific criteria regarding dosage.