Introduction

Hello and welcome to Mushroom Health, a centre for the study, identification, isolation and implementation of the natural health boosting properties found in certain "medicinal mushrooms".

Historically, mainstream medicine has almost entirely overlooked the study of fungi and the beneficial compounds found in various sub species of the genus. These health boosting properties have been long understood in Asia, where medicinal mushrooms are found extensively in food and widely available as supplements.However, due largely to media exposure, various mycologists have brought western attention to a previously obscure and misunderstood form of natural medicine.

The most obvious example, Paul Stamets has helped change the general perception of mushrooms and highlight their health benefits. His products have been widely accepted and endorsed, helping to also change the narrative regarding the medicinal properties of certain fungi.

In many societies, starting in childhood, through stories, books, cartoons and other media we are warned not only about the toxicity of wild mushrooms but that they are used in witchcraft and other neferious activities involving a cauldron! Thus we mature with natural distrust and aversion for these wonderful entities, stifling what should (in my opinion) be a much closer relationship between humans and fungi.

The Journey

I have grown mushrooms since about 8 years ago. I became interested in Hericium Erinaceus or Lion's Mane after my mother suffered a stroke in 2022. At this point I was horrified to learn that modern medicine focuses on preventative measures to ward off reoccurrence but offers next to nothing in terms of neural recuperation/regeneration. *physio therapy was offered

I remembered hearing about the possible positive effects of Lion's Mane on the brain and so began a 3 year journey studying this particular species. 

When, after much research and my own study of the fungi en persona, I became sure of the neural potential Lion's Mane possesses I started my mother on a low, daily dose of dried, powdered Lion's Mane fruiting body, which I grew and made into capsules. 

Although there were undoubted slight improvements to her previous confusion and short term memory, this method achieved little and definitely not what I had thought it possibly would…

After consulting a friend who works in another biological field I was made aware of a method of extraction, which by a dual process can “free” the beneficial compounds found in the mushroom, making them far more “bio-available” or absorbable by the human body. I will go into detail on my tincture page about the how's and the why's I have chosen this method to treat my mother but I am extremely happy to say that after 1 and a half years taking this tincture incrementally twice daily, she is able to lead a relatively normal life for a lady of 82 !