That mushroom on your plate may look like an alien being, but it comes in peace and may do you a world of good. Lowered cholesterol counts, stabilized blood sugar levels, and better ability to fight infections are only a few of the benefits these invaders can bring. The whole time your kids have been turning up their noses, common local fungi have been offering them medicinal properties, along with being tasty, low-fat foods. At the 22nd Annual Fungus Fair this weekend, you can learn all about the health benefits of different mushrooms - and view and taste them as well.
Extensive tests provide evidence for the mushrooms' therapeutic powers.
Both shiitake and reishi are licensed for use as medicines in China and Japan, usually as supplements for patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer. Some of mushrooms' fungal relatives actually contain antibiotics. Usnic acid, from a cross between fungi and algae, is more potent than penicillin. But like all medicines, the wrong amount of the wrong one can leave you in much worse shape than you were in to begin with. Herbal medicines must be used with the same care and knowledge as standard medicines.