Ancient man actively used them for survival, Hippocrates advocated them for medicinal use, and modern man has forgotten them– what are they? Mushrooms!
It’s no secret that we at Troop are a shroom-loving, fungi-worshipping, mushie-adoring bunch. But for those of you at the start of your mycelium love affair, you might be a little dubious about their medicinal health-enhancing benefits.
For modern man, mushrooms are those yummy things found in the chilled grocery aisle, wedged somewhere between the spinach and kale, readily available for a tasty stir fry or cooked breakfast. From delicious button mushrooms to rich brown mushies or large flat white mushrooms, the grocery store has enough fungi choices to satisfy modern man’s culinary desires.
Surrounded by the convenience of medical advancement, the world has forgotten the medicinal mushrooms’ fantastic health-boosting benefits.
Medicinal Mushie Nutrients
Crammed with B vitamins and minerals, including potassium, copper, magnesium, selenium, and phosphorous, the dirt-loving medicinal mushroom is also a super antioxidant and an excellent source of protein and fiber. Unfortunately, they are frequently misunderstood and often labelled as ‘magic’ capable of sending those who consume them on a walk through cloud-cuckoo-land!
However, contrary to popular belief, the medicinal mushrooms used in Troop gummies are not hallucinogenic and won’t have you tripping while floating across pink fluffy clouds of euphoria. Furthermore, for those looking to take a walk on the wilder side of things, our mushrooms don’t contain the psilocybin compound, which makes magic mushrooms trippy.
Shrooms As Medicine? Since when?
Besides their culinary uses, mushrooms have long been used in ancient Chinese, Egyptian, Viking and Buddhist medicines as alternative natural remedies. Made into tinctures, teas and pastes throughout the ages, the mushroom was used to cure everything from pus-filled wounds to healing a broken heart and gaining a deeper meditative focus.
In fact, it’s safe to say that the mushroom was no stranger to the ancient physician’s medicine chest. Medicinal mushrooms such as Lions Mane, Reshi, Mitake, Cordyceps, and Turkey Tail have been used since the dawn of time to boost immunity, enhance health, and cure many ailments.
Now fast forward to the recent past. Did you know that the Penicillin used in medicine today was originally produced from the fungus Penicillium Notatum aka bread mold? It would seem our fungi friends have formed the backbone of antibiotic treatment in the modern medical world since 1928!
History Of Medicinal Shrooms
Rewind a few years to 450 BCE (okay, centuries!) to the Greek physician Hippocrates’ apothecary (old-fashioned A&E). who promoted the use of the Amadou mushroom (Fomes fomentarius) as an anti-inflammatory and an excellent remedy for cauterizing gaping wounds.
This practice of wound healing is still used today by shroom-loving, wilderness-roaming individuals. Don’t believe us? Check out this book called ‘The Mushroom Hunter,’ which states:
“birch polypore can be used as a safe, clean, blood stanching, anti-inflammatory bandage or wrap over cuts.”
Go back even further than Hippocrates, and you have Ötzi, the ancient Ice Man who walked the earth more than 5,000 years ago. Instead of sandwiches and champagne, he packed Amadou and Birch Polypore into his picnic basket. These would help him survive while traipsing around the Alps of Northern Italy.
Of course, he wasn’t indulging in a succulent mushroom feast, followed by canapes and wine. Instead, after searching the wild for these somewhat unpalatable (very bitter) yet life-saving mushies, he would have dried them to preserve them for future medicinal and practical use.
Ötzi, The Ice Mans Ultimate Shroom Picnic Guide
Birch Polypores have long been used to remove stomach parasites, of which the Ice Man would have had a plethora! These parasites would have caused stomach pain, indigestion, and illness. By grinding the mushroom into a paste and adding a little water, the Ice Man had his own powerful anti-parasitic, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory medication! As you can see, his was a picnic based on survival!
We all know a picnic without a romantic fire under the stars is no picnic at all. Exit modern man and his matches, lighters, and disposable BBQs and enter Ötzi, with his trusty Amadou Mushies, aka ancient man’s fire lighters (tinder fungus). These fungi could be used to carry a single fire ember, making it easier to start a cooking fire while travelling. Toasted marshmallows, anyone?
Medicinal Shrooms For Cancer Treatment
According to a review published by the National Library of Medicine, five significant mushrooms are thought to complement and support cancer and tumor treatments. These include the Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi), Cordyceps Sinensis, Grifola Frondos (Mitake), Agaricus Blazei and Trametes Versicolor (Turkey Tail). Furthermore, 40 years of research have shown that mushrooms have antineoplastic (anticancer) properties, which help fight cancer in the following ways:
- Slowed tumor growth
- Regulate tumor genes
- Aids the immune system in the destruction of cancer cells (malignant-cell phagocytosis)
As you can see, there’s more to our shroom-infused gummies than meets the proverbial spore or rather eye! In fact, our tasty mushy-filled gummies are not just delectable treats touting mythical benefits, and we’ve just provided you with the science to prove it!
