Naturopathy mushrooms as medicine

Mycotherapy - mushrooms as a remedy

In natural medicine, mushrooms are also used as medicine.A hitherto little-known form of treatment is mycotherapy, ie healing with fungi. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been using its healing power for millennia, with Shiitake, Reishi & Co targeted for the prevention and treatment of many ailments. The fact that medicinal mushrooms are increasingly being used outside of TCM as an independent form of treatment for alternative practitioners and naturopathic physicians is largely due to the research, books, lectures and further education of Franz Schmaus, who has been enthusiastic about mushroom medicine for 35 years.

contents

• Mycotherapy - mushrooms as a remedy
• Mushrooms as medicines
• Detoxification with medicinal mushrooms
• Compensation for nerves and psyche
• Stability for the immune system
• Other uses of medicinal mushrooms
• Pioneers of mycotherapy in Germany

Mushrooms as medicines

To get straight to the point: for curative purposes, it is no longer necessary to consume the medicinal mushrooms in large quantities. There are high quality products on the market, which are processed from powdered whole cultivated mushrooms to capsules. Wild mushrooms should not be used, as mushrooms absorb toxins from their environment like sponges. Over a longer period of time, which should be coordinated with a naturopath, doctor or mycotherapist, the selected mushroom capsules are taken regularly.

Detoxification with medicinal mushrooms

Chronic diseases are usually based on a decreased ability of the body to detoxify. Every day the organism is exposed to toxins and pollutants that we absorb from the environment in order to excrete them as completely as possible. From the food we take in additives that are supposed to positively influence the color, taste and shelf life of the food. Toxic pesticides are still used against plant parasites, and pollutants from air and groundwater are also found in fruits, grains and vegetables.

Medicines, artificial fragrances and poisons that are produced in the fight against viruses and bacteria burden organs and tissues. Mycotherapists make use of the ability of fungi to absorb pollutants and convert them into less toxic substances. All medicinal mushrooms can therefore be used for general physical detoxification. The reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), which is referred to as the "mushroom of eternal life" in China, has a special effect on our "detoxification center" liver.

Compensation for nerves and psyche

A major advantage of medicinal mushrooms is their regulatory effect on various organ systems. Thus, one and the same fungus can compensate for both subfunctions and overreactions.

The human organism sometimes gets stressed because it has to absorb and adapt all the surrounding (material, emotional, sensual, social) impressions. This stress has a lasting effect as a dysfunction of natural regulatory mechanisms. Hormonal imbalances, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and loss of performance can spread to depression. Again, especially the Reishi does good services to restore the balance in the nervous system. According to experience reports of TCM also gives the caterpillar fungus (Cordyceps sinensis) strength, stamina and willpower not least in the sexual life.

Stability for the immune system

If the immune system is out of balance, it can lead to constant infections, allergies, autoimmune diseases and cancer. The medicinal mushroom, which is said to have a regulating and stabilizing effect on the immune system, is the almond fungus (Agaricus blazei murril), which contains a high concentration of immunomodulators (ß-glucans). It is also used in diabetes-I, in which your own immune system destroys the insulin cells of the pancreas. Another fungus (Hericium erinaceus) is used in allergies to strengthen the immune system via the intestinal mucosa. For biological tumor therapy or concomitant with chemotherapy, various fungi are added, e.g. Polyporus, Hericium, and Coriolus.

Other uses of medicinal mushrooms

Other uses of medicinal mushrooms
Mycotherapy is used for many symptoms and illnesses. In addition to the described applications in autoimmune diseases, allergies, cancer, depression and diabetes type I and II, there are also skin diseases (acne, atopic dermatitis), gastrointestinal diseases (heartburn, CED), kidney disease, rheumatism, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia , Obesity, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, respiratory diseases, cardiac arrhythmia and many other complaints positive testimonials.

Pioneers of mycotherapy in Germany

In Germany, the name of the mycologist Professor dr. Jan Lelly for the introduction of mycotherapy in 1975. Meanwhile, it is the agricultural scientist Franz Schmaus, who for many years (not only in Germany) is instrumental in the research, development and dissemination of therapy with medically active fungi. He has been working with medicinal mushrooms for more than 35 years and has had his own experience in the effectiveness of mycotherapy during cancer. In order to further spread his knowledge about the healing effects of fungi, Schmaus founded an institute for nutritional and fungal medicine, from where he offers counseling, lectures and further education for therapists. (Dipl.Päd. J. Viñals Stein, non-medical practitioner)

To read more:

Franz Schmaus: Using nature as a pharmacy - Healing with mushrooms
Prof. Dr. Ivo Bianchi: Modern mycotherapy (fungal medicine)