Melanistic Magazine - Vol.14

FUNGI for a fuller life

BY NiLo

Mushrooms seem to be the latest craze in health and culinary cuisine, from supplements to meat substitutes. Distinguishing the differences may be a challenge, especially when it’s hard to get your head around eating a fungus.

Fungi is a whole Kingdom, like the plant and animal kingdoms - It’s made up of over 6 million different species. Mushrooms themselves are the fruit of a mycelium, a complex network below ground that makes carbon available through “decay” and helps trees and plants access nutrients in the soil.

Here’s a gentle introduction to 5 different mushrooms that can improve your quality of life.

1. Lion’s Mane: Lion’s Mane is a fuzzy looking white mushroom that shreds easily and makes a phenomenal crab substitute in vegan crab cakes. As a supplement, Lion’s Mane helps with memory and mental functioning.

2. Cordyceps: Recently the star in the HBO series “The Last of Us” Cordyceps’ more mundane appearance is in mushroom coffee and workout supplements. Cordyceps increase the oxygen used in your system .

3. Chaga Mushrooms: These can be added to soups and stews or drunk as tea. It is an adaptogenic mushroom which helps to ease anxiety and combat the effects of stress on your body.

4. Reishi Mushrooms: This mushroom can also be consumed as a tea. Along with Chaga and Lion’s Mane, it helps to protect against neurodegeneration and boost memory, mood, and mental functioning.

5. Pink Oyster Mushrooms: Trying to skip the pork but love the flavor? Pink Oyster Musrooms are the answer; They taste like Bacon or ham when cooked. They’re not classified as medicinal mushrooms but they are rich in flavanoids and phenolics which help to reduce inflammation and reduce or prevent cell damage in your body.