The Magical Mushroom

Mycology, the study of mushrooms, is bringing new admirers to the 'fungus among us." Already being used for a variety of medical reasons around the world, the humble toadstool may be thrust into the spotlight soon as a successful, alternative treatment for some stubborn imbalances.

Mushrooms are valued by vegetarians due to their high nutritional value.They are able to produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. Mushrooms contain B vitamins, vitamin C, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, and zinc.

Medicinal mushrooms have thousands of compounds and nutrients that are health-strengthening. Eastern medicine, especially traditional Chinese practices, has used mushrooms for centuries. In the U.S., studies were conducted in the early '60s for possible ways to modulate the immune system and to inhibit cancerous tumor growth with extracts.