MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS & THEIR BENEFITS

🍄🍄 *MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS & THEIR BENEFITS*

In the Hadith, it is narrated that Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam said:

“The Kam’ah (Mushroom or Truffles) is among the (Munn) Manna and its water (extract or juice) cures the eye”.

The Kam’ah grows wild underground, and it is called Kam’ah because it grows hidden beneath the earth. It does not have leaves or stems.

The essence of the Kam’ah is partly earthly and partly vaporous, remains concealed underground during winter and then starts to grow above the ground with spring rainfall. This is why it is called the smallpox of the land, for it is similar to smallpox, which is caused by moistures clogged with blood that get aggravated during the early childhood years when the body stars to gain strength.

Kam’ah (truffles) grow in the spring and are eaten raw or cooked. The Arabs used to call truffles the plant of the thunder, because they grow in the aftermath of thunderstorms. The nomads in the desert use mushrooms in their regular diet. Further, the best types of truffles grow on sandy dry land. There are several types of Kam’ah; among which is a poisonous plant which is reddish in color and which causes asphyxiation.

Kam’ah is cold and wet in the third degree, and it is not favorable for the stomach and is not easily digested. Eating Kam’ah on a regular basis causes constipation, gastric pain, facial paralysis, stomach-ache and Dysuria (painful urination). Humid kinds of mushrooms are less harmful than the dry ones. Therefore, those who wish to eat Kam’ah should bury them in a muddy area and then boil them in water, add salt and mint, and then eat them with oil and spices. This is because the Kam’ah has a heavy earthly essence, although it contains a fair amount of water in its essence that makes it milder. In addition, using the Kam’ah as Kohl helps in cases of bad eyesight and Ophthalmia (conjunctivitis).

There are two opinions regarding the meaning of what Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam said: “The Kam’ah is among the Munn ~Manna”.

Some people said, “The Manna that Allah Has Sent down to the Children of Israel was not only the sweetmeat that we know, but several other plants that grow in the wild without effort or planting on the people’s part to grow. The Manna, in their opinion, means the Favor, and thus, every type of plant or bounty that Allah Grants to mankind without effort on their part is called Munn ~ Manna. All of Allah’s bounties that He Grants to mankind are a Favor from Him. Yet, Allah specifically Mentioned the types of His Favors concerning which the slave does not make any effort, whether in growing or producing them, and called these Favors, Manna.

During the years of wandering in the earth with which Allah Tested the Children of Israel, they used to sustain themselves on truffles that sufficed for bread. In addition, Allah gave them quails which sufficed as meat, and made their sweet the Manna that descends from trees. Therefore, their diet was complete.

Further, our beloved Prophet’s statement:

“And its water cures the eye”.

First: that the Kam’ah water is an ingredient in the remedies for eye ailments, not that it is used alone.

Second: that Kam’ah is used alone after broiling it and extracting its juice, the fire matures and softens the mushrooms, thus dissolving the harmful wetness and excrements that the Kam’ah contains and leaving the beneficial ingredients.

Third: that the meaning of its water entails the rain that makes the mushroom grow and which is the first patch of rain that falls. In this case, the Hadith will be talking about the rain and not the mushrooms themselves. Ibn Al-Jawzi mentioned this opinion, which is the weakest among the three opinions mentioned herewith.

Other people said that this portion of the Hadith entails using Kam’ah water to cool the eye. Hence its water alone is a cure, while other parts are used as ingredients in compound remedies.

Al-Ghafiqi said, “The Kam’ah water (juice) is the best remedy for the eyes, when it is kneaded with the Ithmid (antimony type of Kohl) and then used as Kohl (i.e. eyeliner). It strengthens the eyelid and the eyesight and prevents many illnesses from attacking the eye”.

🍄 Seven Medicinal Mushrooms and their Benefits and what are various types generally used for?

1. *Reishi Mushrooms*

🍄 Reishi mushrooms are one of the most beneficial medicinal mushrooms which is also known as the *mushroom of immortality in ancient China.* These mushrooms have a bitter taste and a hard texture, but they have immense medicinal properties. Reishi mushrooms *boost the immune system due to the presence of beta-glucans and also exhibit antiviral and antibacterial properties.* They can help to relax and soothe the nervous system and exhibit Ranti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of terpenoids*.

🍄Reishi mushrooms grow naturally on wood in the wild and it is not possible to consume these mushrooms raw due to their bitter taste. You may mix a spoon of Reishi mushrooms along with a cup of tea or soup. These mushrooms also have *anti-cancer and anti-aging properties due to the presence of antioxidants.*

2. *Chaga Mushrooms*

🍄 Chaga mushrooms commonly grow on the bark of birch trees and Siberian shamans use it as traditional medicine and call it ‘The gift of heaven’. Chaga mushrooms have a high content of *betulinic acid and melanin that boosts the immune system and aids the body to reorganize cells with damage for healing*. The mushroom resembles coal more than a mushroom and the color is black on the outside and orange on the inside.

🍄The most common way to consume Chaga mushroom is by making mushroom tea ( or Chaga hot chocolate ) and you may even add it to protein balls, sweet treats, bread, workout smoothie, or your coffee. Chaga mushrooms contain a rich assortment of vital nutrients and minerals which can provide *anti-aging effects and also lower your blood sugar levels. Chaga mushrooms are also helpful in treating topical wounds and swellings as well as in fighting cancer.*

3. Shiitake Mushrooms*

🍄Shiitake mushrooms are the most recognizable type of medicinal mushroom that is a common ingredient in Asian cuisine. These mushrooms *lower cholesterol and decrease the risk of cancer* and you can consume it by including in your soups and stir fries. Shiitake mushrooms can be highly beneficial for liver and heart health as well as improve longevity and blood circulation.

🍄 Lentinan is an active polysaccharide ingredient in Shiitake mushrooms that is present in most anti-cancer drugs around the world. Shiitake mushrooms are a rich source of Vitamin B and they can be beneficial in *lowering inflammation and blood sugar levels*. These mushrooms also aid plaque removal and boost the immune system against viral infections.

4. *Lion’s Mane Mushrooms*

🍄These mushrooms have a similar appearance to the mane of a lion, which gives rise to its unique name. These mushrooms can grow shaggy white manes and can grow to large sizes. The most crucial benefit of the lion’s mane mushroom is its benefits for *brain function and cognitive abilities*. The insides of the mushrooms look akin to a cauliflower when cutting open. Lion’s mane mushrooms can even slow down the growth of cancer cells and *rebuild nerve cells with damage*.

5. *Cordyceps Mushroom*

🍄Cordyceps mushrooms are popular in the *athletic community due to their effects in improving cellular performance, blood oxygenation, sexual ability, libido, endurance, and lowering recovery times*. You can consume the Cordyceps mushroom by adding it to hot water to make a nutritious mushroom tea. These mushrooms are also beneficial in fighting cancer such as *leukemia*.

6. *Turkey Tail Mushrooms*

🍄The turkey tail mushrooms are in use in Japan from the last three decades in *cancer treatment*. Several studies around the world are researching the usefulness of this mushroom in fighting cancer. These mushrooms have stripes on them, giving it the appearance of Turkey tails and can help in fighting hair loss and nausea from chemotherapy.

7. *Psilocybe Mushroom*

🍄Psilocybe Cubensis also goes by the name of magic mushrooms and it exhibits beneficial psychological effects on consumption. *These mushrooms are useful in treating nicotine, cocaine, and alcohol addiction.* Psilocybin can also be useful for treating a variety of psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, and fear of death in patients with terminal illnesses such as cancer. *Even a single dose can have effects that relieve depression and its symptoms permanently.* You can also feel an increase in your creativity due to experiencing altered states of consciousness.

*Conclusion*

🍄Edible mushrooms are some of the most health-promoting foods on the planet. There are around 300 to 2000 varieties of edible mushrooms across the world. You can easily source the most common varieties of edible mushrooms from a farmer’s market, or other fresh produce stores.

Medicinal mushrooms are available as powders, capsules, teas or tinctures.  An excess of 200 medical conditions is treatable with mushrooms according to research.