Medicinal Mushroom Terms: Be in the know
Polysaccharides? Adaptogens? Di Dao? What do all these terms mean? You have just started on your mushroom journey, and you DESERVE to be in the know when it comes to the terminology that is commonly used within the field. You could use Google search – but why not just reference this post instead? (I promise I will do my best to make it a great read!).
Adaptogens
Adaptogens: Adaptogens are nifty little things that help our bodies adapt to stress. Whether its physical or psychological stress, adaptogens are there to help us cope. They do this by balancing and optimising our physiological and psychological function. This in turn helps the endocrine, nervous system, immune, digestive, and cardiovascular systems work more efficiently.
So next time you feeling stressed out, remember that adaptogens are there to help you cope!
Beta-D-Glucans
Beta-D-glucans : Beta-D-glucans are the active ingredients in mushrooms that provide health benefits.
Each mushroom contains a different combination of beta-D-glucans, which means each mushroom has its own unique set of benefits. beta-D-glucans are biological response modifiers, meaning they help the body to better respond to stress. beta-D-glucans have also been shown to boost the immune system and improve gut health. If you’re looking to improve your overall health, adding beta-D-glucan rich mushroom products to your diet is a great place to start.
Bioavailability
Bioavailability: Bioavailability is the degree to which a substance can be absorbed and used by the body. For medicinal mushrooms to be effective, it is important that their bioavailability is high. There are a few ways to increase the bioavailability of medicinal mushrooms. One is to cook them, as cooking can break down some of the cell walls and make it easier for the body to absorb the medicinal compounds.
Another is to take them in extract form, as extracts are more concentrated and easier for the body to absorb.
Biological Response Modifier (or BRM)
Biological response modifiers (BRMs): Biological response modifiers are elements that change the responses of vital systems in our body, including our immune system or nervous system. For example, some biological response modifiers can act on the nervous system to reduce stress levels.
Others may work to modulate the immune system, helping the body to better fight off infection or disease. Still others may impact hormone levels, blood sugar levels, or other biological functions. While biological response modifiers can occur naturally, many are also man-made, synthetic compounds. These artificial biological response modifiers are often used in medications or other
treatments aimed at improving health or preventing disease.
Di Dao
Di Dao: Di Dao is the traditional Daoist practice of growing and cultivating tonic herbs, including medicinal mushrooms, from their spiritual homeland. Di Dao herbs are said to be more potent and effective than herbs grown in other regions. Di Dao practitioners believe that the herbs spiritual connection to their homeland gives them special power.
The Di Dao tradition has been passed down for generations, and today there are Di Dao farms all over China.
Dual-Extraction
Dual-Extraction is a method used to get the maximum amount of health benefits from a medicinal mushroom. This process can be completed in several different ways, using hot water, alcohol, or cold water. dual extraction allows for the maximum absorption of the active compounds in mushrooms. This process is especially helpful for those who are looking for the specific benefits of each compound. dual extraction is a simple and effective way to get the most out of your medicinal mushrooms.
Fruiting Body
The fruiting body of a medicinal mushroom is the part that is commonly seen in artworks and images. This mushroom fruit contains compounds that are beneficial, such as beta glucan, terpenoids, and many others. The fruiting body is where these compounds are most concentrated, making it the most medicinally potent part of the mushroom. When consuming a fruiting body supplement, you can be assured that you are getting a powerful dose of medicine.
Immunomodulators
Immunomodulators play a critical role in balancing and regulating the immune system. These substances interact with the immune system to help keep it functioning properly.
immunomodulators can either stimulate or suppress the immune response, depending on what the body needs. They are important for maintaining a healthy immune system and preventing diseases.
Mushroom stacking
Mushroom stacking is a term used to describe the combination of two or more functional mushrooms to produce a synergistic effect. The most popular functional mushrooms are reishi, chaga, cordyceps, turkey.T and lion’s mane. Functional mushrooms are rich in nutrients and
have many health benefits, including reducing inflammation, boosting immunity, and fighting fatigue.
When these mushrooms are combined, their effects are amplified, providing even more health benefits. In addition, functional mushroom stacking can help to address specific health concerns by targeting different areas of the body.
For example, reishi has been shown to improve heart health, while chaga is known for its detoxifying properties. By combining these mushrooms, it is possible to create a powerful natural remedy that can improve overall health and well-being.
MushMush Mob
The name we have given to our community of mushie lovers! We use this term A LOT!
Mycelium
Mycelium is the fancy name for the root system of the mushroom. These root systems are huge and contain very little active compounds when compared to fruiting body. However, mycelium is an important part of the mushroom life cycle, providing support and absorption for the
mushroom. Additionally, mycelium is responsible for producing spores, which are crucial for reproduction. Without mycelium, mushrooms would not be able to grow or reproduce, making them an essential part of the mushroom life cycle.
Mycology
Mycology is the study of mushrooms, and is sometimes used as a term for the cultivating of mushrooms.
Polysaccharides
Polysaccharides are water-soluble chemical compounds that make up chains of complex carbohydrates. Some common forms of polysaccharides are starch or gluten which are contained in potatoes and rice! Polysaccharides can be either linear or branched, and they can be composed of any combination of monosaccharide units.
The most common polysaccharide in the human diet is cellulose, which is found in plant cell walls. Other polysaccharides include glycogen (a storage polysaccharide found in animals) and chitin (a polysaccharide found in the exoskeletons of insects).
Polysaccharides are an important energy source for many organisms, and they can also be used to create structurally important molecules like DNA and RNA.
Spores
Spores are often thought of as the “seeds” of the mushroom and are released in the mature
stage of the fruiting bodies life. Spores come in all different shapes and sizes and are an important
way to distinguish different species of mushroom.
Substrate
The substrate is the material on which a mushroom is grown. This substrate can be wood, rice, or grain. The substrate provides the mushroom with nutrients and other compounds that the mushroom needs to grow. The substrate also determines the flavor and texture of the mushroom.
For example, a substrate of wood will result in a mushroom with a woodier flavor, while a substrate of rice will result in a mushroom with a more rice-like flavor. Ultimately, the substrate is an important factor in determining the quality of the finished mushroom.
Tincture
A tincture is a concentrated liquid extract that is made by soaking the starting mushroom material in alcohol or vinegar.
Terpenoids
Terpenoids are a type of active compound found in medicinal mushrooms. These fat- soluble chemical compounds have been shown to have anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties.
Additionally, terpenoids are thought to help improve circulation and boost the immune system.
PHEWH! How did I do?
If you have any questions about any of these mushroom terms, our products or just want to
chat shrooms then please don’t hesitate to message us at info@mushmush.com.au