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One thing that does not get near enough attention are mushrooms. Mushrooms are packed full of nutrition, however their flavor is an acquired taste. They take on the flavor of dirt, or a real earthy flavor, and there is no in between when it comes to mushrooms. You either like them or hate them. The texture is another thing that can be bothersome. They tend to be spongy, and they are not the prettiest things to look at either. Regardless, mushrooms are extremely beneficial and have many medicinal qualities as well.

Cordyceps is a not an edible mushroom, however it is often used to help with male reproductive health. These mushroom are commonly used in China as a medicine to stimulate sexuality. Also, it is said that they fight of cancer because of their free radical fighting abilities.

Shiitakes are commonly used is Asian cuisine and have become very popular in North America. These tasty shrooms contain lentinan which has been proven to stimulate the immune system. It fights off intestinal mutiny throughout the body.

Miatake mushrooms are delicious but not as common in the west as Shiitakes are. They are a major part of Japanese cuisine. Miatakes also stimulate the immune system and many researchers believe they contain molecules that fight off cancer, especially liver, breast, and lung cancers.

The concept of medicinal mushrooms have been around for thousands of years, especially in Asian culture. In North America, mushrooms are only associated with cuisine, and that was only recently. Mushrooms in the dark ages were associated with evil, but that could be because there are some wild mushrooms that can cause hallucinations. There are also mushrooms that are extremely poisonous and can be fatal. Mushrooming is also a hobby for enthusiasts and is becoming more and more popular. The thing with mushrooms is they are attributed to Asian longevity and graceful aging. It is a major part of their diets. They eat them, drink them, and use the oils and extracts for a plethora of medicinal reasons. In Europe and North America, the only mushroom that is highly valued is a truffle, and the oil from certain truffles cost over 1000 dollars an ounce. This truffle oil is not used to help cure a disease or make someone better either, it is only because of the flavor and social status! There are many studies and research about mushrooms and not one of them can dis-prove their medicinal values. The best part, they are not very expensive and can be found everywhere!