June 9 - The BEE and the MUSHROOM

JUNE 9, 2010 Wednesday

"Worry is rehearsing fear about a made-up, fabricated event in the future that most of the time never happens" Thanks KM

The quote above is a good reminder. Worry is also known as projection. Projecting the outcome of a situation, of what people will say or of what may happen, leads to a vicious cycle of fear. As the quote above states, it may never happen. Some may project about what happens when they die--who will come to their funeral, what songs will be played, etc. If you are that worried about this, then make a will and have everything planned out.

I want to discuss three mushrooms which are medicinal. The Maitake (Grifola frondosus) is indigenous to Japan. It is a very expensive mushroom. It has been used mainly for the treatment of cancer and HIV. The Maitake D-fraction is the most potent for enhancement of the immune system. It has been shown to complement conventional chemotherapy.

The Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) is used in Chinese medicine. It is commonly used for people who have low energy. Reishi does improve both energy and sleep. The reishi mushroom has a stimulating effect on bone marrow. It also protects the body during radiation and chemotherapy.

The Shiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes) is the only mushroom that has been shown to lower cholesterol. I have not used the previous two for cholesterol problems. This mushroom does have the ability to stimulate T-helper cells. The component in this mushroom is called lentinan. Studies have shown that lentinan inhibits metastatic cancer and does exert its effect on the thymus gland.

In reading "Medicinal Plants of the Bible", I found this:
"Who cut up mallows by the bushes, and juniper roots for their meat." Job 30:4 (KJV)
and
"They pick mallow and the leaves of bushes, and to warm themselves the roots of the broom." Job 30:4 (RSV)

Both of these quotes are referring to the Maltese Mushroom (Cynomorium coccineum). Cynomorium is known in Chinese as suoyang, which is based on the herb's medicinal effects, "locking the yang". The value of cynomorium was depicted similarly in many cultures. In 16th century Europe, it was known as the Maltese mushroom, though it is not a true fungus. The plant was so highly regarded that the Knights of Malta often sent samples of it to European monarchs as presents.

The needle point pillow above is a "bee". A bee has nothing to do with mushrooms but I like this pillow. It was given to my dear friend, Carol. Carol is my craft buddy for stamping and knitting. She is a much better knitter than I am.

Photo credit: Carol
The top photograph is of the Maltese Mushroom. Tomorrow I will discuss the Cloud Fungus.

Until tomorrow...