Medicinal Mushrooms Part 6: Cordyceps, the Energetic One

Cordyceps, in its many forms, has been used since the 15th century in China and Tibet, while also being used by indigenous peoples around the world.1,2 I have seen it growing in diverse places like China and the Amazon. Its Chinese name dong chong xia cao literally means “winter bug, summer herb,” a reference to
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Medicinal Mushroom Part 5: Chaga, the Siberian Wonder

I was first introduced to Chaga (under another name), over a campfire talk by a Cree Elder from Northern Alberta, in the late 1980s. I was one of several instructors in a survival course on the lovely Kootenay Plains.  We were gathered to put on a weeklong course on various primitive technologies that could be
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Medicinal Mushroom Part 4: Coriolus the Immune Champion

I have used this mushroom almost every day for over 10 years. Why? It is the best of the immune champions I have found over the years. Let’s face it, a Clinical Herbalist has an occupational hazard of ‘catching’ colds, flus and other contagious diseases, with clients often coughing in our face, day after day.
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Medicinal Mushrooms Part 3: Reishi: The Original Snake Oil

What is my favorite herb? Well Reishi mushroom of course. Why?  I would have to say it is one of the original ‘snake oils’ or cure-alls. Yeah really! That is what I first thought when I discovered all of the things it was supposed to be good for. I have been using this mushroom in
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