top of page
Bukov ostrigar

Oyster mushrooms - Pleurotus ostreatus

The shape of fruiting bodies is bivalve and resembles the oysters from which the name originates. In Slovenia it is found in late summer in autumn or in winter on deciduous trees. It can also be grown on wood, straw and other substrates. The smell and taste is pleasant, slightly referring to almonds. The oyster mushroom is a great culinary mushroom.

​

Researchers identified the following actions:

  • Antibacterial

  • Antitumor

  • Antiviral

  • Adjusting blood pressure

  • Working on the circulatory system

  • Reducing cholesterol levels

  • Nerve tonic

  • Reducing blood sugar

Shiitake - Lentinula edodes

The shiitake mushrooms are traditional medicinal mushrooms in China, Korea and Japan. In Slovenia it is not possible to find it in nature but it can be cultivated on wood. The shiitake mushrooms are also grown for nutritional purposes.

​

Researchers have confirmed the following actions:

  • Antibacterial

  • Stimulating the immune system

  • Antitumor (Lentinan)

  • Antifungal

  • Antiviral

  • Adjusting blood pressure

  • Regulating blood sugar

  • Working on the cardiovascular system

  • Reducing cholesterol levels

  • Cleaning kidneys

  • Cleaning liver.

Turkey tail - Trametes versicolor

It is one of the most common mushrooms on wood of deciduous trees. Due to its toughness it is not suitable for food, but alcohol tinctures or other extracts can be made from it.

​

Researchers have identified the following actions:

  • Antibacterial

  • Stimulating the immune system

  • Antitumor (PSK, PSP)

  • Antiviral (HIV, Cool viruses)

  • Antioxidant

  • Tonic for kidneys and liver.

Agarikon or Quinine Conk - Laricifomes officinalis

It is rare and protected mushrooms in Slovenia and also listed on the red list of endangered species. It grows on dying larch in Alpine highlands. As the name suggests it was once used in pharmacy preparations as a tonic for stomach.

​

Researchers have confirmed the following:

  • Antibacterial

  • Stimulating the immune system

  • Antiastmatic

  • Respiratory tonic

  • Antitumor

  • Antiviral (Sars, Black Skin, TBC)

  • Antialergic

  • bleeding stopping

  • Reducing body temperature.

Lingzhi or Reishi mushroom - Ganoderma lucidum
It is rare and protected mushroom species in Slovenia. Reishi mushrooms grow on the wood of deciduous trees. In China where it is known as the mushroom of immortality, it has been used in traditional medicine for millennia. In Japan it is on the official list of supportive chemotherapy drugs.


Researchers have identified the following actions:
•    Anti-arterial
•    Stimulating the immune system
•    Anti –astmatic; respiratory tonic
•    Antiinflammatory
•    Antitumor
•    Antioxidant
•    Antifungal
•    Antiviral (HIV)
•    Adjusting blood pressure
•    Regulating blood sugar
•    Working on the cardiovascular system
•    Reducing cholesterol levels
•    Cleaning kidneys
•    Cleaning liver.

Maitake, hen of the woods, Sheep's head - Griffola frondosa
It is rare and protected mushroom species in Slovenia. It grows in the forests of the northern temperate climate. It can be found on deciduous wood, especially on beeches and oaks. It was used against spleen and bile diseases, for the soothing of the nerves and against the hemorrhoids in traditional Chinese medicine. Young mushrooms are edible and have a pleasant taste and aroma.


Researchers have identified the following actions:
•    Antibacterial
•    Stimulating the immune system
•    Antiastmatic
•    Respiratory tonic
•    Antifungal
•    Antitumor
•    Antiviral (HIV)
•    Adjusting blood pressure
•    Regulating blood sugar.

Caterpillar fungus; Cordyceps species - Ophiocordyceps spp., syn. Cordyceps spp.
The type species C. sinensis has been used in Chinese traditional medicine for millenia. In the past those mushrooms were reserved for emperors only. In Slovenia it is possible to find species C. Militaris. All species are parasitic organisms on larvae of different species of insects. Preparations from the mushrooms are used in long-term physical efforts (sport, etc.), increased fatigue and lack of energy.


Researchers have identified the following actions:
•    Increasing the ability to bind oxygen
•    Antitumor
•    Aphrodisiac
•    Antilipid
•    Immunosuppressant – modulating immune system
•    Antidepressant
•    Reducing blood sugar and cholesterol

Lion's mane mushrooms - Hericium erinaceus
It is a mushroom which grows on deciduous wood. In Slovenia it is rare and protected species in nature. Its shape resembles the beard or the lion's mane, from which its name originates. It is excellent edible and medicinal mushroom. It has long been used in Chinese traditional medicine to improve digestion and general well-being.


Recent researches has shown that it works:
•    Antibacterial
•    Antifungal
•    Antiinflammatory
•    Antitumor (gastric, adenocarcinoma)
•    NGF Stimulator (Hericinon, Ericinain ...)
•    Polysaccharides working on recovery of the peripheral nervous system ("food for the brains")
•    Against MRSA

therapeutic effects.png

Each mushroom species has unique chemistry and molecular architecture. Many species are now known to have medicinal properties useful for improving human health. Here is short list of some of those properties and it is not complete.

bottom of page