The History Of Mushroom Extracts
Humans have used mushroom extracts for centuries. The oldest known human mummy, dated at over 4,000 years old was found buried with a kit containing remnants of Piptoporus betulinus, a mushroom still used in a few practices today. The ancient Egyptians were one of the first people to use mushrooms and associated mushrooms with immortality. Mushrooms were eaten regularly among Pharaoh and members of the royal family. They even referred to mushrooms as “sons of the gods” and believed that the god of storms known as ‘Set’ spawned mushrooms by hurling lightning bolts covered in mushroom seeds to Earth. Mushrooms were used in Ancient China as well, including the Reishi fungi, were used in tonics and reserved for royalty. Practices in Ancient China reserved special mushrooms for royalty, such as Red Reishi fungi, and were used to make tonics to promote health. Although we may no longer believe in the mythology behind the origin of mushrooms on Earth, modern research has dissected the benefits and uses behind these mushrooms and revealed the amazing compounds believed to be responsible for various mushroom benefits.
Although people have been taking mushrooms for their various benefits for thousands of years, the modern practice of extracting beneficial compounds from plants began in 1928 when Alexander Flemming discovered penicillin. Ever since, dozens of beneficial compounds have been discovered, identified, and extracted or synthesized from mushrooms. Let’s take a look at some of the common mushroom extracts and their benefits.