Medicinal Properties

More than 100 years ago the strong antibiotic properties of some mould fungi were noticed, and later, about 30 years afterwards, powerful antibiotics were produced – penicillin, biomycin, aureomycin and some other medicines.

The medicinal properties of macromycetes were noticed much earlier. As early as the 16th century, cep extract or powder was used to treat frostbitten, numbed parts of the body, especially the toes and fingers. A distillate of dried ceps was recommended for treating paralysed areas, as well as disorders of the circulatory organs and gastritis. It is suspected that the cep has anti-cancer properties in diseases of the stomach; for example, in Bavaria (Germany), where many ceps are eaten, stomach cancer is a rare disease.

From some funnels (Clitocybe) and knights (Tricholoma), the antibacterial substance clitocybin (elitocybiri) and others have been isolated, which inhibit the vital activity of the bacteria of skin and bone tuberculosis. Staphylococci, which cause suppurating wounds, are destroyed by extracts of the chanterelle, the yellow knight, the rufous milkcap and the wrinkled tooth fungus (raukšlėtasis dyglutis).

The common honey fungus is a laxative mushroom. An alcoholic tincture of the black witch's cauldron (Sarcosoma globosuni) was used in folk medicine for rheumatism, and its slime for treating wounds. Anti-alcohol properties are possessed not only by the common inkcap, in which the medicinal substance coprine, close to disulfiram, has been found, but also by the oak cep, the club-footed funnel, the fragrant stirnabudė (kvapioji stirnabudė) and some other mushrooms.

Muscaridine, muscarine and other substances of Amanitas are used to activate the endocrine glands and to treat sclerosis, vascular spasms and nervous diseases. Eating the lily knight (lelijinis baltikas) and the shaggy inkcap lowers blood sugar, and the true milk mushroom (piengrybis grūzdas) helps to overcome kidney stones.

Radiculitis and muscle inflammation are eased by rubbing with an alcoholic tincture of the common stinkhorn (young fruiting bodies the size and shape of a hen's egg).

According to the latest literature data, the polysaccharide lentinan, obtained from shiitake (Lentinus edodes), which is cultivated artificially in large quantities in Japan and some other places, vigorously fights lung cancer. It is claimed that some patients have even recovered. This substance also increases a patient's resistance to the AIDS virus. This mushroom ought to be grown in Lithuania as well.

Turkey tail also has anti-cancer properties. The lacquered bracket (Ganoderma lucidum) is also heavily advertised; it is recommended for weight loss, longevity and strengthening the immune system, and it is even sold in the form of powder, capsules and extracts. The last three fungi (shiitake, turkey tail and the lacquered bracket) are not only advertised but also used as capsules, powder and extract in Japan, China and other East Asian countries. For these purposes they are also cultivated artificially.

It is pleasing that scientific research into the medicinal properties of mushrooms has attracted interest in Lithuania too.