Remedial fungi in history

Remedial fungi in history

Jan Kalián

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Fungi have been used by humans already many years ago. Piptoporus betulinus and Fomes fomentarius was even found with the skeleton of "Otzi" in the Alps. The mummified body is dated to the Stone Age (about 5300 years ago). It seems that already in those days people used fungi to heal themselves. "Otzi" was hit by some parasites and he is supposed to use Piptoporus betulinus for its antibiotic effect. Remedial fungi were mentioned even in literature of Ancient Egypt or antiquity. In Asia, Ganoderma lucidum and Ophiocordyceps sinensishave been used many years ago. In medieval Europe fungi were not used too much. They were connected mainly to ergotism and wizardry. Claviceps purpurea poisoned a lot of people in those days, causing the ergotism and killing many people. Some of them had symptoms that were interpreted like signs of wizardry. Fungi was only used in folk medicine, but Christian church chase the people who healed by fold medicine.   

Fungi were very often used for its spiritual and psychoactive effects. Aztecs used for they rituals fungi containing psylocybin, while in Europe mainly Amanita muscaria was used. Even the Vikings used this fungi before a battle. The intoxicated warriors were known as the Berserks. 

Scientists confirmed what ancient cultures know a long time ago. Fungi contain one of the most effective substances ever found in nature. Many medicaments are based on substances that were isolated of fungi. More that 300 species were confirmed to contain positive substances of human's health. In contrast to psychopharmacs, they have low toxicity even in large amounts. Most of the remedial fungi belongs to saprotrophic mushrooms. Such a fungi have a lot of competitors like bacteria etc. All of the competitors aim to settle the dead wood. These fungi contains antibiotics that helps them to win the "battle" against more aggressive bacteria and others. This is the reason why mostly saprotrophic fungi are good for one's health, while myccorhizal fungi lack such substances. The future is promising and probably more and more remedial fungi will be found in upcoming years.