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Reishi Mushroom in Japanese Culture: its significance and traditional use

Contents  Reishi Mushroom: A Journey Through Japanese Culture and Medicine ( Image by  Sasin Tipchai  from  Pixabay ) Reishi Mushroom, i.e. Ganoderma lucidum , is a mushroom native to East Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, and China. It is an iconic symbol of health and longevity in Japan due to its numerous benefits and is regarded as a cultural icon. Reishi Mushroom is also known for its traditional use in Japanese medicine, folklore, and cuisine. In this blog article, we will explore the significance of the Reishi Mushroom in Japanese culture and the traditional use of this mushroom in Japan. The significance of Reishi Mushroom in Japanese Culture The Reishi Mushroom has been used in traditional Japanese medicine for centuries. It is believed to have numerous health benefits, such as increasing energy levels, regulating blood sugar levels, and improving cardiovascular health. Reishi Mushroom is also known for its calming and stress-relieving effects, making it a popular

The Top 10 Mushroom Documentaries Exploring the Healing Power of Medicinal Mushrooms


    The 10 Mind-Expanding Documentaries About the Fascinating World of Fungi


    The following 10 documentaries explore the world of mushrooms, delving into their unique and diverse characteristics, as well as their potential uses in various industries. More interestingly, these documentaries also offer a wealth of information about the fascinating world of mushrooms and their potential benefits for both us and the planet. The majority of documentaries look at the benefits of mushrooms for health and wellness as well as their potential for healing. They go into the scientific underpinnings of the medicinal properties of mushrooms, covering subjects like enhancing immunity and shielding against viral infections and cancer. The usage of medicinal mushrooms throughout history, the numerous varieties of mushrooms and their special qualities, and the diverse methods of consumption are all covered. Most are available to watch on YouTube.


    Top 10 Mushroom Documentaries
    (Photo by Beth Macdonald on Unsplash)


    The Top 10 Mushroom Documentaries on the Fascinating World of Fungi are as follows: 

    1. Discover Mushrooms In The Pacific Northwest (2021)
    2. Is Mycelium Fungus the Plastic of the Future? (2021)
    3. Planet Fungi: The Fungi Photography of Stephen Axford (2020)
    4. Fantastic Fungi (2019)
    5. Sacred Mushroom: A Lost History (2019)
    6. The Kingdom: How Fungi Made Our World (2018)
    7. Magic Medicine: The Possible Effect of Mushrooms Treating Depression (2018)
    8. A New Understanding: The Science of Psilocybin (2017)
    9. The Magic of Mushrooms (2014) 
    10. Know Your Mushrooms (2008)

    Discover Mushrooms In The Pacific Northwest (2021)

    The documentary "Discover Mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest" takes viewers on a mushroom-foraging adventure in the temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest. It presents historical data and scientific case studies, as well as features time-lapse footage of the region. It was released as part of a three-video series about Oregon's mushroom community and was also featured in the Made in Oregon Summer Screening Series and PBS Superabundant series. The documentary provides an informative and engaging look into the world of mushrooms. It features interviews with experts, stunning visuals of the Pacific Northwest, and a comprehensive overview of mushroom identification and foraging. The documentary is a great resource for anyone interested in learning more about mushrooms.


    Is Mycelium Fungus the Plastic of the Future? (2021)

    The documentary "Is Mycelium Fungus the Plastic of the Future?" was created by Damon Gameau, Nick Maher, and the "2040" team, shared on social media platforms such as Twitter and Reddit, and has then been met with mixed reviews on Reddit and LinkedIn. It explores the potential of mycelium fungus as a sustainable alternative to plastic.  Likewise, the European project „Re-cereal“ is also exploring the potential of mycelium fungus for sustainable packaging solutions.



    Planet Fungi: The Fungi Photography of Stephen Axford (2020)

    Planet Fungi is a documentary featuring world-famous photographer Stephen Axford and his unique expertise in macro images of fungi. His work showcases his unique expertise and captures the beauty of the natural world. He usually travels to remote locations to capture the fascinating diversity of mushrooms and other fungi. He has an international reputation as a specialist in macro fungi photography and unique expertise in time-lapse photography. He and Catherine Marciniak are the filmmakers behind the documentary 'Planet Fungi', which explores their passion for documenting fungi through photography and timelapse movies. Axford also has a unique interest in nature, particularly fungi.


    Fantastic Fungi (2019)

    Fantastic Fungi is a 2019 American documentary film directed by Louie Schwartzberg. It combines time-lapse cinematography, CGI, and interviews to explore the magical, mysterious, and medicinal world of fungi and their power to heal, sustain and contribute to the regeneration of life on Earth. The Music embedded in the video also makes this documentary an immersive journey.     


    Sacred Mushroom: A Lost History (2019)

    Sacred Mushroom is a follow-up to 2018's Cannabis: A Lost History and explores the sacramental use of mushrooms. Sacred Mushroom is a documentary exploring the sacramental use of mushroom species since time immemorial, examining the evidence for their use in Ancient Egypt, India, China, and beyond. 


    The Kingdom: How Fungi Made Our World (2018)

    The Kingdom: How Fungi Made Our World (2018) is a documentary exploring the little-known world of fungi and how they have been essential to the evolution of life on land. It reveals the largest and oldest organisms alive today, found in places such as Antarctica and nuclear reactors. The producer of this documentary is Susan MacKinnon, Anne Pick, and Bill Spahic. The documentary was directed by Annamaria Talas and executive produced by Simon Nasht. It explores a little-known world with a series of pay-offs that can change our lives and features beautiful time-lapse imagery, animations from the Precambrian onwards, and fascinating facts.


    Magic Medicine: The Possible Effect of Mushrooms Treating Depression  (2018)

    Magic Medicine: The Possible Effect of Mushrooms Treating Depression is a documentary exploring the potential of psilocybin mushrooms to treat depression. It was released in 2018 by ENDEVR Documentary. The documentary covers topics such as the history of psychedelic mushrooms, their effects on mental health, and the current research into their therapeutic potential. 


    A New Understanding: The Science of Psilocybin (2017)

    "A New Understanding: The Science of Psilocybin" is a documentary exploring the use of psilocybin as a treatment for end-of-life anxiety in terminally ill cancer patients. It also explores the confluence of science and spirituality in psychedelic research and seeks to redefine the meaning of "psychedelic" back to its original definition of "mind revealing". 


    The Magic of Mushrooms (2014) 

    "The Magic of Mushrooms" is a documentary about the magical, mysterious, and medicinal world of fungi and their power to heal, sustain and contribute to the regeneration of life on Earth. The film explores how mushrooms can clear oil spills, help trees communicate through underground fungal networks, and have many other magical properties. It also looks at how a global community has grown around the mycelial network. 


    Know Your Mushrooms (2008)

    "Know Your Mushrooms" is a 2008 documentary film by Canadian director Ron Mann. It investigates the miraculous, near-secret world of fungi, with visionaries Gary Lincoff and Larry Evans leading viewers on a hunt for the mysterious mushrooms. The film has received positive reviews from critics, with one noting it is "more richly fascinating than you might first expect". The video is available on Netflix and Amazon videos.

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