Get in the Mood with Mushrooms

No, I am not talking about the kind of the mood you get with the Magic kind of mushroom, that would be another topic for another day.

And, I am sharing this blog especially with those friends of mine who make that “get this away from me” face and sound when I offer any dish that contains mushrooms: you know who you are.

Edible mushrooms with nutritional and health wonders, relatively foreign or considered exotic to western diets, however have long been indispensable to Asian cuisines.  My favorite comfort food while living and traveling in China is a hot pot of wild mushrooms in sizzling spicy broth with all the flavors and aromas you can or cannot imagine to overwhelm your senses.

It is well established that, amongst the thousands of different types of mushrooms studied, many of them boast their own unique range of health benefits ….. alright, perhaps not the poisonous ones!

Reishi mushroom has aphrodisiac properties and can  increase both male and female libido as well as enhance the body's overall function and performance.

Although well known for its ability to support energy levels, endurance, and stamina, Cordyceps mushroom has also long been sought out for its aphrodisiac qualities. Because of its positive impact on blood flow and testosterone levels, Cordyceps is sometimes referred to as ‘Himalayan Viagra’!

Of course this is not the kind of knowledge that is openly shared and discussed by Buddhists who are forbidden to consume anything that can contribute to enhanced desire and excitement such as garlic and onion.  Let’s just say that they may have decided to open one eye close one eye on mushrooms: being vegetarians, Buddhists simply cannot live without them.

And if you happen to be a monk or a nun, the only kind of mood you want to get into is a blissful state of joy and contentment, with calmness and grace regardless of the crazy world we all live in? In addition to, or perhaps instead of the dedication to meditation, a pot of yummy mushrooms may also get you there.

THis has been measured and proven with modern science and technology: not only does Reishi help to lower high cortisol levels, but it may also help manage stress responses through polypeptides,  which team up with the endorphins and neurotransmitters in your brain, promote a relaxing effect on the central nervous system.  And it’s not just stress and anxiety that Reishi helps with — it may also alleviate insomnia. No state of happiness can be achieved without a good night's sleep!

Another mood boosting mushroom: Lion’s Mane, sometimes called Monkey’s Head Mushroom, although it has nothing to do with either animal.  I do see why there have been rumors about Chinese eating monkey’s head… FYI, we just eat the mushroom that looks like it.

Lion’s Mane mushroom is best known for its ability to improve cognitive function, help stimulate nerve cell growth and cell renewal. This is thought to help enhance the hippocampus function, the part of the brain that is in charge of managing emotions and memories.

Lion’s Mane has also been found to promote blood flow, which provides your body and especially brain with more oxygen. The results: improved focus, mood and emotional regulation, particularly in managing anxiety and stress.  

And, mushrooms are indeed delicious! One of the five fundamental tastes, in addition to sweet, salty, sour, and bitter, is umami.  Umami is hardly understood in the western culture, only loosely translated into the word “savory” in English.  The reason why we cannot have enough of the mushrooms is that they satisfy us with umami, of which we have receptors in our tongues and our stomach.  

Lucky for us, mushrooms are amongst the few foods that are addictively delicious, and good for our body and mind at the same time!

It is comforting to know that, with the help of these mushrooms, the state of Zen is just around the corner.