A Guide To The Medicinal Mushrooms Of The Pacific Northwest

A unique guidebook to medicinal species of mushrooms found in the forests of the Pacific Northwest. Since ancient times, mushrooms have been widely used in folk medicine. The treatment of diseases based on the use of medicinal mushrooms and drugs obtained from them is referred to as fungotherapy. Mushrooms are among the oldest living organisms on Earth. Over millions of years of their existence, these poorly studied organisms have created and accumulated a large variety of biologically active substances in their bodies and mycelium, helping them to survive, defend and colonize various ecosystems. The Pacific Northwest is a unique area on our planet, with its own unique variety of ancient plants and fungi. Our distant ancestors and Indigenous Peoples knew about the medicinal properties of mushrooms and skillfully used them. Most of modern civilization has lost much of this ancient knowledge and with it, the wonderful healing qualities and medicinal benefits of fungi. In many universities around the world, scientists are currently studying various properties of mushrooms and their uses for medicinal purposes and the possibility of using them in various medical fields. Fungi participate in almost all processes of life; entering into symbiosis with plants and animals. They are an integral part of the human microbiota; a new 'organ' of the human body still yet to be fully studied and understood. Mushrooms are used in a multitude of different arenas, ranging from the food, microbiological and pharmaceutical industries, etc. Currently, mushrooms are used to produce proteins, antibiotics, vitamins and organic acids, among others. Healing substances are made from fungi extracts to stabilize blood pressure, regulate blood sugar, improve bowel function, and to enhance the general condition of the body. Some biologically active ingredients obtained from fungi are being prescribed to cancer patients for recovery after chemotherapy. These incredible fungi have the ability to improve the immune system, aid in the support and prevention of various cancers and other diseases, and are becoming more commonplace for use by health practitioners in western medicine for treatment of those who are terminally ill. This book offers information on over two-hundred medicinal mushrooms that grow in the Pacific Northwest rainforests of North America. This guide will be of much interest to mycobiologists, fungotherapists, phytotherapists, nutritionists, traditional healers, medical students, doctors, scientists, medicine/drug developers, food processing professionals, and generally people who are interested in alternative medicine.

Ideal for hikers, foragers, and naturalists, the Timber Press Field Guides are the perfect tools for loving where you live. Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest is a comprehensive field guide to the most conspicuous, distinctive, and ecologically important mushrooms found in the region. With helpful identification keys and photographs and a clear, color-coded layout, Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest is ideal for hikers, foragers, and natural history buffs and is the perfect tool for loving where you live. Covers Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia Describes and illustrates 493 species 530 photographs, with additional keys and diagrams Clear color-coded layout

A Field Guide to Edible Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest is a pocket-sized guide with full-colour photographs of mushrooms from Pacific Northwest trails and roadsides, forests and lawns. With this guide, identify over thirty common and easily-recognized edible mushrooms--and stay away from their not-so-edible look-alikes. Discover boletes, chanterelles, matsutake, shaggy mane, cauliflower, candy cap and many other tasty wild mushrooms. Easy to use and light to carry, this compact text is a must-have for all mushroom lovers who delight in searching for the next macrofungi bonanza.

This beautifully illustrated guidebook provides specific, easy-to-understand information on finding, collecting, identifying, and preparing the safer and more common edible and medicinal mushroom species of New England and Eastern Canada. Author David Spahr, a trained commercial photographer, here combines his mycological expertise and photographic skill to produce an attractive and detailed overview of his subject. Based on decades of practical experience and research, the book is written in a clear and forthright style that avoids the dry, generic descriptions of most field guides. Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms of New England and Eastern Canada also provides useful ideas for cooking mushrooms. Rather than simply providing recipes, the book discusses the cooking characteristics of each variety, with advice about matching species with appropriate foods. Many mushrooms contain unique medicinal components for boosting the immune system to fight cancer, HIV, and other diseases, and Spahr offers practical and prudent guidelines for exploration of this rapidly emerging area of alternative therapeutic practice.

Mushroom Foraging 101: Discover How to Expertly Identify and Pick Mushrooms, Even If You're a Complete Beginner to the Fascinating World of Fungi. If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you can count yourself among the luckiest people in the world. You see, you live in an area super-rich in one of the most precious gifts Mother Nature has given us -- mushrooms. Thousands of mushroom-enthusiasts envy you the luxury of being surrounded by these delicious woodland organisms. And no wonder. Mushrooms and other fungi have unique healing powers and are loaded with antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. Plus, they're low-calorie, which makes them an essential part of every healthy diet. But despite these incredible benefits, many people don't dare to venture into the woods and forage mushrooms themselves. We hear about the dangers of food poisoning (or worse) all the time, so the fear is not irrational. But it is unjustified. The truth is, there's absolutely no danger in mushroom foraging... if you know your mushrooms. That means you need to know their shape, smell, texture, where they like to grow, and numerous other tiny details. Sounds tricky, right? Not with this guide! Foraging Guide for Pacific Northwest Mushrooms takes you on a journey through the mysterious world of fungi like no other field guide. Not only will you be able to recognize your boletes from chanterelles, but you'll be able to identify dozens of mushroom species. And that's just a fraction of what awaits inside. Here's what else you'll discover in this amazing guide: How mushrooms keep the world spinning -- from their crucial role in preserving all life on Earth to their extraordinary medicinal properties we are just starting to explore and utilize A complete breakdown of the mushroom anatomy from head to toe -- that is, from cap to mycelium Four absolutely crucial foraging rules all mushroom experts swear by What to bring on your mushroom picking adventure -- discover the most detailed guide on foraging equipment, including a helpful checklist to ensure you never venture into the woods unprepared Numerous safety guidelines that will ensure no dangerous specimens end up in your basket Top Pacific Northwest foraging spots other mushroom lovers don't want you to know A comprehensive guide on 40+ mushroom species common in the area -- including edible, inedible, and poisonous ones Heaps of helpful tips and tricks for storing and cooking mushrooms, including some delicious and simple recipes even kids will rave about And much more. Mushroom picking is an incredible hobby. You're out in the open, enjoying nature and the fresh air, and you're bringing home something that will have a fantastic impact on your health. Don't let the fear of the unknown stop you -- if you follow the rules closely and always play it safe, you're in no danger whatsoever. Mushrooms are just like every other type of life on Earth -- there are good guys, and there are bad guys. All you need to know is how to tell one from the other. And that's precisely what this guide will help you to do. Ready to start your mushroom foraging adventure? Scroll up and click the "Add to Cart" button right now.

This waterproof pocket-sized guide features full-colour photographs of mushrooms from Pacific Northwest trails and roadsides, forests and lawns. Readers can identify over forty common and easily-recognized edible mushrooms--and stay away from their not-so-edible look-alikes. Discover boletes, chanterelles, matsutake, shaggy mane, cauliflower, candy cap and many other tasty wild mushrooms. Easy to use and light to carry, this compact text is a must-have for all mushroom lovers who delight in searching for the next macrofungi bonanza.

CLICK HERE to download the section on foraging for field mustard with four sample recipes from Northwest Foraging * Suitable for novice foragers and seasoned botanists alike * More than 65 of the most common edible plants in the Pacific Northwest are thoroughly described *Poisonous plants commonly encountered are also included Originally published in 1974, Northwest Foraging quickly became a wild food classic. Now fully updated and expanded by the original author, this elegant new edition is sure to become a modern staple in backpacks, kitchens, and personal libraries. A noted wild edibles authority, Doug Benoliel provides more than 65 thorough descriptions of the most common edible plants of the Pacific Northwest region, from asparagus to watercress, juneberries to cattails, and many, many more! He also includes a description of which poisonous "look-alike" plants to avoid -- a must-read for the foraging novice. Features include detailed illustrations of each plant, an illustrated guide to general plant identification principles, seasonality charts for prime harvesting, a selection of simple foraging recipes, and a glossary of botanical terms. Beginning with his botany studies at the University of Washington, Doug Benoliel has been dedicated to native plants. He has owned a landscaping, design, and nursery business, and done his extensive work with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). Doug lives on Lopez Island, Washington.

A clear, concise guide to more than 130 edible and medicinal plants and funghi that grow wild throughout the west coast of British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest states. The coastal Pacific Northwest of North America is home to a multitude of edible and medicinal plant species, marine plants, and edible mushrooms. This compact, full-colour forager’s guide offers clear photography, descriptions, safety tips and warnings, and traditional culinary and medicinal uses for every type of wild-growing flora species in the region, including: Bigleaf Maple—used to make a delicious west-coast maple syrup; Yellow Morel Mushroom—a favourite of foragers but not to be confused with the false morel, which is poisonous; Sea Asparagus—perfect in a salad or as an accompaniment to seafood; and Evening Primrose—an introduced species to the region, used to treat a variety of ailments. Practical, user-friendly, and safe, Edible and Medicinal Flora of the West Coast is an indispensable guide for beginner and experienced foragers alike.