BLUE'S MUSHROOM INSTITUTE OF               ONGOING KNOWLEDGE

Classes conducted by Dr. Blue Boisjolie, expert field mushroom identification specialist and life-long mushroom hunter.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN THE                     OPEN MUSHROOM CURRICULUM

While the ongoing curriculum of the Mushroom Institute is gleaned from common knowledge and reputable sources that are always identified, it is still up to the individual to make themselves totally aware of the dangers involved with harvesting wild mushrooms. We do not portray ourselves as the ultimate knowledge base of safe and unsafe mushroom culinary expertise. We are always improving our own knowledge and expect our readers to arm themselves with appropriate information to protect themselves from being poisoned by wild harvested mushrooms that may mimic edibles. 

        MUSHROOM-OLOGY 101   =PROFESSOR BLUE B.= 

The mushroom we see is just the fruiting body of the main part of the organism, which is called the mycelium. When we gather mushrooms, we can go back to the same spot year after year and collecting does not harm the mycelium, which is why mushroom hunters are reluctant to tell anyone their favorite spots. The mycelium, which can be quite extensive, helps recycle nutrients such as carbon and nitrogen. There is often a symbiotic relationship with trees and other plants where the mycelium helps recycle nutrients and the plant roots give the fungi a home. A number of insects and slugs, mice and deer will eat fungi at certain times, but I don't know if anything eats them as a steady diet.

FUNGUS FIGHTS AGING....According to a recently published Newsweek Magazine article, Pennsylvania State University researchers are testing 13 species of mushrooms to isolate compounds that are directly linked to antioxidants. Of the groups, wild porcini mushrooms are overwhelmingly loaded with heat-resistant substances that counteract damage caused by "free radicals". Scientists are using France and Italy as examples of lands where lower incidences of neurodegenerative diseases are attributed to higher consumption of ergothioneine which is a major component of mushrooms. For additional information, consult the homework section below that contains the web-site information to connect to the story.

Homework: The following is a list of web-sites and books that are useful for the beginner to become familiar with mushroomology. Siskiyou News Network gets no advertising dollars from any web-site or manuscript. We just pass on the information for your benefit and interest. Write web-site information down, because we don't supply a link.

www.newsweek.com/why-mushrooms-may-be-best-food-help-fight-aging-707401

www.fungi.com/product-detail/product/mycelium-runnig.html

Book: All That the Rain Promises and More by David Arora 

Book: Mushrooms Demystified by David Arora

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