Well, the Neo Hippie was set to arrive, however, the fungi group felt they needed a little more page time with some extra information you might just benefit from. So I agreed, and researched a mini-lesson on fungi as a preface to the good stuff! I personally think fungus is quite fascinating, and I hope after the mini-lesson, you'll agree. I think you might, so here it is:
Occurring worldwide, most fungi are largely invisible to the naked eye, living for the most part in soil, dead matter, and as symbionts of plants, animals, or other fungi. Yeasts, molds, and mushrooms are examples of fungi. They perform an essential role in all ecosystems in decomposing organic matter and are indispensable in nutrient cycling and exchange. Some fungi become noticeable when fruiting, either as mushrooms or molds. Many fungal species have long been used as a direct source of food, such as mushrooms and truffles and in fermentation of various food products, such as wine, beer, tempeh, and soy sauce. Mushroom farming and mushroom gathering are large industries in many countries. For certain types of cheeses, it is also a common practice to inoculate milk curds with fungal spores to foment the growth of specific species of mold that impart a unique flavor and texture to the cheese. This accounts for the blue color in cheeses such as Stilton or Roquefort which is created using Penicillium roqueforti spores.
More recently, fungi are being used as sources for antibiotics including β-lactam antibiotics such as penicillin and cephalosporin, and various enzymes, important for industrial use or as active ingredients of detergents. Mushrooms and other fungi are widely used in Chinese medicines, and many are now used as natural supplements or in alternative health treatments worldwide.
Many fungi can also produce compounds called mycotoxins that are toxic to animals including humans. Several species of the fungi are significant pathogens of humans, other animals, and plants and losses due to diseases of crops (rice blast disease) or food spoilage caused by fungi (molds) can have a large impact on human food supply and local economies. Particularly infamous are the aflatoxins, which are insidious liver toxins and highly carcinogenic metabolites produced by Aspergillus species often growing in or on grains and nuts consumed by humans. *info courtesy of Wikipedia
Wow! Did you get all that? Let's summarize: fungi can be yummy, healthy, help clean things, make medicines, and yet also kill plants and harm or kill humans and animals! One source I read also said biology considers them more animal than plant. Hmmmm......
So, I want to talk about both the health and life-saving benefits of mushrooms and the potential danger of other fungi as well. First, let's talk about the bad guys - molds. Mold is a common problem in many households, especially if you have moisture problems. Mold can cause quite a few health problems in people, and you might not realize that it's from a mold problem!
In fact, a new study has discovered what we really didn't want to know, that the average bed pillow is home to a host of potentially-harmful fungi! A British research team from the Univ. of Manchester found as many as 16 types of fungi in pillows they analyzed. Keep your pillows washed and disinfected, or replace them regularly. Washing your hair at night before bed can remove outdoor pollens and mold spores so you're not rolling them around in your face and into you pillow at night!
What can mold spores do to you? Well, it can cause these symptoms:
| Respiratory Effects |
| Cough |
| Shortness of breath |
| Asthma/wheezing |
| Bronchitis |
| Chest Tightness |
Infant pulmonary hemorrhagae/
hemosiderosis |
Ear, Nose & Throat
|
| Sneezing |
| Sinus congestion/sinusitis |
| Sore throat |
| Eye |
| Irritation |
| Itchy watery eyes |
| Skin |
| Rash |
| Flushing |
Where can mold or fungi grow in the home besides your unfortunate bed pillow? Here are some sources:
Possible Sources of Excessive Moisture
| Indoor |
Outdoor |
| Humidifiers |
Flooding |
| Cooking and dishwashing |
Rain or snow melt |
| Bathing |
Seasonal high humdity |
| Plumbing leaks |
Ground moisture |
| House plants |
Wet building materials |
| Firewood storage indoors |
|
| Unvented clothes dryer/indoor clothes line |
|
| Improper venting of combustion appiances |
|
Basically, anywhere you have a moisture problem, including your heat and air ductwork, can grow a variety of molds - many which you could not see just by looking around. Bathroom molds are usually pretty evident in the tub/tile areas, but it's the unseen mold growth that is the health concern. There is one mold, stacybotrys, or black mold that is very harmful and potentially fatal to humans. It is extremely hard to get rid of, and many people have had to leave their homes for good, or tear them down and start over! It's not a commonly found mold, thank goodness, so don't freak out yet!
You can prevent mold growth from happening! Controlling moisture is the key to preventing indoor mold growth. The
relative humidity of indoor environments should be maintained at 20-40%
in winter and no more than 60% the rest of the year. If and when
moisture problems develop, rapid and appropriate responses are
important to prevent mold spores from germinating. If wetness or spills are dried within 24-48 hours,
mold growth will not likely occur.
Here are some strategies to prevent mold growth:
Indoor Sources
¸ Fix plumbing leaks, drips or “sweating” pipes is most important!
¸ Limit sources of indoor humidity/dehumidify indoor air.
¸ Improve air movement in poorly ventilated areas, like bathroom shower or bathing areas.
¸ Increase fresh air ventilation when outdoor air is not humid.
Also, check wall and floor drains for clothes and dish washing machines. Mold loves to grow behind the walls and under the floors of these when there are leaks or there is moisture build up! And make sure you vent the dryer to the outside, not let it blow inside. Moisture builds up rapidly from unvented or improperly vented dryers as well.
Outdoor Sources
¸ Maintain roof and gutter/downspout system.
¸ Direct runoff away from foundation by grading, landscaping, etc.
¸ Use air conditioning and keep building closed during high outdoor humidity.
¸ Prevent leakage around windows, doors, flashing, etc.
¸ Waterproof foundations
The following steps should be taken to eliminate the presence of indoor molds.
(1) Identify moisture source and correct the problem (see lists of possible moisture sources and control above).
*Keep in mind that molds may be hidden. A moldy smell with or without
visual confirmation is indicative of a mold problem, particularly if
accompanied by health problems. Mold may be hidden on the back side of
dry wall, wall paper or paneling, the top side of ceiling tiles, the
underside of carpets or pads, etc. Investigation of hidden mold should
be done with caution, as disturbing some sites with extensive mold
growth may result in a massive release of spores (e.g. removal of
wallpaper). Consider hiring an experienced professional if hidden mold
is suspected.
Once the moisture problem has been addressed, which also addresses the
future growth of molds, removal of the existing mold contamination can
begin. Molds can be toxic; personal protective equipment should be used
to avoid excessive mold exposure during the clean-up process. The
following personal protection products/procedures are recommended:
- Respiratory protection (N-95 or TC-21C dust mask)
- Goggles
- Rubber gloves
- Washable or disposable clothing
- Ventilate area well when using bleach
- Establish containment around the work area for large or heavily contaminated areas to minimize spread of spores
(2) Remove mold by cleaning and disposal
*Do not paint or caulk over mold. Paint applied over moldy surfaces is likely to peel.
a. Porous materials should be removed, bagged and discarded.
b. Non-porous materials may be cleaned with non-ammonia detergent and scrubbing.
c. Disinfect using a proper ratio of bleach per gallon of water.
(3) Dry thoroughly
– keep in mind wet building materials take time to dry out completely.
Fans and de-humidifiers may speed the process. The use of a moisture
meter to monitor the moisture content of the material may be helpful.
Moisture meters are available for purchase, but can cost up to $400.
Other sources of information:
EPA Website has two publications on indoor molds:
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/index.html
*info courtesy of: Univ. of Minnesota, environmental and occupational health.
Whew! Thanks for hanging in there with me on the lovely issue of molds! Let's move on to a brighter note - medicinal mushrooms! Mushrooms are fascinating on their own, and we all know that you should never eat wild mushrooms unless you are absolutely sure they aren't poisonous. And we also know about most of the varieties of yummy 'shrooms there are to eat. But maybe you didn't know that some mushrooms are medicine! China and Japan have been using mushrooms for centuries in their medicines, and they are becoming more mainstream in their use around the world and here in the USA. You can get these as supplements. Click here for a site with more info on mushrooms as medicine.
The big boys of the 'shroom meds are maitake, shiitake, and reishi mushrooms.
They have many overlapping properties: all boost immune function, all support cardiovascular health, and all show promise in lowering the risk of - or treating - cancer. However, maitake is specifically recommended for the stomach and intestines, as well as blood sugar levels; shiitake treats nutritional deficiencies and liver ailments; and reishi promotes respiratory health.
Boosting your immune health is a key factor in overall health and wellness! If your immune system is strong, you won't be sick - from common colds to cancer! Your immune system is the bodyguard and bouncer against the onslaught of anything that can harm your body. When it's strong, it or they can fight off every one of the bad guys! More on immune system health another day . . . .
So for now, we'll close the chapter on the fungus among us. The Neo Hippie is growing impatient, let's give her a chance next time!
Until then,
Stay well!
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