Milan Schirlo is a visionary, the founder of MycoMedica and an enthusiastic popularizer of traditional Chinese medicine. Together we looked into the fascinating world of vital fungi and discussed how the power and harmony of nature can support human health.
In the Czech Republic, mushroom picking is seen almost as a national sport. But how do vital mushrooms differ from classic porcini mushrooms or boletus mushrooms?
In general, they contain unique combinations of active substances that affect the processes in our body. There is a specific group that is called medicinal mushrooms in the world. In our country, however, due to legislation, we cannot label them in this way, so as not to give the impression that they are medicines. That’s why we at MycoMedica started using the term vital fungi. They can work primarily with our immune system, which is related to most health problems. Studies concerning vital mushrooms confirm the beneficial effects on the human organism in hundreds of different species.
Why do you import vital mushrooms all the way from China? Couldn’t they be grown in our country in sufficient quality?
There are several reasons. The first one is still more favorable price, although with the rising standard of living in China, this difference is gradually disappearing. The second factor is the scale of cultivation. To give you an idea – to produce 1 kg of extract, you need 20 kg of dried mushrooms, which corresponds to roughly 100 kg of fresh fruiting bodies. If we wanted to grow everything here on a large scale and satisfy the needs of our customers, we would basically have to turn the entire Náchod district into one giant plant. In addition, quality growers in China use areas in pure nature, in the mountains, far from industry. A modern Chinese farm combines traditional manual work with high-tech laboratories. Mushrooms are grown there in steamers and often directly processed into a powder or extract, which is more efficient in terms of transport.
You put a lot of emphasis on testing. What all needs to be watched?
The quality of mushrooms is extremely variable, because mushrooms easily absorb pollutants from the environment. In addition, the Chinese market is very competitive and there are attempts at counterfeiting. For example, the main active substance is polysaccharides, i.e. complex sugars, which, however, are difficult to distinguish from ordinary starch in an ordinary laboratory. If you buy cheap Reishi, it may be that it only contains 20% actual mushroom and the rest is filler. That is why we cooperate with the largest manufacturers and carry out double testing – first in independent laboratories in China and then again in Europe, for example in Germany, Ireland or here in the Czech Republic.
Some mushrooms are said to grow in a very unconventional way, for example from insects, can you describe that?
Yes, Cordyceps from Tibet is a fascinating example. In nature, its spores attach to a certain type of caterpillar, which the fungus gradually literally digests until only a skeleton remains, from which a fruiting body grows. Today, however, this mushroom is grown for normal consumption by artificial cultivation, the caterpillars are not used to prevent the extermination of wild Cordyceps. Other mushrooms also have their specific requirements. Reishi needs to grow on oak trunks to get the right nutrients, Chaga grows on deciduous trees, ideally birches, from which it draws betulinic acid. And for example, Polyporus is collected like truffles at the roots of trees underground.
How do you adjust mushrooms to perform best? And why isn’t it enough to simply prepare them and eat them?
The fungal cell is protected by a chitin coating, which the human body cannot digest. In order for the active ingredients to be released, the package must be broken. Extraction, which increases the concentration and bioavailability of substances, is the most suitable for therapeutic purposes. We also produce tinctures by maceration in alcohol or finely ground powders.
What is the difference between the effect of mushrooms and common herbs?
We can start from the old division of the mythical Emperor Shen-nung. He divided herbs into three categories. Most herbs belong to the second group – they solve some specific problems. Mushrooms belong to the third, highest category. They are so-called adaptogens. They have a broad-spectrum effect, have a vitalizing effect and help the body maintain balance, i.e. immunity, vitality, regardless of whether the organism needs to be stimulated or calmed down.
What role can vital fungi play in oncological or autoimmune diseases?
Their influence on immune modulation is dominant. They can stimulate the body when it is weak, but also suppress it when it reacts inappropriately – which is the case with allergies or autoimmune reactions. In cancer, fungi help the immune cells to recognize and destroy the tumor cells. At the same time, they can limit the nutrition of the tumor by blocking the supply vessels. I am certainly not suggesting that mushrooms can be a cure for cancer, but they are an excellent adjunct to conventional treatment. They help patients better tolerate chemotherapy or radiotherapy. There are studies that confirm that mushrooms do not reduce the effect of chemotherapy, which is key information for cancer patients. I write about the antitumor effects of vital mushrooms, for example, in the article Can vital mushrooms be used simultaneously with chemotherapy? on the website.
Traditional Chinese medicine talks about the philosophy of the way of the middle, the harmonization of yin and yang. How does this relate to our modern life?
According to the Chinese, yin and yang are forces that must be in balance in the body. Our lifestyle constantly deviates us from this balance – just eat hot food, i.e. more yang, or ice cream, which in turn represents more yin. Although the body has self-regulating abilities, if the fluctuations are too large and frequent, disease occurs. Mushrooms act as such a “navigator” that gently pushes us back to the middle path in every situation.
Are vital mushrooms safe for everyone?
In general, they are very well tolerated and have no contraindications with conventional drugs. Sometimes they can be harder to digest, which can be solved by reducing the dose or taking it after a meal. They are commonly used in children, for example in ADHD. I am careful only with pregnant women, especially in the first trimester. The exception is Reishi, which is safe and harmonizing during pregnancy. Conversely, the Auricularia mushroom is unsuitable during pregnancy.
You recently published the book The Mushroom Way: Return to Balance. Can you introduce her to us?
Although mushrooms are the central motif in it, I look at human health in a much broader context. I analyze why imbalance and disease actually arise in our body and how the philosophy of traditional Chinese medicine can help us in these situations. It is basically a guide to how to live in order to maintain vitality and live to a healthy old age. I also devote a lot of space to the forces of yin and yang, which control all processes in our organism and in the entire universe. And, of course, in it, readers will find a detailed overview of how vital mushrooms can be beneficial to us and how they can bring us back to the “center way” in our everyday life.
A small mushroom puller by Milan Schirl
Cordyceps: An energy recharger, ideal for tired and wintry types. Strengthens kidney essence.
Reishi: Calms the psyche, helps with anxiety, insomnia and exhaustion.
Coriolus: “Killer” of pathogens. It helps the body get rid of viruses, bacteria or yeast. Hericium: Helps with digestive problems (gastritis, heartburn) and supports the nervous system (Alzheimer, dementia, concentration).
Maitake: Specialist in metabolic problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure or gout.
TIP: If you come across Reishi in our forest, which is woody and cannot be eaten directly, you can prepare a decoction from it: boil 100 g of dried mushroom in half a liter of water for 30 minutes.
You could find this article in the magazine Recipe No. 03/26.
Text: Šárka Horká
