The Role of Mushrooms for the Planet and Our Health
“There will always be education to be done about mushrooms… there are more than 2 million species and they have 1 billion years of survival experience ahead of us! There is still much to discover and it is important, I think, to be aware of what mushrooms represent for our planet and its inhabitants!” Alexandra is convinced: mushrooms are the future.
First, from an ecological perspective: they play an essential role in maintaining natural balance by breaking down organic matter into humus. Their mycelium (the vegetative part of the mushroom consisting of branches) also has the ability to decontaminate soil, water, and destroy microorganisms.
This potential is very well depicted in the film Fantastic Fungi by Louie Schwartzberg, an incredible documentary on the benefits of mushrooms for our health (reminding us that antibiotics and other notable drugs come from mushrooms!) and the environment. Released amidst a global pandemic, it is available online, here.
In another category, earlier this year, Grasset Editions published Phantastica, a book by Stéphanie Chayet on the medical use of psychotropics and notably psilocybin, the active ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms. In 2018, the American drug agency granted “innovative therapy” status to this molecule.
Many scientific studies recognize its benefits in treating mental illnesses, supporting end-of-life patients, as well as enhancing our creativity, well-being, and connection with nature. This substance, used in many cultures for millennia, is very promising medically, and recognition of its use will only continue to grow in the coming decades.
The first episode of The Goop Lab on Netflix, the documentary series produced by Gwyneth Paltrow on alternative medicine, is in fact dedicated to psilocybin.
In short, mushrooms are increasingly making headlines in 2020! That’s why we contacted Alexandra to learn more about the creation of MYCELAB and the benefits of functional mushrooms.
Functional Mushrooms?
“Functional” mushrooms, also known as “medicinal mushrooms,” are plants that, beyond their nutritional properties, have tangible health benefits. They boost immunity, increase our energy, improve our memory, reduce inflammations…
These are cornerstones of Chinese medicine. Among them are cordyceps, reishi, shiitake, chaga, lion’s mane…
“The use of mushrooms has been very developed in Asia for millennia and has been growing strongly over the past 10 years in the USA and Canada. I’ve seen new brands develop, and the demand keeps growing!” Alexandra enthuses.
Indeed, the United States, Canada, Australia are much more familiar than us with functional mushrooms. We particularly think of companies like Four Sigmatic, which since 2012 offers mixes of coffee, cocoa, and tea with functional mushrooms. Its revenue amounted to 61.7 million dollars in 2018, and the company now has more than 60 employees. Its founder, young Finnish Tero Isokauppila, acknowledges that most of his clients do not like mushrooms but quickly observe their benefits.
The functional mushroom market was worth 5.8 billion dollars in 2018, with China being the largest producer and consumer. They are now arriving in France, thanks to startups like MYCELAB that aim to democratize their use.
MYCELAB: The First Lab Specialized in Functional Mushrooms
Alexandra is a doctor of pharmacy, a graduate of ESSEC, and a specialist in dietary supplements. She has developed a range of 100% natural dietary supplements, composed of medicinal mushroom extracts, active plants, and algae. They come in capsule form in small recyclable plastic jars.
All mushrooms in MYCELAB products are from organic farming and contain at least 30% polysaccharides.
“I began to take interest in functional mushrooms about 6 years ago. I was looking for natural solutions to alleviate everyday, chronic, and persistent ailments. I’ve always had a certain fragility and I would fall ill very often, at the slightest cold, stress, fatigue, it would mean a few days of cold, sore throat, or digestive disorders for me!
I have always sought out natural products and during my research, I discovered the use of medicinal mushrooms and, by chance, that same year we had some mycology courses that covered the benefits of certain mushrooms such as Reishi, lion’s mane, shiitake, etc…I was amazed by what our teachers told us! They spoke of anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic properties, and more.
I wanted to try it immediately. Six years ago there was nothing on the French market. That’s where MYCELAB was born. I decided to change my career plans and embark on this entrepreneurial adventure during my final year of studies.”
The MYCELAB laboratory has formulated 5 products within the ß – CARE range:
- Vitality: revitalizing, adaptogen
- Immunity: immune defenses
- Brain: memory, concentration
- Cell: antioxidant, cellular protector
- XCare: joint comfort
Each product corresponds to a specific need. For example, Immunity, contains natural origin actives that stimulate the immune system: reishi, shiitake, maitake, astragalus, andrographis, acerola-derived vitamin C, Siberian ginseng, echinacea angustifolia, Schisandra berries.
The price of the jars varies according to the actives. It costs between €31.90 and €41.90 per jar for treatments lasting 3 to 5 weeks.
Alexandra places R&D at the heart of her approach. She has chosen and isolated natural and powerful active ingredients: immunomodulating and/or immunostimulating polysaccharides, nutritious molecules (essential amino acids, enzymes, minerals, vitamins, noble proteins, essential lipids and fatty acids…), metabolites, and bioactive molecules such as triterpenes, polyphenols, enzymes, etc.
Another priority: the origin and production methods of the mushrooms she uses.
“It must be understood and known that mushrooms have the ability to absorb everything in the soil (heavy metals, radiation, etc.) hence the need to be very vigilant about the quality of the mediums used and production methods. Always prefer mushrooms from organic farming. Every mushroom I use in my products is organic. Finally, be cautious with suppliers who enrich their extract with polysaccharides (other than those from mushrooms) and thoroughly check the ingredient specification sheets.“
We’ve seen that functional mushrooms have been very developed in Asia for millennia. In the United States, Canada, and Australia, the demand has been increasing over the past decade. Many brands are developing. In the French market, Alexandra observes a real enthusiasm for these mushrooms since she started her project, simply because “people who regularly consume them quickly notice the changes and benefits on their body! “.
She concludes, as a true mushroom enthusiast: “We have much to gain whether for our health or that of our planet: that’s what I call the mushroompower! “
We believe, like Alexandra, that mushrooms have much more to teach us! Their democratization correlates with the recognition of their benefits by science. A field to keep a close eye on 🙂 🍄
