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International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms

ISSN for PRINT: 1521-9437

Institutional price:	$538.00
Issues per year:	4

Best Paper Award Selection - Editorial Board Site

2008, Volume10

104 pages

DOI: 10.1615/IntJMedMushr.v10.i3

Issue price - $161.00

Diversity and Use of Traditional Mexican Medicinal Fungi. A Review

Gaston Guzman
Instituto de Ecologia, Apartada Postal 63, Xalapa, Veracruz 91000, México

ABSTRACT

In this review, more than 70 species of medicinal mushrooms from Mexico, which can help treat over 40 illnesses or health problems, are discussed. Among the latter, anxiety and rejuvenation are considered, as well as traditional beliefs about the evil eye or hearing the voice of a specific person. This article is based on an extensive bibliographic review, as well as the inclusion of field work done by the author during several years of study in Mexico. Schizophyllum commune, several species of Pleurotus and Ustilago maydis, as well as some lichens, are the most important medicinal fungi considered for the treatment of specific illnesses or health problems. Many medicinal mushrooms are also edible and are currently sold in the marketplace. Amanita muscaria is the only toxic mushroom used in traditional medicine, as well as some hallucinogenic species of the genus Psilocybe.