#oyster mushroom oil cleanup

[keiithmingo]

Alchemy and Mycology with Jason Scott

In the Alchemical tradition, there is a teaching that speaks towards the Three Kingdoms of Life: the mineral, vegetable, and animal. Yet for some reason the fungal kingdom has consistently been overlooked, or lumped together with plants, and they’re discussed little.

Luckily for us, as mushrooms have entered more deeply into human awareness as powerful medicines not only for ourselves, but the Earth itself, they’ve been getting a little more attention from the alchemical community these days. 

That’s where Jason Scott comes into the picture. A practicing alchemist, herbalist, and mycologist, Jason has dedicated his life to understanding the fungal kingdom, their medicinal properties, and their unique placement within the alchemical philosophy and practice. This includes some unique methods of extraction not discussed elsewhere in alchemy, or even standard herbalism.

Traditionally, most medicinal mushrooms are either just eaten with food, such as Shiitake or Maitake, and others, especially of the more “woody” varieties, are simply decocted into teas. But in modern herbalism, we’re seeing a form of extraction that yields a broad spectrum of fungal constituents, referred to as “dual-extracts.” This involves utilizing both a high proof alcohol extraction combined with a concentrated water decoction.

In Alchemy, one of the oldest axioms is “as above, so below.” One way this is reflected in Nature is the relative “fixed” or Earthly manifestation of things, and the “volatile” or subtle, heavenly manifestation of things. The entire art of alchemy is taking that which is fixed and volatilizing it into the Heavens, and taking that which is of the Heavens and fixing it down into the Earth. This establishes the great circulations that comprise the works of alchemy.

Well interestingly enough, when we look at the chemistry of most medicinal mushrooms, we see both an “above and below” within them. On the one hand, there’s a class of compounds called triterpenes which are predominantly soluble in alcohol, which is considered a volatile menstruum. On the other hand, they also contain a rich spectrum of polysaccharides, which are predominantly water soluble. In comparison to alcohol, water would be considered a more “fixed” menstruum. Hence the dual extract uses both alcohol and water to extract medicinal mushrooms, enabling both the above and below, the volatile and the fixed, to be contained in a singular extract.

And this is taken to a whole other level with spagyrics, in that after dual-extraction, the mushrooms are calcined into a fine ash and the water-soluble salts are crystallized and added back into the dual-extract. Literally wasting nothing.

Another point of interest in the connection between alchemy and mushrooms that I find quite interesting is the ecological role of mushrooms… in the sense that they literally are generating life from death, growing from decaying materials in the forest. To me, this is quite symbolic of the process of alchemy, of transforming poison into medicine, trauma into truth, and life from death. Indeed, this is why the ouroboros – the snake eating it’s own tail – is a classic symbol associated with alchemy. For it is the constant cycles of transformation that occur throughout Nature, as well as within human consciousness.

We also see this symbolism in the way mushrooms are being used to cleanup toxics within ecosystems, such as oil spills. They literally draw in the toxic materials and transform them into something completely different. Mushrooms, such as the Oyster mushroom, used for ecological restoration in this way have been tested and show to be clean of toxic materials… though I still probably wouldn’t want to eat them!

In this special edition of The Plant Path, Jason and I dig into the unique connections between alchemy, mycology, fungal medicine, transformational healing, herbal pharmacy, and a whole lot more… He was a student of both our Alchemical Herbalism and Vitalist Herbal Practitioner Programs, so it’s been a real honor to watch him go out into the world and put the teachings into practice in the many ways he’s helping people with them.

Jason Scott is a contributor to the book Radical Mycology and has published articles in Verdant Gnosis. He’s the founder of Feral Fungi, where he provides powerful spagyric extracts of medicinal mushrooms. Check out his work here: https://www.feralfungi.com

Alchemy and Mycology with Jason Scott published first on https://nutriherbsstore.tumblr.com/

[rrcultivation]

How Mushrooms Are Revolutionizing Environmental Cleanup

Mushrooms are best known for their culinary and medicinal uses, but they also hold incredible potential for addressing some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Through a process called mycoremediation, mushrooms are being used to clean up pollution and restore damaged ecosystems. At R&R Cultivation, we’re passionate not only about growing the finest mushrooms but also about highlighting their broader ecological benefits.

Understanding Mycoremediation of Mushrooms

Mycoremediation Of Mushrooms refers to the use of fungi, particularly their underground networks of mycelium, to break down pollutants and contaminants in the environment. The mycelium acts as nature’s recycling system, releasing enzymes that can decompose complex compounds into harmless substances. This natural process is being harnessed to address everything from oil spills to heavy metal contamination.

How Does Mycoremediation Work?

Mushrooms are uniquely equipped to tackle environmental pollutants due to their ability to adapt and thrive in diverse conditions. Here’s how the process works:

Absorption: Mycelium networks absorb contaminants from soil or water, breaking them down into less harmful substances.

Decomposition: Enzymes produced by fungi degrade toxic materials such as petroleum, pesticides, and even plastics.

Neutralization: Once broken down, the contaminants are either rendered inert or transformed into organic matter that can benefit the surrounding ecosystem.

For instance, oyster mushrooms have shown an impressive ability to degrade oil spills, while other fungi can bind to and remove heavy metals from polluted soil.

Real-Life Applications of Mycoremediation

Around the world, the mycoremediation of mushrooms is being explored as an effective, low-cost solution to environmental problems. Some notable examples include:

Oil Spill Remediation: Certain species of fungi have been used to break down hydrocarbons in oil spills, converting them into non-toxic materials.

Heavy Metal Cleanup: Mushrooms can extract metals like mercury and lead from contaminated soil, making them valuable for industrial site rehabilitation.

Pesticide Breakdown: Fungi are being used to neutralize harmful chemicals left behind by agriculture, helping restore soil health.

Why Mushrooms Are the Future of Environmental Cleanup

Mushrooms are sustainable, renewable, and incredibly efficient at what they do. Unlike conventional cleanup methods, which often rely on chemicals or heavy machinery, mycoremediation of mushrooms is a natural process that works in harmony with the environment.

For example, mycelium can be strategically introduced to contaminated areas, requiring minimal maintenance while delivering remarkable results. This approach not only cleans up pollution but also enhances biodiversity, as mushrooms promote soil fertility and support other plant life.

R&R Cultivation’s Commitment to Sustainability

At R&R Cultivation, we understand that mushrooms are much more than a delicious addition to your plate. They are powerful allies in the fight for a cleaner, healthier planet. By educating our community about innovative practices like mycoremediation, we hope to inspire others to see mushrooms in a new light.

While we focus on cultivating fresh, high-quality mushrooms for local markets, we are equally proud to support efforts that showcase the environmental potential of fungi. Whether it’s in your kitchen or helping to clean up the Earth, mushrooms are a true gift from nature.

Conclusion

The mycoremediation of mushrooms offers a glimpse into a sustainable future where fungi play a critical role in addressing ecological challenges. From cleaning up oil spills to restoring soil health, mushrooms demonstrate their ability to heal our planet in extraordinary ways.

At R&R Cultivation, we’re thrilled to be part of this movement, cultivating not only mushrooms but also awareness about their incredible capabilities. Together, we can harness the power of mushrooms to create a cleaner, greener world.