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Learn basic skills of mushroom identification and explore the medicinal benefits.
Robert Dale Rogers has been an herbalist for over fifty years and is a professional member of the American Herbalist Guild. He earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Alberta, where he is presently an assistant clinical professor in Family Medicine. He is also an adjunct professor in Graduate Studies at York University in Toronto, and presently teaches plant and mushroom medicine, aromatherapy and flower essences in the Earth Spirit Medicine faculty at the Northern Star College in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Robert is past chair of the Alberta Natural Health Agricultural Network and Community Health Council of Capital Health. He is a Fellow of the International College of Nutrition, past chair of the North American Mycological Association, and previously on the editorial board of the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. He regularly posts articles of interest in Fungi magazine. The author of 52 books on medicinal plants and fungi of the boreal forest, Robert authored the must-have book The Fungal Pharmacy: The Complete Guide to Medicinal Mushrooms and Lichens of North America. Another of his acclaimed books: A Cree Healer and His Medicine Bundle, was released in June 2015 by North Atlantic Books, and it documents the tenth generation passing down of over sixty traditional indigenous boreal plants and their medicinal benefit. Robert was honoured as an Herbal Elder of Canada in 2015. Today, Robert guest lectures and conducts walks throughout North America on plant and mushroom medicine, and continues to release must-have books on Mushrooms.
There are over five million species of fungi on the planet, and approximately 500 of these are macrofungi that have health benefits. Macrofungi, which we commonly refer to as mushrooms, have extensive historical use as both food and medicine, and their recognized medicinal properties have given them a rightful place in contemporary medicine.
This course covers mushroom basics, including, and not limited to, the definition of a mushroom, how fungi evolved, and insights regarding their relationship with plants. It explores the differences between a fruiting body and mycelium, and their respective medicinal qualities; whether to wildcraft or cultivate mushrooms depending on their type; and the importance of organic practices in mushroom cultivation.
Additionally, this course explores twelve of the top medicinal mushrooms on the market. The most recent scientific research related to each of these mushrooms is shared, along with tips for proper identification in the field. When relevant, any cautions or contraindications with pharmaceuticals drugs are provided.
Mushrooms can be consumed as food or through various medicinal preparations. This course provides tips about which mushrooms to add to your diet and how to choose good quality mushroom products. And you can follow along with easy steps on how to prepare mushroom medicines at home.
There are many misconceptions about medicinal mushrooms, and this course offers explanations to dispel common myths and leads you on a virtual forest walk to identify mushrooms along the way. The stories and research covered in this course are deeply intriguing, hopefully enough to inspire you to add medicinal mushrooms to your herbal practice.
Upon completion of this course, you will have the ability to:
Section I | Welcome
1. Introduction
2. What is a mushroom?
3. History of medicinal mushrooms
Section II | Myths about medicinal mushrooms
4. Myths about medicinal mushrooms – Part I
5. Myths about medicinal mushrooms – Part II
6. Myths about medicinal mushrooms – Part III
Section III | Medicinal mushroom monographs
7. White button (Agaricus bisporus)
8. Oyster (Pleurotus spp.)
9. Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
10. Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus)
11. Maitake (Grifola frondosa)
12. Caterpillar fungus (Cordyceps militaris)
13. Shiitake (Lentinula edodes)
14. Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)
15. Liberty cap (Psilocybe semilanceata)
16. Enoki (Flammulina velutipes)
17. Agarikon (Laricifomes officinalis)
18. Amadou (Fomes fomentarius)
19. Fly agaric (Amanita muscaria)
20. Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor)
Section IV| Preparation and explanation of red belted conk
21. Red belted conk (Fomitopsis pinicola) monograph
22. Double extraction with red belted conk (Fomitopsis pinicola) – Part I
23. Double extraction with red belted conk (Fomitopsis pinicola) – Part II
Section V| Forest mushroom walk
24. Forest mushroom walk