You can prevent a variety of ailments by making reishi mushroom, an Asian mushroom with incredible health benefits, part of your diet. Called Ling Zhi in China, the reishi mushroom has been an important medicinal plant for Asians for millennia.
In the wild, it grows upon rotting plum trees and occasionally on oak too. Reishi grows in damp, sunless mountain areas and was once a rare commodity.
The side effects experienced by eating the Reishi mushroom are generally rare, but they can include dry mouth, nausea, upset stomach, diarrhoea, skin rashes and nosebleeds. If any of these symptoms arise, reduce the quantity of mushroom consumed or stop eating it altogether.
The University of Haifa says the reishi mushroom gives hope that a medication will be developed from it that could fight prostate cancer. This is just one in a long list of health benefits this mushroom offers. It is believed to lower LDL or bad cholesterol, cure headache, stomach ache and backache. It is also effective in treating asthma, influenza and common cold.
Now, for a recipe.
Steamed Mushroom with Young Ginger
Ingredients
Olive oil: 15 ml
Reishi mushroom: 150 gm
Asparagus: 100 gm
Young ginger: 10 gm
Garlic: 5 gm
Celery: 3 gm
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Method: Heat water and boil the mushrooms and asparagus separately till they are tender. Strain and keep it aside. Cut into desired shape. Heat oil in a pan; add garlic and celery and toss for a few seconds. Add stock and young ginger. Check the seasoning and thicken the sauce by adding a little corn flour to it. Finally, arrange the vegetables on a plate and pour the sauce on top.
Bholanath Jha, Chef de Partie, Taj Connemara
