Therapeutic and Environmental Potential of Mushrooms in Ancient and Modern Contexts: A Review.

Abstract

Mushrooms are the healthiest, safest, most nutritious foods and are vital to human well-being. In historical contexts, religious teachings influenced the treatment of diseases, with ethnomycological knowledge suggesting that mushrooms held divine clues due to their unique appearances. The use of mushrooms was often linked to the "doctrine of signatures," where their morphological resemblance to human organs, such as the ear, kidney, and lungs, prompted researchers to theorize that products derived from mushrooms might be effective in treating health concerns. A wide variety of edible and wild mushrooms are now recognized for their bioactive compounds, which are valuable in biopharmaceuticals and dietary supplements. The compounds exhibit a range of therapeutic properties, encompassing immune enhancement, antioxidant effects, anti-inflammatory actions, antiviral capabilities, and anti-neoplastic activities. Modern science has corroborated many of these traditional insights, revealing mushrooms as sources of bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential. The intertwined filamentous mycelium of mushrooms is also attracting interest for its biocomposite uses in sustainable and environmentally friendly businesses. Biocomposite materials suitable for construction and building applications can be produced by creating a mycelial matrix or a self-forming adhesive using non-food fungal mycelia flour. This review explores the ethnomycological background, therapeutic potential, and innovative uses of mushroom mycelium in biocomposites, highlighting their role in health, wellness, and sustainable development.