Strategy to live a long life

       Strategy to live a long life

                                                               Dr. Tek Raj Joshi

               

Every one wants to live a long life and enjoy a wondrous life of future. But the problem is how to live a long life with pleasure. Living longer life is a realistic choice for everybody. How to increase the chances of living longer is the topic, discussed from the time immemorial. In just the past two centuries, life expectancy in developed countries jumped from less than 30 years to nearly 80 years or more. In Europe, America and Japan, average life expectancy is average of 78 years. Still 3 out of 4 people in the developing countries die before they are 50.There is a record in recent history that Jeanne Clement died in France in 1997 at the age of 122. Shirechiyo Izumi of Japan lived up to the age of 120 years in 1986.

What is the secret of long life?

Most gerontologists say that the secret of long life lies in (a) heredity (b) life style and (c) environment. We have little control over heredity, but we can do a lot about life style and environment. Mind is the leading player in our longevity of life. The mind to live, a sense of purpose, or will to live, has been shown to have extraordinary effect on life expectancy. One has to stay young in mind and spirit, in spite of any chronological age. One must not think of age as being, but just a number. One must not waste time, thinking that he is too old to do this or that. Look at something you always wanted to do. Nature has designed our body in such a manner that our body will remain healthy up to the age of 120 years or more.

How to increase the chances of living longer and being healthy?

The National Institute on Aging in Baltimore, USA, established since 1958, indicated that apart from genes, there is lot to do through changes in lifestyle and attitude for the wear and tear of the human body. Scientists estimate that the maximum life span of human to be 115 to 140 years.

Strangely enough, most of us live long enough to suffer age- related diseases for which every one of us are dreaded. Long life lies in the mind. The mind is where we make things happen. We are as old as we think we are. Our attitude, our beliefs, feelings play a big part in how we age. Healthy mind adds a lot to quality of life. So long as a man is active and interested and has a purpose in life, then a person stays young at heart. A thought of getting old begets self-inflected degeneration in life.

A famous author, Emperor Marcus Aurelius of Rome says “Our life is what our thoughts make it” Mental decline and physical decline is not a necessary part of the aging process. A study from Brigham Young University showed from 300,000 participants in 148 studies that strong friendship has an extremely positive effect on longevity. Good dental hygiene can add 6 more years to life. Smoking, fast food habit, zero exercise; stressful life can take away 20 years from total life span. Powerful sense of purpose in life helps longevity. Imaginary threats of any kind cause havoc in our lives. A 2009 study of 2000 Chinese women suggested that drinking green tea regularly may cut cancer risk by 90%.Similarly a study of over 40,000 Japanese men and women showed that drinking 5 or more cups of green tea daily had the lowest chances of dying from stroke or heart attack. Duke University study showed that women who were happy with their sex lives lived 7-8 years longer. Red wines and fish contribute to long life. Sir William Ostyer, the father of American medicine, stated that stress is the greatest cause of disease and early death

Gautama Buddha preached “The secret of long and happy life is not to mourn for the past, nor to worry about future, nor to anticipate trouble, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly”

Speak no evil of anyone; every unkind word will sooner or later fly back into your face. One should drink plenty of water (about 8 glasses) which assists in cleansing our body. If we feed ourselves with positive thoughts, our body will be relatively healthy and lead a long life.

           

A few hints for living a long life:-

(a)   Do regular exercise 

(b)   Do breathing exercise

(c)   Avoid over indulgence in food, drink, or even any kind of medicine. 

(d)   Drink lots of tea-green and black. It reduces the chance of heart attack                    

         And cancer           

(e)   Eat garlic

(f)    Take cholesterol decreasing foods like fresh green vegetables, fresh    

         Carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, beans, oats, apples, olive

         oil, onions, sea foods like fatty fish, and fruits. 

(g)   Eat more alkaline producing foods like apple, orange, grape fruit,

        lemon, tomatoes, and green vegetables

(h)   Cut down acid producing foods like bread, meat, egg, cheese, cakes,

        Pastries

(i)    Avoid fried and grease food

(j)    Avoid refined flour. 

(k)   Cut down red meat

(l)    Cut back salt

(m)  Avoid simple sugar as far as possible

(n)   Control obesity especially after middle life

(o)   Help others as far as possible.

(p)   Forgive others

(q)   Pets and having hobbies are the best ways to increase longevity

(r)    Developing optimistic attitude towards life can lead to longevity

(s)    Always try to educate yourself in some new field  

(t)    Have purpose in life 

Scientists have now come to believe that a great deal of aging process is within our control. Our state of mind and life style can make a difference in extending our lives. Also they come to conclusion that frugal diet has the key to longevity. Scientists at Tufts University found that caloric restriction in mice and monkeys shows a long term bonus on anti-aging effect.

In 1978, Robert Keith Wallace, studying aging, and found out that a typical 60 years old meditating 5 years or more would have the physiological age of 48. Wallace also showed that hypnosis and meditation controls aging.

Foundation of health and longevity is always an attitude. One cannot have prolonged anger, guilt, anxiety, and depression, or stress. Most illness is the result of stress. People are eating 30% more than optimal. It is due to stress that makes people take more calories.

It is the free radicals in our bodies that cause aging and death. Aging is the increasing accumulation of changes caused by free-radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules produced in our body system. Fortunately, free radicals are controlled by red grapes, red and yellow onions, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, raw garlic, olive oil, dark green leafy vegetables, orange, carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin which are sources of antioxidants..

It was also found that socially active and friendly people live longer. Do something entirely different in life, but never retire. Sir Winston Churchill says “Get change the career but never-never-never retire. Do something entirely different, but never retire”

A great deal of aging process is within our control. Our state of mind and life style can make a great difference in enhancing our lives. Longevity increases by sharing work and worries of daily life with one’s spouse.

How to purify Water

How to Purify Water Using Charcoal

The tap water is no longer tasty. The main reasons are air pollution (sulfur oxide from gasoline) and the chemicals as nitrogen oxide, lead etc. These chemicals get mixed with water easily and the city water supply do not purify water as it is costly. Because of this, many people are filtering and purifying their water or even buying expensive mineral water.

Now, using charcoal for safe tap water has come to public attention in Japan. Using charcoal can make safe water easily, tasty, and cost-effectively!

It is important to use hard charcoal. Normal black charcoal breaks easily in the water.

1. Raw charcoal is dirty and not suited for boiling. Wash them under running water. You can use a scrub brush to help in the process of cleaning the charcoal. Do not use any detergent! It will destroy the beneficial effects of the charcoal and will spoil the water.
2. Sterilize it in boiling water. Use a large uncovered pot. Boil for about 10 minutes.
3. Put the charcoal into a colander to squeeze out the water and let it cool down. Gently submerge the charcoal in a container poured with tap water or well water. Use about 100 grams of charcoal for every 1 liter of water.
4. In order to prevent dust from entering, cover it with a dishcloth and let it sit for 1–2 days. It is recommended to use a container made of stainless steel, porcelain enamel, ceramic, or glass.
5. Pour this water into a vessel and use it for cooking or put it in the refrigerator as a drinking water. This is your sterilized water! Refill the container containing the charcoal with water to make more purified water. You can repeat this process for one week.
6. Clean the dirt off the charcoal once a week. The method is: boil, let it cool down, and dry it for one week. To use the charcoal again, simply start from number 1 method. It is best to prepare two sets of charcoal and rotate them weekly. In this way, the charcoal can be used for 6 months! But take note that the mineral amount of the charcoal will gradually deplete after 10 days of use.

Charcoal Benefits in Tap Water

The purified water can be used for cooking, ice making, drinking water, tea, coffee, and alcoholic drinks. The chlorine - smelling and other unpleasant odors will be eliminated by the absorption power of the charcoal. Microorganisms living in the many pores of the charcoal break down unhealthy organic matters in the tap water. Ash in the charcoal (minerals) contains nutrients such as magnesium, manganese, calcium, and iron which dissolve easily in the water. The minerals are essential for your healthy life. They help make strong bones and teeth, and play an important role in blood, muscles, and nerves. You can recognize the minerals of the charcoal purified water by its soft and mellow taste. Since the charcoal is a byproduct of trees, it does not contain any toxic substances like mercury and chromium. After the charcoal has been used for 3–6 months, break it into pieces and bury it in a flowerbed or kitchen garden, it will improve your soil.
The charcoal can also be used in oils for frying, and when retaining a vegetable's freshness.

Diabetes - Some facts !

Diabetes

Our body is just like a food processor that change sugar, starches, and other components from the food to get convert into energy. Glucose is the main source of energy that we get from the food we consume. Once the body is unable to change food into energy, the cause is called diabetes. Diabetes Mellitus (Diabetes) is a disease caused by high blood sugar (Glucose) level. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas to control the blood glucose level. Insulin helps blood sugar to get convert into energy, and  move it through the cell of the body . When blood sugar level increase it makes harder for the blood to flow thus creating complications. The excess glucose level gets spill over into urine so this disease is also known better by the term “sweet Urine”. The process of producing hormone by the pancreas is one of the delicate processes and is hard to get fixed once it gets broken. Scientists are not yet able to find the main cause for diabetes but they are confident that either the body does not make insulin or it can not correctly use the insulin. Researchers are confident and also did success in creating artificial pancreas to get implanted for the diabetes patient, and in near future diabetes  no more be called upon as an Chronic disease.

Diabetes is known as a chronic disease in medical terminology. Although it can get controlled by medication, balanced diet, regular exercises, etc, it lasts a lifetime. Symptoms of diabetes include increase of urine output, thirst, extreme hunger, sudden weight loss, slow healing of cuts (especially on the feet) as well as fatigue. Diabetes is diagnosed by blood sugar (glucose) testing as well as urine tests. 

Diabetes is closely associated with the genetics but the disease is not detected during the early birth, all siblings from the diabetic parents may not have this kind of disease. Researchers believe certain diets and long term obesity is the main cause for the development of this disease. The fat cell found in the body, looks like sponges and shrinks, has a bad effect in the future as it gets stuck in the blood vessels.

South Asian children are usually born thin with less weight, has a greater risk of diabetes. During the early childhood feeding them excess protein to make them look like a healthy baby also is the main cause for the risk of diabetes in future.

The two major forms of diabetes are:-    

        a) Type I diabetes (Juvenile diabetes, beginning in childhood):-This is also called insulin-dependent as the patient normally survives with injections of insulin and follow healthy diet. This type of diabetes appear suddenly and progress quickly. It occurs most often in children and young adults. Before the invention of pure insulin in 1921, people with this type of disease lived only for few years after being diagnosis. 

                                                                                                                

       b) Type II diabetes (Non-insulin dependent):- It occurs when the body does not use insulin correctly. This type of diabetes can get controlled with medicine, diet, staying physically active and maintaining a normal body weight through exercise. It normally occurs among adults over 40 who are normally over weight. 

During pregnancy, some women develop gestational diabetes which disappears after the baby is born. More than fifty percent of these women do develop non insulin dependent diabetes.

Impaired glucose tolerance, also known as latent diabetes refers to a condition in which blood sugar level hover between normal and diabetic. This is being caused by the drug and other chemical damaging the pancreas. This type of diabetes can get treated through medication, diet, weight loss, regular exercises and physically active.               

             Dangerously elevated blood sugar and abnormally low blood sugar level occur due to diabetes medications.

            Disease of the blood vessels (both small and large) which can damage the eye, kidneys, nerves, and heart related problem can cause due to the increase blood sugar level.

Some hints to control diabetes:-

1)        Reduce carbohydrate intake: - Carbohydrate is the main source of energy for the body to keep moving but it is advised to choose the carbohydrates that break down slowly providing steady energy. Whole grains, beans, nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables are the good source energy (Calorie). Fruits even though sweet is good but needs to get to a limit.

2)      Loosing weight: -Control the body weight, loosing weight helps to control blood sugar and blood pressure. Avoid chips, fries, red meat and

3)      Sleep well: - Sound sleep is recommended for controlling the blood sugar. At least 7-8 hour sleep is needed to get control blood sugar.

4)      Be active: - A 1,500 steps a day, walking, dancing, biking and physical exercise help reduce the blood sugar.

5)      Monitor Blood sugar: - Checking blood sugar level daily helps to identify the main cause for the sugar level variation. It can help to identify the factor playing the role for increasing or lowering the blood sugar level. The goal 4.0 – 7.0 mm ol /L ( 70 – 130 mg/dl) before meal and 5.0 – 10 mm ol /L ( less than 180 mg /dl)

6)      Monitor blood pressure: - Try to get the blood pressure and cholesterol (blood test) to an limit, blood pressure  below 130/80 mm Hg, LDL below 100 mg/dl, HDL above 40 mg/dl and triglycerides below 150 mg/dl.

7)      Cuts and wounds: - Needs to be careful with cuts and wounds specially cracks on feet, diabetes raise risk of infection and slow healing. Sterilized bandage, proper cleaning and use of antibiotic cream needs to be applied to stop Gagarin, always moisturize feet and always use socks during cold winter days.

8)      Regular check ups: - Get screened for eye, nerve and kidney damage including the dental problem. Eye and teeth needs to get check regularly as slight infection in the mouth might cause a serious trouble and the dry eye nerves might cause blindness. Yearly eye exam and visit to the dentist twice a year is recommended

9)      Manage stress:-Relaxation technique such as Pranayama - breath exercise and Yoga meditation help reduce blood sugar.

10)  Say no to Salt: - Reducing salt keeps control the blood pressure to help protect kidney. Fresh fruits, herbs and spices are the alternate substitute for salt.

11)  Avoid Fat: - Avoid saturated fat and trans fat use mono and poly saturated fats like olive oil for cooking, use dark green vegetables and fish with omega 3- fatty acids.

12)  Stop Smoking: - Protect heart lungs by stopping as smoking increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Ganoderma ( Red Mushroom )

Ganoderma

Ganoderma is a type of mushroom, which is also known as Reishi. It has been well used and documented and medicinal treatment throughout China for over 4000 years. The Chinese refer to Ganoderma as “spirit medicine”, the Chinese used it to promote longevity. In ancient times, this mushroom was reserved for the Kings, as it was relatively rare and hard to find. Now, thanks to the advent of technology this mushroom can be farmed, making it more affordable and accessible to the average person.

Ganoderma Lucidum is a small fungus that grows in decaying logs and tree stumps. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 4,000 years to treat liver disorders, hypertension, arthritis, and other ailments.

It is believed to be the oldest mushroom used in medicine and is one of the most respected medicinal mushrooms today. The Chinese have always regarded the mushroom as having special properties. Once rare and expensive, this mushroom is now effectively cultivated and is readily available. If you are looking for natural solution for your ailment, Ganoderma Lucidum may do wonders to your health. We will provide you with useful information such as:

 

Ganoderma Lucidum

Ganoderma Lucidum occurs in six different colors, but the red variety is most commonly used and commercially cultivated in North America, China, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea. Ganoderma Lucidum is one of the most beautiful mushrooms in the world. When very young its varnished surface is Chinese red, bright yellow, and white (see the bottom illustrations). Later the white and yellow shades disappear, but the resulting varnished, reddish to reddish brown surface is still quite beautiful and distinctive. While Ganoderma Lucidum is annual and does not actually grow more each year like some polypore, its fruiting body is quite tough and can last for months. This magical mushroom is also known as Reishi or Ling zhi which means "herb of spiritual potency"

 

Ganoderma Extract or Grinding

Some companies grind the Ganoderma into a powder form while other companies use far more advanced methods to extract the prized Ganoderma. Extraction concentration can be as high as 100 to 1. One of the more advanced methods combines 1000 kg of this fungus to only 1kg, after extracting.

The book, which is known in Japan as "Shinnoh Honsohkyo", is now accepted as being the original textbook of Oriental medical science. In it, 365 kinds of medicines are classified and explained. The medicines are basically classified into 3 categories: 120 of them are declared to be "superior" medicines, another 120 are classified as "average" medicines, and the remaining 125 are placed in the "fair" category. The "superior" medicines are called "God's Herbs" and they are for perpetual youth and longevity - the medicines of the legendary wizards. Of the superior medicines listed in the text, reishi was rated number one.

The "average" category medicines are those which can be taken as a tonic, and those in the "fair" category are taken to remedy specific ailments. One must be careful about the volume taken of the "average" and "fair" category medicines, and should never take them continuously. However, the book states that for "superior" medicines, any amount can be taken as desired on a continuous basis with no unfavorable effects. Ganoderma which has been described as "The King of Herbs" has been shrouded in mystery and secrecy. Ganoderma is described as the Celestial Herb, because it does not have any side effects irrespective of dosage and long term usage. This elixir was the cure all for any and every illness in the medical practices of the orient. It also was know for its anti-aging properties and perhaps is the secret of oriental health and longevity. Modern Western science has now identified over 280 active ingredients that have healing medicinal properties.

 

Ganoderma Coffee

We have all heard that coffee is bad for our health. But the new coffee- Ganoderma Coffee is substantially lower in caffeine than commercially processed decaf coffees, and has rich flavor and even more energy than fully-caffeinated coffee. This Coffee actually improves your sleep, balance your PH, increase oxygen to your brain, help balance your weight, and boost your overall health so efficiently that you can feel the benefits almost immediately.

This is perhaps the first time that you can tell the whole family to "have a cup of coffee" and know that it is loaded with health giving properties which make this great for even the kids, it is also available in a Tea and Cocoa beverage! Ganoderma Coffee is only one of the products that contain this fascinating substance Ganoderma. You can also purchase products ranging from Skin Care to Toothpastes and Beverages containing Ganoderma.

 

How can Ganoderma Coffee be healthy?

Very Low Caffeine Regular coffee has approximately 135 mg of caffeine.Tea has approximately 50 mg of caffeine.
A Diet Coke has 46 mg of caffeine
One ounce of dark chocolate has 22 mg of caffeine
Ganoderma Coffee has just 9 mg of caffeine.
Non-Acidic Coffee is too acidic, so unfortunately many people must avoid coffee or limit the number of cups they drink in a day.
Most coffee has a pH of 5.5
Ganoderma Coffee has a neutral pH between 7.3 and 7.5

Some facts about Herbs and Medicinal plants !

The High Alpine climate of Himalaya has quite good environment to grow lots of herbs that has unpredictable medicinal values. Lots of research was being conducted in China and Tibet since long time and we can find very valuable documentation done since Tang Dynasty i.e. around 800 AD. In Indian subcontinent, the Hindu's were the first to introduce the four fundamental concepts of Science -Decantation, Filtration, Distillation and Sublimation (same way the fundamental principle of Mathematics - Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication & Division including introduction of -ZERO). Even though we as Hindu need to be proud of all these facts and Ayurveda being invented by Dhanbantary (although citation for the date needs to be done) during the early Vedic Era, we do not have written documentations regarding the Date and period. Lots of researches were being done and many Herbalists, householders, Sears, Yogis, Maharishis and have had their contribution in creating such a vast knowledge of Herbs and Medicinal Plants used by Man since time immortal. The Herbs and Medicinal plants are the blessings of Nature that has long association with us. In Nepalese concepts, we do hear about it since the time of Lord Buddha (third Centuries B.C). Bhaishya Ratnavali (10th Century) is the oldest manuscript written in Sanskrit to be found in Nepal. Chandra Shamsher and Bir Shamsher the then Prime minister from Nepal did encouraged Scholars, Research oriented people to collect material and got edited and published Chandra Nighantoo and Bir Nighantoo, both these publications are to be called on as the only authentic books from Nepal in the field of herbs and Medicinal plants in use. Few more books were also in prints since 1950, after the people's movement liquidating the century old Rana regime. Under the ministry of Agriculture & Forestry, Department of Plants are also doing their best effort to improve new technology to grow and preserve Medicinal Plants in Herbarium located in Godavari (Patan), Manichoud in Sankhu, Kathmandu and many other places outside Kathmandu. They also used to publish periodicals and Journals but because of financial problem no improvement has since a long gap. National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) and other institute and NGO's and Ingo’s also are trying to locate and find some valuable Herbs and preserve them. In this concept Dabur Nepal located in Sanga Bhanjyang, Banepa is doing research work to cultivate some high altitude plants to grow in green house making the alpine climate in the GREEN house for commercial uses.

In the high alpine climate of Himalaya whatever kind of plants are grown under the snow or above the ground have medicinal values, but the we do not know way it needs to be used. Many valuable plants, fruits, berries, mushrooms, résumés etc have great significant uses in our day to day life and health are grown in Natural state which had been flourishing in the Himalayan valleys . The Sadhu's, Rishi ( Sheers), Yogis all used to meditate live in the Himalayas without wearing warm clothing and used to survive eating the wild berries and fruits along with the medicinal plant ( Herbs), and survive hundreds of year of their life still looking young enough which is unbelievable (surprised secrets).

Many research work are on the way to find the lost knowledge and to unravel the powerful aliment found in the fruit & plants from the Himalayan region that will certainly help us to enjoy healthy way of living and to find the hidden secrets of the Sadhu's and Yogi's to have sound and healthy life style in the dense forest of the Himalayas - The secret of Natural healing Power. Now we are planning to go back to the Nature and looking for the lost paradise where there were no incurable i like Cancer, hypertension, diabetes, Cholesterol,  Alzheimer’s disease, etc and the desire of maintaining the fountain of youth & anti-aging facts.

In the above concept I do agree with the saying from one of my Guru Principal Amrit Prasad Pradhan, " In order to get progress we need not to be satisfied with whatever we have "असन्तोषम्  परम् सुखम्" which sounds somehow against the old Hindu saying  " Satisfaction is our main Motto   "सन्तोषम् परम् सुखम्". Certainly we could not get any improvement as we were satisfied with whatever we have had but  on contradictory the western world got lots of achievements and progress because they were never satisfied whatever they have and always trying to find an alternate way to do it, so that it might either be cost effective or time consuming or an easy way.

Now lots of people are in search of the legend of the most amazing and nourishing fruit & plants from the Himalayan region that is helpful in maintaining the fountain of youth, anti-aging facts, relief from incurable diseases such as Cancer, hypertension, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, Cholesterol etc. Many a number of new products are now available in the Market in the form of Herbal medicine, Natural extracts, Herbal extracts, Tea, Coffee, Juice etc. with an vow to solve the above mentioned problems and matchless health-promoting powers, consumers needs to be alert with their vows but none of these products are being approved by the Drug Administrations.

Some of the noteworthy findings and research work related to the Natural healing Power of the plants found in high altitudes (the Himalayan region) are:-Yarsha Gumbo ( Half plant and half animal ), Goji Berry ( Red-orange berry - Wolfberry ), Gucchi Mushroom & the Red Mushroom.

 

Yarsha Gumbo, Caterpillar fungus (Cordyceps sinensis)

 

   

In Tibet it is known as yartsa gunbu ["summer herb winter worm"], which is the source of the Nepali यार्शागुम्बा, yarshagumba, yarchagumba.  Its name in Chinese dong chong xia cao means "winter worm, summer grass"("worm in the winter [turns to] plant in the summer"). Yarshagumba is used as an aphrodisiac –also better popular by its nickname “The Himalayan Viagra” (An aphrodisiac is a substance that increases sexual desire). The name comes from Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of sexuality and love. The fungus is a medicinal Mushroom which is highly prized by practitioners of Tibetan Medicine, Chinese medicine and traditional Medicine and as a treatment for a variety of ailments from fatigue to cancer and is also used as energy booster.

Yarshagumba grows wild in natural state, and is found up an altitude 4.000 – 5000 meters in the Himalayan region of Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. Specially it is found in the sub alpine Himalayan snowline in Dolpa, Jumla, Humla, Khalikot, Bajhang, Mustang, Manang and Rasuwa area of western and central Nepal. Collecting yarchagumba in Nepal had only been legalised in 2001. Nepal government charge a royalty of Rs 20,000 ($280) per kilogram from the Exporters.

Goji Berry

 

 

It is a kind of wild berry with red-orange color found above 5,000 ft. altitude in moist weather, also known as Wolfberry. This berry has a natural healing properties of curing lots of health related problems such as Cancer, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, Cholesterol and is best used as anti-aging and maintaining the fountain of youth.

Goji Berry now a days are sold like hot cake in the form of dried raisins, teas, medicines, wines, and juices and snack food. The chemical analysis has proven that it contains 18 amino acids (higher than bee pollen) and 21 trace minerals, linoleic acid and varieties of Vitamins including Vitamin B, Vitamin C.

Morchella Vulgaris Mushroom (Wild Guchi Mushroom also known as Morel Mushroom)

 

             

Morchella Vulgaris Mushroom also known as Himalayan wild mushroom or Guchi Mushroom. This family of Mushroom is excellent and edible, it is very complex as more than twenty varieties of them are identified some do contain toxic substances which might cause fatigue, dizziness, difficult to breath and even ultimate death once mistakenly consumed raw without cooking. It is advised to cook before consuming the mushroom as the toxic chemical being volatile loses its bad effect. In Nepal we use silver spoon while cooking the mushroom, once the spoon turns black it is believed to be poisonous. This Mushroom is highly praised and is better known as Magic Mushroom in traditional Chinese Medicine to treat different diseases and is also sold for high price.

 Red Mushroom  (Ganoderma )

 

 

Ganoderma is a type of mushroom, which is also known as Reishi. It has been well used and documented for medicinal treatment throughout China for over 4000 years. The Chinese refer to Ganoderma as “spirit medicine”, the Chinese used it to promote longevity. In ancient times, this mushroom was reserved for the Kings, as it was relatively rare and hard to find. Now, thanks to the advent of technology this mushroom can be farmed, making it more affordable and accessible to the average person. Ganoderma Lucidum is a small fungus that grows in decaying logs and tree stumps. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 4,000 years to treat liver disorders, hypertension, arthritis, and other ailments.

Ganoderma Lucidum occurs in six different colors, but the red variety is most commonly used and commercially cultivated in North America, China, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea.