When you hear the word fungus, what comes to mind? I’d probably say skin infection – and the icky variety at that too? But maybe the culinary lovers among us would think delightful mushroom dishes and sweet deserts, while the health enthusiasts who might be aware of the medicinal properties would say ‘health tonic’. Very rarely if ever would I expect to hear the reply ‘beauty’, because let’s face it – fungus isn’t quite eye candy, in fact some species can be downright disturbing.
Yet, there’s a time old truth in fungus (in particular we are referring to the mushroom and specific varieties at that) contributing to the preservation/creation of beautiful healthy glowing skin that dates all the way back to ancient China. Mushrooms have always played an important role in traditional Chinese medicine, with the tremella, reishi and poria cocos being among the most prized ones.
Speaking only about their cosmetic benefits and just briefly:
- Tremella is rich in calcium, it has more than that contained in any other mushroom, and it possesses powerful rehydration and youth preserving qualities.
- Reishi in Chinese traditional medicine is said to improve strength, build joint and bone resiliency as well as benefit the major organs which includes the skin.
- Poria cosos is used by the Chinese to treat hyper pigmentation, dark pigmentation and wrinkles.
Beauty experts such as Aveeno and Origins have recognised the magic of the mushrooms and begun introducing a range of products made with the extracts of them.
Aveeno uses a combination of the extracts of the shiitake mushrooms (Lentinus edodes) and mannentake or reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum) to create their Natural Shiitake Complex. This special and unique formulation is used in their products which are designed to stimulate surface cell renewal and improve the visible signs of photo-aging.
Origins on the other hand uses the extracts of the Hoelen mushroom (Poria coco), Hypsizygus ulmarius, Cordyceps and Reishi Mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum) in the manufacture of its products. Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins™* has an amazing patented Plantidote™ Mega-Mushroom range for facial and eye skincare.
* Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins™ is a range of products that resulted from the collaboration between Dr. Andrew Weil and Origins to create a collection of cutting edge treatments with his proprietary formulas such as the Plantidote™ Mega-Mushroom that help optimize skin’s defences and address diverse skin concerns.
