Family: Ganodermataceae

Growth form and description: Polypore mushroom growing on dead or dying conifers, usually Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis). The mushroom is named after the hemlock. Young mushrooms are conical in shape and become more fan-shaped as they mature.

Top surface: Shiny and shellacked, giving it the classic Reishi sheen (The etymology of Ganoderma are Ganos = sheen; derma = skin.) The young mushroom starts out mostly white in color, as and it grows, the white moves to the outer edge while the edge closest to the tree is reddish in color, with a spectrum of yellow to orange in between. Very mature mushrooms will be almost entirely reddish brown.

Underside and spores: Contains almost invisible white pores when young, becoming more brownish with age. Bruises brown when scratched, and the spore print is brown (Kuo, 2007).

Part used medicinally: Mushroom (fruiting body of the fungus) is considered the most medicinally active (although some companies use a mycelial extract).

Actions: mainly immunomodulatory (regulates/modulates the immune system), which gives it all the rest of of its medicinal properties

Traditional uses: There are no medicinal uses by indigenous peoples in America that are documented for G. tsugae; (at least none that I’ve found, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t used). A very closely related species, Ganoderma lucidum, has been used for at least 2,000 years in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) where it is known as the "mushroom of immortality.” G. lucidum is native to Europe and Asia and continues to be used today for a wide range of health benefits, including cancer support.

Modern use: G. tsugae is not used as widely as G. lucidum. David Winston (2007) reports that it does not have all of the profound actions for which G. lucidum is known for, but does have immune-enhancing and anti-inflammatory properties. However, due to its close relationship to G. lucidum, G. tsugae has been studied scientifically for anti-allergenic, immunomodulation, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory actions. For example, research by Chen et al. (2015) found that its triterpenes help modulate the allergenic response. Additionally, its polysaccharides (the water soluble parts - which means tea is probably better here) benefit the gut microbiome by acting as a pre-biotic, promoting healthy bacteria (see Zhang, 2023 for a summary of research).

References:

Kuo, M. (2007). 100 Edible Mushrooms. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan.

Winston, D. (2007). Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.

Chen, M.-L., Hsieh, C.-C., Chiang, B.-L., & Lin, B.-F. (2015). Triterpenoids and Polysaccharide Fractions of Ganoderma tsugae Exert Different Effects on Antiallergic Activities. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : eCAM, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/754836

Zhang H, Zhang J, Liu Y, Tang C. Recent Advances in the Preparation, Structure, and Biological Activities of β-Glucan from Ganoderma Species: A Review. Foods. 2023 Aug 7;12(15):2975. doi: 10.3390/foods12152975. PMID: 37569244; PMCID: PMC10419088.

Wild yam – Dioscorea villosa

Family: Dioscoreaceae

Growth form and description: Non-woody perennial vine with heart shaped leaves. Young plant is upright with leaves in whorls of 4-8, vine grows from center of each whorl and leaves become alternate as plant matures, reaching as much as 15 feet (Howell, 2006).

• Stem: smooth and twisting

• Leaves: whorled when young, alternate as plant matures, heart shaped, visible veins, varied in color from light to dark green and varied in size with smaller leaf size on newer growth

• Flowers: nondescript, green

• Fruit/seeds: prominent three-winged seed pod is green in summer and becomes brown in autumn (Foster & Duke, 2014). 

• Root: “Crooked, branched, somewhat flattened with few rootlets; very hard and tough, but breaks with an abrupt, somewhat fibrous fracture; pale-brown externally and white within, with yellowish wood-bundles; odorless and taste insipidly mucilaginous but developing a slight acridity after chewing for a little while” (Wall, 1917, p. 221).

Key identification features: vining, heart shaped leaves with triangular, 3-winged seed pods

Part used medicinally: dried root

Herbal actions: anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, anti-rheumatic, hepatic, mild diaphoretic, and cholagogue (Hoffman, 2003; Howell, 2006).

Traditional uses and actions: It was used by indigenous people to relieve many types of pain and cramping as well as morning sickness (Howell, 2006).

Modern use: Wild Yam has chemical components called diosgenin, which are steroid precursors that were extracted by pharmaceutical companies as the basis for many types of synthetic hormone medications. This use led to its popularization as a replacement for women’s reproductive hormones and the misconception that herbal preparations of the plant could be used as a hormone replacement. However, the plant does not contain estrogen or progesterone. Commonly used by herbalists today in a similar manner as traditional use, it is specifically indicated for acute flares of rheumatoid arthritis and blocked bile flow (British Herbal Medicine Association, 1989). Additionally, its anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties  may be helpful during digestive inflammation and pain, ovarian and uterine cramping and pain, and similar types of issues.

Suggested use: 2-4 ml 3x/day of tincture or 1-2 tsp dried root decocted for 10-15 mins (Hoffman, 2003). Note- the British Herbal Pharmacopeia recommends a tincture dose of 2-10 ml 3x/day.

Sustainability: This plant is on United Plant Savers’ “Species at Risk” list. As a popular medicinal from the forests of the Eastern U.S., it is at risk from over harvesting and habitat loss, and almost all of the herb used in commerce is wild harvested. The good news is that the plant is easy to grow and can be sustainably harvested.

Sustainable harvesting methods: The root is dug in the fall. Dig root gently as if to transplant it. Cut off 2/3 to 1/2 of the root (leave at least 1 inch remaining) and replant the remaining part of the root that is attached to the stem. You should have no problem with this plant regrowing!  

References: 

British Herbal Medicine Association. (1989). British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. (1983 ed.). U.K.: British Herbal Medicine Association.

Hoffman, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.

Howell, P.K. (2006). Medicinal Plants of the Southern Appalachians. Mountain City, GA: BotanoLogos Books.

Foster, S. & Duke, J. (2014). Peterson Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin.

Wall, O.A. (1917). Handbook of pharmacognosy. Lane Medical Library. Digitized by Google; retrieved from: http://books.google.com/books?id=oEGpexesWYQC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false