Old River Farm Herbs & Healing, King's Lynn (2025)

21/12/2025

Happy Winter Solstice! 🕯️⛄️❄️🔥🌞

The solstice marks the shortest day of the year and the longest night (here in the Northern Hemisphere).

It is a celebration of the 'turning of the year' at the moment when the Sun reaches its lowest and most southerly position in the sky, a turning point that ancient cultures celebrated as the rebirth of the Sun and the promise of returning light, symbolising renewal, hope, and fresh starts after the darkness.

20/12/2025

Medicinal Mushrooms in the UK

Thank you to all of you who have been following my medicinal mushroom series. I will continue with this series in the New Year but would like to point out some new information to anyone in the UK:

In the UK, selling Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) and certain Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris) products as food or supplements is effectively now banned because the Food Standards Agency (FSA) classifies them as 'Novel Foods' meaning they lack documented significant consumption in the UK/EU before May 1997.

Therefore they now require expensive authorisation for sale, forcing most small businesses to stop selling them. While not a ban on the mushrooms themselves, the regulatory hurdles make legal sale nearly impossible for smaller businesses, creating a de facto ban, with enforcement by Trading Standards.

However, qualified Medical Herbalists can still prescribe these medicinal mushrooms after a consultation. So if you have been purchasing these mushrooms yourselves and wish to continue taking them, please get in touch with a qualified Medical Herbalist.

Please see the page below to find a Medical Herbalist near you who is a Professional Member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists:

https://nimh.org.uk/find-a-herbalist/

13/12/2025

Medicinal Mushroom Series: Shiitake

Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) is the second most widely cultivated mushroom in the world (after the button mushroom). It grows readily on hardwood and has a history of being cultivated going back at least a thousand years. Its name Shiitake comes from the Japanese word ‘shii’ (referring to the chestnut tree on which it is often cultivated), and ‘take’ meaning mushroom.

Although most people are familiar with Shiitake as a popular edible mushroom with a deep, earthy, meaty flavour, this wonderful mushroom also has many medicinal properties. In 1969, a highly purified beta-glucan fraction (called Lentinan) was first isolated from Shiitake and has been used in several clinical trials on people with gastrointestinal cancers. It also contains a particular purine compound called Eritadenine that has been shown to have a cholesterol-lowering effect. It is also very high in Ergothioneine, a very potent antioxidant.

Shiitake’s key medicinal benefits:

- Immune support: Lentinan stimulates immune cells (NK cells, T-cells) and increased production of protective antibodies, thus improving defences against infections and potentially aiding cancer treatment.

- Heart health: Eritadenine, as well as sterols and beta-glucans help to lower cholesterol and improve blood vessel function while reducing inflammation markers such as CRP.

- Antioxidants properties: Ergothioneine and other phenolic compounds combat oxidative stress and protect cells from damage linked to aging and various diseases.

- Nutrient rich: Shiitake is a great source of B vitamins, copper, selenium, zinc, and dietary fibre.

Cautions: although there have been a few reported cases of dermatitis, these were only related to the consumption of the raw mushroom and no cases have been reported with the use of Shiitake in supplement form or cooked.

References:
Hobbs, C. (2020). Medicinal Mushrooms: The Essential Guide. Storey Publishing, USA.

Powell, M. (2014). Medicinal Mushrooms: A Clinical Guide. Bamboo Publishing, UK.

29/11/2025

Medicinal Mushroom Series: Maitake

Grifola frondosa: also known by its Japanese name Maitake, English name Hen of the Woods, and Chinese name Hui Shu Hua, is a polypore mushroom that is sought after for its delicious flavour and texture, as well as its health benefits. It is revered in Asia (particularly Japan) for its healing effects, in particular its nutrient content and immune-activating, blood-sugar regulating, and antitumour properties.

Maitake grows in clusters at the base of trees, particularly oaks. It is identified by its large, cauliflower-like rosette of tan to olive-coloured fronds and pale cream pores. It has a rich, earthy scent and is prized for its nutritional and potential health benefits, including its use in supplements and skin care products due to its high content of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

The major well-documented active components in Maitake are the polysaccharides (beta-glucan, heteropolysaccharide, and proteoglycan fractions) that have been shown to have potent immunomodulatory action. These compounds modulate the immune system by enhancing the activity of white blood cells and potentially aiding the body’s cellular defence mechanisms.

Other benefits include:

- Blood Sugar Management: Bioactive compounds in Maitake may help support healthy blood glucose levels by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing glucose absorption.

- Cardiovascular Health and Cholesterol Management: Maitake’s components can contribute to heart health by helping to maintain healthy cholesterol levels and supporting healthy arterial function.

- Antioxidant Properties: Maitake is rich in antioxidants like ergothioneine, which help protect the body from environmental stressors and cell damage.

- Anti-inflammatory Effects: Extracts from Maitake have been found to possess anti-inflammatory properties.

- Bone Health: Maitake is a good source of vitamin D, which is essential for strong bones.

- Weight Management: Some research suggests potential benefits in managing weight and reducing fat accumulation.

Cautions:

- Blood Pressure Medications: Maitake might lower blood pressure. Taking it with antihypertensive drugs might cause blood pressure to drop too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely if combining them.

- Diabetes Medications: Maitake may lower blood sugar levels. Taking it with antidiabetes drugs might cause blood sugar to drop too low (hypoglycemia), requiring close monitoring and potential adjustment of medication by a healthcare provider.

- Blood Thinners: Maitake might increase the effects of blood-thinning medications like warfarin (Coumadin), potentially raising the risk of bleeding. A healthcare provider may need to monitor you more often and adjust the warfarin dose.

- Surgery: Due to its potential effects on blood sugar and blood pressure, it's recommended to stop using maitake mushroom at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery.

- Immunosuppressants: Maitake might interfere with immunosuppressant medications.

References:

Hobbs, C. (2020). Medicinal Mushrooms: The Essential Guide. Storey Publishing, USA.

Powell, M. (2014). Medicinal Mushrooms: A Clinical Guide. Bamboo Publishing, UK.

22/11/2025

Medicinal Mushroom Series: Chaga

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) grows widely in the forests of Eastern Europe and Russia on several trees, including birch, alder and spruce.

Technically chaga is a ‘fungal sclerotium’ – a sterile mass of highly condensed mycelium. It has been used for hundreds of years, particularly in Siberia to prevent tuberculosis and protect the heart, and as an anti-cancer remedy in Russia and Eastern Europe.

Chaga is known to contain over 200 different bioactive compounds. Betulinic acid (which gives the inside a yellow-orange colour) is known to have anti-cancer, antiviral, antibacterial, and antiparasitic effects. The anticancer property relates to its ability to induce apoptotic cell death in cancer cells via mitochondrial pathways.

The dark black exterior comes from melanin, which has known immunomodulating effects. Also found in significant amounts are caffeic acid derivatives, triterpenes, as well as beta-glucans and chitin found in many mushroom species. All of these have immune-stimulating and immunomodulatory effects.

Benefits:

- High in antioxidants: Chaga is packed with antioxidants that help fight cellular damage from free radicals.

- Immune system support: Compounds like beta-glucans may help strengthen the immune system, preparing the body to fight off illnesses.

- Lowers cholesterol: Research suggests chaga may help lower "bad" LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing "good" HDL cholesterol.

- Blood sugar management: Some studies indicate chaga may help lower blood sugar levels.

- Anti-inflammatory effects: Chaga contains compounds that can help reduce inflammation throughout the body.

- Potential anti-cancer properties: Preliminary studies show chaga extract may help slow the growth of certain cancer cells and tumours.

- Gut health: Its prebiotic fibres nourish beneficial gut bacteria, which supports digestion, reduces inflammation, and strengthens the gut lining.

Cautions:

- Contains higher levels of oxalates than other common medicinal mushrooms.

- Chaga can prevent blood clotting, so caution is advised when taking blood-thinning medication.

- Can lower blood sugar levels so caution is advised in anyone on medication for diabetes or raised blood sugar levels.

References:

Hobbs, C. (2020). Medicinal Mushrooms: The Essential Guide. Storey Publishing, USA.

Powell, M. (2014). Medicinal Mushrooms: A Clinical Guide. Bamboo Publishing, UK.

11/11/2025

Remembrance Day

A day to remember all of those who fought and died in conflicts.

This commemoration originated after the fighting in World War I ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 with the signing of the Armistice. Now we pause at 11:00 on the 11th of November to remember all of those who fought and died in wars (including the animals who served also).

The red poppy as a symbol of remembrance came from a famous WWI poem written by Canadian doctor John McCrae called 'In Flanders Fields'. It was written in 1915 after the death of his friend. The poem is a lament from the perspective of the dead, describing the poppies growing in the battlefields of Flanders and urging the living to continue the fight.

What does this have to do with herbal medicine, you may ask.

Well the red poppy (Papaver rhoeas, also known as corn poppy or field poppy) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine as a mild sedative, pain reliever, and cough treatment. It should not, however, be confused with the o***m poppy (Papaver somniferum), which is the source of strong narcotic opiates like morphine and codeine used in modern pain management.

Currently the most common species of poppy used in Western Herbal Medicine is California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica), a non-narcotic alternative valued for its gentle sedative, anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), and mild anodyne (pain-relieving) properties. It is used for insomnia, nervous tension, anxiety, and various spasmodic conditions like menstrual or digestive cramps. It is considered safe enough for children when used under professional guidance.

08/11/2025

Medicinal Mushroom Series: Turkey Tail

Trametes versicolor is a common polypore mushroom found throughout the world. Owing to its shape being similar to that of a wild turkey's tail feathers, it is most commonly referred to as turkey tail.

Turkey tail has a long history of medicinal use, dating back over 3,000 years in China and the Indigenous communities of the Americas. It was used to support the immune system and overall health. In more modern times, out of all the mushrooms used for their medicinal qualities, more research has been carried out on turkey tail and its extracts than any other fungus, mainly due to its high percentage of beta-glucans (>50%).

In the 1960s and 1970s, Japanese scientists isolated a protein-bound beta-glucan complex called PSK (Polysaccharide-K) from turkey tail mushrooms. Chinese scientists later identified a related compound, PSP (Polysaccharide Peptide), which was also found to have immune-supportive activity in studies. Many human clinical trials have been conducted over the past 50 years exploring these compounds, and PSK has been approved as an adjuvant therapy alongside chemotherapy and radiotherapy for certain cancers in Japan.

Turkey tail has also been researched for its antiviral, immunomodulating, and cholesterol-regulating properties, as well as for prevention/treatment of upper respiratory, urinary and digestive tracts.

References:

Hobbs, C. (2020). Medicinal Mushrooms: The Essential Guide. Storey Publishing, USA.

Powell, M. (2014). Medicinal Mushrooms: A Clinical Guide. Bamboo Publishing, UK.

31/10/2025

Happy Halloween to all! 🎃👻🧟‍♀️

And Samhain greetings too! 🔥🕯✨🧙‍♀️🧙‍♂️

Samhain is an ancient Celtic festival that marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Celebrated from October 31 to November 1, it was believed to be a time when the veil between the world of the living and the dead was thin, allowing spirits to pass through. Modern traditions of Halloween have roots in Samhain, including dressing in costumes to avoid evil spirits and the practice of trick-or-treating.

There are herbs associated with Samhain rituals:

- Mugwort: Used for divination and dreamwork, to help connect to the spirit world, and can be burned as incense or put into dream pillows.

- Rosemary: Associated with remembrance, often used in rituals to honour ancestors and to protect and cleanse a space.

- Sage: Used for purification and cleansing of spaces, as well as for wisdom and protection.

- Cinnamon: Used for releasing rituals and can be used in incense or other ritual blends.

- Bay Laurel: Has traditional uses for protection and wisdom.

- Yarrow: Believed to enhance psychic powers and is associated with divination and spirit communication.

- Hawthorn: Seen as a gateway between the human and spirit worlds and is used for protection.

25/10/2025

Medicinal Mushroom Series: Cordyceps

Cordyceps is a genus of ascomycete fungi (sac fungi) that includes over 260 species worldwide, many of which are parasitic. Variants of cordyceps have been used in Chinese medicine for over 1,500 years to support energy, stamina, and immune function. The name Cordyceps is derived from the ancient Greek word for 'club', and the Latin -ceps, meaning 'head'.

Cordyceps is a very unusual medicinal mushroom. It does not look like most other mushrooms we are used to seeing, and being parasitic, it has a rather famous notoriety. Many of you may have seen the TV Show 'The Last of Us' where a mutated Cordyceps variant begins infecting humans and turns them into zombies. But don't let that put you off being curious about this useful medicinal mushroom.

While the wild Cordyceps (C. sinensis) is very rare (and very expensive), there are now cultivated species like C. militaris that can be grown on non-insect, grain-based substrates. These are now widely available as popular dietary supplements and culinary ingredients.

Cordyceps contains many bioactive compounds such as beta-glucans (which all fungi produce), as well as a large number of bioactive nucelosides like cordyceptin and adenosine. These nucleosides are able to participate in biochemical reactions such as DNA/RNA synthesis, which have led to its use in the treatment of cancer and viral infections (including HIV and hepatitis), and the development of pharmaceutical drugs such as AZT (Retrovir), Videx, and Epivir.

Other health benefits include:

- Anti-ageing
- Improves athletic performance
- Increases fertility
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antidiabetic
- Hepatoprotective (protects the liver)
- Supports the respiratory system
- Improves energy

References:

Hobbs, C. (2020). Medicinal Mushrooms: The Essential Guide. Storey Publishing, USA.

Powell, M. (2014). Medicinal Mushrooms: A Clinical Guide. Bamboo Publishing, UK.

18/10/2025

Medicinal Mushroom Series: Ganoderma

Ganoderma is a genus of shiny-capped, polypore fungi that includes about 80 species. It has been used for thousands of years in traditional Asian medicine. Ganoderma means 'shiny skin' due to its lustrous orange, yellow, red, or black cap.

The most well-known and widely used mushroom of this genus is Ganoderma lucidum. Its name in Japanese is Reishi or Mannetake, also called the mushroom of immortality or 10,000 year mushroom. In Chinese it is called Ling Zhi, the spirit mushroom or mushroom of spiritual potency.

G. lucidum is one of the most famous of all medicinal mushrooms, with annual global sales of US$4-5 billion. It has wide-ranging health benefits due its high polysaccharide (beta-glucan) content and triterpenoid compounds belonging primarily to two families: ganodermic and lucidenic acids.

These compounds contribute to a long list of health benefits:

- Anti-inflammatory
- Immune modulation
- Antimicrobial
- Antioxidant
- Hepatoprotective (protects the liver)
- Anti-hypertensive (lowers blood pressure)
- Inhibits cholesterol synthesis
- Inhibits tumour growth (induces apoptosis)
- Inhibits viral growth
- Improves cognitive function
- Improves energy
- Relieves symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, and depression

With a list that long.......no wonder this amazing medicinal mushroom is known as the mushroom of immortality!!

References:

Hobbs, C. (2020). Medicinal Mushrooms: The Essential Guide. Storey Publishing, USA.

Powell, M. (2014). Medicinal Mushrooms: A Clinical Guide. Bamboo Publishing, UK.

12/10/2025

Medicinal Mushrooms

October is the season for mushrooms! The fruiting bodies of many species (the part you see above ground) flourish in autumn with the return of the cooler, wetter weather.

Mushrooms contain simple sugar chains called polysaccharides that are the building blocks of their cell walls. The beta-glucan polysaccharides in particular are very important medicinally, as they help to modulate our immune system.

All mushrooms contain these (even the humble button mushroom that you can buy in the supermarket). Therefore all edible mushrooms are good for you to a certain extent but some are extra powerful. These tend to be the saprotrophs (hard, woody mushrooms that break down and recycle wood cellulose or, in the case of cordyceps, insect exoskeletons). These fungi are the highest in beta-glucans content.

In the UK we can find growing in the wild:

- Artist’s bracket (Ganoderma applanatum) - a relative of Reishi (Gandoderma lucidum).

- Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor)

- Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)

- Hen of the woods (Grifola frondosa)

- Birch polypore (Piptoporus betulinus)

- Scarlet caterpillarclub (Cordyceps militaris)

I will examine each of these mushrooms individually in future posts.

***PLEASE NOTE: Not all mushrooms are edible, and some are highly poisonous. Always use a reliable identification guide or consult an expert before foraging for wild mushrooms.

21/09/2025

Happy Autumn Equinox!! 🍂🍁

And also a partial solar eclipse! 🌞

This is a time of powerful transformational energy!! ✨⚡️

The solar eclipse symbolises transformation, deep introspection, and the start of new beginnings. It's a potent time to confront inner 'shadows', release what no longer serves you, and set intentions for profound personal growth.

The autumnal equinox marks the astronomical start of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, occurring when the sun crosses the celestial equator, resulting in nearly equal hours of day and night. Symbolically, it represents the end of the harvest, a time for reflection, gratitude for past abundance, and preparation for winter. Culturally, it is celebrated with harvest festivals and remembrance of ancestors.

Old River Farm Herbs & Healing

21/12/2025

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08/11/2025

31/10/2025

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21/09/2025

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