Christopher Hobbs's Medicinal Mushrooms: The Essential Guide

This is an utterly fantastic book that covers all you'd need to know about medicinal mushrooms -- why they're so good for so many things, how to use them in many different ways, how to grow them, how to find good quality ones, how to forage them, you name it. It's packed with information of all kinds and full of charts and color photos. I've been holding on to some turkey tail mushrooms that my husband foraged for me a few months ago because I was unsure of how to properly use them. Online sources usually sell either a powdered form or tincture, but many herbalists say it needs to be double extracted (in boiling water and alcohol) to be used best. This book taught me how to do it all, and all the ways I can use it, plus others that we gather in our area. I may get a copy for my foraging hubby or my wild mushroom-loving photographer daughter (or just me).

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.

Interesting look at mushrooms and their medicinal purposes. Author gives you a guide to the how and what of each mushroom beneficial to medicinal under the guise of his journey with the fungus and certain study trials. I am not a big connoisseur of mushrooms but I study botany and I thought this was an interesting book.

What did I like? Author gives a well rounded amount of information about a variety of medicinal mushrooms. I also enjoyed the part where the mushroom was cut up, and used for tinctures in a step by step way. I’m not a huge fan of mushrooms but I think most of the ideas in the book can be used in a variety of botany related medicinal purposes. I’m more likely to buy a powdered form but unfortunately you never really know what your getting in a powdered form.

Would I recommend or buy? This is for die hard fans of mushroom lovers but I still found the study interesting. I think the author did an amazing job and has shown quite a bit of knowledge about a majority of mushrooms. I would definitely love a copy. I’m hesitant to really try foraging for mushrooms mainly because certain poisonous ones look similar to edible ones. Still this was a fun and educational book.

I received a copy to read and offer an opinion. Five stars and educational read!

This was fascinating! Who knew mushrooms were so beneficial? Not being an expert at mushrooms (but love eating them!) I enjoyed much of this book. My only issue was- where do you find these mushrooms to buy?? Unless you are an expert, foraging for them, can be extremely dangerous! Thankfully, Mr. Hobbs has included mushrooms that should be easily found in a well stocked grocery store, so there are some I can buy and try! Still, it was interesting to read about the many 'shrooms out there and their medicinal qualities. Good read for foragers, and natural medicine folks!

An outstanding book on mushrooms, giving experts and beginners information to help us decide how to find and use these powerhouses of health in incredible detail. I couldn’t put it down. I will buy a paper copy for my family to use for help in the future. Even a simple hint on how to increase the vitamin D in your bought mushrooms by cutting them and leaving them in the sun for half an hour before cooking can improve the woeful lack of vitamin D in our diets. Such a great book all round, get it.

Wow. So, when I was a kid, thunder and lightning in October meant mushrooms. Seeing the changes in our front yard, the cracks in the soil gradually getting bigger as these cute fungi emerge, always fascinated me. I enjoyed picking them but it wasn't until I was in my late 20's did I ever have a taste of fresh mushrooms. They were so good, sautéed with garlic or scrambled eggs and spring onions. With this thought in mind, I decided to read this book. My expectations were apparently very simple compared to the reality that I faced while being immersed in the pages of this book. It's totally awesome, like who knew there's a whole universe of mushroom out there (the author, obviously)? There's so much to see, so much to learn. This is a great addition to your library or a gift to that someone who enjoys the outdoors.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Soooo much information, and even more amazing photographs of mushrooms. If you or someone you know is interested in holistic usage of fungi, this is definitely a book worth picking up.

Thank you, NetGalley, Storey Publishing, and Christopher Hobbs for this arc. In exchange for an honest review.

Christopher Hobbs Medicinal Mushrooms The Essential Guide is a delightful and informative read. The phrase "you learn something new every day" is correctly applied to this guide as every page is filled with information, explanations, and great photos. The information discussed includes the benefits of everyday dietary needs to fighting infections, assisting bodily pains, and advancing organs' well-being widely expressed in this book. Also included are details on the identification, harvesting, and storage of mushrooms. Directions for making tinctures and extract powders are reviewed. As a homeschooling family, this beautiful book inspires us to take the time to explore and forage for mushrooms. This book is a resource we will refer back too often and one I will recommend.

I really liked this book. The information is easy to comprehend, it’s very interesting, I learned a lot.
The picture were relevant and beautiful. I recommend this book.

"Forest therapy" is right! Foraging and identifying mushrooms is like no other experience. Nature is truly miraculous, generous and endlessly fascinating. As a forager and fungi lover, this book is such a pleasure to absorb and learn from.

Connecting with nature, in this case fungi, is super sensory. We rely on nature and it relies on us and this book is chock full of information on how and why. I learned much more about healing/medicinal properties and nutritional values of various fungi. Though I've always loved eating fungi I haven't paid as much attention to nutrients and healing as flavour and texture...it is beneficial to be more mindful of that and, in fact, seek out fungi with particular purposes. There is much more than merely drying them and grinding them into powder to use as seasoning and making stock. They are nutritional and healing powerhouses used as salves, tinctures, anti-inflammatories, Vitamin D boosters and to improve insomnia, amongst many others.

The astounding photographs capture the earthiness of fungi and nature in colours and textures humans simply cannot replicate. Christopher Hobbs does a brilliant job of educating and communicating so naturally, full of passion and firsthand knowledge. If only this were to be required reading...people would be hooked! Mycology is pure joy. So is nature. Sometimes people look but don't see. This beautiful book helps the reader to appreciate what is around (and beneath!) us. I'll definitely be buying a copy of it to complement field guides. However, you needn't be a forager or mycologist to glean information from this book. Those interested in nutrition and feeling better (nearly everyone?) would benefit as well, as would hikers, walkers and armchair nature lovers.

My sincere thank you to Storey Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC of this enthralling book. Much appreciated.

If your looking for a complete source of information that covers variety, benefits, foraging and preparation look no further. What Hobb's has put into this guide is a plethora of information for any one that has an interest in learning about mushrooms. With everything from the anatomy of a shroom to the preparation, it's in here.
I especially liked that he groups varieties into health benefits they are touted for i.e.: heart disease prevention and support. Whether you are looking to add mushrooms as a food source or for a medicinal purpose, the information you need is inside the cover of this book.

The author has included multiple reference photo's to help guide you in your search, whether that is an aisle in your supermarket or in the wild. He also includes labels to stay away from. As someone who attempted to harvest chaga and found themselves with a burl instead, I highly recommend extensive research before attempting to harvest on your own. Hobbs's guide is one resource for those jumping into the world of fungi.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review