12/10/2026
A lucky find! This distinctive bracket fungus was growing on a tree two streets from home, and by evening it was dinner.
I’ve been doing some literature research into how medicinal mushrooms affect the gut microbiome, assessing whether there’s a place for them in The Microbiome Group’s treatment plans.
Mushrooms are rich in a fibre called beta-glucan, which has become an increasing focus of gut microbiome research over the past few years. Lab studies using fermentation models, some using human gut samples, show it can be broken down by gut bacteria and tends to favour species like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Even chicken of the woods (pictured here) has had a small pilot study of its own testing an extract of its cell wall. There are already clinical trials assessing microbiome impact of medicinal mushrooms.
Chicken of the woods is a real delicacy. It has a meaty texture and almost lemony taste. I served it alongside stir fried greens with garlic, and a potato salad made with kidney beans, live yoghurt, finely chopped raw red onion, mustard and fermented gherkins.
When medicinal mushrooms end up in our treatment plans, our email list is where you’ll hear about it first. Link in bio to sign up https://www.themicrobiomegroup.com/subscribe
✏️ 📸 by Viola
REFERENCES
Yu et al (2023) The Effect of Mushroom Dietary Fiber on the Gut Microbiota and Related Health Benefits: A Review. J Fungi 9: 1028. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9101028
Wiater et al (2020) Prebiotic Potential of Oligosaccharides Obtained by Acid Hydrolysis of α-(1→3)-Glucan from Laetiporus sulphureus: A Pilot Study. Molecules 25: 5542. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25235542
VIDEO: A vivid yellow bracket fungus growing on a cherry plum tree, freshly cut chicken of the woods on a wooden board, frying in a pan, and a white woman’s hand holding a forkful from the finished plate.
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