As we have always had the need to learn and to give a tangible explanation to the phenomena that happen to us, we have investigated all the sciences that today they are the basis of many diagnoses. Specifically speaking of the sciences that study everything related to botany and organic processes; such is the case of Mycology, that science that studies in depth the contributions of botany and its importance in modern medicine.
Mycology studies the dimensions and everything related to fungi, what are the reasons for their appearance and in which places they specifically do so. In today's article, you will learn a little more about this science that most people do not know.
What is mycology?
It is the science that studies fungi and everything related to them. Fungi are parasites that develop around a mostly jungle or tropical area, however, there are places in states of putrefaction that have fungal appearances.
It is said that mushrooms have been ingested by humans for centuries by various cultures such as Mesoamerican in order to hallucinogens. It was also given food uses in the same cultures. In turn, reflected in the sacred writings of the Popol Vuh, the use of mushrooms is manifested in the worship festivals of the Gods and people of high rank, which is why it was considered a sacred food.
In the same vein, only fungi of classic shape and visible size were known, however, with advances in science, it was possible to observe under the microscope that there was a very diverse flora of fungi, sometimes dangerous to life. own of the human being.
It is thanks to mycology, and to advances in technology, that it has been possible to detect which are the fungi that the human being can take advantage of it for medicinal purposes, which ones can have nutritional purposes, which ones can have commercial purposes such as the preparation and fermentation of beer and which ones are harmful to health.
Medical mycology
There are several branches of this science, for example, medical mycology, is in charge of study in depth the properties For each of the species of fungi that can have medicinal purposes, there is a great need to treat diseases that directly affect humans and animals.
There are mycologists who use this science for the discovery of certain species never seen before, for example, there are those who enjoy going into humid or rotten places to find a new species of fungi, at a certain point, it is like a collection profession for those who are inclined to give it this end.
However, there are pharmaceutical mycologists who are dedicated to the study of fungi to prevent the use of certain species added to psychopathic substances. Also in order to find new species for the kitchen, it is valid to have these study skills to give them that end, as is the case of the mushroom, which for centuries has a favorite place within some culinary preferences.
Mycological conditions
There are various mycological conditions that affect a certain sector of the population, it is the task of medical mycology to be able to give an explanation and name to each of them, which are very common.
Allergies
They happen when the person is susceptible to the presence or contact with fungi, the skin is affected and as a consequence a kind of rash appears, sometimes redness and itching. If it is an allergy that affects the inside of the body, it will present with the symptoms of a common cold.
Mycotoxicosis
It happens when the person has ingested grains that have had contact with parasites caused by toxic myxomycetes.
Mycetisms
It is the name that receives a process of intoxication caused by the ingestion of toxic or poisonous mushrooms, most of the time it happens when the person mistakes them for edible mushrooms.
Superficial mycosis
It happens when an infection is caused by the invasive presence of fungi in the mucous tissues such as the mucous membranes and the external skin.
History of mycology
According to evolutionary theories, mushrooms are as old as the origin of planet earth's existence. It is said that they appeared even before the animals.
Since ancient cultures and civilizations, the use of mushrooms was mainly to worship the gods, according to such cultures as the Mesopotamian, Mesoamerican and tribes with shamans as leaders thought that mushrooms they were food sent by the gods and they were to be given exclusive use not only in the kitchen but as a hallucinogen.
Later, in Greek culture, mushrooms were used in a not so conscious but demanding way and it was the yeast used to ferment bread.
Little by little he was entering people's lives, so much so that there was no cleaning system that purified the water, therefore, they consumed large amounts of alcohol as a purifier for the body. That same alcohol was fermented with mushrooms.
Hence the need to create a science that studies fungi in depth.
The good and the bad
Although they have been on planet earth for much longer than humans, mushrooms are still the subject of study and amazement for many mycologists. The truth is that not all are consumable, and not all have health benefits.
One of the great advantages of the presence of fungi and their species within many areas of the human being is that they have been able to solve a problem on medical occasions and culinary occasions.
The use of a flora of fungi in yogurt makes the digestion and digestive system benefit with the appearance of a renewed intestinal flora, and that happens thanks to the fungi.
Within medicine, its study is crucial to detect allergies and infections caused by fungi, so that a pharmaceutical solution to a allergenic problem.
In turn, the fermentation of many foods depends on the presence of fungi in them, however, a great disadvantage that these parasites have is that not all are suitable for human consumption or contact. There are poisonous and toxic species that are not even the object of study for mycologists.
Likewise, the use of mushrooms for hallucinogenic purposes is a social problem that increasingly affects the world's population.