Mushrooms can be used to help cure ailments.
Unlike Western medicine, Chinese medicine is rooted in the belief that all diseases and ailments manifest from an imbalance in chi, or energy. For a person to be healthy, the opposing yin/yang forces must be in balance. Natural Chinese remedies seek to restore this balance, either through herbal remedies, specific foods, or natural physical cures.
Herbal Remedies
There are literally hundreds of different Chinese herbs, known as tonics, which can be used in combination with one another to restore the proper energy balance. The particular herbs are chosen based on an individual's malady, which is divided into the exterior or the interior of the body, an absence of heat or cold, or a need to move upwards or downwards, such as in the case of a laxative. Popular herbs include Siberian ginseng, which is excellent for treating stress, and reishi mushrooms, which boost immunity, according to Leslie Tierra in "Healing with Chinese Herbs."