Introduction to Medicinal Mushrooms: Medicinal Virtues, Herbal Preparations, and Foraging - 2 part class

About the Course

In this two-part virtual class, Dana Driscoll from the Pennsylvania School of Herbalism will provide a thorough introduction to mushroom medicine: medicinal virtues, preparation, and uses, as well as how to identify and safely forage for common medicinal mushrooms. The class will focus on mushrooms that are found in the Northeastern United States, although many of these mushrooms are also found globally. The course will cover eight different common medicinal mushrooms and two different herbal preparations: the double-extracted mushroom tincture and mushroom salves.  We will also discuss mushroom taxonomy and identification features, and wild mushroom foraging safety. 

The course will be delivered as a two-part virtual synchronous Zoom-based course, with opportunities to interact with the instructor and students between each session. Students will have enough time between the two sessions to prepare their double-extract tincture and share results in our second session. After registration a supply list will be emailed to you. If you cannot make one or both of the sessions, you can still sign up and we will provide a recording of the class 24-48 hours after the class ends.  If you can't make one of the classes, the recording will be available to you.

As an optional part of the class, we also offer the opportunity to purchase dried mushrooms for our two herbal preparations demonstrated in the course from a local PA mushroom farm: Oak Haven Mushrooms. 

Class sessions are as follows: 

Session 1: January 23rd, 7:30 – 9:30pm EST

 Double-Extracted Mushroom Tinctures and Internal Uses of Mushrooms

• Introduction to the Fungi Kingdom and Mushroom parts
• Medicinal Mushrooms covered: Reishi  Chaga, Turkey Tail, Chaga, and Lion’s Mane
• Herbal Preparation: Double-Extracted Mushroom Tincture
• Taking and Using Mushrooms as part of wellness

Session 2: March 6th, 7:30 – 9:30pm EST

Medicinal Virtues of Edible Mushrooms, Mushroom Salves, and Foraging Wild Mushrooms

• Medicinal Mushrooms: Birch Polypore, Cordyceps, Hen of the Woods, Oysters, Shitake
• Herbal Preparation: Mushroom topicals and salves
• Foraging for Mushrooms: Key ID features, safety, and guidelines

Course Cost

We offer a sliding scale for this course: $50 - $120. If you choose to purchase a mushroom kit from Oak Haven Mushrooms that is an additional cost 

Optional Course Add-on: Medicinal Mushroom Kit: $40. 

Local Pennsylvania pickup locations are available in: Blairsville, Indiana and Port Matilda, PA) or ship your kit for $5 in the USA.  As part of the course, you can purchase dried and ground medicinal mushrooms from a local mushroom farm – Oak Haven Mushrooms in Blairsville, PA. The kit includes 1oz of dried, ground Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) and 1 oz of dried Lion’s Mane (Hericium americanum). Please note that 1 oz of dried mushrooms is equal to approximately 1 lb of fresh mushrooms. The kit will contain enough medicinal mushrooms for both medicinal mushroom preparations in sessions 1 and 2. For local pick up, orders must be placed by January 10th to guarantee delivery before the first class.  Oak Haven Mushrooms also has whole dried Reishi and other species of mushrooms available.  You can contact them on their Facebook page for more information (see below).

More About Our Medicinal Mushroom Kits from Oak Haven Farms

We have partnered with Oak Haven Farms in Blairsville, PA to offer high-quality medicinal mushrooms grown locally for the course mushroom preparations. We offer one kit with signup but you can reach out to Oak Haven for other fresh gourmet and medicinal mushrooms.  Rooted in personal healing and scientific expertise, Oak Haven Farms was founded in 2022 by Diana, a Biology and Medical Technology graduate, the farm emerged from her inspiring journey of discovering mushrooms' healing properties during her own cancer battle. With Diana's scientific background and unwavering commitment to excellence, Oak Haven Farms maintains the highest standards in mushroom cultivation. Our extensive cultivation library features over 20 distinct species, including medicinal powerhouses like Reishi and Lion's Mane; gourmet varieties such as Pioppino and Black Pearl King; culinary favorites including Maitake and King Trumpet; classic varieties like Chestnut and Shiitake; and an array of distinctive Oyster mushrooms We serve local restaurants, individual customers and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs throughout Western Pennsylvania. While each species in our collection offers unique health benefits, Diana holds a special appreciation for two remarkable varieties: the Black Pearl King, cherished for its exceptional culinary properties, and Lion's Mane which Diana believes holds extraordinary potential for health and wellness.  Learn more or order additional mushroom kits through their Facebook or Instagram pages.