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In 3,300 B.C., a tribal elder from Val Venosta, Italy, trekked across an Alpine glacier in an attempted getaway from enemies. But his foes got the better of him and with a well-aimed arrow pierced his subclavian artery, leaving him to bleed to death in a glacial cave where his mummified remains were discovered in 1991. Among the belongings of Oetzi the Iceman were two medicinal mushrooms, the earliest evidence in existence of mushrooms used as remedies.

One of the mushrooms he carried was a traditional de-wormer known as Birch polypore (Piptoporus betulinus), which makes sense because whipworm eggs were found in Oetzi’s intestines. The other mushroom was a species frequently used to cauterize wounds, Tinder fungus (Fomes fomentarius). The Iceman’s right hand had been injured days earlier and was in the process of healing when he was killed.

Both of these are polypores, so named because they have pores instead of gills underneath. No species of polypore is known to be poisonous. They usually grow on trees, dead or alive.

Polypores are usually considered inedible due to the fact that they are hard and wood-like. But for ancient peoples all across the globe – from China and India to Europe and the Americas – polypore teas and poultices have none-the-less been indispensible allies to human health at least for as long as written and oral traditions can recount.

Oral traditions of Native Americans bear tale of many types of polypores being used to help against the diseases brought by the Europeans, including Birch polypore but also Reishi (Ganoderma resinaceum), Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor), Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) and the now almost vanished species Agarikon (Fomitopsis officinalis).

Although nearly extinct today, Agarikon was once common in the old-growth forests of ancient Europe. Greek physician Dioscorides referred to Agarikon as a remedy for tuberculosis in Materia Medica, 65 B.C. It’s the earliest record of a medicinal mushroom in European literature. Two millennia later, the historic use of Agarikon in Poland was put down in writing in the article Medicinal mushrooms in Polish Folk Medicine by K. Grzywnowics. Again, it included lung conditions, as well as rheumatoid arthritis and infected wounds.

So far, we’ve only covered the history of medicinal mushrooms in Europe and America and have barely even touch upon their use in Asia, where their use has been even more exhaustive. At least three Asian species must be included in any article on the history of mushrooms.

First is the polypore Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), which has been used in China and Japan as a health bestowing mushroom of immortality for at least two millennia. It was first mentioned in the 2,000 year old book Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic. Many ancient wood-carvings and temple engravings in the Orient bear testament to the homage paid to this acclaimed cure-all mushroom.

Another Chinese medicinal mushroom known as Cordyceps was first described in the 200 A.D. book The Classic Herbal of the Divine Plowman. Cordyceps was, and still is, largely used as an aphrodisiac and to improve physical prowess in athletes, although modern research also indicates many other areas of potential usefulness.

Finally there is the Shiitake mushroom, which today is a common household name even in the West. In Asia, however, it is known to have been cultivated as a gourmet mushroom for at least a thousand years. What may surprise is that Shiitake is also one of the most researched medicinal mushrooms in the world. Its potential uses range from energizing tonic to immune-booster and antibiotic with anti-tumor properties.

Medical research on mushrooms appears to have begun in the late 1960’s in Japan. It gained attention in the West through the research by Dr. Ikekawa, who found that families growing mushrooms had lower cancer-rates than other people in their communities. Since those early days, medical research into mushrooms has grown exponentially and is still increasing. Medicinal mushrooms are continuing to make history.

Are last year’s Christmas goodies still sticking to you thighs? Are you still fighting to lose those last few pounds of baby fat? Do you just want to embrace a healthier lifestyle? Like every other aspect of our lives the internet can be a bountiful resource when it comes to choosing fitness programs designed for women.

For women who choose to pursue online fitness programs whether it be for the convenience for the stay at home mom or a matter of timing for the schedule of today’s working woman the first thing that must be done is to figure out which style of program will cater to you most effectively. You will find that each site offers a little something different. It is wise to discuss participating in a fitness program with your health care professional before you begin.

Once you have ascertained where your attention should lie, it is best to explore all the various clubs, groups, and personally designed programs for what is best for you. Online fitness programs are a dime a dozen and each one is as unique as you are. Not every program found online will be safe, healthy or effective. Use common sense in taking seriously the claims and methods of any given website.

Defining your needs and expectations according to what is safe and attainable is paramount to overall success. Many promises can be made while initially researching which online fitness program you will choose. By applying a practical outlook on the different diets, routines and scheduling you will encounter, you can prevent a great deal of disappointment, inconvenience and frustration.

Having committed to a program, formulate a plan to abide by while not online. There are a million distractions online and it would probably be prudent to either print or make notes of the routines, dieting information and scheduled rotations. It is so easy, particularly in the early stages of a fitness program to lack motivation and lose focus. Gleaning what you need ahead of time can help deter you from procrastinating and surfing the net during the time you’ve set aside to follow your daily regimen.

Pre-planning milestones is probably the most pressure free way to register results. Don’t set impossible goals for yourself. Weight isn’t packed on overnight and it certainly won’t render off overnight. It is recommended that you set bi-monthly dates to weigh-in and measure. Any sooner and your just tormenting yourself. One should also keep in mind that weight loss isn’t necessarily a good indicator that you are fit. Muscle weighs heavier than fat. It will take time for things to return to pre-weight gain condition. Actually, you may even lose inches, but remain near the same weight of your last weigh-in.

They say patience is a virtue and like all things worth obtaining a fit body is no different. Not losing fat or gaining muscle quickly enough is a major worry for most women. The better well known online fitness sites offer message boards, chat rooms and such. A lot of supportive material both supplied by the site and given by your fellow members can be a cornerstone in pursuing and accomplishing weight loss and fitness online. Fellow members are not likely to be as judgmental when you express your frustrations and concerns. They are in the same boat as you, after all. The buddy system is a tried and true method of maintaining motivation, positive attitude and nothing uplifts the spirit more than a good old fashioned pat on the back. Patience is often as hard won as weight loss and fitness itself, but a partner or a small group of online supporters can keep your attentions centered and your attitude positive.

Once you’ve reached a level of success, whether it be loss of a few pounds, tightening up some flab or had even greater success it is no time to slack off. It is absolutely reasonable to treat yourself to a day off or indulging in a treat you haven’t enjoyed in a while. Maintaining your successes is key! It is so easy to fall into old unhealthy routines. It is normal to “fall off the wagon”, so to speak, but stand up and dust yourself off and keep on striving to reach your ultimate goal. When this happens, post photos in the galleries available in some women’s fitness sites. Everyone can recognize when you’ve reached your goal and your “after” photo is not an air-brushed or photo-shopped mockery. Be proud of yourself and tell the world about your accomplishments. Spread and intensify your successes by helping others who are in similar situations as you were when you began. You’ll already look good and by reaching out, you’ll feel good too!