THE BRCC NEWSLETTER
JUNE NEWS
June really kicks off the mushroom boom in the mountains and I can’t wait to get into it! So far the Reishi mushrooms have been in bloom and it’s really a special one, revered for it’s beauty and the many medicinal benefits it encompasses. After a lack luster last year, it’s back in force this season. This month we can expect to see many others joining the party! We got a truly abundant amount of moisture at the end of May and with warm temps gracing us once again, conditions are ideal. My tours will get going all month, besides group tours, I also offer property tours, visit my ‘tours’ tab to learn more. June will also be packed with some exciting events to attend, where I’ll be vending, as well as my normal, local weekly markets, come out and support all of us small businesses, keep your money in the local economy.
Monthly Special: $5 Off Single Mushroom/Plant Tinctures
Choose from Chaga, Reishi, Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, Cordyceps, Mullein, Ghost Pipe and Usnea
June Mushrooms
June is an exciting month in the forest, I’ll be in the woods every chance I get looking for all my little friends. Here’s a few you can except to see…….
Leatherback and Golden Milk Caps
These two varieties belong to the same family of Lactarius mushrooms. They are easily identified by the milk they exude. This family is quite large and many other mushrooms milk. A simple rule I follow is that if the milk is sweet and smells fishy, it’s a good one, if the milk is peppery and stings to the taste, it’s a toxic one. While there is exceptions to every rule, it’s a basic rule to follow. The leatherbacks and goldens feel and look leathery and have that sweet, fishy latex. Goldens are a lighter brown and have longer stems. Both are equally delicious and can be found in large groups. They have a meaty texture when cooked and can even be grilled nicely. There are look alikes, so don’t be afraid to do a milk taste test.
Ghost Pipe
Here’s a special ‘wild flower’! Ghost pipe/Indian pipe, has a special relationship with the mushrooms, attaining most it’s nutrients from them. Ghost pipe grow in clusters and are certainly an easy one to ID. They lack chlorophyl and have a ghostly appearance. Their petals are actually translucent. An important note when foraging is that you should not take a whole cluster, foraging a few from multiple clusters ensures their survival, another note is if intended for medicinal use, it’s best practice to bring alcohol into the forest with you and get these little beauties in it immediately, as soon as they are picked they begin to lose their potency. Ghost pipe is a strong medicinal, used traditionally as a mild pain reliever, it also aids in sleep, helping migraine headaches and has been used to overcome hard drug addictions. Even more over is that it’s been said to help heal emotional grief. Take care with this one and know when you see it, it’s a special gift.
The Amanitas
Here’s the most deadly mushrooms in the woods. Responsible for 95% of mushroom deaths. Amanitas take on many looks, all of them have one key feature, a bulbous base (as pictured). Some get a veil around the stem and some have warts on the cap. Although there are edible and even trippy ones, my number one best advice, stay away from all Amanitas! These mushrooms cause a painful, slow, terrible death, causing the organs to shut down one at a time. I will say I admire their beauty, coming in colors such as yellow, orange, white and brown, that said they make for great photography and that’s it!
Black Staining Polypore/ Rooster of the woods
The black stainer is often confused for the hen of the woods, looking very similar and sometimes growing at the same time. The ‘rooster’ is edible when young and tender, however gets very fibrous and tough with age. It’s name comes from the black color it gets on the edges. I really like this mushroom for it’s flavor in broths, acting like a bay leaf, get it’s flavor out and toss out the actual mushroom after. They get quite large and show up in spring and fall.
June Markets
Weekly Markets:
Weaverville Tailgate-Wednesdays from 3-6
@60 Lakeshore Drive, Weaverville, NC
Yancey County Farmers Market- Saturdays 8:30-12:30
@322 W. Main St. Downtown Burnsville
East Asheville Tailgate Market- Fridays from 3-6 @954 Tunnel rd
Milltown Farmers Market- Thursdays 4-7 @8 sorrells st. Canton
Specialty Markets
Flowers, Frolic & Fayre Magic Market- June 6th & 7th from 11-5
@Junebug 355 clarks chapel rd- weaverville
Saucers Over Appalachia Festival- June 13th from 10-5
@Cumerland Square Park, Downtown Bristol
Smokey Mountain Yoga Festival- June 19-21
@Folkmoot Friendship Center 112 Virgina Ave, Waynesville
Follow me on Social Media to get the latest updates!
NEW PRODUCTS
Stress Resilience Myco-Herbal Tonic
Oh stress, how we all don’t like you around! What if I tell you there’s a natural way to combat it? Many native herbs and mushrooms contain compounds that promote relaxation, nervous system support and bring a sense of calm. In our newest double extracted myco-herbal tincture blend, we put together all those components in one master blend. Made with our wild foraged Reishi and Lion’s Mane mushrooms (always fruiting bodies), Milky oat tops, Skullcap, Wood betony, Lemon balm, and Tulsi. This tincture combats stress without heaviness or sedation. Let’s break it down……..
Reishi has long been known to bring calming energy to the nervous system, Buddhist monks traditionally used Reishi before sitting in meditation. Adding balance to your mood and concentration.
Lion’s Mane, the brain mushroom, is known to elevate mood, increase focus and memory and is being used more and more to fight depression. I hear many people say what a difference it makes with conditions such as ADHD and even as replacement for drugs such as Adderall.
Milky Top Oatsnot only support nervous system and cognitive support, it has cardiovascular benefits and known for it’s grounding effects.
Skullcapcan be found in many calming mixtures. It adds anxiety and pain relief besides the crossover benefits for the brain and nervous system.
Wood Betonyis recognized as a nervine, helping to reduce emotional agitation, mental tension and nervous headaches. It also helps reduce sleep disturbances.
Lemon Balm and Tulsi add more of the sane for a little support for stress reduction and overall wellness.
Let’s Talk Foraging Tours……
It’s time again to get in the woods and find some mushrooms! June should be a popping time with the crazy amounts of rain we got at the end of May. There’s two ways to arrange a tour with me, by email-blueridgechaga@gmail.com please be aware if corresponding by email be sure to check your spam folders as many emails end up there. Second option is by phone 828-423-3875 you can call or text.
I prefer to keep groups small, anywhere from private one on one tours to groups no larger than 5-6 people. Arranging your own group of friends or family is great or it’s a great chance to mingle with other fellow mushroom enthusiasts! Sliding scale payment is available to all. Property tours are also available, usually within 45 mins of Asheville is my range. Ideal times/days for a tour are weekday mornings, weekend tours are an option but with so many special summer events happening, I’m often booked up with markets. Sundays are better than Saturdays.
I can’t wait to meet you and share some time in the forest!
