title: Buried treasure: Unlocking the secrets of medicinal mushrooms.
abstract: In this issue of the Biomedical Journal, we investigate the potential of plants and fungi as a source of beneficial molecules for human health. We explore the weird and wonderful world of the mushroom and examine how Western medicine still has a lot to learn from Eastern practices dating back thousands of years. We also discuss a study further supporting claims that flaxseed, the plant kingdom's richest source of omega-3 fatty acids, can have lipid-lowering and fat-busting properties in the right physiological context. Finally, this issue also includes several validation studies of medical procedures or devices that define optimal conditions for their use in Asian populations.
authors.forename: Emma L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Walton
mesh_terms: D000363:Agaricales; D000818:Animals; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D019597:Flax; D005658:Fungi; D006801:Humans; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014675:Vegetables
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D010936:Plant Extracts