Fungi — the ancient foundation of life on Earth
Fungi have existed for more than a billion years and played a decisive role in shaping the biosphere. Around 500 million years ago, fungal organisms prepared the first soil, breaking down mineral rock with their enzymes and creating the conditions necessary for plant life to emerge.
A remarkable fact: fungi are the only organisms capable of effectively decomposing lignin, the durable structural component of wood. Without them, the planet would be covered in endless layers of dead timber, and the natural cycle of organic matter would simply not function.
Fungi complete one life cycle and initiate another — an idea deeply connected with Eastern philosophy, where mushrooms symbolize transformation and the continuous renewal of matter and energy.
For us at SIBIPHARM, this ancient role of fungi is a source of inspiration. We see fungi not only as carriers of bioactive compounds but as architects of life itself.
The hidden biological connection between humans andfungi
Modern biology has revealed an unexpected truth: humans share over 70% genetic similarity with fungi, while with plants — only about 30%. This explains why many fungal compounds interact with human systems more naturally than plant-based molecules.
This biological closeness has led to groundbreaking medical discoveries.
Penicillin, the first antibiotic derived from a fungus, changed the course of World War II and modern medicine.
Cyclosporine, also of fungal origin, opened the era of organ transplantation by making rejection control possible.
The first statins — which reshaped cardiovascular prevention — were also isolated from fungi.
Today, fungi are one of the most promising sources for future pharmaceuticals, thanks to their molecular complexity and unique repertoire of biologically active compounds.
The wisdom of tradition: fungi in Eastern cultures
In the cultures of China, Japan, and Korea, fungi have held a special place for thousands of years. Within the framework of TCM, mushrooms were regarded as carriers of life force and harmony, supporting the balance of Qi and the resilience of internal systems.
Reishi, Shiitake, Lion’s Mane, and Chaga became symbols of vitality, clarity, and longevity. They were used in rituals, meditative practices, and traditional approaches to maintaining internal balance and strength.
Today, this ancient knowledge is experiencing a global renaissance. Mushrooms are increasingly integrated into naturopathy, ecological lifestyles, and functional nutrition. Their popularity is rising every year.
At SIBIPHARM, we combine this cultural heritage with modern technology. Our methods — cryogenic milling at –196 °C and triple water–alcohol–glycerin extraction (with alcohol fully removed from the final product) — follow a principle similar to the Yin–Yang balance: each mushroom is processed with precise control of temperature, time, and extraction intensity.
Mushrooms, ecosystems, and the natural origins of BOHEMYCO ingredients
Fungi play a crucial role in global ecological processes. They participate in carbon cycling, decompose organic matter, enrich soils, and support forest biodiversity. Many ecologists call fungi the “nervous system” of the forest.
We carefully select and honor the origins of our raw materials:
🍄🟫 Chaga comes from organically certified forests of Finnish Lapland, beyond the Arctic Circle, where extreme northern conditions shape its distinctive biochemical profile.
🍄🟫 Reishi, Shiitake, and Lion’s Mane are cultivated in the pristine region of Czech Bohemia — one of the most ecologically preserved areas of Eastern Europe.
🍄🟫 For cultivation, we use certified oak–beech wood chips, the same natural substrate these mushrooms grow on in the wild.
This harmony of nature, biotechnology, and traditional understanding of fungi forms the foundation of our BOHEMYCO philosophy — to work delicately with what nature has perfected over millions of years and reveal the full potential of medicinal mushrooms in their most natural form.