1980s: The Age of Alternative Medicine

The 1980s brought with it a growing skepticism of synthetic drugs, leading to a renewed interest in alternative medicine. This decade witnessed the rise of health food stores, organic produce, and dietary supplements. Functional mushrooms like Shiitake and Maitake started to appear more frequently in the conversation about immune health and wellness, largely thanks to the influence of Asian immigrants who brought their traditional knowledge to the West. While mainstream attention was still focused on vitamins and herbal supplements, functional mushrooms began gaining traction among those seeking alternative treatments, with initial scientific studies starting to hint at their potential in immune modulation and overall health.