In 1974 the chemist James Lovelock and the microbiologist Lynn Margulis formulated and proposed a theory which they named " The Gaia Hypothesis". The theory is named after Gaia, the Greek goddess who personified Earth. The idea is that Earth is a self-regulating system in which living organisms have a synergistic relationship with their environment and the atmosphere, co- evolving with them. Throughout history there have been many other threads of thinking which have expressed the connection between humanity, the World and the Universe.
I believe there is interdependency and connection between the natural world and all living organisms on our planet, including us. The relationships between organisms are balanced finely and the health of humans is directly related to the health of our environment and other living creatures with which we exist side-by-side. The Earth has it's own immune systems, with immune being defined as "totally or partially resistant to a particular infectious disease or pathogen". We have our own internal immune systems which keep us healthy and fight infections and diseases.
Autoimmune diseases are conditions when the body's immune system mistakes it's own healthy tissues as foreign and attacks them. There has been an increase in autoimmune diseases in recent years and internationally it is estimated that cases of autoimmune diseases are rising by between 3% and 9% a year. The reason is not known for this rise, although it is thought that genetics, environmental triggers, modern diets and the microbiome probably all play a part.
In 2005 I was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis, a rare autoimmune related inflammatory disease which can affect any organ of the body. It is quite a mysterious illness, which is different for everyone who has it and it can manifest in many different ways, it very often mimics other illnesses and can be hard to diagnose. I am lucky that I have been able to manage it and it has not affected me as much as it does many other people. I am able to lead a normal life. In some of my work I investigate ideas around immune systems. The mechanics, the connection between ourselves and the wider world, the connection between mind and body, triggers and manifestations.
Some fungi are reported to have immune boosting qualities. Scientists are investigating the healing properties of many fungi, both in terms of our health and the health of the planet. I grow Reishi, Turkey tail, Lion's mane and Oyster mushrooms, all of which are reported to have immune boosting and healing properties. Many fungi have potential to heal and rebalance the planet too. Mycoremediation is a very interesting field where scientists are investigating the ability of some fungi, which are able to break down and convert contaminants and pollutants into less harmful compounds. Perhaps fungi really do hold the key to saving the Earth.