Parasites???

Jewelweed grows near water,  reishi grow on oak logs... 

By definition, "parasites" means "one who eats at a table of another"

Fungi are parasites - they live on our skin and internal organs, tree bark (lichen), on berries, grapes (yeast),           in soil and water.  They all perform necessary function - to maintain the health of its host, so that they can continue to live.  

Why would there be more or less "parasites"?  To digest (convert, process) the junk accumulated, for example.  "Candida" comes to mind.

Btw, we are one of the biggest parasites in the Universe, yet, it is a somewhat symbiotic relationship.  

Think before you kill...

Btw, sauerkraut, miso, beer and other fermented foods are basically decaying foods.