This could either go one way or the other; either you think I’m talking about your usual cup mushrooms you pick up at your local supermarket to throw in with your stir-fry or you might be a bit more open-minded and think about mushrooms that makes your ‘head spin a little’ ;).
The mushrooms I’m talking about, are those of the safe kind & well-studied – also known as Medicinal Mushrooms.
These mushrooms are a special group of mushrooms which have incredible healing qualities. Out of an estimated 5.1 million species of mushroom, 270 species are classified as having medicinal qualities.
Medicinal mushrooms aren’t just another superfood fad, their use extend way back to the Han Dynasty in China. From the performance-enhancing cordyceps to immunity-boosting chaga, each medicinal mushroom brings a unique combination of healing compounds unlike anything else found on earth that can have an incredible beneficial impact on your health.
Personally, I’ve gone in and out with trialling mushrooms over the last few years. I especially incorporate many more when I’m in LA, simply because I feel that quality-mushrooms are easier to buy, as opposed to in Australia, however, that said, a few brands in Australia are really starting to add to the market. I’ll outline those later, so that you can check them out if you’re interested in incorporating ‘shrooms’ into your everyday health-diet.
While much attention in recent years has focused on various immunological and anti-cancer properties of certain mushrooms, they also offer other potentially important health benefits, including antioxidants, anti-hypertensive and cholesterol-lowering properties, liver protection, as well as anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-viral and anti-microbial properties.
If you’ve been using adaptogens, you can sort of compare mushrooms to this.
So, to make this as underwhelming as possible, as I know a new area quickly can take overhand, below is a brief description of the most popular medicinal mushrooms & their benefits:
Lion’s Mane:
Feeling a little foggy or slow? Lion’s mane is most often studied for its benefits on cognitive functions, with new studies pointing to its powerful abilities when used by people who have Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. But it’s also great for gut health! Consuming Lion’s mane regularly can help support digestive health and the circulatory system.
Lion’s Mane can help with:
- Mental Clarity
- Brain Fog
- Concentration
- Promotes Digestion
- Protects GI-tract against environmental toxins
Shiitake:
These mushrooms are particularly good for the heart. Shiitakes contain compounds that inhibit the absorption and production of cholesterol in the liver. These nifty shrooms also contain phytonutrients, which aid in preventing plaque buildup and, as shown in a rat study, maintain healthy blood pressure and circulation.
Shiitake can help with;
- Boosting Immune System
- Cardiovascular System
- Lowering Cholesterol
- Heart Health
- Blood Pressure & Circulation
- Liver Function
- Antioxidant Defences
Reishi:
In Ancient Chinese medicine Reishi is referred to as the “spirit herb”, known for its ability to improve mind, body and spirit. Reishi is also known as the mushroom of long life. The Reishi mushroom contains several bioactive compounds. These compounds include specific polysaccharides, with triterpene being one of the active polysaccharide compounds of Reishi mushroom. It possesses potent anti-inflammatory, anti-tumorigenic and hypolipidemic properties. Triterpenes from Reishi are associated with cancer cell death as well. Reishi is also associated with toning the blood, reducing phlegm, eradicating coughing and wheezing, strengthening the visceral organs, and promoting restful sleep.
Reishi can help with:
- Boost Digestion
- Boost Immune Function
- Calming, Restful Sleep
- Reduce Anxiety, Depression & Paranoia
- Increase Oxygenation of Cells
Chaga:
Chaga has been used by traditional cultures for its health benefits, for hundreds of years.
This mushroom presents as a hardened, blackened, crusty formation, with the appearance of a bursting tumor on the trunk of a birch tree. Chaga’s most important components, betulinic acid and melano-glucan complexes are derived from the bark of the birch trees the fungus grows on. Chaga is traditionally used as a tea and has been shown to prevent and treat cancer, support the immune system, is anti-viral and reduces inflammation. For those of you that want to fight disease and continue to look and feel young (yes please!) this mushroom is for you
Chaga can help with:
- Mental Health
- Boosting Energy
- Detoxification
- Regulating Blood Sugar
- Strengthening the Heart
- Boost Digestion
- Works as a probiotic
- Immunity
Cordyceps:
Cordyceps fight free radicals (compounds that cause damage to cells and DNA in the body), infection and inflammation. They also help with fighting stress and fatigue. They’re great for those of us with a busy lifestyle – if you workout regularly or are always on the go and maybe feeling a little worn out, cordyceps is for you.
The main health benefit from cordyceps is increased energy because they help to deliver oxygen to the body at a cellular level. Due to their ability to increase metabolic efficiency, many athletes utilise cordyceps for increased efficiency of energy metabolism.
Cordyceps can help with:
- Boosting Energy
- Low Libido
- Anti-Fatigue
- Kidney Function Improvement
- Adrenal Health
- Immune Defence
- Increased Oxygen to Cells
Turkey Tail:
Turkey tail mushroom is best known to stimulate immune function and reduce inflammation. It has a long history of use in Asia among practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, who used formulations of turkey tail to promote general health, strength and longevity.
It’s been used as early as the 15th century during the Ming Dynasty in China. The Japanese, who reference it as kawaritake or “cloud mushrooms” due to an image of swirling clouds, have been well aware of the benefits of this super, power-filled mushroom, with researchers noting its health benefits, particularly in boosting the immune system. In fact, the cloud-like image symbolises “longevity and health, spiritual attunement and infinity” to these Asian cultures.
Turkey tail is high in the protein-bound polysaccharides PSK and PSP, which is thought to explain its ability to elevate both surface and core immunity against dangerous pathogens
Turkey Tail can help with:
- Prevent & Treat Common Cold & Flu
- May help combat cancer (consult with your Specialist)
- Boosting Qi (chi)
- Supports Bone Health
- Improves Gut Health
- Stress Management
- Liver Function
It’s easy to incorporate these mushrooms into your diet. They normally come in powder or liquid form – don’t worry, you won’t be chewing on a mushroom as per say :)
I like to have mine throughout the day, usually in warm tonics like coffee or a hot cacao, because it’s another way to also help me to sit down and take a ‘breather’. You can even add them in smoothies, on your cereal, in your porridge, soups, stews or sprinkle on salads. The ideas are endless.
Below are some brands for you to check-out if you’re wanting to try medicinal mushrooms:
- Lifecykel
- Superfeast
- Orchard Street
- Shoku Iku
- Four Sigmatic
Hope you’ll love incorporating medicinal mushrooms as much as I do
Anna xx
