Medicinal mushrooms are all the rage right now! With so many different and unrecognisable names, it can be hard to determine which mushroom is right for you. In Egypt, it was believed mushrooms gave you longer life. Evolutionarily speaking, Fungi is apparently more closely related to us than plants. This fun fact reveals how mushrooms self-defence mechanisms may also be useful in nourishing and supporting human bodies. Chinese Medicine has used Mushrooms for treatment of various conditions for thousands of years. Due to more interest in medicine from the use in traditional knowledge, mushrooms have had a second look. Beta-glucans are in all medicinal mushrooms, a useful anti-inflammatory and immune system aiding constituent. There are many other powerful constituents in mushrooms such as vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. There are no two mushrooms the same, so we suggest browsing below to find the right one for you.

Chaga

Chaga mushrooms (Inonotus obliquus) were traditionally used as an adaptogen and is now used to protect the body against modern-day diseases. It contains over 200 phytonutrients which helps to boost the immune system and fight inflammation. This amazing mushroom contains Vitamins B & D, and one of the highest sources of minerals rubidium, potassium, cesium and germanium¹. Studies found the mushroom promotes beneficial cytokines to stimulate white blood cells – giving them the ultimate ability to ward of harmful bacteria and viruses. Chaga can also prevent and slow cancer growth, with one study conducted finding a 60% reduction in tumour size²; this is due to it’s extremely high antioxidant content. Furthermore, Chaga is useful at reducing “bad” LDL cholesterol and increasing “good” HDL cholesterol, as well as lowering blood sugar levels.

Reishi

Reishi (Ganoderma lucium) has also been used as a safe adaptogen to calm the mind and relax the body. The first recorded use of Reishi was in 206BC in “the Shen Nung Ben Cao Jing”, praised for its heart, liver, immune and blood tonic actions. Reishi contains immunoglobulins, polyglycans, polycaccharides, triterpenes, beta-glucan (cholesterol-regulating!), ganoderic acids (macrophage-promoting!), germanium and many other immune enhancing components³. Reishi is another powerful immune booster and increases natural killer cells & lymphocytes in the body to fight infection and cancer⁴. These qualities also assist in allergic asthma and allergies. Like most medicinal mushrooms, Reishi also improves heart health, controls blood sugar and has a high antioxidant status. As an adaptogen, Reishi protects you from biological, environmental, and social stress, therefore reducing tension, memory issues and anxiety³.

Lion’s Mane

Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) was traditionally used as a digestive tonic and for general debility. Now, it is more recognised as a powerful nootropic (aka. Brain tonic). This is mostly due to one of its main constituents stimulating nerve growth factor (NGF) which is necessary for growth, maintenance, and survival of brain neurons⁵. Lion’s mane also contains beta-glucans which improves immune and cardiovascular health! Lion’s Mane ability to stimulate NGF makes it an amazing tonic to take for cognitive decline, such as in Alzheimer’s, dementia, and nerve damage. This NGF stimulation also affects the autonomic nervous system and boosts mood, improving sleep and stress, as well as other nervous system injuries⁶.

Cordyceps

Cordceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) was traditionally used as a life-enhancement, improving energy, performance, and endurance. Cordyceps contains carbohydrates that improve oxidation in immunosuppression and neutralise harmful free radicals, and decrease fats and cholesterol levels. What gives them their biggest benefit though, is their constituent ‘adenosine’ which stimulates the production of ATP – the bodies source of energy within cells⁵. One of our favourite mushroom brands, Superfeast, recommends their Cordyceps as a potent athletic tonic, for the elderly, for mothers postpartum and to replenish depleted energy⁷. Many studies have found Cordyceps increases exercise capacity, performance and improve recovery, oxygen absorption and utilisation. It also has use as an anti-ageing adaptogen, improving libido and enhancing reproduction in men and women⁷.

Turkey Tail

Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) is known as an immune boosting super tonic. It contains high amounts of protein-bound polysaccharides ‘PSK’ and ‘PSP’ which elevates surface and core immunity, protecting you from dangerous pathogens. PSK promotes immunity and activates macrophages – specialised white blood cells that protect against bacteria. It’s also rich in antioxidants such as phenols and flavonoids (e.g. quercetin and baicalein). These compounds help reduce inflammation, release protective proteins, and inhibit inflammatory enzymes⁸. Turkey Tail is useful alongside traditional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, assisting in treatment and recovery. Studies with patients who have breast cancer, gastric cancers, colorectal cancer, demonstrated a reduction in mortality & an increased lifespan when taken in conjunction with chemotherapy^9,10.

Shiitake

Japanese elders considered Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) an elixir of life – a mushroom that is full of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Four dried shiitake is equivalent to 33% of your daily needs of vitamin B5, 10% of your selenium needs and 6% of Vitamin D! They boast immune-boosting, cholesterol-lowering, and anti-cancer effects with a lot of thanks to polysaccharides, terpenoids, sterols and lipids¹¹. Shiitake improves longevity and circulation and protect the cells of the body against cancer and inflammation. Studies have found it can boost heart health by lowering cholesterol and prevent hypertension¹¹. There is early evidence that there could be an anti-cancer effect, and lentinan, a polysaccharide in shiitake, can inhibit the growth and spread of leukemia cells¹².

Resources: ¹https://www.annandachaga.com/pages/chagahealthbenefits

²https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4946216/

³https://www.superfeast.com.au/blogs/superblog/reishi-medicinal-mushroom?_pos=2&_sid=8a32d9e71&_ss=r

⁴https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25571788

⁵https://foodrevolution.org/blog/medicinal-mushrooms-benefits/

⁶https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/lions-mane-mushroom#section3

⁷https://www.superfeast.com.au/blogs/superblog/cordyceps-mushroom-benefits?_pos=2&_sid=8d31ffad7&_ss=r

⁸ https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/turkey-tail-mushroom#section4

⁹ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22185453

¹⁰ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3369477/

¹¹ https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/shiitake-mushrooms#anticancer-effects

¹² https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3339609/