What are medicinal mushrooms good for?

Have you been searching for a new way to boost your health supplement routine? Let us introduce you to the amazing world of medicinal mushrooms! 

Fungi have been popular in traditional medicine for thousands of years, while different types of mushrooms have been used for a variety of health benefits. Many mushrooms are known as adaptogens or natural substances which help the body adapt to stress. Some of these mushrooms are known to help promote mental clarity and focus, some relieve inflammation, and some others can help relax the body and reduce anxiety. 

Mushrooms are considered “superfoods”, meaning they are not only packed full of important nutrients such as vitamins B and D but also contain an abundance of antioxidants. Antioxidants are necessary substances that help to fight free radicals and oxidative stress within the body. Mushrooms are especially beneficial because they contain Ergothioneine, an antioxidant amino acid that humans are not able to produce on their own. 

What are some of the benefits of Medicinal Mushrooms?

While there are many dietary reasons to consume typical mushrooms, such as the ones often found in backyard gardens and grocery stores, the potential health benefits associated with medicinal mushrooms are even greater. We currently offer several different types of medicinal mushrooms, each providing a variety of positive effects.

Certain medicinal mushrooms are beneficial for different things, and all can be taken together as part of a well-rounded diet and supplement routine. Even though each mushroom has a plethora of health benefits, they also have very distinct strengths. Cordyceps is a wonderful addition to your morning routine or before exercise, as it provides energy and helps to increase stamina. Lion’s Mane is known best for promoting mental clarity and concentration and also supports athletic recovery. Chaga is an excellent immune booster that can be consumed at any time of day. And Reishi promotes relaxation and sleep. 

Read on for a quick overview of each of these mushrooms, and the health benefits they may provide. 

• Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
  • Popular sleep aid
  • Supports healthy immune function, especially beneficial during cold season 
  • Reduces stress
  • Reduces fatigue
  • Relaxes nervous system
  • Promotes healthy digestion
  • Good source of immunomodulating antioxidants which support the body’s immune response to cancer 
  • One of the oldest known and most studied medicinal mushrooms
  • “Lingzhi” (the Chinese name for Ganoderma lucidum) has been recognized for its medicinal value for over 2000 years in traditional medicine
  • Usually, recommend taking at night

• Cordyceps (C. sinensis or C. militaris)
  • Improves lung capacity 
  • Boosts energy
  • Increases endurance
  • Improves athletic performance
  • Popular pre- and post-workout supplement 
  • Increases “longevity” or youthfulness
  • May help manage Type 2 diabetes
  • May support heart health
  • “Cordyceps” refers to over 400 related species of mushroom, however the majority of research focuses on either C. sinensis or C. militaris
  • Recommend taking in the morning or before athletic activity 

• Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)
  • Promotes healthy digestion
  • Increases energy
  • May help clear skin
  • Rich in antioxidants
  • Supports the immune system
  • Improves liver health
  • Encourages healthy brain function 
  • Increases longevity 
  • Can be enjoyed any time of day

• Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)
  • Promotes healthy brain function
  • Improves mental clarity
  • Reduces fatigue
  • May help alleviate “brain fog”
  • Improves focus and concentration 
  • Supports athletic recovery
  • Potent immunomodulator
  • Contains beta-glucans, which may help inhibit the growth of tumors
  • Contains neuroprotective chemicals that may be beneficial in the prevention of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases
  • May help induce Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) production within nerve cells, promoting healthier nerve function
  • Recommend taking in the morning or early afternoon 

Are Medicinal Mushrooms safe?

The use of medicinal mushrooms is widely considered safe for most patients, barring any individual allergies. Even among cancer patients, medicinal mushrooms are usually considered to be a beneficial addition to a healthy diet, with a few caveats regarding some mushrooms’ potential interactions with certain medications. 

Aside from these few exceptions, the biggest concern when considering medicinal mushrooms is similar to any other nutritional supplement: quality assurance. It is always important to ensure that the product you intend to consume contains only the ingredients listed, and that those ingredients are of the utmost quality. 

The absolute best way to ensure the quality of your mushroom product is to grow your own! But when that simply is not an option, or if you want to test out a few different types of mushrooms before choosing which kinds to grow, we have some suggestions of what to consider when shopping around. 

We recommend using caution if purchasing mushroom powder (or capsule) supplements, as many of these types of products contain starch as filler. On the contrary, our mushroom tinctures are produced using a double-extraction technique to ensure that the final product contains all of the mushroom’s most beneficial components and no fillers. 

How should I take medicinal mushrooms?

Many reputable medicinal mushroom supplements available on the market today come in the form of a ground, dried product which can be brewed into tea, or as a liquid tincture. 

Currently, in our shop, we offer Reishi, Chaga, Cordyceps, and Lion’s Mane tinctures, as well as ground, dried Chaga tea. We also have an Immunity Blend that contains Chaga, Reishi, Shiitake and Hen of the Woods, as well as a Get Well Glycerite that contains Reishi and Chaga, along with Astragalus, Echinacea, Ginger and Wild Blueberry. Tinctures are usually intended to be used 1-3 times daily or as needed, and can be taken alone, or added to a beverage such as water, juice, tea, matcha or coffee. 

Chaga tea is a delicious and warming beverage that can be brewed as desired and is often consumed for its preventative health benefits. To brew Chaga tea, simmer one tablespoon of the ground, dried mushrooms in four to six cups of water for at least twenty minutes, or until the water is opaque and resembles black coffee. Strain the grounds and set aside. The grounds may be reused two or three times but will need to be simmered for longer each time. 

Where can I find Medicinal Mushrooms?

While there are many retailers selling products that claim to contain medicinal mushrooms, it is important to ensure that you are purchasing a reputable product. Always look for sustainably sourced ingredients and a high degree of transparency in production methods. We are happy to offer a variety of quality medicinal mushroom products in our shop, but if we don’t have the product you are looking for, please let us know!