Medicinal mushrooms have been used in Traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. They contain key active compounds which offer a range of benefits including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune boosting properties, which are now being used in Western therapeutic approaches to health and wellbeing.
They are incredibly versatile and can be easily incorporated into the diet, eaten either raw or cooked and added to soups, stews or broths. They also come in powder form which can be added to smoothies, or made as hot drinks like teas or lattes. The powders tend to be highly concentrated and so an initial recommend therapeutic dose is ½ teaspoon, and then gradually increasing to 1 teaspoon.
Medicinal mushrooms are traditionally grown on wood and can usually be found at your local farmers market, alternative health food shops, local greengrocers, through organic box scheme companies or even foraged if they grow wild in the area you live. They can also be bought in powder form (either individually or as a blend), both in-store and online. When buying a powdered version, it is best to opt for organic mushrooms which have grown naturally on decaying wood and therefore contain a higher concentration of nutrients, rather than cheaper and less nutritious versions grown on grains, which may also contain bulking agents, fillers, binders or additives. You can even buy them in supplement form.
There are a variety of medicinal mushrooms to choose from, each protecting the body in their own unique way and offering a plethora of benefits to maintain good health. They include:
CHAGA – the mushroom of immortality
Chaga, is a nutritionally dense mushroom, loaded with antioxidants in particular super-oxide dismutase which protects cells from damage caused by stress and toxins, as well as nutritional compounds which help reduce inflammation. Chaga also contains beta-glucans, a type of soluble fibre that regulates blood sugar levels and boosts the immune system.
CORDYCEPS – the energy and immune system booster
Cordyceps is a widely studied, ancient type of fungus that requires a host to create a fruiting body and so grows on moth caterpillars, in the high mountainous regions of China and Tibet. It is well known for its ability to improve energy and increase stamina as well as boost the immune system and combat chronic viral conditions. Cordyceps can also help calm the nervous system by regulating the production of stress hormones, cortisol and adrenaline, to reduce stress and anxiety.
LIONS MANE – the brain protector
Lion’s Mane gets its name from its long, white, stringy locks which resemble the mane of a lion. It grows on decaying trees and logs in Asia, Europe and North America. Lion’s Mane is known for its neuroprotective qualities which help improve memory and concentration. Studies have shown that Lion’s Mane can also support myelination of the nerves and stimulate the production and growth of new nerve cells to improve cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
REISHI – the mushroom of eternal youth
Western medicine has now finally caught up with the healing powers of Reishi which is known as the mushroom of eternal youth, or the spirit mushroom. It has been used in Chinese medicine for years as an immune stimulant and sleep tonic. Reishi mushrooms can help lower levels of stress and anxiety and improve sleep by exerting a calming and relaxing effect on the nervous system and lowering blood pressure. It is also a natural immune booster, increasing the activity of natural killer cells (immune cells which patrol the body looking for and then destroying cancer cells), as well as containing anti-ageing, anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant properties.
TURKEY TAIL – the anti-inflammatory
Turkey Tail gets its name from its resemblance of a plume of turkey feathers. Another great immune-boosting medicinal mushroom, turkey tail is known for its anti-inflammatory properties which can help fight inflammation in the body. It can also help nourish beneficial bacteria in the gut and is drunk as a tea in parts of Asia and Europe to help restore gut function.
SHIIAKE – the immune modulator
Shiitake mushrooms are native to East Asia and one of the most popular mushrooms worldwide. They contain the polysaccharide lentinan, which has an anti-cancer effect by activating your immune system to help fight cancer cells, and tumours. In China and Japan, an injectable form of lentinan is used alongside cancer treatments like chemotherapy to improve immune function and quality of life in people with cancer.
Their other bioactive compounds support heart health by improving circulation and lowering cholesterol.
HOW TO USE:
Medicinal mushrooms can be used individually or as a blend to target different aspects in the body, and are typically safe for most people to consume, including children, unless you are allergic. They are safe to use long-term as well as alongside medications as they don’t interact with the pathway responsible for detoxifying medications in the liver and therefore won’t interrupt the metabolism of drugs.
If you would like to know more or are interested in making dietary changes to support your health and wellbeing please get in touch. Food can be a powerful tool to get you back on track, and I’d love to support you through the process.
References:
Finimundy, T.C. Pinheiro Dillon, A.J. Pêgas Henriques, J.A et al. (2014). ‘A Review on General Nutritional Compounds and Pharmacological Properties of the Lentinula edodes Mushroom’, Food and Nutrition Sciences, 5. pp.1095-1105.
Lindequist, U. Niedermeyer, T.H.J. and Jülich, W.D. (2005). ‘The Pharmacological Potential of Mushrooms’, Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2 (3). Pp.285–299.
