Medicinal Mushrooms for your Mind and Body

There’s a huge amount of benefit that we can get from medicinal mushrooms from immune and cardiovascular function to cognition and mental health benefits. There’s no end to the power of the humble mushroom. Let’s dive into this magical world and explore the different varieties of mushrooms and what they can do for you!

Lion’s Mane: For brain and central nervous system.

Lion’s Mane is named Yamabushitake in Japan and was used traditionally by the worshipping Buddhist monks who used Lion’s Mane tea to aid their meditation. It was thought that the tea would help focus and concentration during their practice. Indigenous cultures from across the globe have used this fungus for medicine and nutrition for thousands of years. 

This versatile fungus is full of active compounds that give your whole body the support it needs. Actions to support and modulate the immune response as well as digestive mechanisms are just a couple of actions you get from Lion’s Mane. 

Most of all, Lion’s Mane is found to be not only neuro-protective but also neuro-generative! It has been found to stimulate Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) synthesis and therefore promotes nerve growth and function. Such actions have been clinically proven to aid mild age-related memory loss. 

Reishi Mushroom: For immune system and sleep.

Reishi Mushrooms have some serious immune supporting compounds!
These little babies have so many actions from supporting sleep and promoting relaxation to improving respiratory health and blood sugar levels. 

Traditionally, reishi is affectionately named the “mushroom of immortality” and has been revered in Traditional Chinese Medicine for its ability to promote longevity and vitality or qi. 

Cordyceps Mushroom: For energy and lung health.

When it comes to boosting energy this little fungi is truly something! 

Chinese and Tibetan medicine have both cherished cordyceps for its ability to support energy and endurance as well as appetite and stress management.   

It has been found that cordyceps help your cells produce ATP (the compound which provides energy) and is therefore a good supplement for those undertaking strenuous physical activity. Along a similar vein, hormone regulatory actions of these fungi have been found to increase libido in all genders as well as improve sperm health.

Inflammation and poor immune health can also be improved by these mushrooms.

Chaga Mushroom: For digestive health and skin.

Traditionally, used in Russia for stomach health Chaga quickly became popular throughout the world and has traditional uses across the Nordic lands and into mid and southern europe as well. 

Chaga mushrooms are full of antioxidants, digestive and immune aids as well as compounds helping to reduce inflammation. Improving digestion means better absorption of all of the essential vitamins and minerals needed for skin health and the antioxidants means that tissue damage due to oxidative stress will be minimised, further promoting healthy skin. 

Turkey Tail Mushroom: Immune boosting.

Turkey tail mushrooms can be found wild in almost every part of the world. Traditional knowledge comes mostly from Traditional Chinese medicine and Japanese medicine where these fungi were used to strengthen immune functioning.

This mushroom has incredible abilities to improve immune functions, stimulating the production of various immune cells when and where required in the body and is now used all over the world for these properties. 

Shiitake Mushroom: For cardiovascular health.

These mushrooms have been used in Asian cooking for their meat-like texture and unique flavour for countless years. During the Ming Dynasty of China these fungi were known as the “elixir of life”. In Japan they have also been used as food as medicine promoting healthy circulation. 

The shiitake mushroom is packed full of vitamins and minerals aiding almost all your systems in some way! Full of B- vitamins, this mushroom can aid tissue repair, inflammation and balance blood sugar levels. Major actions are involved  in the liver and cardiovascular system and these fungi have been found to aid the maintenance of stable cholesterol. Additionally, they have been found to increase immune cells and decrease inflammation markers in the body.

Maitake Mushroom: For blood pressure and immune function.

This lesser known but still powerful mushroom is very effective in stimulating helpful immune cells as well as regulating blood pressure. 

This mushroom has an earthy flavour and is used in Chinese medicine to support the spleen and qi. 

So as far as medicinal mushrooms go, this is the low down on all  of the major available varieties around! As you can see, mushrooms can be helpful for so many different reasons so why not try a few and see what benefit your body might get from these powerful little earth gems!