4 Medicinal Mushrooms + Their Magical Health Benefits

It seems to me that medicinal mushrooms are everywhere. You can find them in health food stores, coffee, chocolate, protein balls and almost any healthy foodie blog. But what are they?! What’s the deal.

What are the health benefits of medicinal mushrooms?

Medicinal mushrooms, like chaga and reishi, are adaptogens–meaning they help your body to adapt to stress. For the most part they carry a lot of similar properties: they boost the immune system, help with stress and fight inflammation. But each mushroom has their own signature twist–the thing that makes them special. Today we’re diving in to four magic mushrooms (no, not, not those kind) and learning about their health benefits! Read on!

Chaga: The Inflammation Fighter

It may seem crazy to believe, but chaga is the second most antioxidant-rich food in the world (after chocolate). It grows on birch trees and can be found in Canada, Siberia and Alaska. It’s been used in folk medicine for ages, but research is just starting to demonstrate the potent affects of this medicinal mushroom.

Use it for: reducing inflammation + boosting the immune system.

As science evolves, we are learning more and more that inflammation is at the root of many chronic illnesses–and chaga may just be our champion–or should I say champignon?  From indigestion, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis and depression, chaga can greatly improve our health thanks to its anti-inflammatory affects. And because of its high antioxidant content, it also has anti-cancer + anti-aging properties!

Reishi: Keep Calm + Carry On

This fun-guy grows in Asia, and has been used in Eastern Medicine for over 2000 years. Traditionally consumed as a tea, now you can get it in a powder form that you can easily add to coffee or smoothies.

Use it for: stress-relief + balancing blood sugar.

Research shows that reishi can help counteract the effects of stress and fatigue, boosting energy and helping to foster calmness. One study looking at people with neurasthenia found that it was able to reduce the fatigue of more than half of the participants in the group taking reishi over an 8 week period, compared to only 24.6% in the placebo group. It’s also been shown to balance blood sugar (potentially assisting with diabetes), stimulating the uptake of glucose and assisting with weight loss.

Cordyceps: Live Long + Prosper

Cordyceps is the energy booster. Also, fun (and crazy) fact: in the wild, cordyceps are parasitic by nature, and grow on the heads of caterpillars. However, farmed cordyceps are vegan and do not. My mind was blown (…much like that of the caterpillars. Poor taste?) It’s been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for at least 5000 years.

Use it for: anti-aging + performance.

Cordyceps can be used for anti-aging, because of it’s ability to improve activity of age-related enzymes, like glutathione. It’s mostly been studied for it’s ability to improve energy levels and athletic performance. One study looked at 20 participants between the ages of 50-75 years old, and found that supplementing with cordyceps for 12 weeks improved their metabolic (10.5%) and ventilatory threshold (8.5%), meaning better exercise performance. It’s also been studied for it’s sexual enhancement activity (similar to maca), anti-cancer properties and it’s ability to decrease symptoms of depression. In short, if you’re feeling sluggish and tired, this may be worth throwing into the mix.

Lion’s Mane: Get Focused

Named after it’s appearance (it looks like the scruff mane of lion), this is one of my favourite mushrooms to supplement with. Lion’s Mane has been used traditionally in Chinese medicine, and there’s now quite a bit of research to support it’s toted health benefits.

Use it for: improving cognitive function + focus.

It’s biggest claim to fame is it’s ability to improve cognitive function and repair cell damage. Lion’s mane stimulates the growth of dendrites and axons on neurons, which could ultimately slow and prevent Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, by preventing cell degeneration in the brain. One study found that consuming lion’s mane improve memory and cognitive function in mice, and another found that it could improve brain function in mice who already had Alzheimer’s. Lion’s mane is also anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting, anti-cancer and helpful for healthy gut function.

 

Mushroom Products I love

Purica’s Complete 360 Stress Relief + Immune Support. It contains a blend of mushrooms + ashwagandha to help you feel chill. I like to add it to my coffee or to my morning smoothie!

Four Sigmatic Organic Mushroom Elixir Mix with Lion’s Mane and Antioxidants for Concentration + Focus. Great for when there’s a lot of work to be done and I need to crack down and focus. 

Four Sigmatic Organic Mushroom Hot Cacao with Reishi to Relieve Stress. Add to heated almond milk for a soothing cup of hot chocolate to unwind at night! 

Looking for other ways to improve your health with adaptogens?

Try making these energy-boosting Chocolate Maca Zucchini Muffins. Or this Anti-Stress Beet Elixir.