Medicinal mushrooms have lagged the popularity of CBD, with as much hype and confusion around the trend. Wellness industry influencers are adding Medicinal mushrooms to smoothies, coffees, and recipes with powders and tinctures (boasting their benefits on social media). The distinctive factors that distinguish Medicinal mushrooms from gourmet or psychedelic mushrooms are taste and effect.
First, taste-wise, these mushrooms aren’t the kind of mushrooms you can pick up and throw into an omelet and enjoy the flavor and benefit. Although Medicinal mushrooms can undoubtedly be used in food, we do not necessarily recommend all of them as delicacies.
Medicinal mushrooms are usually taken as dietary supplements (capsules, extracts, tinctures, powders) because their earthy flavor is not always suitable for gourmands. Let’s dig deep into various types of Medicinal mushrooms and their benefits.
Various Types of Medicinal Mushrooms and Their Benefits
Functional mushrooms are recognized as immune-boosting foods and may offer benefits beyond essential nutrition, such as physical and immune health, cognitive health, and regulation of the effects of stress on the body. You can buy these easily from Psilo mart so, make sure you check it.
1. Reish
Reish, also known as an adaptogen, is a substance in herbal medicine believed to help the body adapt to stress and normalize bodily processes. Reish mushroom is most used to support healthy, restful sleep, reduce stress, and boost the immune system. It can stun you in minutes. Many people take this mushroom for its potential cancer-fighting properties. It was found to be ingesting turf. In addition, several test-tube studies have shown that it can lead to cancer cell death.
However, the results of these studies do not necessarily reflect efficacy in animals or humans. Several studies have investigated whether Ganoderma lucidum may benefit prostate cancer due to its effects on the hormone testosterone. These benefits include increased activity of the body’s white blood cells, which help fight cancer, and improved quality of life for cancer patients. However, researchers say that Ganoderma lucidum should be administered alongside, rather than replacing, traditional treatments.
- Reish helps in weight loss
- relieves symptoms of anxiety and depression and strengthens the immune system.
2. Turkey Tail Mushrooms
Turkey Tail Mushrooms (Trametes Versicolor) are multi-colored mushrooms that grow on stumps and fallen trees in thickets. Due to the fan-shaped shape of the fruiting body and the many colors (usually red, brown, blue, and green), it sometimes resembles a turkey’s tail. It grows year-round in temperate forests in many parts of the world and is very common in North American and Canadian forests.
- Trametes Versicolor (turkey tail) fungal mycelia and their fermentative substrates exhibit potent.
- complementary immunostimulatory properties
3. Lion’s Mane Mushroom
Lion’s Mane Mushroom is the most attractive variety. They’re a treat if you’re lucky enough to come across these wild mushrooms (primarily found in the northernmost state forests). These mushrooms cling to tree stumps and look like a lion’s Mane. It gets its name from the hundreds of white hairs that grow in all directions.
- The health benefits of this uniquely Medicinal mushroom are numerous, but its ability to boost brain power is most notable.
- Lion’s Mane is the Medicinal mushroom for you if you’re looking to boost your brain, improve your cognitive skills, and improve your memory and focus.
4. Chaga
Chaga is one of nature’s most abundant antioxidant mushrooms and is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. A healthy intake of these antioxidants can boost your immune system. An interesting fact about Chaga is that it was used as a coffee ration during World War II due to its robust flavor and color. This mushroom usually takes 15 to 20 years to reach full maturity.
- Rich in Sugar balancing nutrients
- Antiviral Needs
- Despite its rough exterior, Chaga has a soft orange center and is rich in natural antioxidants
5. Maitake
Maitake (Grifola frondosa), also known as woodhen, sheep’s head, and ram’s head, is a porous (i.e., under gillless) mushroom. Instead, it releases spores through many tiny pores.) Maitake mushrooms are usually tawny or brown and are found in Japan, China, Europe, and North America and grow in clumps at the base of trees such as elms, maples, and oaks.
- Although this mushroom can be used in recipes for flavor, it is considered a medicinal mushroom.
- Maitake is an adaptogen. Adaptogens help the body fight any imbalanced mental or physical stress.
6. Cordyceps
Cordyceps fungi are very similar to seaweed and other marine organisms. Medicinal mushrooms typically have a rounded base and a series of worm-like buds that compete for space as they grow. Cordyceps Mushroom gives your body the tools to make the most of its oxygen, evenly distributing it to your muscles and improving your physical performance.
- The energy boost it provides results from increased ATP production in the body. ATP is the molecule that transports energy to the muscles of the body. Therefore, the more you have, the easier it is to use your muscles fully.
- Cordyceps is one of the Medicinal essential fungi used in energy-enhancing supplements. It’s the mushroom you need at a sporting event, working out at the gym, or lining up for a run.
7. Agaricus Mushroom
Agaricus Mushrooms form a family of mushrooms (think about crimini mushrooms, button mushrooms, portobello mushrooms, etc.). Many Agaricus mushrooms are considered one of the most famous gourmet mushrooms in the world and are widely grown by mushroom growers. Still, many people need to be made aware of their medicinal properties.
- Relief of symptoms of chemotherapy
- Combat insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes
- Improving immune response in patients with colon cancer
- Relief of symptoms of ulcerative colitis
- Anti-tumor properties
- Antiviral properties
Conclusion
Believe it or not, Medicinal mushrooms have proven effects on the human body. These are not the run-of-the-mill mushrooms you find in the produce section of your local grocery store, but wild mushrooms that grow in wooded, mossy, and wooded areas worldwide.
To take on the benefits of medicinal mushrooms, you can now find various products made out of shiitake, maitake, lion’s Mane, turkey tail, cordyceps, Reish, snow fly agaric, portobello, oyster and morel. So, take on the benefits now!