The Healing Powers of Medicinal Mushrooms-Hummingbird Community

From dead plant matter to nematodes to bacteria, never underestimate the cleverness of mushrooms to find new food” ~ Paul Stamets.

When most of us think about what foods to eat more to boost our health and reduce our risk of various diseases, colorful fruits and veggies usually come to mind.

While these foods are excellent for us, they do not include one disease-fighting, nutrient-packed superfood that we should all be focused on getting more of: mushrooms.

Mushrooms are much more than the handful of varieties you find in the store, and some of these fungi are so powerful health-wise that we categorize them as medicinal mushrooms.

A Brief History of Mushrooms

Not a fruit or vegetable, mushrooms are a distinct class of organisms called fungi and are an essential part of a sustainable world. Mushrooms are defined as any macrofungus with a distinctive fruiting body large enough to be picked by hand and seen by the naked eye. Medicinal mushrooms, in particular, help to purify the environment by decomposing dead trees and plants.

Our understanding of fungi, as well as cataloging those that do exist, is in its infancy. There are an estimated 140,000 species of mushrooms, with only 14,000 thus far identified.

The use of mushrooms as medicine dates back thousands of years in Asian countries, with over 200 species of mushrooms used in traditional Chinese medicine for various services.

In the past few decades, Western culture has caught on, conducting research that helps us to understand how these organisms can provide such a wide array of benefits.

Health Benefits of Medicinal Mushrooms

The main medicinal uses of mushrooms that have been supported thus far by science include their ability to act as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antiallergic, immunomodulatory, antitumor, hypocholesterolemic, and nephroprotective agents.

Research has shown mushrooms are rich in B vitamins, fiber, trace minerals, enzymes, vitamins, and protein.

One of fungi’s most interesting medicinal applications is that they help lower the risk of cancer through various mechanisms. Mushrooms have been found to protect DNA from damage, inhibit tumor formation, stop cell mutation, and boost the body’s detoxification abilities.

Energy and Cognitive Function

Few of us have experienced low energy and brain fog or fatigue, and often, it is hard to pinpoint the cause. Stress, pollution, poor diet, and many other triggers can lead to our feeling physically and mentally drained.

Medicinal mushrooms contain compounds that can help to alleviate these symptoms, leaving us feeling energetic and ready to take on the world.

The B vitamins found in high quantities in mushrooms help turn food into energy for the body and support proper adrenal function. They also help with our neurotransmitters, which help reduce our feelings of stress and help prevent brain fog while boosting our metabolism!

Many of the medicinal mushrooms fall into a category of superfoods known as adaptogens. Adaptogens are known to help our bodies cope with stress, which can help to reduce inflammation and improve mood and energy levels.

3 of My Favorite Medicinal Mushrooms

1. Reishi (Lingzhi) Mushrooms

In Chinese, lingzhi symbolizes longevity, well-being, and divine power.

The reishi mushroom has been used traditionally to help modulate the immune system, control blood glucose levels, boost liver health, and fight harmful bacteria.

Reishi mushrooms are potent adaptogens, so adding this mushroom to your daily routine can help during periods of high stress, improving your mental abilities, energy level, and mood.

The minimum potency to look for in Ganoderma Lucidem (Reishi) is 400 mg.

2. Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) Mushrooms

Lion’s mane mushrooms are potent in brain and nerve health, with multiple studies confirming their positive health effects.

One study on older Japanese subjects with mild cognitive impairment found that compared to the control group, the group that took 250 mg of lion’s mane capsules daily had increased cognitive functioning scores.

Depression and anxiety symptoms have also been found to be reduced through supplementation with lion’s mane.

The minimum potency to look for in Hericium erinaceus is 400 mg.

3. Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) Mushrooms

Traditionally used for digestive health, Chaga mushrooms have recently been found to have powerful antioxidant effects by reducing the detrimental effects of oxidative stress on DNA.

Oxidative damage to cells is a huge problem today, mainly due to pollution, pesticides and herbicides, smoking, and poor diet. Adding Chaga mushroom products can help to counteract some of this damage.

The minimum potency to look for in Inonotus obliques is 300 mg.

How to Add Medicinal Mushrooms to Your Diet

It is good to know that while many mushroom supplements are in the marketplace, very few match the potency of the mushroom remedies used in traditional herbalism or those used in clinical research. What does this mean? Picking the right supplement for its strength and quality is critical to seeing results.

When researching what kind a mushroom supplement has been extensively used in clinical trials and health benefits you will find that the preparation method for medicinal mushrooms was a hot water extraction method. This has proven to be most effective.

Potency is also significant to look at when consuming medicinal mushrooms. Research has established the amount needed for prevention and therapeutic benefit. The potency level can be found on the label. Make sure to research how much is recommended for the condition you will be treating.

There are a variety of products containing medicinal mushrooms, including powders and capsules. Including them in your diet daily is best to see the best results. Mushrooms are best taken twice daily-12 hours apart and on an empty stomach, especially when using them for medicinal purposes.

For great information on medicinal mushrooms check out one of my favorite books: Medicinal Mushrooms A Clinical guide by Martin Powell.

If you have more questions about which medicinal mushroom would be best for your condition, please stop by Hummingbird Community Acupuncture.