Medicinal mushrooms are a part of traditional Chinese medicine and folklore remedies to boost the immune system, boost energy levels, and to improve longevity and overall well being.
What are medicinal mushrooms?
Medicinal mushrooms contain compounds called beta-glucans known to have healing abilities.In various ways, beta-glucans can improve health by modulating the immune system. There are several types of medicinal mushrooms available, including:
Fresh and dried mushrooms
Mushroom teas
Tinctures and extracts
Capsules and supplements
Medicinal mushroom powders
Mushrooms used in foods and beverages
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Top medicinal mushrooms:
The best mushrooms for medicinal purposes are turkey tail, shiitake, maitake, lion’s mane, cordyceps, chaga, and reishi. The best medicinal mushrooms that we have listed are based on the available scientific reports.
Maitake
Traditional medicine uses maitake mushrooms (Grifola frondosa) to treat diabetes. An animal model study conducted in 2015 found that maitake mushroom broth had a positive effect on the blood glucose levels of laboratory rats.
Chaga
Chaga mushrooms (Inonotus obliquus) are rich in antioxidants. They reduce oxidative stress and get rid of free radicals. They might also aid in lowering bad cholesterol, or LDL. In addition to being used to make medicinal tea, chaga powder can be purchased and added to juices, smoothies, and even your daily cup of coffee.
Turkey tail
Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) is a popular mushroom. Its form and range of hues are similar to a wild turkey’s tail. This antioxidant-rich mushroom helps to reduce inflammation and has potent immune-boosting qualities. Dried turkey tail mushrooms are often simmered in hot water for half an hour to get a health-enriching broth.
Reishi
The mushroom of immortality is reishi (Ganoderma lucidum, also called lingzhi). Studies have indicated that this particular mushroom may help reduce fatigue and have a positive impact on the immune system. Dried reishi mushrooms can be added to soups and stews. As an alternative, you can use the tincture in your regular smoothies or juices or prepare Reishi Tea with our simple recipe instructions.
Cordyceps
Because cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis, Cordyceps militaris) contain polysaccharides that have an anti-fatigue effect on the body, these medicinal mushrooms are a natural supplement to boost energy. In 37 elderly Chinese participants in good health, a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial found that a fermented product containing Cordyceps sinensis improved aerobic capacity and oxygen uptake.
Shiitake
Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) are highly appreciated for their earthy, unique umami flavor and taste great in soups, risotto, and stir-fries. These high-selenic mushrooms boost immunity and well-being. They have not just been used in traditional Chinese medicine but also Japanese, eastern Russian, and Korean medicinal remedies.
Lion’s mane
Hericium erinaceus, a long, shaggy white mushroom, is known to improve memory and cognitive function. Researchers from Japan discovered that volunteers, who were between the ages of 50 and 80 and had been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, significantly improved after taking 250 mg tablets containing powdered Hericium erinaceus three times a day for four months. Other names for this mushroom include hou tou gu and yamabushitake.