Mushrooms come in a wide variety, and most people understand that some are good to eat, some are poisonous, and some psychedelic. But there is another type of mushroom that is underutilized in western cultures: medicinal mushrooms. They have a lengthy history of medicinal use in Japanese, Chinese, and Eastern European cultures as adaptogens. Western medicine is just now catching on to the health benefits of mushrooms.
Mushrooms support your immune system, and they accomplish this in a way that is normalizing to your immune system rather than acting as a stimulant. They can help address a variety of issues including:
- Chronic or persistent infections
- Certain autoimmune disorders
- Lowered resistance and “catching things” easily
Mushrooms contain compounds that resemble a microbe. Your immune cells recognize this and respond by increasing the innate immune activity, which is your front-line defense. This puts the immune system on alert and gives it a “workout,” which makes the system stronger over time. Many mushrooms provide this response including common varieties like Oyster and Shiitake mushrooms.
Mushrooms help support other functions as well like the liver, nervous system, cardiovascular system, and others. Let’s look at some specific species and how they are used for their health benefits.
Maitake (Grifola frondosa)
This is a gourmet mushroom known for its immune-supportive properties. It contains a compound known as D-fraction that has been extensively researched for cancer treatment. Maitake may also help address common cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, and even blood sugar issues. Maitake mushrooms can be incorporated into your diet for year-round immune health. Tincture doses are 5 ml 3 times daily for active immune boosting, or 2 ml twice daily for maintenance.
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)
Chaga grows at the base of paper birch trees and contains compounds called beta-glucans, a form of polysaccharide, which enhances immunity and reduces inflammation. But Chaga also contains important medicinal compounds, like betulinic acid, from the birch trees they grow on and help to protect. Chaga has been in use as a medicine for thousands of years and has been included in the medical pharmacopeia in Russia for nearly 75 years. Many studies support its use.
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
Reishi is probably the most well-known medicinal mushroom. It can be used on an acute as well as a long-term basis to support immune functioning. This restorative mushroom also helps support the adrenal glands. Use this mushroom when you’re stressed out, run-down, and getting sick frequently. It’s helpful for allergies and hay fever as it can reduce the histamine response to environmental triggers. The doses are generally high for medicinal mushrooms. It’s suggested to take 5 ml of the tincture 3 times daily for active immune boosting, or 2 ml twice daily for immune and adrenal support.
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)
Lion’s Mane is a white mushroom that resembles a white pom pom with elongated spines. Lion’s Mane is really best known for its neurological and mental health benefits. It contains compounds that protect and promote growth in neurons. Clinical research with Lion’s Mane has demonstrated efficacy for anxiety, depression, and cognitive function. This is a mushroom to consider for overall nervous system health. Lion’s Mane mushroom powder is often found as an encapsulated product. Maintenance doses are 1-2 g daily, with the therapeutic doses starting at 3 g daily.
Using mushrooms for daily health
You need to understand how to use mushrooms for your health. They need to be heated in order to be bioavailable. The fungal cell wall is indigestible, and heat allows the cell wall to break down in order to access its nutrients. There are supplements available on the market in the form of capsules and extracts.
But you can also prepare teas using mushrooms. This is the traditional way that they were prepared as immune tonics. Mushrooms are easily obtained in dried and sliced forms, which is perfect for making tea.
When you’re looking to purchase a mushroom supplement, there are some things to look for:
- make sure that the mushrooms have been heated for nutrient bioavailability
- if purchasing an extracted product, make sure that both water and alcohol are used – alcohol is important to extract many of the important compounds
- get USA-grown organic mushrooms: mushrooms can accumulate heavy metals, so check the sources when purchasing a product
Mushrooms have a lot to offer in terms of overall health. They can improve immune function and vigor and support many other systems of the body. Here are summary points:
- Promote energy and reduces fatigue
- Support immune health
- Reduce inflammation
- Calm the stress response
- Act as antivirals
- Improve overall resilience.