Mighty Medical Mushrooms
Written by Gretchen Hahn
Let’s talk about medical mushrooms, also called medicinal or functional mushrooms. These are not the mushrooms you would throw in a salad or sauté with your steak. This subgroup of mushrooms has special healing properties. But, don’t mistake these for their other cousins, the psilocybin mushrooms which produce psychedelic effects. I’ll leave that for a future post as these are being studied for many psychiatric and behavioral disorders.
Mushrooms have been around as food probably since the Garden of Eden. Their medicinal value dates back thousands of years and has been documented by ancient civilizations around the globe, from the Egyptians and Aztecs, to Chinese, Indians, even Greeks and Romans.
The current use and popularity of medical mushrooms is booming. What started as a top 10 food trend in 2018 has hit the market big with 54.8 billion USD worth of global sales in 2020, and this is only projected to increase.
Medical mushrooms are available in so many different forms today, from capsules and powders to coffees, teas, and even beauty products! Just look at the shelves at your local organic grocer. It will make your head spin.
So how do you decide which mushroom could best benefit you? Let me answer this by summarizing the benefits of six of the more common medicinal mushrooms out there: Lion’s Mane, Chaga, Reishi, Turkey Tail, Cordyceps, and Shitake.
So what makes these mushrooms so beneficial to our health? Nutritionally, mushrooms all provide protein, a host of vitamins and minerals like B vitamins (riboflavin, folate, and niacin), vitamin C, vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, copper, potassium, selenium and other antioxidants. They also contain 9 essential amino acids, especially lysine and leucine; truly powerhouses of nutrition!
But, it doesn’t stop there. Medical mushrooms are all adaptogenic, meaning they can assist the body in handling stress and anxiety and help to maintain overall balance of the body’s systems. They all reduce inflammation thanks to their many antioxidants. Moreover, they all enhance immune system function with antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.
Of particular benefit to the immune system are the glucans, a polysaccharide, or complex sugar within the mushrooms. These glucans work in several ways. First they act as a prebiotic in the gut, feeding the beneficial bacteria which enhances the immune system. Second, they trigger an immune response when in contact with harmful pathogenic organisms. And third, they increase the body’s production of immune fighter cells.2 There are many other benefits to medical mushrooms and science is finally taking a good hard look into these areas of benefit that traditional healers have known about for centuries.
First, a few notes: The summaries given below are not meant to be an exhaustive list of all the beneficial qualities of each mushroom, but a snapshot to help you select the most appropriate mushroom for you.
All information has been provided for educational purposes and is not meant for diagnosis or treatment of any disease or health condition. Medicinal mushrooms do offer health benefits, but it is always best to consult with your health professional prior to any use.
When using medical mushrooms therapeutically, make sure that the product you select lists the dosage on the label. No dosage listed may indicate that there is not a sufficient quantity of the mushroom to achieve a therapeutic effect.
If you are allergic to mushrooms or have mold allergies or sensitivities, it is important to use caution with these mushrooms and seek a health professional’s advice before use.
Sources:
1Stamets, Paul, and Heather Zwickey. “Medicinal Mushrooms: Ancient Remedies Meet Modern Science.” Integrative medicine (Encinitas, Calif.) vol. 13,1 (2014): 46-7.
2Kidd PM. The use of mushroom glucans and proteoglycans in cancer treatment. Alternative Medicine Review 5(1):4-27 (2000).
Lions Mane Mushrooms
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)
This large, white medicinal mushroom is edible with a hearty, full bodied flavor similar to meat and is often used in place of pork or lamb. Some of its many other names are “Pom Pom,” “Monkey’s Head,” “Tree Hedgehog,” and “Bearded Tooth.” This is the go-to mushroom for improving overall brain function and protecting against age-related mental decline. It is neuroprotective and helps with nerve development too. These qualities make Lion’s Mane beneficial for those with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, dementia, depression, and anxiety.
Lion’s Mane also contains moderately high antioxidant levels making it an ideal choice for long-term inflammatory conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and autoimmune issues. Additionally, Lion’s Mane enhances the immune system and protects against inflammatory bowel and other GI diseases. HEP3, a specific protein found in Lion’s Mane, is proving to be very beneficial to the gut in several ways. It acts as a prebiotic, reduces inflammation, and encourages a good gut microbiome.
Chaga Mushrooms
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)
Unlike some of the other medicinal mushrooms, Chaga has been used medicinally for centuries mainly in the cold climates of Russia, Poland, China and Northern Europe. Two other common names for Chaga are “Birch Conk” and “Tinder Fungus.” Chaga’s health benefits come from the woody, reddish colored “conk” that it forms on the sides of trees. It’s not attractive looking at all, but its health benefits make it very desirable.
Health studies on Chaga mushrooms are pretty limited, but seem to indicate it has antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory benefits. Because of this activity, Chaga has been used for boosting the immune system, lowering blood sugar in diabetics, and improving heart disease and stomach issues. Chaga also contains triterpene, an antioxidant, that has shown promise against cancer cells. Current research is even looking into its effectiveness against Coronavirus which causes COVID-19.
Reishi Mushrooms
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
Impressively known as the “King of the Mushrooms,” Reishi mushrooms have been around for over 2000 years. They grow natively in parts of Asia and have long been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Though not used in cooking due to their bitter taste and woody texture, Reishis do have a powerful effect on strengthening the body’s life force energy, and have been widely used for their immune-enhancing and anticancer effects. But what makes this mushroom even more impressive is its wide range of therapeutic health benefits.
First it has a stimulating effect on the immune system. It revs up killer T-cells and NK (native killer) cell activity enhancing the body’s attack against bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Second, high antioxidant levels also make it beneficial for allergies, and protective against tumors, cancer, and stomach ulcers.
Third, it has powerful antiaging benefits. Reishi mushrooms are also called the “Lady’s Mushroom” and “Mushroom of Immortality” because of their ability to hydrate, reduce redness and fine lines and wrinkles, and even slow aging of the skin. No wonder they are found in many skin care products from masks and moisturizers to serums.
Fourth, it has adaptagenic properties. It’s even been called “Nature’s Xanax.” It helps the body adapt to stress and brings overall balance back to the mind and other body systems by reducing fatigue, reducing anxiety, and improving sleep and mental clarity.
Some of Reishi’s other benefits include improving brain health, reducing blood lipid levels, regulating blood glucose, protecting the liver, and improving lung health. Truly a powerhouse mushroom.
Turkey Tail Mushrooms
Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor or Coriolus Mushroom)
This magnificent medical mushroom grows on dead logs and forms large fan-like clusters resembling the tail of a turkey, thus its name, Turkey Tail. Medicinally it has been used in Asia for lung disease and to boost the body’s immune system against cancer. Turkey Tail is high in both Polysaccharide Peptide (PSP) and Polysaccharide K (PSK) making it beneficial as an adjuvant therapy in treating certain cancers. Specifically, cancers of the stomach, lung, breast, and colorectal cancers. It has been used for these in the U.S. since the 70’s. Turkey Tail reduces the pain and side effects of chemo and radiation therapies, increases appetite, while also improving cancer patients’ quality of life. And, it does all this with very few, if any adverse effects.
The immune enhancing effects of the Turkey Tail make it beneficial against bacteria, viruses, and fungi. And has been used in treating viral hepatitis, herpes, lung infections, and infections of the digestive and urinary tracts, as well as impetigo and ringworm.
Another plus for Turkey Tail mushrooms are their high fiber content. The fiber acts as a prebiotic in the gut, helping regulate the balance within the gut flora. A truly impressive mushroom!
Cordyceps Mushrooms
Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis)
Ok, so this one gets a little gross. This mighty mushroom actually grows on the backs of certain caterpillars in mountainous regions of China and becomes part caterpillar and part fungus. Some of its other names are “Chinese Caterpillar Fungus” and “Caterpillar Mushroom,” and “Himalayan Viagra.” Traditional healers in India have used Cordyceps to treat ALL illnesses because of claims that it improves sleep, appetite, and enhances overall vitality, sexual potency, and stamina.
As with the other medical mushrooms, Cordyceps has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. It helps normalize blood sugar levels in diabetics, has anticancer, and antitumor properties as well. Additional research has shown that this mushroom benefits heart health by improving cardiac circulation and output, and normalizing arrhythmias. It strengthens the lungs too, making it a good choice for those with asthma, bronchitis, or other respiratory issues.
Cordyceps increase the ATP within cells boosting energy and enhancing physical performance for athletes and elderly alike. It even made the news in 1993 at the Chinese National Games when a group of female athletes taking C.ordyceps sinensis daily broke nine world records!
The same precautions apply to this mushroom as I’ve mentioned before. Additionally, because this mushroom has 500 different varieties, it is important to read the labels to ensure that you are indeed getting genuine Cordyceps sinensis.
Shiitake Mushrooms
Shiitake (Lentinula edodes)
You may be quite familiar with this mushroom as shiitakes rank as one of the most popular edible mushrooms for their hearty, earthy flavor and meaty texture. Not to be overlooked, though, they are one of the top medical mushrooms as well. They are so rich in nutrients and active compounds that even eating a modest 1 ounce of these a day is enough to provide a therapeutic effect. Overall, shiitakes are regarded highly for their antioxidant and immune enhancing activity. They have antiviral, antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiaging actions like most of the other medical mushrooms.
Shiitake mushrooms also contain high levels of heart-healthy eritadenine, a substance found to have cholesterol lowering and cardiovascular benefits. Eritadenine works by enhancing the body’s ability to absorb cholesterol thus lowering the amount that is circulating in the blood. Eritadenine also has the capacity to reduce the activity of an enzyme called angiotensin-converting enzyme, or ACE. Reducing ACE is valuable in regulating normal blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels.
Shiitake are also known for their anticancer/ antitumor benefits. They contain the glucan polysaccharide, lentinan, which has been effectively used alongside medication in treating HIV, and cancers of the breast, stomach, and prostate.
Shiitake have also been shown to improve blood sugar levels and are particularly great for oral health. Several components of shiitake help prevent plaque build-up, prevent cavity formation, and reduce the occurrence of gingivitis. In Hong Kong, they have even packaged them with toothpaste, so don’t be surprised to find them as an active ingredient in dental products in the near future.
Make sure to cook your shiitake mushrooms before eating. A rash called shiitake dermatitis has occurred in those who had a sensitivity to the mushroom and ate them raw.
