Medicinal Mushrooms Take Wellness by Storm with Targeted Health Benefits
From reishi to cordyceps via lion's mane, chaga and turkey tail, medicinal mushrooms (or functional mushrooms) have become a wellness obsession. They claim to change how you feel and function in specific ways, depending on your 'shroom of choice. Some aficionados are even dosing according to the effect they want to create. Need an extra brain boost? Ask your barista for some lion's mane in your latte. A pre-workout fix? That'll be cordyceps. Need help nodding off? Sip a reishi hot chocolate.
What is a medicinal mushroom?
The medicinal (or functional) mushroom label is generally reserved for those species with higher levels of bioactive compounds (like beta-glucans and triterpenes) rather than bog-standard edible mushrooms. They are concentrated versions of any edible mushrooms, with (in a good product) specific doses of active compounds that give you therapeutic benefits, says Aliza Marogy, formulator and founder of Inessa supplements.
They are backed by an impressive amount of research. "Medicinal mushroom extracts have been studied and used for prevention, alleviating and healing of multiple diseases and conditions," says Esteban Sinde Stompel, chief research and innovation officer at mushroom specialists Hifasda Terra, an organic brand founded by an oncologist and leading the way in the use of mushrooms for medicinal benefits.
Benefits of medicinal mushrooms
- They're good for your immune system. Functional mushrooms are great 'immunomodulators', meaning they can reduce or enhance your body's immune response.
- They're prebiotics - probiotic foods that feed your good gut bacteria.
- They are adaptogens, nature's stress regulators.
The ones most commonly used in supplements are reishi, chaga, lion's mane, cordyceps and tremella (maitake, Royal Sun and turkey tail among the lesser-known species) and they all have slightly different effects and uses.
How to find a good-quality mushroom supplement
- Look for one made with the 'fruiting body'
- 'Full spectrum' isn't a selling point
- Look for 'standardised'
- Go for 'mushroom extract', not 'raw' or powdered mushrooms
- Find the right extraction process
- Err on the dark side
- Check where the 'shrooms were grown
- Look for proof
- Go organic
Which type of mushroom supplement do you need?
All medicinal mushrooms are great for supporting your gut and healthy immune function. Each also has its own unique set of benefits, some of which overlap.
Reishi is for sleep, stress relief and longevity
Reishi is one of the best-known and most studied medicinal mushrooms, "associated with longevity thanks to its ability to help regulate immune function and the nervous system," says Stompel.
Lion's mane for focus, memory and all-round brain health
Lion's mane is the 'brain mushroom,'
Chaga for immunity, anti-ageing and great skin
Chaga is an immune-supporting powerhouse, particularly high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories
Cordyceps for energy, sports performance and libido
Cordyceps is associated with improving energy levels
The 12 best functional mushroom supplements
- The women's health and beauty all-rounder: Hifas Da Terra Optimum
- For immunity: Inessa Immunity Complex
- For supercharging your morning run: The Herbtender Perform & Recover Training Mix
- For a night-time calmer: Ancient & Brave Cacao + Reishi Rest Ritual
- To zhuzh up your libido: Erba Woke + Focus
- For all-day Zen: Dirtea Matcha Super Blend
- To bust brain fog and calm nerves: Centred Organic Lion's Mane Mushroom Extract
- For sustained energy: Earth's Secret Boost
- The coffee to improve memory: London Nootropics Flow Coffee
- Best for keeping colds and niggles at bay: Wunder Workshop Superior Chaga Mushroom Powder
- For memory and energy: Anatome Cognitive Focus + Memory Support Supplement
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