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5 Extraordinary Medicinal Mushrooms and Their Unique Benefits

Mushroom is a good source of fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

But did you know that certain types of mushrooms called medicinal mushrooms have been used to treat diseases for centuries now?

Let’s take a closer look at what medicinal mushrooms are, the most commonly used medicinal mushrooms, and their unique benefits that you might be missing out on.

What are medicinal mushrooms?

Also called functional mushrooms, medicinal mushrooms are mushrooms that provide health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and hormone balancing. They belong to the kingdom of fungi, the same as your baker’s yeast and the popular truffle.

Mushrooms have been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Today, it is added as a functional ingredient in many dishes all around the world. It is also used as an active component in herbal medicines like a mushroom supplement.

Many studies have shown that these mushrooms contain polysaccharides, a type of carbohydrate, in their fruit bodies and mycelium that provides numerous benefits.

In fact, it has been approved as an additional standard cancer treatment in China and Japan for more than 30 years now.

Top 5 medicinal mushrooms

There are hundreds of thousands of mushroom species in the world, and among these are the 5 most important varieties that are used for medicinal purposes.

1. Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis)

Cordyceps is a parasitic fungus that grows on the larva of insects. It has been described as an “exotic mushroom” in traditional Chinese medicine.

Many studies have examined its potential as a food supplement. Some of its bioactive components include polysaccharides, proteins, and sterols (similar to cholesterol but found in plants).

A clinical trial suggests that supplementation with a Cordyceps mushroom supplement may improve exercise performance in healthy older individuals.

Cordyceps may also help boost the exercise endurance of athletes in terms of time to exhaustion.

2. Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)

Also called lingzhi and “the mushroom of immortality,” reishi mushroom is historically used in many Asian countries to support health and improve longevity.

It is popular for being an immune booster, more than any other medicinal mushroom.

A study on cancer patients has shown that polysaccharides in reishi mushroom may enhance immune function. Specifically, it may increase natural killer cells, which are types of white blood cells that fight infections in the body.

Reishi mushroom supplement may also improve lymphocyte function.  A lymphocyte is another type of white blood cell that strengthens the immune system.

3. Shiitake (Lentinula edodes)

Shiitake mushroom is one of the most popular edible mushrooms that is known for its meaty flavor and texture. It contains almost the same amino acids found in meat, making it a perfect meat substitute for vegans.

It contains different compounds that are known to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, which can reduce the risk of heart disease.

An example is eritadenine, an enzyme inhibitor that helps reduce cholesterol levels. Another one is a type of dietary fiber called beta-glucans that lowers LDL and total cholesterol levels.

It is also high in potassium which is an essential mineral in managing blood pressure.

4. Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)

Known as “the smart mushroom,” lion’s mane is a medicinal mushroom used in traditional Chinese medicine to support brain function.

It is often consumed as raw, cooked, or steeped like tea. Many associate it with a seafood flavor and texture, like that of crab flesh.

This culinary mushroom has been shown to improve cognitive function, such as memory and attention in adults with mild cognitive impairment.

A 2015 study has revealed that lion’s mane mushroom promotes neurite outgrowth. This may be beneficial for people with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

In addition, the polysaccharide in lion’s mane is a powerful antioxidant that may help prevent aging and age-related diseases.

5. Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)

This not-so-common, dark-colored mushroom species is the most antioxidant-rich medical mushroom on this list.

Antioxidants are substances that may protect cells against free radicals and prevent oxidative stress. It is important in reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer.

Several animal studies have shown that chaga mushroom may reduce inflammation and enhance antibacterial properties by increasing the number of white blood cells.

Are mushrooms good for you?

Medicinal mushrooms have a variety of health benefits, from lowering cholesterol and blood pressure levels to enhancing exercise performance.

While they are not as well known as other types of mushrooms you see in the supermarket, medicinal mushrooms can be an easy and inexpensive way to get a lot of nutrients into your diet.

The best part? You can take in 10 different medicinal mushrooms with our vegan-friendly Shroom Power Mushroom Complex!

Made from all-natural ingredients, it contains a good serving of all the mushrooms listed above along with maitake, turkey tail, royal sun, white button, and black fungus extracts.

You can’t go wrong with our 10-in-1 mushroom complex, so try one today for a better mood, healthier heart, and stronger immunity every day.