Lately, it feels like mushrooms are popping up everywhere—kombucha, coffee drinks, protein powders, supplements, and even healthy snacks. They’ve really made their mark as the new ‘superfood.’
Medicinal mushrooms have been used for centuries around the world, known for their ability to fight cancer, boost brain function, strengthen the immune system, improve sleep, lower blood pressure, and even help with relaxation. These mushrooms have amazing properties, including being antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, heart-healthy, and even liver-protective.
While mushrooms aren’t the top source of common vitamins and minerals like magnesium or calcium, they’re packed with more rare nutrients, like selenium, copper, and pantothenic acid. They also have some unique compounds that you can’t find in other foods.
Here’s something cool: If you lay fresh mushrooms out in the sun for a couple of hours, they actually synthesize more vitamin D. Pretty awesome, right?
The real magic in mushrooms comes from their rare compounds, which provide therapeutic or medicinal effects that you won’t find in typical nutrient databases. Some of the most popular medicinal mushrooms are shiitake, reishi, cordyceps, maitake, chaga, turkey tail, and lion’s mane. You’ll often find these in powdered form, but you can also find some in the produce section of your local health food store.
One of the biggest trends right now is nootropics, supplements designed to improve brain power, memory, mood, and focus. Several medicinal mushrooms, like chaga, lion’s mane, cordyceps, maitake, and reishi, fit into this category. So if you’re looking to boost your brainpower, these might be just what you need.
Mushrooms are also well known for their ability to enhance immune function. They help the body fight off pathogens and even cancer cells. Some varieties help modulate the immune system, making it strong enough to fight infections but balanced enough to reduce inflammation and treat autoimmune issues.
Here’s a closer look at some of the most powerful mushrooms:
Shiitake
Main Benefits: Immune support, liver function, cardiovascular health.
Shiitakes are one of my favorites. They have a rich, earthy flavor and a meaty texture, making them perfect for soups, stews, or adding to vegetable and meat dishes. They’re packed with an antioxidant called L-ergothioneine, which protects your cells from damage. Shiitakes also contain lentinan, a compound that boosts the immune system and even has cancer-fighting properties.
Reishi
Main Benefits: Calming, anti-anxiety, sleep aid, immune modulator.
Reishi is one of the most popular medicinal mushrooms, known for helping with anxiety, depression, and sleep. It also has anti-inflammatory, tumor-fighting, and weight loss benefits. What sets it apart is its ability to calm the mind, thanks to a compound called triterpene. Reishi also supports nerve growth, which can boost memory and longevity, making it a great choice for cognitive health.
Lion’s Mane
Main Benefits: Mental clarity, brain health, nerve regeneration.
Lion’s mane is a unique-looking mushroom with a fluffy, white appearance. If you struggle with brain fog, lion’s mane is great for restoring mental clarity. It’s packed with antioxidants and supports immune function, but its main claim to fame is its ability to stimulate the production of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and myelin, both essential for brain and nerve health. It’s particularly useful for protecting against neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Cordyceps
Main Benefits: Energy, endurance, muscle recovery.
Cordyceps is a fascinating mushroom with a history rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. It’s known for boosting energy and athletic performance by increasing blood flow and helping the body produce more ATP, the energy molecule for cells. Cordyceps also helps clear lactate from muscles, reducing fatigue after exercise. Plus, it can support the immune system by boosting cancer-fighting T cells and white blood cells.
Chaga
Main Benefits: Immune support, liver health, brain health, longevity.
Chaga grows on birch trees in colder climates and is one of the most antioxidant-rich mushrooms out there. It’s fantastic for fighting free radicals, reducing inflammation, and supporting liver health. Chaga is also known for its ability to preserve acetylcholine, a brain chemical vital for learning and memory. It’s a great choice for overall brain health and slowing the aging process.
Turkey Tail
Main Benefits: Immune support, cancer-fighting, boosts natural killer cells.
Turkey tail mushrooms have been studied extensively for their immune-boosting properties. They stimulate the production of natural killer cells, which play a key role in fighting cancer. Turkey tail contains a compound called polysaccharide-K (PSK), which has cancer-fighting properties and is even approved as a cancer treatment in Japan. It’s also great for supporting immune function during chemotherapy.
Maitake
Main Benefits: Blood pressure regulation, immune support, mood improvement.
Maitake mushrooms, native to Japan, are known for their adaptogenic properties, helping the body cope with stress. They regulate the immune system and help balance blood pressure. Maitake also has mood-boosting effects, making it helpful for people struggling with depression.
Basic Mushroom Tips
If you’re eating mushrooms, make sure to cook them. Raw mushrooms are tough to digest and can be slightly toxic in their raw state. Sautéing them in butter or olive oil with garlic and seasoning is a simple and delicious way to prepare them. You can also find dried mushrooms in Asian grocery stores, which are great for soups and stews.
There are plenty of mushroom supplements available as powders, capsules, or even in drinks like coffees and kombuchas. So if you’re looking to boost your health with some medicinal mushrooms, there are plenty of ways to incorporate them into your diet.
Have you tried any medicinal mushrooms yet? Which ones do you think you’d like to try first?
