Top 7 Benefits of Medicinal Mushrooms — and How to Use Them

Medicinal mushrooms are an incredible superfood—benefitting athletes, people who want to improve their overall health, and those suffering from chronic illness. Mushrooms like Chaga, Shiitake, Turkey Tail, Lion’s Mane, Maitake, Reishi, and Cordyceps all have unique health benefits. Here are some of the best perks these medicinal mushrooms have to offer.

What Medicinal Mushrooms Offer Your Body

Antioxidants

Without antioxidants, your body would be overrun by free radicals — agents that cause cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart problems, premature aging, cataracts, Parkinson’s, and many more debilitating issues.¹ Medicinal mushroom extracts are packed with antioxidants that break down free radicals to help the body stay healthy. Consider them your personal bodyguards against dangerous free radicals so you can stay active, fight off sickness, and live your best life.


Anti-Inflammatory Agents

According to research, Cordyceps, Reishi, and Chaga mushrooms have been found to inhibit inflammation in the human body. ^{2, 3, 4} Chronic inflammation is known to contribute to type 2 diabetes, depression, Alzheimer’s, and more serious problems.⁵ Athletes, active individuals, and those with inflammation problems caused by arthritis, celiac disease, asthma, and skin conditions like psoriasis may benefit from the anti-inflammatory properties of medicinal mushroom superfoods.


Immune System Boosters

Medicinal mushrooms like Turkey Tail, Reishi, Shiitake, and Maitake are valued for their ability to boost the immune system—thanks to mighty beta-glucans.⁶  Turkey Tail was given to people with oral HPV (human papillomavirus) to successfully control this virus.⁷


Weight Management

Many mushrooms like Reishi and Turkey Tail have a powerful property called triterpenoids that help with weight control. In Turkey Tail, this agent has been found to improve gut flora and therefore help with obesity and overall weight management.⁸ Maitake has also been shown to help with weight regulation because of its ability to stabilize blood sugar and insulin production.⁹


Increased Energy and Stamina

Researchers have reported that Chaga and Cordyceps increase energy and endurance—the former even decreasing fatigue too.^{10, 11} If you’re an athlete or someone who suffers from chronic fatigue, you may benefit from these superfoods. Just another reason why medicinal mushrooms are incredible for everyone!


Reproductive and Hormonal Support

Whether you’re having difficulty getting pregnant, suffering from painful intercourse, or feeling the effects of aging on your sex drive and performance, medicinal mushrooms may help. Researchers have discovered that some medicinal mushrooms benefit to the libido, sexual dysfunction, and fertility! ¹²


Mental Health Support

Lion’s Mane is the ultimate “feel good” medicinal mushroom. This fungus boosts mood, decreases anxiety, and has been shown to improve the mental capabilities of patients who have early-stage dementia.^{13, 14} Shiitake is also a powerful supplement for brain health. According to research, this superfood boosts brain function in older adults thanks to its concentrations of B vitamins and folate.¹⁵

How to Use Medicinal Mushroom Extracts

There are many ways to enjoy medicinal mushroom extracts. Here are three of our favorites:

Brew Tea or Add to Coffee

If you have whole, dried medicinal mushrooms you can steep your own tea. Don’t worry, it won’t taste “mushroomy” at all. Instead, get ready for an earthy, full-bodied flavor that’s tasty and great for your health.

First, pour one cup of water into a pot and bring to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon of any WholeSun Wellness medicinal mushroom extract. Adjust the amount you add to your taste. After adding the mushroom extract, lower the heat and simmer until the tea is almost completely opaque. Pour through a fine strainer, if desired. Add your favorite sweetener, if desired. If the taste is too strong, dilute the tea with purified water. Enjoy hot or iced!

You can also add any mushroom to your morning coffee or tea for an extra flavorful superfood boost. Chaga’s earthy flavor makes it a perfect addition to a cup of joe.


Blend into Smoothies and Juices

Love waking up with a green juice or fresh fruit smoothie? Add in your daily dose of WholeSun Wellness medicinal mushroom extract to get your day started! Hydrating yourself and ingesting vitamin C alongside your medicinal mushroom supplement will help your body absorb its beneficial properties faster.


Sprinkle on Top of Raw Foods

Mix your daily recommended dose of medicinal mushrooms into salads, granolas, oatmeal, cereal, peanut butter sandwiches, and your favorite foods. You’ll be surprised at how many ways you can incorporate medicinal mushrooms into your diet!

Whether you already take medicinal mushroom supplements or want to add these incredible superfoods to your diet, we hope you use this guide to find the best mushrooms for your body and health goals!

Sources

1. How do free radicals affect the body? Medical News Today.
2. Anti-Inflammatory Properties of the Medicinal Mushroom Cordyceps militaris Might Be Related to Its Linear (1→3)-β-D-Glucan. PLOS ONE.
3. In vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of the methanol extract of Inonotus obliques. Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
4. Suppression of Inflammatory and Allergic Responses by Pharmacologically Potent Fungus Ganoderma Lucidum. Recent patents on inflammation and allergy drug discovery.
5. Is Inflammation Bad For You Or Good For You? National Public Radio
6. The effects of β-glucan on human immune and cancer cells. Journal of Hematology and Oncology.
7. Control of Oral Human Papillomavirus (HPV) by Medicinal Mushrooms, Trametes versicolor and Ganoderma lucidum: A Preliminary Clinical Trial. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms.
8. Ganoderma lucidum, a new prebiotic agent to treat obesity? Nature.
9. Effects of a Water-Soluble Extract of Maitake Mushroom on Circulating glucose/insulin Concentrations in KK Mice. Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism.
10. Effect of Inonotus Obliquus Polysaccharides on physical fatigue in mice. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
11. Traditional uses and medicinal potential of Cordyceps sinensis of Sikkim. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine.
12. Review of Naturopathy of Medical Mushroom, Ophiocordyceps Sinensis, in Sexual Dysfunction. Pharmacognosy Review.
13. Improving Effects of the Mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium Erinaceus) on Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Phytotherapy Research.
14. Reduction of Depression and Anxiety by 4 Weeks Hericium Erinaceus Intake. Biomedical Research.
15. B Vitamins, Cognition, and Aging: A Review. The Journals of Gerontology. Series B. Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences