Mushroom Medics
Portabella, Oyster, Shiitake… everybody knows someone who loves to eat mushrooms. And probably someone who doesn’t like to eat mushrooms. As a food source, they are ranked low in carbs, high in protein, rich in B vitamins and are one of the very few non-animal derived sources of vitamin D. They contain the precursor Ergosterol, and when exposed to UV rays during their growth cycle, it is converted to bio-available vitamin D. They are also a low calorie and high fiber food. They are not the only fungi we eat (any product containing yeast — yep!) nor are they the only fungi used in medicine. Fungus derived medicines are more common than you might think.
As medicine, mushrooms date back thousands of years.
Ötzi the “Iceman” was discovered in 1991 — mummified high in the Alps on the Italian-Austrian border. He was later dated back to 3500 BCE. The birch polypores (one which was very similar to Chaga) that he carried with him are thought to have been used for medicinal purposes and for a fire-starting kit. Hippocrates (born 460 BCE) also classified the medicinal Amadou mushroom, and medicinal Reishi use dates back to 25 AD in China and other parts of Asia.
Let’s get to the point.
Below, we’ll go through a couple of our favorite medicinal mushrooms and their benefits and usage.
Lion’s Mane
Do we grow it? Yes!
Primary benefits:
promotes healthy energy levels and combats fatigue
promotes health neuron growth and helps repair the nervous system
regulates blood sugar and lowers blood pressure
reduces inflammation
aids in memory retention and ability to focus
nootropic, meaning it aids in healthy brain and cognitive function
widely considered adaptogenic, meaning it helps the body adapt to stress and has a normalizing effect on the body in response to stimuli
Uses: As a food, it is a popular meat/seafood substitute, given its dense, meaty texture. It can be taken medicinally as a tincture, tea, or added to other foods/drinks as a powder or extract.
Chaga
Do we grow it? No. It is difficult to cultivate. We source only wild-harvested Chaga from small businesses in the United States.
Primary benefits:
lowers cholesterol
supports immune function
cleanses the liver and the blood, supports general liver health
helps prevent chronic inflammation
rich source of antioxidants, which may help reduce the risk of cancer
nootropic and adaptogenic
Uses: Not generally used as food, due to the very hard texture. It is mainly taken as tea, tincture, extract or supplement form. It has a mild, earthy flavor, and contains vanillin, which naturally gives it a vanilla-reminiscent aroma and taste.
Reishi
Do we grow it? Yes!
Primary benefits:
supports the immune system
promotes relaxation
helps you manage stress and anxiety
reduces inflammation
supports the adrenals
potential nootropic
adaptogenic
Uses: Not used for food, due to woody, fibrous texture and bitter taste. Generally taken in tea, tincture, extract or supplement form.
Turkey Tail
Do we grow it? Yes!
Primary benefits:
packed with anti-oxidants
immune support boosting
may help improve response to cancer treatment
heals liver damage and disease
contains pre-biotics, the necessary precursor of probiotics for gut health
nootropic and adaptogenic
Uses: Turkey Tail is edible as food, although it is generally dried and ground and then consumed (perhaps in a soup or stew), due to its tough texture. It is commonly taken as tea, or in tincture, extract, or supplement form.
Oyster Mushrooms
Do we grow it? Yes!
high in antioxidants
reduces liver damage
beneficial to heart health
promotes blood sugar regulation
beneficial for gut health
nootropic and adaptogenic
Uses: Very commonly used as food. Different oyster varieties boast many colors, flavors and textures. They are wonderful added to almost any kind of dish. They can also be dried and taken as tea, or as a tincture, extract or supplement.
Shiitake
Do we grow it? Yes!
Primary benefits:
aids in weight loss
supports heart health
reduces inflammation
boosts immune system
may help to fight cancer
one of highest amounts of natural copper, an essential nutrient
nootropic and adaptogenic
Uses: Very commonly used in food. Provides a mild, earthy, umami flavor and dense texture. Can be used in a wide variety of dishes and cooking methods. Also commonly taken as tea, tincture, extract, and supplement form.
That about sums it up!
To check out our current medicinal mushroom selection, just click here.
dried Chaga
This information was gathered from the web, and does not represent all the benefits of each mushroom. This information given is not a substitute for advice from a medical professional. If you are taking medication or have existing conditions, consult your doctor before taking mushroom supplements, as they may interfere with other medications, just like any other supplement.
