Mushrooms Can Change Lives*!
Is it too bold to claim that mushrooms can be life-changing? Not really, considering the longstanding cultural traditions of utilising mushrooms for medicinal purposes across the globe.
Today, the scientific community is increasingly acknowledging the functional advantages of certain mushrooms, such as promoting better sleep, enhancing energy levels, reducing stress, and improving immunity.
With a large selection of medicinal mushroom types available, navigating through them can be confusing. To simplify this journey, we've crafted this comprehensive guide to medicinal mushrooms, aiding you in selecting the right ones and incorporating them into your routine seamlessly.
Understanding Medicinal Mushrooms
To clarify; medicinal mushrooms are not the same as magic mushrooms, have no psychoactive effects and are entirely legal. Unlike the mushrooms lining supermarket store shelves, or farmers markets, you will find the medicinal varieties predominantly in supplements or integrated into various food products. Each medicinal mushroom boasts unique properties, but share common active compounds setting them apart from culinary mushrooms such as chestnut mushrooms or the classic button mushroom.
Beta-Glucans
What are they: Beta-glucans are a complex carbohydrate made up of long chains of sugars. This construction makes them water-soluble and classifies them as polysaccharides.
What do they do: This compound is one of the most recognised and widely studied in medicinal mushrooms and is thought to be responsible for their immune-balancing effects. As they’re water soluble, it is important to pick mushroom supplements which have been extracted in water as part of the process.
Terpenoids
What are they: Terpenoids, is a class of compounds known as terpenes whose effects differ based on their unique “functional groups”—atoms or bonds that give the molecules specific characteristics.
What do they do: Terpenes exhibit diverse effects like anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. For example; When a tree is damaged, especially a coniferous tree, resin begins to flow from the site of damage. Its purpose, like human blood, is to protect the damaged plant. The resin contains antibacterial agents that prevent harmful microorganisms from entering the plant. Unlike beta-glucans, terpenoids are fat-soluble and necessitate extraction using alcohol.
Sterols
What are they: Sterols is a type of “fat” molecule with a similar structure to cholesterol.
What do they do: They contribute to maintaining healthy cell membranes creating the right balance of rigidity and flexibility and may aid in combating aging effects.
The Historical Significance of Medicinal Mushrooms
Ancient civilisations recognised the potential of mushrooms, even without the backing of scientific research to explain why they worked.
An alchemist, Tao Hongjing described the use of several medicinal mushrooms including Reishi back in the fifth century. Ötzi, the “Ice Man”, carried a Birch Polypore tethered in a pouch to help him survive the Alps in northern Italy almost 5300 years ago.
Hippocrates' scripts pay acknowledgment of functional mushrooms' anti-inflammatory properties back in 450 BC. You can also find mentions of medicinal mushrooms in ancient Roman and Greek literature used as healing practices.
One of the oldest civilisations - the Egyptians, also used medicinal mushrooms as evidenced within their hieroglyphics.
Surely, this cannot be a coincidence!
Uncovering Healing Properties Through Science
Although medicinal mushrooms are still in their “budding” stages in Western societies, scientists are delving deeper into their potential benefits. Human trials, although mostly small-scale, have examined mushrooms like Cordyceps and Lion's Mane, exploring their capacity to enhance health and overall well-being. However, the bulk of research is still focused on specific extracts isolated from mushrooms and tested either on animals or cells.
Types of Medicinal Mushrooms and Their Benefits
Here's a breakdown of seven remarkable mushrooms and their benefits:
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum): Enhances immunity, reduces anxiety, and promotes better sleep.
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus): Rich in antioxidants, strengthens immunity, and improves digestive health.
Lion's Mane (Hericum erinaceus): Improves focus, supports nerve health, and uplifts mood.
Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor): Boosts immunity and aids gut health.
Cordyceps (C. militaris): Increases energy, endurance, and exercise performance while addressing inflammation.
Shiitake (Lentinula edodes): Enhances skin health and bolsters immunity.
Birch Polypore (Fomitopsis betulina): Supports the antibacterial, antiparasitic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and immunomodulating activities. It is said to boost the immune system, soothe the gut, deter harmful organisms, and reduce redness and swelling.
How To Use Functional Mushrooms
Incorporating medicinal mushrooms into your routine is very easy. You can reap the benefits of medicinal mushrooms in various ways:
Utilise edible varieties like Shiitake and Maitake in cooking for added flavour and functionality.
Prepare tea using dried mushrooms such as Turkey Tail.
Opt for functional mushroom supplements such as tinctures. Tinctures are fantastic for their bioavailability. Taking them directly under the tongue heightens the rate of absorption and action, meaning you will feel the benefits almost instantly. This method disregards your metabolic rate and is independent of food consumption.
Choosing Quality Functional Mushroom Supplements
So what if you’re ready to try all the benefits, but find it difficult to source, prepare and include the mushrooms within your diet. Or are not prepared to “ditch the coffee” as other mushroom supplements suggest?
Supplements are the easiest and most convenient way to use medicinal mushrooms. You can purchase them from many health food stores such as Healthy Supplies, or from online reputable stores like this one.
When purchasing mushroom supplements, please exercise caution to ensure efficacy as not all supplements are created equal. The best results are from dual-extracted (water and alcohol) mushroom supplements. This ensures all of the medicinal compounds mentioned above have been extracted making a highly potent product.
It is also important to look for supplements made from the fruiting body only and not mycelium on grain. Mycelium grown on grain brings the grain with it into the final supplement, so you’re mostly paying for starch.
Many supplements add additives such as bulking agents, flavourings and preservatives such as Potassium Sorbate. We would recommend reading the ingredients list and deterring away from such products.
Although mushroom supplements come in powder, capsule and tincture forms, we are most favorable towards tinctures - and here’s why!
To Wrap It Up…
Functional mushrooms offer a rich tapestry of health benefits, deeply rooted in both tradition and modern science. Whether through supplements or culinary exploration, integrating these functional fungi into your lifestyle can be a rewarding experience.
At Mogo Farm we’re passionate about mushrooms and harnessing the power of nature. If you have any questions, please feel free to chat to our team via our contact form, Facebook Messenger, or Instagram! We’ll be more than happy to assist you on your mushroom journey.
