How Medicinal Mushrooms Improve Your Health?

Medicinal mushrooms are adaptogens, and are used in holistic medicine today in western world.  For hundreds of years people have turned to mushrooms to aid their health, and in recent years science has validated what those people have known all along. I became familiar with medicinal mushrooms two years ago when I had to boost my immune system. I started to use first chaga afterwards reishi, Lion´s Mane and cordyceps. I use them as powder for tea or e.g. chaga latte with almond milk.

This post includes only four of Medicinal Mushrooms. There are also Maitake, Turkey Tail and Shiitake medicinal mushrooms. Be sure when purchasing medicinal mushrooms that they are high quality.

Chaga (Inonotus Obliquus)

Chaga has been used by traditional cultures for its health benefits, for hundreds of years. It grows high up on the bark of birch trees in the Northern Europe, Eastern U.S. and Canada. This mushroom presents as a hardened, blackened, crusty formation, with the appearance of a bursting tumor on the trunk of a birch tree. Chaga’s most important components, betulinic acid and melano-glucan complexes are derived from the bark of the birch trees the fungus grows on. Chaga is traditionally used as a tea and is revered for its anti-cancer and digestive health benefits.

• Mental health
• Energy
• Anti-tumor
• Detoxifies
• Boosts digestion, improves the appetite
• Purifies the blood
• Regulates blood sugar
• Strengthens the heart
• Modulates the immune system

Lion´s Mane (Hericium Erinaceus)

Traditional medicine has always been very popular with the Chinese ever since 2000 BC. And this mushroom is quite popular among their cures.  There has been evidence of nerve cells stimulation and enhancement of cognitive abilities.  Growth of nerves was also enhanced too even when astrocytoma cells from humans were used. Myelination was also enhanced.  Apart from vitamins and minerals, Lion’s Mane also contains some specific compounds such as hericerins, erinacines, erinaceolactones, and specific glycoproteins and polysaccharides

• Enhances brain functions (NGF Nerve Growth Factor)
• Protect against cancer (intestinal, pancreatic, stomach, esophageal)
• Support heart and circulatory system health
• Improve digestive health
• Reduces inflammation (Crohn´s disease, pancreatitis)
• Acts as a powerful antioxidant
• Improve mental health
• Strenghts immune system

Cordyceps (Caterpillar Fungus, Toschukasu)

Cordyceps have a large variety of medicinal effects and Chinese practitioners have used them as medicine for hundreds of years. Cordyceps grow on moth larvae, and have a symbiotic relationship with their host. They were used for the treatment of asthma, erectile dysfunction, and as a health tonic for the elderly. The main health benefit from cordyceps is increased energy because they help to deliver oxygen to the body at a cellular level.

• Hydration
• Increased oxygen to cells
• Breaks down phlegm
• Anti-fatigue
• Antioxidant
• Immune modulation
• Heart tonic
• Sexual tonic
• Kidney function improvement
• Anti-viral

Reishi (Ganoderma Lucidum)

In Ancient Chinese medicine Reishi is referred to as the “spirit herb”, known for its ability to improve mind, body and spirit. Reishi is also known as the mushroom of long life. The Reishi mushroom contains several bioactive compounds. These compounds include specific polysaccharides, with triterpene being one of the active polysaccharide compounds of Reishi mushroom. It possesses potent anti-inflammatory, anti-tumorigenic and hypolipidemic properties.

• Anti-tumor
• Boost digestion
• Stops coughing and wheezing
• Boosts immune function
• Increases oxygenation of the cells
• Calming, restful sleep
• Reduce anxiety, depression, and paranoia

Chaga-reishi latte

• 1 tsp chaga powder
• 1 tsp reishi powder
• 2 dl almond milk
• honey
• cinnamon

Mix all ingredients to sauce pan and warm with low heat. I used manual milk frother for this.

Do you use any Medicinal Mushrooms for health purpose?

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Health, Love & Light ♡

-Sari Helen  | Holistic Healing Therapist, Coach, Counsellor, Reiki