Our Earth is a reservoir of abundant edible and medicinal mushrooms possessing many health benefits. Fungi boast enormous potential when it comes to maintaining your mental and physical well-being. Mushrooms have a high medicinal and nutritional value that aids in fighting off many diseases. Whether it’s a delicious mushroom soup or a dual-extracted tincture, every mushroom recipe has a therapeutic utility.
Keep reading to learn about these top ten mushrooms and their known health benefits.
1. Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)
Like many other mushrooms, turkey tail has extensive nutritional value in the form of polysaccharides, beta-glucans, and essential vitamins. These constituents regulate immune function and accelerate digestive processes. You can get your prebiotic fibers by consuming Turkey Tail regularly. This helps balance the digestive system, helps with gastric motility, and helps with Candida, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and leaky gut. The turkey tail mushroom is very well researched for cancer, and is often used in conjunction with modern cancer treatments.
Turkey Tail is the best-researched mushroom for its role in immune modulation, and Turkey Tail tinctures are used to keep medical ailments like influenza, herpes, HIV, inflammation, and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) at bay. Consuming the dual-extracted tincture gives you the full spectrum of medicinal components while the tea extracts only the water-soluble compounds.
2. Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
Popularly known as the “Mushroom of Immortality”, this adaptogenic fungus helps address issues such as increased inflammation, depleted energy levels, damaged blood vessels, allergies, cancer, infections, and various types of hormonal imbalances.
Ganoderma lucidum tincture is an herbal tonic that regulates immunity and decreases the accumulation of free radicals. Some diseases like Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, Inflammatory Disorders, and other stress-related conditions are thought to be kept at bay using dual-extracted reishi tinctures. It can also help control blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and people report improvement for cardiovascular disease, elevated blood pressure, and heart function when taking reishi mushrooms regularly.
Reishi has been shown to have neuro-protective effects and is also indicated for Leaky Gut, a common cause of inflammation and immune response. Make sure not to consume this mushroom if you suffer from any bleeding disorders like hemophilia, sickle cell diseases, or have a surgery scheduled.
3. Magic Mushrooms (Psilocybe cubensis)
Magic mushrooms are a psychedelic mushroom option that are becoming more mainstream these days. These mushrooms cause a “high” when unprocessed, owing to the high levels of psilocybin. However, after careful processing and micro-dosing, Psilocybe canada can help with psychiatric issues such as depression, PTSD, and anxiety. It accelerates the formation of new brain connections and facilitates neuronal regeneration. This helps increase creativity and cognitive abilities. Along with this, experts suggest using Psilocybe cubensis in Persistent Depressive Disorders, Substance Abuse Withdrawal, Cancer-Induced Anxiety, Cluster Headaches, and many other psychiatric applications. Note that these are illegal to posses in most of the USA without a prescription or a license, and are best used under the supervision of a physician.
4. Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris)
This fungus is used extensively in Traditional Chinese Medicinal practices. Cordyceps militaris has anti-aging, anti-oxidant, and antibacterial properties. Many use its potent tinctures for COPD, asthma, liver and kidney health, improved circulation, and lowering blood pressue. It may also help with male sexual dysfunction, certain types of cancer, increased athletic performance, and it’s demonstrated an anti-hyperglycemic effect for people with diabetes.
Cordyceps is also used for improved brain function, and as a neuro-protectant. Make sure not to consume this mushroom if you suffer from any bleeding disorders like hemophilia, sickle cell diseases, or have a surgery scheduled.
5. Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)
If you’re someone who suffers from a neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or Multiple Sclerosis, Hericium erinaceus tincture may be helpful. This mushroom increases the proteins that promote nerve regeneration. It also helps in treating various psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and stress. The dominant components, namely Hericenones and Erinacines, possess significant nerve repair functions. Hence, it helps in tackling nervous system degeneration. It is also an anti-oxidant and an anti-inflammatory, and has shown to have a positive effect on gut inflammation.
6. Shiitake (Lentinula edodes)
Edible mushrooms used predominantly in cooking and culinary purposes have many nutrients that we need. One such mushroom, Shiitake, is highly effective in boosting immunity and fighting off microbes. Also, they contain high levels of Vitamin D and promote the absorption of calcium in the body, resulting in improved bone health. Fungus experts suggest that this mushroom contains an anti-tumor compound called Lentinan, which may prevent or shrink already present benign growths.
7. Porcini (Boletus edulis)
Are you fond of the meaty mushrooms that transform the taste of your risottos and Italian pasta? If yes, then it’s about time that you learn about the health benefits of this fleshy delight. Boletus edulis is a mushroom with a reddish cap and an earthy taste. Chemically, it is rich in ergosterol, which accelerates the body’s defense mechanism to fight off cellular infection. It also contains anti-oxidants and helps in controlling the body’s inflammatory response.
8. Maitake (Grifola frondosa)
Certain mushrooms possess the ability to control raised blood sugar levels. Maitake is an adaptogen that can help patients with diabetes due to insulin resistance. Also, it increases the immune system’s ability to control viral, bacterial, protozoan, and other pathogenic infections. You might consider this mushroom if you suffer from a stressful lifestyle or feel an unbalance between your mental and physical states. Maitakes have high levels of Vitamin C, Beta Glucan, Niacin, and other nutrients. Research also suggests that maitake extracts might prevent the occurrence of malignancies.
9. Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius)
If there’s one delicious mushroom with high levels of vitamin B, it is the chanterelle. Vitamin B extracts in chanterelle help keep nervous system functions intact, resulting in better reflexes, increased muscle coordination, and better immune function. Additionally, eating these gives you extra fiber, which helps with all aspects of the digestive system.
10. Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)
Chaga mushrooms boast enormous health benefits like decreasing free radical accumulation, which leads to inflammation. Chaga is a popular fungus often used in mushroom tea. The mushroom contains high levels of polyphenols, which helps in increasing immunity. Also, it has been shown to help with diabetes, cardiovascular issues, high cholesterol levels, and hypertension.
Final Verdict
Mushrooms can be a great source of nutrition as well as health. Some mushrooms have the potential to control lifestyle disorders, microbial attacks, and regulate immunity. Adding more mushrooms to your diet may help prevent diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and neurodegenerative disorders.
Mushrooms like Reishi, Turkey Tail, Maitake, and Shiitake can help regulate your immune system. They are also rich sources of vitamins. Research these healthy mushrooms yourself and try incorporating them into your daily life for holistic well-being.
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