Articles / Blog

Medicinal Mushrooms: The Top 7 Medicinal Mushrooms

In This Article

  1. Lion’s Mane: The Focus Mushroom
  2. Turkey Tail: The Immune System Mushroom
  3. Chaga Mushroom: The Digestion & Skin Mushroom
  4. Cordyceps Mushroom: The Energy Booster Mushroom
  5. Shiitake Mushroom: The Immune & Cardiovascular Mushroom
  6. Oyster: The Heart Health Mushroom
  7. Reishi Mushroom: The Stress Reliever & Immortality Mushroom
LION’S MANE: The Focus Mushroom
Lion’s mane mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus) are big, white mushrooms that resemble a lion’s mane (hence the name). Although they’re generally thought of as a single type of mushroom, there are three different species, with Hericium erinaceus being the one that’s most widely available. Buy Now - Smart Mushrooms
Lion’s mane mushrooms usually look like white pom-poms and have culinary, as well as medicinal, applications. They are extensively used in Asian countries such as Korea, Japan, India, and China. The demand for these mushrooms is growing quickly since it has several applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries. 
Now, lion’s mane mushrooms are found in grocery stores, your favorite restaurants, supplement shops, and even some of the most popular coffee varieties. You can get your fix of lion’s mane in the form of powders you can add to your morning cup of coffee or find in capsules. 
Lion’s mane mushrooms have a flavor that many describe as similar to seafood, and it’s enjoyed either raw, dried, or cooked.
Lion’s mane mushrooms are also very nutritious and are rich in vitamins such as thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin. It’s also a good source of essential minerals such as manganese, zinc, and potassium.
Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties
Many health conditions such as heart diseases and autoimmune disorders such as arthritis are due to chronic inflammation. Lion’s mane mushrooms are rich in a specific type of carbohydrate called oligosaccharides that have many critical biological functions including antioxidative and antitumor activities.
They also exhibit immune-stimulating functions, all of which combine to lower the inflammatory fallout of such conditions. Research conducted to understand the antioxidant qualities of several types of mushrooms found that lion’s mane mushrooms show the fourth most potent antioxidant activity. Some studies also indicate the benefits of lion’s mane mushrooms to fight obesity by lowering the impact of fat tissue inflammation.
May Help Overcome Dementia
As you age, the ability of your brain to form connections reduces along with its capacity to form new brain cells called neurons, and this leads to diminished mental functioning in elderly people. Studies have found that lion’s mane mushrooms, though, are a good source of hericenones and erinacines, two chemicals that accelerate the growth of brain cells.
A chemical called the nerve growth factor (NGF) is similarly essential for the normal functioning of the part of the brain (called the basal forebrain) that produces acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is one of the most common neurotransmitters that is used by neurons (brain cells) to transmit information and is also the chemical responsible for your waking state. Stimulating the basal forebrain leads to the release of this chemical in your brain that in turn causes you to wake up.
Turkey Tail: The Immune System Booster Mushroom
Turkey tail mushrooms are multicolored fungi that grow on tree trunks and fallen trees in wooded areas. They are plentiful in various parts of the world, including the United States. . Buy Now - Smart Mushrooms
These mushrooms have a disc-like shape and varying colors. Their overall appearance may resemble that of a turkey’s tail.Learn more about the potential health benefits of turkey tail mushrooms in this article.
Cancer Fighting Potential
A number of studies have shown that turkey tail mushrooms have immune boosting properties.
For example, its extract may be useful in fighting certain types of cancer, according to one 2014 review Trusted Source
The researchers looked at studies of five types of mushroom, including turkey tail, as complementary cancer treatments. They conclude, “The evidence base for using mushrooms in cancer treatment has greatly increased.”
Trusted Source that PSP may also have the ability to stimulate the immune system, especially when combined with other anticancer treatments.
Researchers have isolated the PSK compound. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved the product for this use in the U.S.
Colon Cancer
PSP from turkey tail extract may inhibit colon cancer cell growth, according to some research
Trusted Source PSP may also stop the colon cancer cells from migrating and invading healthy cells, the study authors report. This was laboratory-based research, however. The team did not conduct the study in humans. A systematic review and meta-analysis Trusted Source found that PSK from turkey tail is a safe and effective supplement for people with colorectal cancer or other forms of intestinal cancer.
The authors of the review conclude that people who take PSK may have improved survival rates, and they recommend combining PSK with chemotherapy.
Breast Cancer
Another study looked at natural supplements that doctors recommend in conjunction with chemotherapy. The authors suggest that turkey tail extract was the natural therapy most commonly prescribed to people with breast cancer, and they describe the extract as “chemotherapy-compatible.”
Gut Health Benefits
Turkey tail contains fiber, which is an indigestible part of plant foods that helps maintain healthy digestion.
These mushrooms may also provide other benefits, including:
Healthy Gut Bacteria
Trusted Source has shown that having a healthy colony of bacteria in the gut can help prevent disease and support the immune system. Turkey tail may be helpful in keeping a balance of gut bacteria, therefore improving overall health.
Obesity
Trusted Source for example, found that PBG helped prevent weight gain in those that ate a high fat diet.
The study found that PBG may help balance certain bacteria in the gut, which can help prevent obesity. However, confirming these effects in humans will require further research.
Summary
Turkey tail mushrooms may have immune boosting properties that support cancer treatment for some people. They also appear to help maintain gut health.However, turkey tail extract does not treat cancer on its own. Rather, it may be a useful addition to a medical treatment plan, under a doctor’s supervision and with their approval.Always ask a doctor before taking any supplements. Some can have harmful side effects or interactions with other medications.Turkey tail may be a promising natural treatment in conjunction with other therapies, but confirming its benefits will require further research in humans.
Chaga Mushroom: The Digestion & Skin Mushroom
The chaga mushroom, or Inonotus obliquus, is a large, black fungus thought by many to have medicinal properties. Native to cooler northern regions of Asia, Europe, and North America, the Chaga mushroom grows mainly on birch trees.  Buy Now - Smart Mushrooms
The nutrients per serving of chaga will depend on the form you take it in and how much you take. If you want to take it as a supplement, read the label carefully and speak with your doctor about it before you start.
Potential Health Benefits of Chaga
Chaga is believed to have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a potential alternative remedy for things like arthritis and high blood pressure. It may also help lower blood sugar and even slow the progression of cancer cells.
Chaga may also help ease inflammation. Researchers have found that Chaga may help regulate the body’s production of cytokines — cells that affect other cells in the body — and ease or prevent swelling associated with conditions like arthritis. Current research is promising, but further testing is needed to be sure of chaga’s effectiveness.
Multiple studies show that compounds in Chaga mushrooms may help block or slow the growth of cancer cells. Studies have been conducted on both lung cancer and colorectal cancer cells using compounds found in chaga. The research seems to indicate that chaga may help slow cancer growth and even kill existing cancer cells.
Can help you maintain a better shape 
Cordyceps is known for increasing the production of the molecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the body, which is responsible for delivering energy to the muscles. The usage of oxygen is especially important when you exercise. Buy Now - Smart Mushrooms
This theory was tested by a one study, where researchers observed the effects on exercise capacity in 30 healthy older adults using a stationary bike. Participants received either a placebo pill or 3 grams of a synthetic strain of Cordyceps called CS-4 per day for six weeks.
May help the fight with Type 2 Diabetes
That is the reason people struggling with diabetes have to check their blood sugar levels regularly. So how is this related to Cordyceps? Cordyceps contain a special type of sugar that may help treat diabetes. In several studies conducted with mice who have diabetes, Cordyceps mushrooms have been proven to decrease blood sugar levels. Some evidence suggests that they may also protect against kidney disease, a common complication of diabetes. 22 studies including 1,746 people with chronic kidney disease have been already finished are showing that those who took Cordyceps supplements have improved kidney function.
May Help Fight Inflammation
Cordyceps is known for helping to fight inflammation in the body.
Some studies show that when people take Cordyceps, special proteins that increase inflammation in the body become suppressed.
Because of these potential effects, scientists believe Cordyceps may serve as a useful anti-inflammatory supplement or drug.
Cordyceps has also been shown to reduce inflammation in the airways of mice which can make this mushroom a potential therapy for asthma. However, the fungi appear to be less effective than commonly prescribed drugs used to provide relief for inflamed areas of the body.
Surprisingly Cordyceps may also have topical uses. One study found it reduced skin inflammation when applied topically in mice, further demonstrating its anti-inflammatory properties.
Shiitake Mushroom: The Immune & Cardiovascular Mushroom
There are also several health benefits of shiitake you can enjoy from adding them to your diet or consuming them as a supplement. 
1. Activates The Immune System 
Research shows that the polysaccharides in shiitake may support the immune system to help it fend off disease and illness. (3) Not only that, but much of the immune-boosting support in shiitakes comes from their nice dose of zinc. Zinc helps the body fight infections and oxidative stress while warding away age-related diseases. (4)
2. Supports Heart Health
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 30% of all Americans suffer from high blood pressure. (5) Chronic high blood pressure is dangerous because it can lead to stroke, heart attacks, and even aneurysms.Studies done on rats show significant promise for using shiitake mushrooms to reduce blood pressure. Rats who consumed 5% shiitake powder with water for nine weeks displayed lower blood pressure and cholesterol. (6)
3. Fights Cancerous Cells
Are shiitake mushrooms a miracle cure for cancer? Absolutely not. Do they have specific qualities that can defend against cancer and reduce the size of tumors? Possibly. Studies show that the polysaccharides in shiitake mushrooms have an anti-cancer effect. Their activation of the immune system helps fight cancerous cells, in particular. (6, 7)
Shiitake mushrooms also contain a compound called lentinan. Lentinan can slow down the growth of leukemia cells and stop them from spreading. Doctors in China and Japan prescribe injectable lentinan as part of a broader cancer treatment to boost the immune system in patients with stomach cancer. (8, 9)
4. Provides Natural Energy
Several health benefits of shiitake mushrooms stem from their hefty dose of B vitamins. Vitamin B3, otherwise known as niacin, plays a crucial role in supporting energy production and overall well being.
Without niacin, your body couldn’t convert food into enough energy to make it through the day. This B vitamin also supports healthy cell growth and turnover.
5. Supports Healthy Skin and Hair
You’ve probably seen all the Pantene hair commercials touting the benefits of vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid. Like niacin, every cell in the body needs B5 to process protein and carbohydrates into usable energy. B5 also plays an important role in supporting hair and skin health. Although consuming B5 or applying it to the scalp won’t make hair start growing again, it can stop hair from thinning. (10)
6. Decreases Inflammation 
Inflammation causes problems across all parts of the body. Acne, joint pain, depression, weight gain, anxiety, fatigue, and gut problems are all linked with chronic inflammation. (11)
7. Lowers Cholesterol 
The special substances in shiitake mushrooms – polysaccharides, lipids, sterols, and terpenoids – are all believed to give the medicinal mushroom its power to lower cholesterol. (12)
Oyster: The Heart Health Mushroom
High in Antioxidants 
Oyster mushrooms are rich in antioxidant compounds such as flavonoids and phenolics. Scientists have found that oyster mushrooms contain higher amounts of antioxidants than other types of cultivated mushrooms. This is probably why oyster mushrooms are used in so many dietary supplements. Mushrooms are also rich in an amino acid called ergothioneine. Scientists say that this substance has potent antioxidant activity. Edible mushrooms are the main source of ergothioneine. Buy Now - Smart Mushrooms
May Help Heart Health
Eating oyster mushrooms may be beneficial for your heart. This may be due to beta-glucans, which are fibers that make up the cell walls of yeast and fungi. When fermented by bacteria in your gut, beta-glucans produce short-chain fatty acids that are able to reduce your body’s production of cholesterol.
May Lower Cancer Risk
Scientists have found that mushrooms are high in bioactive compounds. A review of several scientific studies found that eating about 18 grams of mushrooms (about two medium mushrooms) a day may help lower your cancer risk by 45 percent. This may be due to mushrooms' special compounds like ergothioneine.
May Help Control Blood Sugar Levels
Some limited studies have found that regularly eating oyster mushrooms may have an effect on your blood sugar level. One study on hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes found that eating 150 grams of oyster mushrooms three times a day for 7 days reduced fasting blood sugar levels by about 22 percent. 
Reishi Mushroom: The Mushroom of Immortality
Reishi mushrooms are among several medicinal mushrooms that have been used for hundreds of years, mainly in Asian countries, for treatment of infection. More recently, they have also been used in the treatment of pulmonary diseases and cancer. Medicinal mushrooms have been approved adjuncts to standard cancer treatments in Japan and China for more than 30 years and have an extensive clinical history of safe use as single agents or combined with chemotherapy.
The reishi mushroom is also known as lingzhi. Buy Now - Smart Mushrooms
Why do people take reishi mushrooms?
Reishi mushroom has been used to help enhance the immune system, reduce stress, improve sleep, and lessen fatigue. People also take reishi mushroom for health conditions such as:

References / Credit

  1. Written by Venkat S.R.  Reviewed by Christine Mikstas, RD, LD on May 20, 2022

https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-are-the-health-benefits-of-lions-mane-mushrooms

  1. Written by Annie Stuart  Medically Reviewed by Christine Mikstas, RD, LD on May 20, 2021

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/reishi-mushroom-uses-and-risks

  1. By Martin Popov https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cordyceps-benefits

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordyceps 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3909570/ 

  1.  Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors.  Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD on December 13, 2020

  2.  Written by Sharlene Tan

  3.  Reviewed by Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD on May 26, 2022

  4. Guggenheim, A. G., et al. (2014). Immune modulation from five major mushrooms: Application to integrative oncology.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4684115/

  5. How common is breast cancer? (2020).
    https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/about/how-common-is-breast-cancer.html

  6. Hsieh, T.-C., et al. (2019). Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of medicinal mushroom Trametes versicolor interact with DNA: A novel genoactive effect contributing to its antiproliferative activity in cancer cells [Abstract].
    https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-13-6382-5_7

  7. Jayachandran, M., et al. (2017). A critical review on health promoting benefits of edible mushrooms through gut microbiota.
    https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/18/9/1934/htm

  8. Key statistics for colorectal cancer. (2020).
    https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/about/key-statistics.html

  9. Li, X., et al. (2019). Protein-bound β-glucan from Coriolus versicolor has potential for use against obesity [Abstract].
    https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/mnfr.201801231

  10. Ma, Y., et al. (2017). Can polysaccharide K improve therapeutic efficacy and safety in gastrointestinal cancer? A systematic review and network meta-analysis.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5687673/

  11. Medicinal mushrooms (PDQ)–Health professional version. (2019).
    https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/mushrooms-pdq

  12. Pallav, K., et al. (2014). Effects of polysaccharopeptide from Trametes versicolor and amoxicillin on the gut microbiome of healthy volunteers: A randomized clinical trial.
    https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.4161/gmic.29558

  13. Rinninella, E., et al. (2019). What is the healthy gut microbiota composition? A changing ecosystem across age, environment, diet, and diseases.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6351938/

  14. Roca-Lema, D., et al. (2019). In vitro anti-proliferative and anti-invasive effect of polysaccharide-rich extracts from Trametes versicolor and Grifola frondosa in colon cancer cells.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6367522/

  15. Saleh, M. H., et al. (2017). Immunomodulatory properties of Coriolus versicolor: The role of polysaccharopeptide.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5592279/

  16. Standish, L. J., et al. (2016). Breast cancer integrative oncology care and its costs.
    https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1534735416649034

{formbuilder:OTQwNDE=}