Medicinal Mushrooms and Your Immune System
Medicinal mushrooms have been used in cultures across the globe for thousands of years. Now, we are seeing a resurgence of these mighty mushrooms throughout the wellness space in products like coffee, superfood powders, tinctures, and capsules. You may have seen these beautifully branded products in the aisles of your health food store and wondered why they are touted as great additions to your everyday wellness. In this article, we will discuss how medicinal mushrooms may benefit you this winter, as well as easy and more affordable ways to bring them into your life.
Medicinal Mushroom Basics
Medicinal mushrooms are essentially edible mushrooms with rich history of medicinal use. The Romans considered mushrooms as the “food of the gods”. The Greeks believed that mushrooms would provide them with strength in battle, and the Chinese considered mushrooms as an “elixir of life”. Taking you back to high school biology for a moment, mushrooms fall within the fungi kingdom which includes mushrooms, molds and yeasts. It is unclear how many mushroom species there are, but one study references 14,000-22,000. Of those, there are about 30-45 species worldwide that we cultivate or wild forage. As they say, all mushrooms are edible, but some only once.
Nutritionally, mushrooms are incredible addition to our diets. Mushrooms are a great source of protein, fiber, B vitamins, vitamin D, selenium, and potassium. Looking at the bioactive constituents, mushrooms contain polysaccharides, terpenes, phenols, and alkaloids. The most notable of these constituents are polysaccharides, specifically beta-glucans, which has been studied heavily for the effect on the immune system.
Medicinal Mushrooms & The Immune System
Every year more and more studies are published looking at the immune effects of medicinal mushrooms. Our immune system is a combination of cells, tissues, and organs that all work in unison to defend the body against “foreign invaders” like bacteria and viruses. Our immune system can be modulated by various foods, herbs, mushrooms, and supplements.
The bioactive constituents of medicinal mushrooms have been shown to enhance the immune system by stimulating the innate and adaptive immune responses. There are also many studies looking into the effects of medicinal mushrooms on cancer cells.
Six Immune Supportive Medicinal Mushrooms
If you’ve ever looked into the common medicinal mushrooms before, then you will probably recognize some of these! Each of these mushrooms have immune supportive research behind them. In a follow up blog post, you can see how to incorporate them into your everyday life through food.
Chaga
Chaga was the first medicinal mushroom I ever learned about. Chaga mushrooms are found on birch trees and grow to size over many, many years, which is why sustainably harvested chaga is important. Chaga contains the constituents betulin and betulinic acid, which are currently studied for the effect on cancer cells.
Reishi
Reishi is a prized medicinal mushroom in Chinese medicine, where it was referred to as the mushroom of immortality. Reishi is currently being studied for it’s effect on cancer cells. In herbal medicine, reishi is often used to support the respiratory system and the adrenals.
Shiitake
Shiitake is more than just delicious! Shiitakes contain a polysaccharide called lentinan, which has been studied extensively in China and Japan. Most recently this constituent has been isolated as a potential pharmaceutical option to add to ongoing cancer treatment.
Maitake
Maitake gets its name from Japan, where it is considered the dancing mushroom because anyone who harvested it would dance with joy due to its resale value! Like all the other mushrooms, maitake has a positive effect on the immune system. It also has shown positive results in supporting cardiovascular and metabolic health.
Lion’s Mane
Lion’s mane is a stunning mushroom that gained popularity as a nervous system and brain tonic. Lion’s mane contains the constituents hericenones and erinacines, which have shown promising results in supporting nerve growth factor. Animal studies have shown potential for short term improved memory as well, which is why there is ongoing research looking into its use in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
turkey tail
Turkey tail is a very common wild mushroom that you have probably walked by a million times. Turkey tail has extensive research for it’s use in supporting the immune system. A proprietary formula known as PSK is currently approved for use in conjunction with chemotherapy in Japan.
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About the Author
Dr. Hannah is a naturopathic doctor providing whole body adjunctive healthcare to patients in Maine and Massachusetts. She believes every patient has their own unique health journey, which influences her personalized treatment approach. She has a passion for helping women, mothers and families heal and thrive, all while uncovering the root cause of whatever ails them. Her goal is to empower and guide her patients on the path towards healing the mind, body and soul through natural methods of healing. Dr. Hannah sees patients locally in Portland, Maine. Through telehealth, she is happy to serve the people of Lewiston, Ellsworth, Belfast, Bangor, and all the towns in between! She now sees Massachusetts patients through telehealth as well!
Disclaimer
The information provided on or through this website is for educational and informational purposes only. This information is not a substitution for proper and personalized medical diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or trusted healthcare provider before making an adjustments or changes to your healthcare regimen. Natural medicine is not inherently harmless, and therefore it is important to speak with your healthcare providers for personalized medical advice.