Recent studies in mushroom supplements and human health have opened a Pandora’s box of promising new means for treating anxiety, diabetes, and even preventing cancer. No question, medicinal mushrooms are enjoying the spotlight as more and more research sheds light on so many promising ways that a daily fungal supplement can provide the average person. This is not some typical health fad with little resources to back the claim. On the contrary, the sheer amount of promising studies related to mushroom supplements and human health are difficult to ignore, and even major news agencies such as The Guardian are taking notice. Additionally, so many people are trying mushroom supplements because they’re incredibly simple and straightforward - usually a blend of one or multiple dried mushroom extracts that sometimes include additional vitamins or minerals for extra health benefits. The blend is then encapsulated in pills and taken on a daily basis. Sometimes, medicinal mushroom extract can be added to tea or food as well. Medicinal mushrooms are incredibly safe and have minimal, if any, side effects. Let’s dive into more details about mushroom supplements - what they are, how they can be used, and help you figure out what’s right for you.
So what exactly is a medicinal mushroom supplement? Well, to begin, when I use the term medicinal, I’m not describing psilocybin, the active molecule in psychoactive mushrooms. Rather, I’m pointing to the diverse variety of non-psychoactive, adaptogenic mushrooms that provide many potential remedies for ailments such as Type 2 diabetes and inflammation, a boost to the immune system, improved cognition, higher energy, and a whole host of other health benefits due to their high concentration of polysaccharides such as beta-glucan. These are not your typical grocery store white cap mushrooms. The medicinal mushrooms described here such as reishi, lion’s mane, maitake, and fly agaric are much more scarce, and you’ll likely have a hard time finding them at your local store. However, these mushrooms have a long history in China dating back thousands of years due to their well-documented health benefits that became ubiquitous in Eastern medicine and many are grown commercially today. In fact, Chinese medical texts from as early as 296 BCE outline how reishi was used against aging. On top of that, over 100 varieties of mushrooms are used in Asia today just as cancer treatments. Western medicine is finally catching up with recent and promising studies that lend credence to so many of these health claims.
The key to getting optimal health benefits from mushroom supplements is to be consistent with a daily routine for taking it. Although there is no wrong time for taking one, you can expect to get the most out of your supplement depending on the mushroom extract itself. For example, reishi supplements are best to take before facing stress, in preparation for meditation, or when it becomes crucial for the body to maintain homeostasis. On the other hand, a mushroom like chaga is best to have added to your evening tea before bed to encourage deeper, more restorative sleep. You can easily find more information online about when to take a supplement depending on the variety of mushroom that you’re taking as a supplement.
Medicinal mushrooms offer a wide range of antioxidants and bioactive ingredients that make them nutritious superfoods or super supplements. Many mushroom supplements are made from individual species which can be even more beneficial if you’re seeking a particular advantage. The growing popularity in medicinal mushrooms is widely due to their purported health benefits that are now gaining major validity among scientific research and studies. These fantastic and promising new remedies are finally receiving the credit that they deserve. Learn more about what a mushroom supplement can do for you and see for yourself!
Medicinal Mushrooms
