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Erbology
The Erbology guide to medicinal mushrooms

The Erbology guide to medicinal mushrooms

Team ErbologyErbology

Reishi, cordyceps, lion’s mane, chaga… these exotic names belong to medicinal mushrooms which have been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine.

May 31, 2023 8:28 pm

The Western world is finally beginning to recognise the value of these fascinating fungi. However, without the benefit of thousands of years of knowledge behind us, it can be hard to know where to start.

Allow us to take you on a journey to understand medicinal mushrooms and how they might benefit your wellbeing.

 

Medicinal mushrooms in ancient times

China; The Han dynasty.

Stretching for over 400 years, from 206 BC to 220 AD, it was the second imperial dynasty of China. The dramatic events that occurred in the family’s royal courts, which included murder, intrigue and rebellion, brought the dynasty renown over the whole region. Members of the dynasty also presided over a crucial moment in China’s history.

Under their watchful eye, the Silk Road trade route opened between China and Europe, In, 105 AD, paper was invented.

Around one hundred years later, just as the Han dynasty’s star was waning, the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing was completed.

One of the most important medical texts ever written, its name translates to ‘The Divine Farmer’s Classic of Materia Medica’. Historians believe that it was written by a collection of practitioners according to oral wisdom. Thanks to their knowledge, the text captures the details of the most important herbs and plants for medical treatment at the time.

Within its pages are advice about the use of medicinal mushrooms, including reishi, cordyceps and chaga. → See Medicinal Mushroom Products

Chaga tea ingredients

How were mushrooms used in medicine?

Imagine if you had been living around this time, and were suffering from asthma, coughing, dizziness, insomnia or shortness of breath. You might have chosen to visit a medical practitioner. In order to treat your ailments, they would have taken your pulse and prescribed a handful of ingredients with instructions for their preparation.(2) Reishi is likely to have been among them.

Meanwhile, if you were suffering from gut issues, you may have been prescribed lion’s mane.

The lengthy use of medicinal mushrooms tells us two things. Firstly, that they are safe to take (when correctly prepared and dosed). And, secondly, that practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have appreciated their value for almost 2,000 years.

Fortunately, we now have the benefit of modern scientific research to help back up traditional knowledge about medicinal mushrooms.

Just as in ancient times, the mushroom you should use will depend on your individual health. So, we’ve compiled a handy guide to which mushroom to choose based on common health concerns.

cordyceps sinensis

Best for stamina and endurance: cordyceps

During the Han dynasty, you might have been prescribed cordyceps as a tonic for ‘vigour’(3). Leading on from this, modern research has brought forth some compelling evidence to back up cordyceps’ health benefits.

Cordyceps’s official name is Ophiocordyceps sinensis or simply Cordyceps sinensis, which translates as ‘club headed [fungus], from China’.(3).

In the wild, it grows from a living host: moth caterpillars. However, a spike in demand and a reduction of its natural habitat means that most cordyceps is now cultivated in a plant-based medium, following extensive research and development. No caterpillars required!

When fresh, wild cordyceps looks like yellow-brown fingers, and when dried, it resembles autumn leaves. And, just as traditional medicine predicted, cordyceps may be the mushroom for you if you’re in need of an energy boost.

One study conducted on mice found that cordyceps helped to reduce fatigue and improve their endurance.(4)

Another found that the anaerobic performance of human athletes improved when they took cordyceps. They were also better able to clear lactic acid from their systems.(4)

What’s more, there’s evidence that cordyceps might increase your sex drive. The same study which looked at fatigue and endurance in mice also observed that cordyceps improved the sex drive of rats.(4)

This makes sense, given that Tibetan healers have been prescribing cordyceps as an aphrodisiac for generations.(5)

Unlike some medicinal mushrooms, cordyceps has quite a traditional ‘mushroom’ taste (earthy and slightly nutty). So, it’s easy to mix our 100% Organic Cordyceps Powder into your normal recipes.

lion's mane medicinal mushroom

Best for mood and concentration: lion’s mane

Lion’s mane mushroom is a creamy white colour and grows on deadwood. It has a multitude of long, thin tendrils which look similar to a lion’s mane, or the beard of a wise old man. This might explain one of its many alternative names, ‘satyr’s beard’!

Back in ancient China, lion’s mane was prescribed to treat ‘Qi deficiency’. Your Qi is your life force, so a deficiency might look like low energy, insomnia and weakness.(6)

Modern science has particularly linked lion’s mane health benefits to the brain and mental wellbeing.

One study took a sample group of men and women with mild cognitive impairment and gave them lion’s mane over the course of 16 weeks. The study found that the participants who had taken lion’s mane scored higher on a cognitive function test than a control group who took a placebo.(7)

There’s also evidence that it can help treat depression. Research has shown that compounds in lion’s mane are able to somewhat mimic the effect of antidepressant medications. They support the neurotransmitter and neuro-endocrine systems, help the brain to form new neurons, and protect against oxidative stress and inflammation.(8)

Furthermore, another study looked at a group of patients who were overweight or obese and suffered from a mood or sleep disorder. When put onto a calorie controlled diet, the participants who took lion’s mane reported decreased depression, anxiety and sleep problems.(9)

So, if you’re looking for natural ways to support your brain, simply add our 100% Organic Lion’s Mane powder to soups and stews.

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"Fortunately, we now have the benefit of modern scientific research to help back up traditional knowledge about medicinal mushrooms."

ganoderma lucidum reishi mushroom

Best for relaxation: reishi

This rather pretty mushroom was so valued by people in ancient times that it was thought to grow only on the isle of the immortals.(10) Taoists believed that plants which grew on these ‘blest aisles’ were able to grant everlasting life.(11)

It might not quite be able to deliver on that promise. But, researchers have linked reishi to improved immunity and lower stress levels.

In terms of immunity, ‘in vitro’ tests have shown that triterpenes, a compound found in reishi, had an anti-inflammatory effect.(12)

Furthermore, other polysaccharides may help to boost cellular immunity and promote the function of antigen-presenting cells. These cells are essential for your adaptive immune system.(13)

Substances in reishi may also support your T and B lymphocytes, which help rid the body of invasive germs. There’s also some evidence that compounds in reishi are anti-microbial and can protect against some viruses.(14)

As we know, stress is a major factor in immunity, putting a dent in your defences if it isn’t kept in check.

In ancient times, reishi is thought to have been used as a meditation aid because of its relaxing properties. Again, scientific research seems to back up traditional use. For instance, a recent study on rats also found that an extract from the mycelia (the thready parts) of reishi had an anti-depressant effect.(15)

Of all the medicinal mushrooms, reishi has a rather bitter taste, so it’s best to pair it with strong flavours. That’s why we recommend adding our 100% Organic Reishi Powder to hot chocolate. This way, you’ll get all reishi’s health benefits without any bitterness. → See Medicinal Mushroom Products

chaga medicinal mushroom

Best for blood sugar, cholesterol and skin health: chaga

Chaga is a fungus which grows on birch trees in the northern hemisphere, including Japan, Siberia, and Canada. Hugging onto its birch tree host in the wild, it looks a bit like brittle charcoal.(16)

First of all, chaga may have benefits for your cholesterol levels. As a quick recap, there are two types of cholesterol: ‘good’ HDL and ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is the type which is associated with a build-up of matter in your blood vessels.

Scientists found that polysaccharides present in chaga were able to reduce glucose, triglycerides, fat acids and cholesterol levels in the blood.(17) Research showed that chaga reduced ‘bad’ cholesterol and increased blood levels of ‘good’ cholesterol.(19) 

Another study found that chaga may help repair damaged pancreas tissues with diabetes.(18) 

Furthermore, chaga may have potential benefits for skin health.

It’s rich in antioxidants, such as melanin and phenolic compounds, which can help protect the skin from free radical damage, including UV-induced damage. Free radicals contribute to premature ageing. While chaga is not a substitute for sunscreen, consuming chaga tea may provide additional protection against UV radiation.

Chaga has also anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe irritated skin and reduce redness. It may be beneficial for skin conditions like eczema and acne.

Finally, chaga contains certain compounds that may help stimulate collagen production in the skin. Collagen is a protein that provides structure and elasticity to the skin, and its production tends to decline with age. Promoting collagen production can help improve skin firmness and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

However, please note that research has broadly been conducted either ‘in vitro’ or on animals such as mice and rats. While the results look promising, more research is needed to see if the same benefits can be applied to humans.

turkey tail medicinal mushroom

Best for gut health: turkey tail

Turkey tail mushroom is another attractive-looking mushroom which grows in multicoloured fan shapes. It is found everywhere from Asia to North America, Scandinavia and even down towards the mediterranean.

Like reishi, it’s quite tough and woody. Therefore, it isn’t traditionally eaten whole, but rather taken as a tincture.

Back in ancient times, it was prescribed to promote general health and longevity.(20)

Given that your gut and your immune system are closely linked, it isn’t a surprise to see that one of our mushrooms, Turkey’s tail (Trametes versicolor) may well have benefits for both.

One type of substance from turkey tail which is proving particularly interesting in scientific research is polysaccharopeptide (PSP). An ‘in vitro’ study showed that PSPs were able to stimulate human immune cells. However, the researchers called for further studies to confirm the effect in the real world.(20)

Meanwhile, other scientists were looking into turkey tail’s effect on the gut. Good gut health depends on maintaining a careful balance of the different types of bacteria in your system. One study found that turkey tail had beneficial effects on the gut microbiome due to its natural prebiotic qualities.(21)

shiitake mushroom

Best for energy: shiitake

Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) have a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine. They have been traditionally used to support vitality and promote longevity.

Shiitake mushrooms contain a variety of polysaccharides and secondary metabolites. Lentinan – a type of beta-glucans – is the main compound in shiitake. Other nutrients include triterpenes, sterols, and B vitamins.

In TCM, shiitake mushrooms are considered to be tonics for enhancing energy and stamina. They have been used to combat fatigue and boost physical endurance.

Shiitake mushrooms may also have a positive effect on blood circulation. They have been used to promote healthy blood flow and support cardiovascular health.

Finally, some of the triterpenoids that shiitake mushroom contains, such as lupeol and pachymic acid, may have anti-inflammatory effects. This makes shiitake mushroom extract potentially useful for managing inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.

the best iced coffee recipe

Best for heart and brain health: agaricus blazei

Agaricus blazei has a history of traditional use in certain cultures, particularly in Japan and Brazil, where it is known by different names such as Himematsutake and Cogumelo do Sol, respectively.

Alongside beta-glucans, agaricus blazei contains complex carbohydrates, triterpenoids and other active compounds. These include: ergosterol peroxide, lanostanoids, agaricoginins, blazein, as well as polysaccharide-peptide complexes. Researchers are currently studying it for its potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may help to protect cells from oxidative stress and reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative disorders.

The erbology guidr to medicinal mushrooms

 

Which mushroom is right for you?

While certain mushrooms seem to stand out in certain areas of health, it’s important to note that there’s a lot of crossover in their health benefits.

For example, all of the mushrooms mentioned above have antioxidant properties. These promote overall wellbeing and protect against oxidative stress.

To feel the full benefits of medicinal mushrooms, you could also try them in a mixture, such as our Immunity Mushroom Blend.

It’s also important to consider the way your mushrooms are cultivated. Many mushroom products are simply mycelium on grain, which is not the same as a mature mushroom also consisting of the fruiting body.

That means your pack of mushroom powder may contain a large percentage of starch, limiting its benefits for your health.

Instead, look for a supplier who grows their mushrooms in liquids. This method of cultivation supplies the mushrooms with all the nutrients they need without having to add in ‘fillers’ such as starch. So, you can be sure that you will be getting 100% mushroom in your final product with a high proportion of healthy beta-glucans.

One final reminder: whichever mushroom you choose to try, make sure you source it from an organic supplier to make sure no pesticides or chemicals get in the way of your medicinal mushroom’s health benefits.

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