John Miller
Medicinal mushrooms are a type of fungus that have been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of ailments. They are used in the form of extracts or powders to prevent, alleviate or heal multiple diseases, as well as to balance a healthy diet. They are rich in bioactive compounds and exhibit a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anticancer, and antiallergic properties. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has long used mushrooms like Lion's Mane and Reishi for their health benefits, and modern science is now recognising their potential as well.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Medicinal mushrooms are macroscopic fungi used in the form of extracts or powder for the prevention, alleviation, or healing of multiple diseases, and/or in balancing a healthy diet. |
| History | The functional use of mushrooms dates back thousands of years, with records of Reishi mushrooms being used in traditional Chinese medicine over 2000 years ago. Indigenous peoples of pre-colonial US, Canada, and Australia also used Lion's Mane mushrooms for medicine and food. |
| Health Benefits | Medicinal mushrooms exhibit a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, anticancer, antioxidant, and antiallergic properties. They are also a source of vitamin D, vitamin B6, and ergothioneine, an amino acid that prevents or slows cellular damage. |
| Types | Notable types of medicinal mushrooms include Lion's Mane, Reishi, Turkey Tail, and Shiitake mushrooms. |
| Research | While there is a growing interest in the therapeutic use of medicinal mushrooms, further controlled human trials are needed to assess their efficacy and safety, particularly for long-term use. |
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What You'll Learn
Medicinal mushrooms have been used for thousands of years
In traditional Chinese medicine, the Reishi mushroom, or Ganoderma lingzhi, has been used for 2,000 years. Chinese Taoists used Reishi to promote calmness and enhance their meditative practices, while Chinese royalty revered it as the "mushroom of immortality", believing it to promote longevity and boost energy. In Japan, the Reishi mushroom is known as Reishi, and in traditional Chinese medicine, it is called Ling Zhi. Turkey tail, or Trametes versicolor, is another type of mushroom used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat lung diseases. Its active compound, Polysaccharide K (PSK), is approved in Japan as a treatment for cancer.
Lion's Mane, or Hericium erinaceus, is another medicinal mushroom with a long history of use. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is called Hou Tou Gu or "monkey head mushroom", and is used to support the spleen and its association with digestion, energy, and water regulation. The Japanese call it Yamabushitake, and Buddhist monks used it to increase their ability to concentrate during meditation. Indigenous peoples of pre-colonial US, Canada, and Australia also used Lion's Mane for medicine and food.
Today, medicinal mushrooms are recognised for their health benefits and pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Research suggests that eating just 18 grams of mushrooms per day may lower the risk of cancer by up to 45%. Medicinal mushrooms are also a valuable source of bioactive compounds and are used as functional foods. They are rich in ergothioneine, an antioxidant amino acid that prevents or slows cellular damage. Additionally, mushrooms are a good source of vitamin D and vitamin B6, which are essential for maintaining bone health and forming red blood cells, respectively.
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They are used to treat a wide range of ailments
Medicinal mushrooms have been used for thousands of years to treat a wide range of ailments. In traditional Chinese medicine, for example, Reishi mushrooms, also known as Ganoderma lingzhi, have been used to promote calmness and enhance meditative practices. They were also believed to prolong life, prevent ageing, and increase energy. In China, Reishi is used to strengthen the immune system of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Turkey tail mushrooms, which are named for their resemblance to the feathers of a turkey, have also been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat lung diseases. In Japan, they are used to strengthen the immune system when given alongside standard cancer treatments.
Lion's Mane mushrooms, meanwhile, have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to aid digestion, energy, and water regulation. They are also used as a tonic for stress-related disorders and lack of energy. Indigenous peoples of pre-colonial US, Canada, and Australia also used Lion's Mane for medicine and food. Modern research has shown that Lion's Mane may also support neurogenesis and promote cognitive function.
Medicinal mushrooms have been found to exhibit a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anticancer, and antiallergic properties. They are also a source of ergothioneine, an amino acid and antioxidant that prevents or slows cellular damage. Mushrooms are also the only produce that contains vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium to maintain and build strong bones. They are naturally low in sodium and can be used as a substitute for red meat, helping to minimise cholesterol, calories, fat, and cholesterol.
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They are a good source of vitamin D
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that has been used as medicine for thousands of years. They have been used in traditional Chinese medicine and by indigenous peoples of pre-colonial US, Canada, and Australia. In recent times, with functional medicine and holistic nutrition becoming more popular, there has been a resurgence of interest in mushrooms as medicine.
Mushrooms are the only produce that is a source of vitamin D. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium to maintain and build strong bones. Humans typically rely on supplements or sunshine to get vitamin D, but mushrooms exposed to UV light or sunlight can increase their vitamin D content. White button, portabella, and cremini mushrooms provide the most vitamin D after exposure to UV light or sunlight. To get the recommended daily amount, slice three mushrooms (or one portabella), expose them to sunlight for at least 15 minutes, and eat them. Maitake mushrooms are another option, as eating a little over one cup provides the recommended daily amount without the need for sun exposure.
In addition to being a good source of vitamin D, mushrooms have many other health benefits. They are naturally low in sodium, which helps keep blood pressure low. Mushrooms are also a good source of vitamin B6, which helps the body form red blood cells, proteins, and DNA. Shiitake mushrooms, in particular, are the best choice for vitamin B6 and help keep cholesterol levels low.
Mushrooms also have medicinal properties, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, cytotoxic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anticancer, antioxidant, antiallergic, antihyperlipidemic, and prebiotic properties. They are used in the form of extracts or powder to prevent, alleviate, or heal multiple diseases, or to balance a healthy diet. Laboratory and animal studies have been conducted to test the effects of mushrooms on cancer, and they have been used as adjuvant therapy in cancer patients since the mid-1970s. Polysaccharide K (PSK), an active compound in turkey tail mushrooms, is an approved mushroom product used to treat cancer in Japan.
Overall, mushrooms are a good source of vitamin D and have a variety of other health benefits, making them a valuable addition to a healthy diet.
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They have anti-cancer properties
Medicinal mushrooms have been used for hundreds of years, mostly in Asia, to treat infections and lung diseases. In recent times, they have also been used to treat cancer. Turkey tail, or Trametes versicolor, is a type of mushroom that grows worldwide on dead logs and is known as Yun Zhi in traditional Chinese medicine. Polysaccharide K (PSK), an active compound in turkey tail mushrooms, is used to treat cancer in Japan. PSK has been studied in patients with gastric cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer. It has been used as adjuvant therapy in thousands of cancer patients since the mid-1970s and has been safely used in Japan with few reported side effects.
Reishi, or Ganoderma lucidum/sinense, is another type of mushroom that grows on live trees. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is known as Ling Zhi, and in Japan, it is known as Reishi. Reishi has been used in East Asia for a long time to prolong life, prevent aging, and increase energy. In China, it is used to strengthen the immune system of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Laboratory and animal studies have tested the effects of the active ingredients in reishi mushrooms, triterpenoids, and polysaccharides, on tumors, including lung cancer.
Medicinal mushrooms are usually used in cancer treatments as biological response modifiers (BRMs) to treat cancer, reduce the side effects of therapies, and improve the patient's quality of life. β-glucan from medicinal mushrooms acts as an immune adjuvant and stimulates innate and adaptive immune responses. Hispolon, an active polyphenol compound, has been reported to possess potent antineoplastic properties and enhance the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents. Findings suggest that some mushrooms may act synergistically with commercial anticancer drugs to treat drug-resistant cancers.
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They can be used as a meat substitute
Mushrooms have been used for their medicinal properties and as a food source for thousands of years. In recent times, there has been a resurgence of interest in these "superfoods", with many people adopting a plant-based diet for health, environmental, and ethical reasons. Mushrooms are now being used as a meat substitute in a variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes.
Mushrooms are a versatile vegetable with a distinct umami flavour and meaty texture, making them an ideal substitute for meat. They can be used in a variety of dishes, from stir-fries to soups and sandwiches. Some types of mushrooms that are commonly used as meat substitutes include Portobello mushrooms, which have large, meaty caps and a robust texture, making them a good substitute for beef; Shiitake mushrooms, which are native to East Asia and have a rich, smoky flavour; and beefsteak fungus (Fistulina hepatica), which resembles beef. Chicken of the woods (Laetiporus sulphureus) is another variety that has gained a reputation for its chicken-like texture.
Mushrooms are also being used as a source of mycoprotein, a meat alternative made from mushroom mycelium. Mycoprotein requires significantly less space and time to produce compared to animal meat. According to MyForest Foods, one acre can produce one million pounds of protein-rich mycelium meat annually, and the production process takes only 14 days. Mycelium is considered a "super ingredient" due to its high nutritional profile, containing all nine essential amino acids and a good amount of fibre, with no cholesterol.
By using mushrooms as a meat substitute, individuals can reduce their ecological footprint and contribute to a more ethical and humane approach to eating. Additionally, mushrooms are a healthy alternative to meat, as they are low in calories, carbohydrates, fat, and sodium.
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Frequently asked questions
Medicinal mushrooms are used in the form of extracts or powder to prevent, alleviate, or heal multiple diseases, and/or in balancing a healthy diet. They have been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine and are now being studied for their potential health benefits in modern medicine.
Examples of medicinal mushrooms include Lion's Mane, Reishi, Turkey Tail, and Shiitake.
Medicinal mushrooms have a wide range of health benefits, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anticancer, and antiallergic properties. They are also a source of vitamin D and vitamin B6.
