What are medicinal mushrooms?

April 14, 2022

A straightforward guide to the world of medicinal mushrooms

Mushrooms. A nutritious, delicious, and low-calorie food source that’s often categorised as a vegetable.

But really? Mushrooms are neither plant nor animal. They’re a fascinating food group in the fungal kingdom, holding the potential to heal, nourish, support and balance so many aspects of human health.

So it’s no surprise they’re becoming increasingly valued around the world for their powerful therapeutic properties and active compounds — coining the title medicinal mushrooms.

Buuuut if you’re still a little lost on what that *actually* means, then this straightforward guide to medicinal mushrooms will answer:

What are medicinal mushrooms?
What’s the history of medicinal mushrooms?
Are medicinal mushrooms the same as cooking mushrooms?
What are medicinal mushrooms good for?
What are the best medicinal mushrooms?
Are medicinal mushrooms safe?
How do you take medicinal mushrooms?

So put on your snorkel gear, because we’re about to dive in.

What are medicinal mushrooms?

Medicinal mushrooms can be defined as macroscopic fungi, used in the form of extracts or powder, for medicinal and nutritional purposes. They contain a high concentration of “active compounds” which trigger immunological activity (in other words, they support a healthy immune function and response). Winning.

More specifically, medicinal mushrooms contain a particularly high concentration of active polysaccharides (a fancy word for long chain carbohydrates).

The most common polysaccharide in mushrooms is beta-glucan, which works by triggering changes in the immune system. These changes include the activation of immune cells, increased antibody production and reduced inflammation. AKA all the good stuff.

Now it’s important to add, medicinal mushrooms are an area of science that’s still evolving. The exact role that mushrooms play in relation to specific diseases needs to be explored more (with time and further study, of course).

And finally, to understand the potential role of mushrooms in human health, all you have to do is look into the most common pharmaceutical products. You’ll find that most are derived from the fungi kingdom. Even penicillium (an antibacterial drug that revolutionised medicine) originated from a species of fungi.

We’ll just give you a moment to let that sink in.

History of medicinal mushrooms

Medicinal mushrooms aren’t a new thing. Far from it.

They’ve been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years for their therapeutic and nutritional value — from boosting antioxidants to reducing inflammation to balancing blood sugar.

In the west? Well, we just think they taste damn good on toast.

But in recent years they’re becoming increasingly known for their medicinal qualities all over the world.

Do medicinal mushrooms differ from cooking mushrooms?

Yes and no (don’t you hate answers like that?)

Let us explain.

Culinary mushrooms are primarily used in cooking, like portobello and shiitake, because they taste delightful.

Medicinal mushrooms, on the other hand, are primarily used as a supplement (like powders, tinctures and capsules) to achieve a range of health benefits.

But the truth is, there’s not a clear distinction between the two. Because many medicinal mushroom varieties can also be enjoyed in cooking. And on the flip side, Paul Stamets (an American Mycologist) stated that “all gourmet mushrooms are medicinal.” ^[2]

So you could say that all culinary mushrooms contain immune-boosting compounds. Yet at the same time, mushrooms vary in their ratios, benefits and effects on human health.

Ahem, side note: when we talk about medicinal mushrooms we’re not talking about psychedelic mushrooms. That’s a whole other kettle of (high-risk) fish. If you’d like to learn more, check out this article: Microdosing psychedelic mushrooms: what do we know so far?

So, what are medicinal mushrooms good for?

The list is LONG, people.

Medicinal mushrooms have the potential to…

Activate the immune system
Reduce inflammation
Support brain health and focus
Reduce depression and anxiety
Improve gut health
Lower cholesterol
Boost heart health
Prevent disease
Increase energy and stamina
Support the nervous system

What are the best medicinal mushrooms?

We don’t like to play favourites because all medicinal mushrooms have unique and potent benefits.

Buuuut since you asked, here are six of our most recommended medicinal mushrooms.

Lion’s Mane Mushroom

Lion’s Mane mushroom is a nootropic (AKA brain food) found on dead or decaying hardwood throughout Asia. It has the potential to…

Boost mood
Enhance memory
Improve cognition
Achieve mental clarity
Increase Focus
Boost immunity

Turkey Tail Mushroom

Turkey Tail is found all around the world, but it’s commonly used in the east to promote wellbeing, vitality and longevity. Turkey tail can…

Aid digestion and gut health
Reduce inflammation
Support immunity
Stop harmful bacteria
Improve vitality and longevity

Reishi Mushroom

In Ancient Chinese Culture, Reishi symbolises success, wellbeing and longevity. Research shows that Reishi can...

Boost immunity
Reduce stress and fatigue
Improve sleep
Detoxify the body
Enhance energy and stamina

Maitake Mushroom

Also known as the “hen of the woods” for its appearance, Maitake is found in Europe and North America. It’s touted for its potential to…

Lower cholesterol
Activate immune cells
Lower blood sugar
Promote heart health

Chaga Mushroom

An antioxidant powerhouse, Chaga is found on the bark of birch trees in cold climates like Siberia, Russia and Alaska. Its potential benefit include…

Support immunity
Relieve stress
Healthy, glowing skin
Reduce inflammation

Cordyceps Mushroom

In the wild, cordyceps grow out of the brains of insects and spiders. But if you can side-step that alarming fact, then you’ll love cordyceps for its potential to…

Boost athletic performance
Increase libido
Support immunity
Assist with endurance and stamina

Are medicinal mushrooms safe?

Medicinal mushrooms, like Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, Reishi, Maitake, Chaga and Cordyceps, are considered safe to consume. Research to date has reported very few or minor adverse effects.

But hey, remember that not all mushrooms are created equal (and for the purpose of this article, we’re not talking about poisonous and psychedelic mushrooms).

We recommend chatting with your doctor or medical professional before starting any medicinal mushroom supplements.

How to take medicinal mushrooms

There are so many ways to get a good dose of medicinal mushrooms.

You can incorporate them into your lifestyle through…

Cooking — particularly for varieties like Maitake and Lion’s Mane (which taste delicious).
Hot water extracts — this involves heating the raw mushroom with water to dissolve medicinal compounds. These draw out the polysaccharides in the mushroom.
Tinctures (alcohol) extracts — when mushrooms are extracted with alcohol, it draws out another beneficial compound called terpenoids (a natural compound that’s antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial).
Dual extraction — this is when mushrooms are extracted using water and alcohol, which delivers high concentrations of both polysaccharides and terpenoids. Winning.

To learn more about the different ways of supplementing mushrooms, take a read through our article on mushroom powders vs extracts.

Once medicinal mushrooms have gone through an extraction process, they’re most commonly available in powders, liquid extracts or capsules.

Then, you can incorporate these supplements into your diet by adding them…

To your morning coffee or tea
To smoothies or juices
To soups or main meals
Straight into your mouth

Where to buy medicinal mushrooms

There are a growing number of reputable mushroom suppliers across Australia (and the world).

At Natura Mushrooms, we grow, harvest and source a range of medicinal mushrooms on our 100% off-grid farm in Gippsland, Victoria. Then, we delicately extract them using a combination of hot water extraction and dual extraction methods.

Plus, we always let the latest research guide the products we bring to market, from brain-boosting lion’s mane to relaxing reishi to immunity-enhancing turkey tail.

You can discover our range here…

Still not sure? Take a look at our mushroom supplement purchasing guide to find the best solution for you.