Have you heard of the healing power of medicinal mushrooms and wondered which mushrooms are best? With over 2,000 varieties of mushrooms, only about 25 are considered food and are commercially grown. For medicinal purposes, mushrooms are growing in popularity, but which are the best mushrooms for health?
We’ll cover the best medicinal mushrooms and their benefits to human health. As an all-natural supplement, these medicinal mushrooms offer a wide variety of health benefits to fortify your immune system and overall health.
1. Reishi Mushroom
Found in hot and humid areas in Asia, the Reishi mushroom tops our medicinal mushroom list because it has more than just calming properties. The Reishi mushroom contains a compound known as triterpene, which can boost the immune system and improve mood. The Reishi mushroom is a popular supplement people like to add to their coffee or morning routine.
Reishi Medicinal Mushroom Benefits
The Reishi mushroom has a long list of potential health benefits that include:
Related Link: Choosing the Best Mushroom Tincture for You
2. Lion’s Mane
The Lion’s Mane mushroom is found in decaying trees in North America and Canada. This medicinal mushroom can boost brain function by increasing bioprotein nerve growth factor (NGF) and myelin production. You can ingest Lion’s Mane raw, cooked, dried, powder form, tincture, or as a tea.
Lion’s Mane Medicinal Mushroom Benefits
Lion’s Mane health benefits include:
- Helping protect the mind from Dementia and Alzheimer’s
- Relieving depression and anxiety
- Reducing recovery time for the nervous system and brain damage
- Protecting the stomach from ulcers
- Reducing inflammation
3. Chaga
Found in colder climates like Siberia, Russia, Northern Canada, and Alaska, the Chaga mushroom grows mainly on birch trees. Chaga has been used medicinally for centuries, usually as a powder or brewed in tea to fortify the immune system.
Chaga Medicinal Mushroom Benefits
- Fighting viruses and illnesses by increasing white blood cells
- Help Lowering blood sugar to manage diabetes
- Help Lowering bad Cholesterol
4. Cordyceps
Known to boost libido and energy levels, Cordyceps mushrooms are a favorite among athletes. A staple of traditional Chinese medicine, the Cordyceps mushroom grows on insect larvae.
While not necessarily something you want to put on a pizza, the Cordyceps mushroom is great for medicinal use. The compounds of the Cordyceps mushroom can improve athletic performance and aid with post-workout muscle recovery.
Cordyceps Medicinal Mushroom Benefits
- Increasing athletic performance
- Improving memory and sexual function with increased antioxidants
- Help reducing blood sugars and managing diabetes
- Help Decreasing inflammation
5. Shiitake
A popular culinary mushroom, Shiitake mushrooms also have many medicinal benefits. Shiitake mushrooms are grown in decaying hardwood trees found in Japan. Shittake mushrooms are loaded with phytonutrients to help manage circulation, blood pressure, and overall heart health. You can add these mushrooms to your dinner or take them as a supplement.
Shiitake Medicinal Mushroom Benefits
- Help Lowering cholesterol
- Help Increasing blood pressure and circulation
- Reducing inflammation
- Fighting viruses and bacterias
- Strengthening bone density
Want the healing benefits of mushrooms in an easy-to-digest drink? Shop Edible Alchemy’s Living Tonics made from fermented therapeutic mushrooms.
Related Link: Everything You Need to Know About Mushroom Tinctures
6. Turkey Tail
Found on fallen logs, stumps, and living hardwood trees in North America, Turkey Tail mushrooms are full of antioxidants and immune-boosting compounds. Turkey Tail mushrooms are a natural treatment to improve your health.
Turkey Tail Medicinal Mushroom Benefits
- Help reducing cellular damage and chronic inflammation
- Fighting infection and bacteria
- Improving gut health
7.Maitake
The Maitake mushroom grows at the base of Elm, Oak, and Maple trees in China, Japan, and North America. Known as an adaptogen that helps regulate body systems, Maitake mushrooms are used for medicine and cooking. The Maitake mushroom is rich in antioxidants and other vitamins and minerals that can boost the immune system and help treat cancer.
Maitake Medicinal Mushroom Benefits
8.Mesima
Once believed to be the elixir for eternal youth, the Mesima mushroom grows on Mulberry trees and has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Mesima has been used in teas, powders, and capsules to improve health and extend life. While it doesn’t grant eternal youth, Mesima mushrooms do have several medicinal benefits.
Mesima Medicinal Mushroom Benefits
Help treating immune imbalance and allergic reactions
Controlling menstrual bleeding
9.Agarikon
A mushroom that grows in old-growth trees in North America and Europe, the Agarikon mushroom is known for its antiviral and antibacterial capabilities. Native Americans used the large beehive-shaped mushroom as a mash for ailments.
Agarikon Medicinal Mushroom Benefits
- Help with tuberculosis
- Fighting bacteria, viruses, and flus
- Help reducing cancerous cells
- Decreasing inflammation
10.Poria Cocos
Poria Cocos is an edible mushroom found in China. Like many other medicinal mushrooms, the Poria Cocos grows in China and has been used for thousands of years to treat inflammation, diabetes, and hemorrhagic fevers. This mushroom is growing in popularity today as more studies discover its potential for naturally treating ailments, viruses, and diseases.
Poria Cocos Medicinal Mushroom Benefits
Medicinal Mushrooms are an All-Natural Supplement that Can Improve Your Overall Health
More and more people turn to mushrooms as a viable, natural supplement to improve their immune system, fight cancers, reduce inflammation, and manage diabetes. Many of these mushrooms have numerous benefits that strengthen your overall health. By taking a mushroom supplement, you’ll fortify your body with the healing power of fungi.
Edible Alchemy offers various medicinal mushroom tinctures, powders, and tonics. They also provide a premium mushroom tincture set that highlights their best mushroom tinctures, such as a 14-mushroom blend, Chaga, Lion’s Mane, Red Reishi, Cordyceps, and Turkey Tail. More than just therapeutic, mushroom tinctures can boost your overall health.
Want a supplement that harnesses the medicinal benefits of all these mushrooms? Shop Edible Alchemy’s 14-Mushroom Blend Tincture.
Related Link: Benefits of Mushrooms
