Elevate Your Health With Nature’s Healing Champions – Medicinal Mushrooms

How Do Medicinal Mushrooms Boost Immunity and Gut Health?

These ancient funghi span from pretty to outlandish looking and, at times, are simply quite ugly. The fact of their survival and adaptation across the millennia alone is witness to their superpower of adaptation and survival. With constantly evolving research methods, science has established, what is responsible for those fantastic superpowers. Here are some of the main features including their fabulous benefits to the human body.

Beta-Glucans, a type of polysaccharide (Multisugar molecule) are currently of high interest and the topic of many scientific studies as they have shown to hold immune-modulating effects. By stimulating immune cells, they enhance the body’s ability to recognize and target pathogens. It is this immune-modulating effect that can also dampen down an overactive immune system as in the case of allergies like hayfever and autoimmune conditions.

As a potent source of prebiotic fibers and compounds, these mushrooms provide food for good bacteria colonizing our gut, which in turn results in a healthy and balanced microbiome. A healthy gut flora allows for better absorption of nutrients as well as protection from unwanted pathogens or an overgrowth of the ever-present candida albicans. As a result, adding medicinal mushrooms to our daily regimen may result in soothing inflammation in the gut lining and improving overall digestive health.

So let’s have a look at some of those wise organisms and what they may be beneficial for in bullet points.  Always consult your doctor or health professional before taking any supplements. If you are on medication, these products may be contraindicated.

Lion’s Mane (Hericium Erinaceus)

• Improved memory and brain function. Studies have shown improved memory in healthy individuals, as well as increased cognitive function in adults aged 50-80 years old with mild cognitive impairment.
• Protection against gut and stomach ulcers as it stops the growth of Helicobacter Pyroli.
• Increased recovery from nervous system injury has been seen.
• Improvements in colitis (non Crohn’s).
• Reduction in anxiety and adults with mild depression.

Cordyceps (Cordyceps Sinensis)

• Supports maintenance of lung and liver functions.
• Promising Anti-Viral responses.
• May improve kidney function.
• Supports sports performance due to increased oxygen delivery.
• Increased libido.
• Acts beneficial on post-viral fatigue.
• Restores adrenal depletion.

Maitake (Grifola Frondosa)

• Immune modulating.
• Adrenal support.
• Balances blood sugars.
• Beneficial for improving chronic fatigue.
• Controls Candida.

Reishi (Ganoderma Lucidum)

• Anti-inflammatory including Rheumatoid Arthritis.
• Anti-allergy.
• Hay Fever. (Most beneficial when taken 2 months before hay fever season).
• Allergic rhinitis.
• Allergic asthma.
• Blocked sinus.
• Immune support.

Chaga (Inonotus Obliquus)

• Improves muscle and joint recovery times thus supporting athletic activity.
• Shows beneficial effects on skin conditions such as psoriasis.
• A reduction in LDL (bad) cholesterol has been observed.
• Highly antioxidant, and a great travel companion.
• May reduce inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

The above information is based on medicinal mushroom in the Irish Botanica brand and its co-founder David Foley (Herbalist). For the best results and to choose the best product for your lifestyle, please consult with your independent health store, ideally a stockist of the Irish Botanica Brand and asl always, do your own research to get a broader picture of these amazing plants.