Medicinal Mushrooms...really?
Updated: Oct 15, 2020
Mushrooms have been used traditionally for thousands of years as powerful healers — to boost the immune system and promote wellbeing and longevity. Still, many people tend to lump mushrooms into the “vegetable” category or the “psychedelics” category. Medicinal mushrooms, also known as functional mushrooms, are only recently starting to be celebrated again in the mainstream as the powerful medicines they’ve always been. For the purposes of this article (and your time), I'll just be talking about the "legal" mushrooms that can be purchased at any nutrition store.
Adding a spoonful of mushroom powder to your favorite recipes is a great way to reap their magical health benefits. It’s also best to keep the dosage just at that — a spoonful, or 1 to 2 tablespoons per day
The list of health benefits medicinal mushrooms provide is lengthy (think: brain booster, hormone helper, antioxidant powerhouse). But each mushroom is unique and provides its own distinct health advantages:
Reishi can help with
sleep
anxiety
depression
focus
Lion’s mane can help with
cognition
memory
concentration
Chaga can help with
aging
inflammation
lowering LDL
Shiitake can help with
lowering cholesterol
heart health
blood pressure and circulation
Turkey tail can help with
immune support
cancer prevention
antioxidants
Cordyceps may help with
energy
athletic performance
muscle recovery
So there you have it, a quick and dirty primer on the magical "legal" mushrooms that can help your brain and body function.