Boosting Nutrition & Beyond
Mushrooms are all the rage right now and you’ve probably spotted mushroom-enhanced teas, smoothies, coffee, and chocolates featuring benefits like reduced inflammation, less stress, and more energy. But they aren’t exactly new news – after all, healing medicinal mushrooms have been in use since ancient times for their nutritional benefits.
The following are the most well-known of medicinal mushrooms and most widely used. They basically come in powdered form or in capsules. You can find these mushrooms in many of our Midwest Mermaid Muse products, most notably the SeaShroom Beverage Booster and our Land & SEAsoning spice mix. The uses and possible benefits listed below are from a handy database available on the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center website. (Where you can check out all types of herbs, etc.)
Chaga
Anti-inflammatory
Cancer treatment and prevention
Hepatoprotective
Immunostimulation
Tremella
Improves Skin Tone
High cholesterol
Anti-inflammatory
Cancer treatment and prevention
Can boost defense mechanisms
Protects liver
Shitake
Cancer prevention
Cancer treatment
High cholesterol
Immunostimulation
Infections
Control blood sugar levels
Reduce inflammation
Reishi
Fatigue
High cholesterol
HIV and AIDS
Hypertension
Immunostimulation
Inflammation
Viral infections
Lion’s Mane
Anti-cancer
Anti-microbial
Anti-hypertensive
Anti-diabetic
Wound healing
Neuroregenerative Effects
(Note: Research suggests that Lion’s Mane may even help to slow the progression
of degenerative neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.)
Cordyceps
Nephropathy
Diabetes
Immunostimulation
Strength and stamina
Fight fatigue
Relieve muscle aches
Increase athletic performance
Turkey Tail (Coriolus Versicolor or PSK)
Cancer prevention
Cancer treatment
Chemotherapy side effects
Hepatitis
Herpes
Immunostimulation
Infection
Radiation therapy side effects
Strength and stamina
In general, mushroom supplements are safe – but like any other supplement, it’s a good idea to check in with your doctor before incorporating them into your diet in highly concentrated forms.
Mushroom varieties may induce blood thinning. If you are on a blood thinner medication or if you have any history of this, consult with your doctor before taking mushrooms. Certain other medications like chemotherapy can also interact with some mushrooms. If you are on medication or in treatment for any condition, it’s a good idea to rule out any interactions ahead of time. (The Sloan Kettering database lists interactions.)
Sources: Shape.com, Mother Nature Network (mnn.com), mskcc.org/cancer-care/diagnosis-treatment/symptom-management/integrative-medicine/herbs/search