Nine potential health benefits of chaga mushrooms

The chaga mushroom grows on birch trees throughout the northern hemisphere. It resembles a dark clump of dirt more than a mushroom, but is distinguished from other growths by its orange tissue.

Doctors, alternative medicine advocates, and researchers are increasingly interested in the potential health benefits of the chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus). Some studies on chaga mushrooms have yielded promising results.

Benefits

In this article, we look at the potential health benefits of chaga mushrooms and the research behind the claims.

1. Nutrient-dense superfood

Chaga mushrooms are rich in a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, including:

• B-complex vitamins
• vitamin D
• potassium
• rubidium
• cesium
• amino acids
• fiber
• copper
• selenium
• zinc
• iron
• manganese
• magnesium
• calcium

2. Slowing the aging process

Oxidative stress causes physical signs of aging, such as wrinkles, sagging skin, and gray hair. Exposure to sun, pollution, and other sources of damage create too many free radicals for the body to neutralize, which accelerates the aging process of the skin.

In theory, supplying the body with more antioxidants could slow the aging process, or even reverse visible signs of aging.

Although no research has conclusively linked chaga to anti-aging benefits, its effectiveness in fighting other forms of oxidative stress suggests that it could also fight aging.

3. Lowering cholesterol

Chaga mushrooms contain many antioxidants that may reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the so-called "bad" cholesterol.

High cholesterol is a significant risk factor for heart disease, so chaga mushrooms could be useful in the fight against cardiovascular disease.

4. Preventing and fighting cancer

Increasingly, researchers are taking seriously the possibility that chaga mushrooms may be able to prevent cancer and slow its growth.

Chaga is rich in antioxidants, which are chemicals that help prevent cell damage caused by free radicals or oxidants. When the body is unable to produce enough antioxidants to prevent this damage, oxidative stress occurs. Oxidative stress can cause cancer and a host of other health problems.

A 2010 study found that chaga could slow the growth of lung, breast, and cervical cancer cells in a petri dish. The same study also found that chaga could slow the growth of tumors in mice.

A 2009 study found that triterpenes, the compounds found in chaga and some other mushrooms, cause tumor cells to self-destruct. Unlike other cancer treatments, however, chaga does not appear to harm healthy cells.

Although other studies have found similarly promising results, they have all been carried out on animals or in a laboratory. To prove the anti-cancer benefits of chaga conclusively, researchers will need to conduct extensive studies on humans.

5. Lowering blood pressure

Research suggests that oxidative stress is a contributing factor for high blood pressure. People with high blood pressure are more prone to heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular health issues.

Chaga's antioxidants could have a potential role in lowering blood pressure and preventing poor cardiovascular health.

6. Supporting the immune system

Cytokines are the immune system's chemical messengers. They are proteins that play a vital role in stimulating white blood cells, which are the immune system's first line of defense against a range of illnesses.

Some research on mice suggests that chaga may help regulate the production of cytokines, supporting the immune system by helping cells communicate with one another. This could help fight infections, from minor colds to life-threatening illnesses.

7. Fighting inflammation

When the body is fighting an illness, inflammation supports the fight. But sometimes, inflammation transitions from a short-term attack to a chronic health problem.

Some illnesses, particularly chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, are linked to inflammation. Recent research suggests that some conditions that are not considered inflammatory, including depression, may be partly due to chronic inflammation.

Chaga's role in regulating cytokine production may also help control inflammation. This points to a role for chaga in fighting autoimmune conditions and possibly some other diseases.

8. Lowering blood sugar

Chaga might also have a role in the fight against diabetes.

A 2006 study found that chaga mushrooms could lower blood sugar in rats. The rodents were genetically modified to have diabetes and to be obese. After eating chaga mushrooms for 8 weeks, their blood sugar levels were lower.

Though no research has been done on humans yet, this suggests that chaga might contribute to an alternative treatment for diabetes in the future.

9. Preventing drug side effects

Research is still in its infancy, but if chaga proves effective at fighting illnesses such as cancer and arthritis, it could be an alternative to traditional treatments.

Treating people with chaga mushrooms could prevent them from experiencing the side effects of other treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation, and various medications prescribed for chronic illnesses.

Tips

Chaga mushroom is available as a supplement and in herbal teas.

People planning to make their own chaga supplements, or who wish to incorporate chaga into their diet, should consult a doctor before doing so. The right daily intake of chaga varies depending on treatment goals.

Chaga is not a substitute for other forms of medical care, so people who have conditions such as cancer, diabetes, or high blood pressure should continue with their usual treatment.

Instead, chaga can be incorporated as a supplement under the direction of a doctor.

Risks

As with other supplements and medications, chaga carries some risks. It can also trigger side effects and may interact dangerously with some medications.

Because chaga lowers blood sugar, it can be dangerous for people taking insulin and other blood sugar-lowering medications.

To reduce the risks of using chaga mushrooms, a person should consider the following:

• Continue taking all prescribed medications, as chaga is not a substitute for traditional medicine.
• Tell a doctor about all medications being used. As with other drugs and supplements, chaga may alter the effectiveness of various medications.
• Write down any side effects from chaga use. Though rare, chaga can trigger an allergic reaction in some people. Trouble breathing, changes in heart rate, and loss of consciousness are medical emergencies.
• Avoid using other herbal supplements while taking chaga, unless a doctor advises otherwise.
• Research supplement brands and buy from reputable sources, as chaga is not monitored by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Cordyceps for Anti-Aging & Exercise Performance

Cordyceps are a type of fungus, better known as a species of edible medicinal, nutritionally beneficial mushrooms. While closely related to other mushrooms, cordyceps aren’t technically the same as most mushrooms and instead are classified as a powerful form of Ascomycetes fungus.

Cordyceps are harvested in high mountain regions of the world, especially parts of the Himalayas in China, and are actually grown on the backs of caterpillars! Considered to be “exotic” healers, cordycep mushrooms have been mostly rare for much of history (considering they’re only found above altitudes of 3,800 meters above sea level during certain times of the year and in only certain parts of the world where these special caterpillars exist). Yet they have a reputation for being “a precious longevity-promoting herb.”

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How do cordyceps work?

Prized for their natural ability to fight free radicals, infections and inflammation, cordyceps are impressive disease-fighting mushrooms that have been used for centuries to reduce symptoms of respiratory disorders, coughs, colds, liver damage and much more. They’re a true “superfood” in the way that they fight the effects of aging and stress, help keep the body free from disease, and also increase energy levels.

Cordycep fungus is parasitic in nature because it grows on a type of caterpillar and then winds up eating its own host! The base of the mushroom forms from the insect’s larva and is dark brown to black, attaching itself to the organism and growing about six inches long. Once it fully matures, cordyceps actually consume more than 90 percent of the infected insect. They then swell up and enlarge to become about 300–500 milligrams in weight.

The first people to discover cordyceps’ benefits initially observed animals eating the wild fungus and growing strong in the process. Farmers and herders began to use the fungus in powder form and to make tonics and teas. Some of the first uses for these tonics were increasing milk production and improving reproductive capacity of livestock. Later on, people began drying cordyceps in sunlight to preserve their benefits.

It’s believed that the many anti-inflammatory benefits of cordyceps come from their ability to positively affect the immune system, fighting oxidative stress and stimulating protective cells that keep the body free from mutations (like cancerous cells) and infections. Studies have found that cordyceps can act like natural cancer treatments in some cases, preventing the growth of tumors (especially in the lungs and on the skin).

Considered a type of natural “immuno-potentiating drug,” corycep supplements are now used to bring the immune system back to normal following life-threatening infections or illnesses. Cordyceps can help control autoimmune disorders, excessive inflammation and tissue damage while speeding up healing time. Additionally, research shows that cordyceps can act like mild stimulants or “adaptogen herbs,” fighting stress or fatigue and naturally increasing energy levels. Some of the most researched benefits of corceyps also include improving athletic performance, increasing immunity against viruses and even promoting longevity.

In addition to fighting cancer, cordyceps has been used in traditional herbal medicine to treat:

• respiratory infections like chronic bronchitis
• coughs, colds and the flu
• reproductive problems and sexual dysfunction
• kidney disorders
• bladder infections and urination problems
• asthma
• hepatitis B
• low circulation and irregular heartbeats
• heart disease and high cholesterol
• liver disorders
• muscle weakness
• chronic fatigue syndrome and low energy
• dizziness

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6 Benefits of Cordyceps

1. Increase Immune Function and Have Anti-Aging Effects

Pharmacological and biological studies have found that cordyceps positively impact immune function and benefit the cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine and reproductive systems. Cordyceps can help fight cancer and immunological disorders because they contain inflammation-lowering polysaccharides, modified nucleosides and cyclosporines. Animal studies have demonstrated benefits to heal autoimmune diseases like leaky gut syndrome and antitumor activity in various types of cancers when either synthetic or natural and cordycep supplements are administered.

Some evidence shows that taking cordyceps supplements during or following chemotherapy can lower symptoms of the treatment and increase the body’s defense mechanisms. There’s also evidence that they help restore normal fat mobilization and reduce oxidative damage, which contributes to nearly every chronic disease from heart disease to cognitive decline. (1)

Research done by the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Peking University in Beijing found that cordycep extract supplements had anti-aging effects on mice and improved activity of antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Cordyceps also lowered the level of lipid peroxidation and monoamine oxidase activity that contributed to aging in the mice. All results pointed to the fact that cordycep supplementation is effective for improving functioning of the brain, immune system and reproductive/sexual functions. (2)

2. Improve Stamina and Athletic Performance

A 2010 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine demonstrated that supplementation with Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) improved exercise performance and contributed to overall markers of wellness in older adults. (3) Considered an energizing adaptogen (similar to other superfood herbs like maca or cocoa), cordyceps can help fight fatigue, treat muscle aches and prevent weakness.

Several studies suggest that cordyceps can improve physical abilities, endurance and stamina partially because they boost the body’s supply of ATP, one of the primary sources of energy during exercises. (4) Cordyceps contain adenosine, a type of nucleic acid that is a component needed to make ATP, an “energy carrier” that is depleted in the muscles during physical exercise. (5)

3. Act Like a Natural Aphrodisiac

Traditionally, people of both sexes took tonics made from cordyceps to enhance their libidos and reproductive function. It appears that cordycep supplements can help the body utilize oxygen more efficiently and improve blood flow (so far, in animal studies), which is important for physical health and sexual function. (6) Improved endurance, anti-fatigue effects and lower levels of inflammation are several other reasons that cordyceps improve fertility. Thus, cordyceps may be utilized as a natural treatment for infertility and a natural remedy for impotence.

4. Fight Diabetes

Two active constituents in cordyceps, d-mannitol cordycepin and 3’-deoxyadenosine, are partially responsible for various physiological actions that help control insulin and blood sugar levels. In animal studies, cordycep supplements have helped combat hypoglycemic effects in normal and diabetic mice. (7) This shows cordyceps may be useful to naturally treat diabetes.

5. Improve Liver Function and Detoxification

Cordyceps appear to help improve liver function, especially in people with damaged livers due to disorders like hepatitis B. Because the liver helps remove toxins from the body, enhanced liver function is one way that cordyceps positively impact the immune system.

Research done by the Department of Analytical Chemistry at the Academy of Chinese Sciences found that cordyceps have positive influence on oxidative stress, energy metabolism and amino acid, protein and choline metabolism, thanks to their role in helping with digestive organ function. Over a period of eight weeks, metabolic disorders, signs of liver disease and heart damage in mice were significantly improved with daily oral administration of cordyceps. (8)

One reason that positive effects of both the liver and heart were observed together is that a healthier liver also allows for better digestion and utilization of fatty acids, so it’s not surprising that cordyceps may be able to help improve triglyceride and cholesterol levels and benefit heart health. (9)

6. Fight Respiratory Infections

Research has demonstrated that cordyceps help alleviate symptoms of several respiratory illnesses, including working as a natural remedy for chronic bronchitis, coughs and asthma. (7) Supplementation can help improve detoxification and circulation so the amount of oxygen reaching the lungs improves.

In animal studies, cordyceps have also shown the ability to increase the number of T-helper cells that fight infections while not increasing the the number of T-suppressor cells. (10)  This makes them beneficial for speeding up the time it takes to fight off illness once an infection or virus sets in.

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History of Cordyceps and Interesting Facts

Cordyceps (species name cordycep sinensis) are considered a time-honored superfood that first originated in Traditional Chinese Medicine at least 5,000 years ago! Their medicinal uses were described in old Chinese medical books, and traditional holistic healers have been using them to cure dozens of diseases without the use of chemical medications for generations. Local folk healers were said to use cordyceps either alone or in combination with other TCM herbal treatments to fight more than 20 different ailments, such as bronchitis and heart disease.

Cordyceps and other medicinal plants have long been used in Chinese, Christian and Hindu religious ceremonies and are believed to be linked to longevity and immortality. In Ayurvedic medicine, for example, mushrooms are said to be beneficial for enhancing “vigor and vitality.” Traditional healers in Sikkim recommended the fungus/mushrooms, including cordyceps, “for all illnesses as a tonic, because they claimed that it improved energy, appetite, stamina, libido, endurance, and sleeping patterns.” (11)

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How to Use Cordyceps Plus Potential Side Effects 

For many decades, cordyceps were difficult to obtain, expensive and not widely used. Today, wild cordyceps are still not easy to come by, but luckily scientists have figured out how to reproduce cordyceps synthetically in laboratory settings, making them much more widely available to the public. (12) Supplements are now available in most health food stores at much more affordable prices and appear to offer the same benefits as the wild varieties. Another advantage of growing controlled species of cordyceps is being able to control contamination, such as harmful bacteria and heavy metals.

Cordycep Dosage

It’s now possible to purchase cordyceps tablets, powders and capsules from most health food stores and online. Many people take them by mouth, but some even like to open the capsules and use the powder in teas, soups and stews (how they were traditionally taken in China for hundreds of years).

Dosage depends on the reason they are being used, but most studies in humans have used 1,000-3,000 milligrams per day, which doesn’t seem to be associated with any common side effects. Follow the dosage advice on the product label, or speak with an herbalist about treating a specific condition. You don’t necessarily need to take them every day if you’re only trying to prevent future illnesses and boost your immune system. In that case, once or twice a week with a lower dose works well.

Side Effects and Interactions

Cordyceps are considered safe for most people, but there are some potential side effects to be aware of, especially for pregnant women and people with a history of autoimmune diseases. If you’re pregnant or breast-feeding, you likely want to steer clear of taking cordyceps since their safety hasn’t been well-researched or confirmed in this population.

For anyone with a known autoimmune disease (for example, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis), some doctors warn that cordyceps might worsen the problem. Because they stimulate the immune system, it’s possible that cordyceps can interfere with medications for these diseases or overactivate certain immune cells. The same warning goes for anyone with a known bleeding or blood clot disorder, since medical mushrooms can sometimes interfere with proper blood clotting. You also should not take cordyceps two weeks before any scheduled surgery, due to its influence on blood clotting. (12)

What would you think about eating a mushroom that looks a little like the scruff of a lion? Not totally convinced about lion’s mane mushroom? What if I told you that it’s associated with major brain repair, potential cancer-fighting power and is undergoing research on dozens of other health benefits?
Lion’s mane mushroom is a nootropic food very popular in traditional Chinese medicine. A large body of research has focused around this brain-boosting mushroom in the last few years, and the results are nothing short of astounding.
One study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry lists the benefits by stating lion’s mane mushroom is “antibiotic, anticarcinogenic, antidiabetic, anti-fatigue, antihypertensive, anti-hyperlipodemic, anti-senescence [anti-aging], cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, and neuroprotective, and improves anxiety, cognitive function, and depression.” (1)
Wow. That’s quite a list!
Whether you’re interested in trying out lion’s mane mushroom in your mushroom coffee or are just curious what this odd-looking fungus might be good for, I’m sure you’re going to be impressed.

Lion’s Mane Mushroom Benefits

1. Enhances Brain Function
Maybe the most thoroughly researched feature of lion’s mane mushroom is its impact on brain cells and related functions. This incredible fungus may have revolutionary impact on neurodegenerative diseases.
One method by which lion’s mane affects brain function is by enhancing “neurite outgrowth” in the brain and related organs, according to research published in the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. (2, 3) Neurite outgrowth refers to the growth of axons and dendrites from neurons (anybody’s high school biology classes coming back?).
That’s a big deal in brain health research. By increasing this growth, it could potentially be possible to slow or reverse cell degeneration in the brain — the main characteristic of diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
A 2012 study conducted in Malaysia found that consuming lion’s mane mushroom could actually regenerate damaged cells from peripheral nerve injury, an injury affecting the delicate tissue between your brain and spinal cord. (4)
When studying how brain diseases might be affected by particular medications or treatments, scientists often use what is known as the PC12 cell line for testing. Extracts and various forms of lion’s mane mushroom seem to have a major impact on PC12 cells, protecting them from damage and delaying their cell death significantly. This finding may prove to be extremely relevant for prevention or treatment of brain conditions. (5, 6, 7)
In animal research published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, lion’s mane mushroom stimulates cognitive function and helps improve memory in rats, both with and without an Alzheimer’s model. (8) Multiple studies have found an inverse correlation between lion’s mane and Alzheimer’s-related symptoms, meaning that after consuming the mushroom extract, the rats’ symptoms improved. (9, 10)
An improvement of mild cognitive impairment in humans was also found in research published in Phytotherapy Research after eight to 16 weeks of lion’s mane supplementation, although this improvement did not last after subjects stopped taking this supplement. (11)
The danger of ischemic injury (damage caused by a lack of blood flow) to neurons is also of significance when you’re talking about brain damage and disease. In laboratory tests conducted in Taiwan, lion’s mane mushroom has been shown to help prevent this type of injury. (12)
Taking supplements of lion’s mane has also been found to have potentially protective effects on the spread of Parkinson’s Disease, another neurodegenerative disorder, according to research published in the Journal of Translational Medicine. (13)
While this research is still in its infancy and has not progressed to large-scale human trials in most cases, the consistent effect lion’s mane mushroom has been found to have on brain cells should not be ignored.
2. May Protect Against Cancer
Lion’s mane may also be significant in treating cancer, according to a host of research. (14) In varying degrees, compounds from or supplementation with lion’s mane mushroom has been found to potentially slow the progression or reverse the spread of:

• Leukemia
• Gastric (stomach) cancer
• Lung cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Liver cancer
• Colon cancer 
• Breast cancer 

In regard to leukemia, lion’s mane was shown to significantly reduce leukemia cells in a Korean study. (15) Further Korean research conducted by the Department of Molecular Science and Technology at Ajou University found that thanks to the phytochemicals in lion’s mane mushroom, it has “therapeutic potential against human leukemia.” (16)
As far as gastric cancer is concerned, a study published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules found that lion’s mane cell death and cell cycle arrest with gastric cancer. The researchers concluded, “our study provides in vitro evidence that HEG-5 may be taken as a potential candidate for treating gastric cancer.” (17)
Studies published in the Journal of Natural Products and Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences unearth the ability of lion’s mane mushroom to treat lung cancer. (18, 19) Meanwhile, according the Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology and the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, lion’s mane exhibits anticancer activity against colon, breast and other cancers as well. (20, 21)
Some studies actually suggest the use of lion’s mane mushroom supplements to treat cancer, although long-term and large-scale studies haven’t been conducted to prove that as a viable option.
Another interesting finding involved the metastasis (cancer spreading) from the colon to the lung. When a cancer spreads to more than the original organ in which it was found, a patient is considered to have stage IV cancer. In a study conducted on rats out of Korea, rats were given either hot water lion’s mane extract or microwaved ethanol extracts of lion’s mane mushroom. By consuming lion’s mane extract, the rats studied showed inhibited metastasis of cancer cells to the lungs by 66 percent and 69 percent, respectively. (22)
3. Supports Heart and Circulatory System Health
Lion’s mane mushroom might also help you in preventing heart disease. Research has found that extracts of lion’s mane can prevent the increase of LDL cholesterol (sometimes referred to as “bad” cholesterol), increase HDL, or “good,” cholesterol and lower triglycerides in the bloodstream, an early indicator of heart disease. (23, 24)
Stroke, a lack of blood supply to the brain from the heart, is sometimes caused by blood clots. It’s also related to atherosclerosis, a serious heart condition. An extract of lion’s mane mushroom may be able to prevent blood clots and help to reduce the risk of stroke, according to a study by from the Department of Cellular Signaling, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Tohoku University in Japan. (25)
4. Might Improve Digestive Health
Due in part to its powerful anti-inflammatory properties, lion’s mane mushroom might improve the function of your stomach and digestive system.
In multiple studies, lion’s mane mushroom has been shown to protect from or shrink gastric ulcers. For instance, according a study conducted on rats by the Mushroom Research Centre at the University of Malaya in Malaysia, researchers concluded the bioactive compounds in lion’s mane extract may be responsible for the gastroprotective activity exhibited on the rats. (26) Research from China published in the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms confirms this, noting that “results indicate that the polysaccharide fraction is the active component of the H. erinaceus mycelium culture, which protects against gastric ulcers.” (27)
Lion’s mane may also significantly improve symptoms of two major inflammatory disorders of the digestive system, gastritis and inflammatory bowel disease. (28, 29)
5. Reduces Inflammation
Although it’s a relatively different way of looking at health, research on natural ways to reduce inflammation is a major way natural health practitioners help prevent disease.
A 2015 study out of Japan found that lion’s mane mushroom was able to reduce inflammation in fatty tissue. This is important because fatty tissue inflammation is a factor in the formation of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that increase your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. (30)
Lion’s mane also has antibacterial effects against h. Pylori, often considered “the most successful pathogen in human history.” Many people never have symptoms of carrying the bacteria, but for some people it causes severe gastric conditions, like ulcers in the stomach and/or intestines. (31, 32)
 6. Acts as a Powerful Antioxidant
Fighting free radical damage has a number of health benefits, including the prevention of disease. The molecules in lion’s mane mushroom have antioxidant abilities and help prevent and relieve the oxidative stress caused by poor nutrition and exposure to chemicals in the environment. (33, 34)
One specific way these antioxidants may be useful is in the healing of wounds. A study at the University of Malaya found that a liquid extract of lion’s mane sped up wound healing significantly compared to natural healing in rats. (35)
These antioxidants may also:

• Help prevent osteoporosis (36)
• Protect from alcohol-induced liver damage (37)
• Slow the aging of skin (38)

7. Improve Mental Health and Overall Well-Being
A lion’s mane mushroom supplement may also help you to feel better by improving sleep and reducing the effects of mental health issues.
The powerful polysaccharides extracted from lion’s mane have been shown to fight fatigue in mice trials. (39) They also might have the ability to adjust circadian rhythms back to normal, as they did on mice in a study conducted at the Department of Agro-environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture at Kyushu University, which is particularly significant for people who are at risk for dementia. (40)
Consuming lion’s mane mushroom may also be a natural remedy for depression and anxiety. Thirty women were given either a placebo or lion’s mane for four weeks. Researchers concluded, “Our results show that HE intake has the possibility to reduce depression and anxiety and these results suggest a different mechanism from NGF-enhancing action of H. erinaceus.” (41) This seems to be related, in part, to the inflammation factor related to depression, as shown in mice studies. (42)
8. Improves Immune Function
It’s important to know how to boost your immune system so your body can fight infection well. Lion’s mane seems to have the ability to enhance immune system function in a manner also related to the polysaccharide content in the fungus according to research performed on mice. (43)
9. Might Be Useful for Managing Diabetes
A 2013 animal study showed marked improvement in blood glucose levels, insulin sensitivity and various other diabetes symptoms when an extract of lion’s mane mushroom was given to them. (44)
Possibly because of the antioxidant activity of lion’s mane, administering it to animals also seems to relieve pain caused by diabetic neuropathy. (45)

Lion’s Mane Mushroom Nutrition Facts

Known in Latin as Hericium erinaceus, lion’s mane is native to North America, Europe and Asia, although it’s not cultivated widely in areas outside of Asia. It’s sometimes referred to as Hedgehog Mushroom, Yamabushitake or Houtou.
Because of the limited amount of lion’s mane mushroom produced for mass consumption, it’s difficult to find specific nutrition facts. However, at least one source states that one serving (around 84 grams) contains 20 calories, 2 grams of protein and 3 grams of carbohydrates. (46)
Although it’s hard to pinpoint the vitamin and mineral content of lion’s mane, one reason it’s been researched for a wide variety of purposes is because of the polysaccharides it contains. Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrate structures, like glucose. (47)
Lion’s mane mushroom contains beta-glucan polysaccharides, which are known scientifically to have correlations with various health benefits, like heart health and immune responses.

How to Use Lion’s Mane Mushroom

Unfortunately for many of us Westerners, this mushroom isn’t readily available at the grocery store, with the possible exception of Asian grocery markets in places like Chinatown.
However, there are two options you still have. For one, it’s possible to grow lion’s mane in North America, and kits are available online with seeds to grow it in your own personal garden.
If you go this route, be aware that many people liken the mushroom to a seafood-tasting, fleshy item. It pairs well with brown rice or quinoa, especially if you add some fresh flavors, such as bell peppers or sweet onion.
Not everyone has a way to grow personal crops, so you can also purchase lion’s mane mushroom in supplement form. Be sure to do your research and only purchase high-quality supplements from trusted manufacturers.

History and Interesting Facts About Lion’s Mane Mushroom

Like many powerfully beneficial foods, lion’s mane mushroom has been known for some time in parts of Asia to be great for various body functions and conditions. Used in Japan for centuries and possibly millennia, the odd-looking fungus is revered by Buddhist monks and understood to be almost a mystical source of nutrition.
A sect of Buddhist monks known as the Yamabushi wear a garment known as the “suzukake,” fashioned from many long strands of fur, bears a striking resemblance to the lion’s mane mushroom and probably accounts for why the mushroom is known in some areas as the yamabushitake.
Some sources state that it was reserved for royalty at different times in the past.

Possible Side Effects/Caution

Lion’s mane mushroom is a generally safe food item. Multiple studies have found it to be non-toxic at different dosages, even over extended periods of time.
There have been isolated reports of side effects, including one of contact dermatitis and another of respiratory distress related to consuming lion’s mane.
If you choose to eat this mushroom and have any symptoms, such as burning/itching skin, inability to breathe properly or swollen lips, consult your doctor immediately.

• Lion’s mane mushroom is an edible fungus grown in Asia, Europe and North America.
• It has been used for millennia as a medicinal food in traditional Chinese medicine and other ancient medicinal practices.
• Due to the presence of unique polysaccharides and other nutrients, lion’s mane mushroom has a large number of health benefits.
• The two most well-known benefits of consuming lion’s mane are the potential ability to prevent or protect the spread of neurodegenerative disease and cancer.
• Lion’s mane mushroom may also help improve heart health, protect from inflammatory digestive issues, reduce inflammation, relieve oxidative stress, improve mental health, boost immunity and prevent diabetes.
• Lion’s mane is not available in most Western grocery locations, but you can grow your own or take it in supplement form.

 

The reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum), an edible type of medicinal fungus that has been used for various healing abilities for thousands of years, is a true “superfood.” Also known as Ling Zhi in Chinese, these mushrooms are strongly anti-inflammatory and tied to longevity, better immune function and mental clarity — perhaps that’s why they’ve adopted the nickname “king of mushrooms.”
As described in the book “Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects,” in Chinese the name for the reishi mushroom represents “a combination of spiritual potency and essence of immortality … it’s tied to success, well-being, divine power, and longevity. Among cultivated mushrooms, G. lucidum is unique in that its pharmaceutical rather than nutritional value is paramount.” (1)
Throughout history in holistic medicine practices, including Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), reishi mushrooms have been considered to be adaptogen herb-like substances, meaning they help us deal with the negative effects of stress — such as increased inflammation, depleted energy levels, damaged blood vessels and various types of hormonal imbalances. Studies have repeatedly shown that reishi mushrooms have antioxidant abilities that allow them to strengthen the body’s defenses against cancer, autoimmune diseases, heart disease, allergies, infections and more.
And these are just some of the reishi mushroom benefits. So let’s take a look at why you should eat this type of nutritious, beneficial mushroom.

How the Reishi Mushroom Works

What are reishi mushrooms? Like other disease-fighting mushrooms, reishi mushrooms are a type of fungus that grow outdoors. They’re native to parts of Asia, including China, Korea and Japan. While they’re edible (some people describe them as tasting bitter and having a tough texture), you’re much more likely to find them in supplement, tincture or powder form.
Reish mushrooms grow above ground and produce “a fruiting body” along with connective strands (called mycelium), which are turned into an herbal medicine, tincture, tea, powder or extract.
For most of history, in Traditional Chinese Medicine fully grown reishi mushroom was dried, cut into slices, boiled in hot water and then steeped to make a healing tea/soup. Today, manufacturers of reishi products use a processing technique where reishi is boiled multiple times at a high pressure, allowing the active ingredients to be extracted to form a tincture.
Over the past several decades, dozens of different studies conducted in Japan, China, the U.S. and the U.K. have demonstrated that reishi mushrooms are capable of offering protection against numerous diseases or illnesses, including: (2)

• inflammation
• fatigue (including chronic fatigue syndrome)
• frequent infections (urinary tract, bronchitis, respiratory infections, etc.)
• liver disease
• food allergies and asthma
• digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome
• tumor growth and cancer
• skin disorders
• autoimmune disorders
• diabetes
• viruses, including the flu, HIV/AIDS or hepatitis
• heart disease, hypertension, high blood pressure and high cholesterol
• sleep disorders and insomnia
• anxiety and depression

Because they work as an “immune modulator,” reishi mushrooms can help restore hormonal balance, bring the body back to homeostasis and regulate activity of the immune system, including fighting tumors and cancerous cells. Research shows that reishi mushrooms act like a normalizing substance, regulating various cellular functions and systems, including the endocrine (hormonal), immune, cardiovascular, central nervous and digestive systems.
One of the best things about using reishi mushrooms is that they’re capable of doing so much, yet compared to medications they’re non-toxic and produce hardly any side effects of all. In fact, most people notice a quick improvement in their energy levels, mental capabilities and moods while also experiencing a reduction in aches, pains, allergies, digestive issues and infections.
The secret behind their healing potential? It’s the various active ingredients the reishi mushroom contains, which include: complex sugars known as beta-glucans, plant sterols that can act as precursors to hormones in the body, polysaccharides that fight cancer cell development and acidic substances called triterpenes that turn off the body’s response to allergies. (3)
Recent findings suggest that reishi mushrooms can lower inflammation and increase the release of natural killer cells (or cytotoxicity), which work to remove various types of mutated cells from the body. This makes the reishi mushroom ideal as a natural cancer treatment and for prevention or heart disease. Some of the mechanisms of action by which reishi does this include: (4)

• activating cytotoxic receptors (NKG2D/NCR)
• inhibiting cell proliferation
• suppressing vascular endothelial growth factor
• increasing plasma antioxidant capacity
• enhancing immune response
• converting excess testosterone to dihydrotestosterone

 6 Proven Reishi Mushroom Benefits

1. Helps Defend Against Tumor Growth and Cancer
Just like other anti-inflammatory foods, reishi mushrooms contain several types of important anti-cancer nutrients, including antioxidants (such as the kinds called polysaccharides and triterpenoids), beta-glucans and amino acids. Researchers believe that one of the most beneficial components of the reshi mushroom is its polysaccharides, which are a water-soluble type of nutrient found in carbohydrate foods that are known to have anti-tumor abilities.
Polysaccharides, also found in other beneficial plant foods like sweet potatoes or beets, along with triterpenoids are immune-modulating substances. They are one of the compounds that help reishi mushrooms defend DNA and stop cell mutations while protecting healthy cells. (5) According to some studies, certain medicinal mushrooms help fight cancer because polysaccharides have important biological benefits including antioxidant, neuro-protective, radio-protective, anti-diabetes, anti-osteoporosis and anti-fatigue abilities. (6)
Additionally, laboratory tests have demonstrated that triterpenes have cancer-fighting properties, which is one reason why brightly colored or bitter-tasting, highly antioxidant foods like pumpkin, berries and black rice have a reputation for promoting health. Triterpene compounds seem to inhibit tumor invasion and metastases by limiting attachment of cancerous cells to endothelial cells. Beta-glucans are also natural cancer-fighters since they stop the growth and spread of cancer cells while causing the immune system to become more active.
Reishi mushrooms have been successfully used to help fight cancer of the breasts, ovaries, prostate, liver and lungs, sometimes in combination with other treatments. (7) For patients who are recovering from cancer or undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments, reishi has protective effects that can make the medication more effective.
Research in cancer patients suggests that reishi has antiproliferative and chemopreventive effects, helps alleviate side effects of chemotherapy like low immunity and nausea and potentially enhances the efficacy of radiotherapy — in my opinion, making the reishi mushroom one of the most powerful cancer-fighting foods available.
2. Improves Liver Function and Detoxification
TCM differs from “Western medicine” in some ways because it emphasizes disease prevention, instead of simply treating symptoms once they appear. Within the body, one of the main focal points of TCM is the liver, since the liver is responsible for helping clean, process, store and circulate healthy blood and nutrients. Adaptogen herbs or supplements like reishi mushooms are one piece of the puzzle when it comes to maintaining the right balance within the body (other important aspects include a healthy diet, exercise and meditation) because they’re believed to help strengthen the digestive system, where nutrients are actually broken down and absorbed.
Adaptogens can help improve liver function and prevent liver disease, resulting in numerous benefits because this allows waste and toxins to be flushed from the body more efficiently, improving immunity against diseases that can develop over time. A 2013 study published in the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms found that reishi induces hepatoprotective effects on acute liver injury because it contains antioxidant properties and fights harmful immune responses that slow down liver function. (8)
3. Promotes Heart Health and Balances Blood Pressure 
Triterpenes found the reishi mushroom seem to have blood pressure-lowering abilities as well as benefits for blood-clotting and cholesterol, likely because they help lower inflammation within blood vessels and arteries while also restoring hormonal balance. (9) High blood pressure or high cholesterol can sometimes be caused by hormonal issues, including thyroid disorders or high amounts of stress, but reishi mushrooms help restore optimal hormonal levels and also strengthen the cardiovascular system. (10)
In addition to lowering blood pressure, reishi can improve overall circulation, lower inflammation that worsens heart problems, and prevent clogged arteries or high cholesterol levels. Some early research suggests that taking reishi mushroom supplements (including ganopoly) reduces symptoms of clogged arteries, chest pains and shortness of breath.
4. Helps Balance Hormones and Fight Diabetes
Research suggests that several antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds found in reishi mushrooms change the way that nerves transmit messages to the brain, improving various functions within the endocrine and central nervous systems and balancing hormones naturally. Reishi mushroom supplementation is used to lower symptoms of diabetes, fatigue and hormonal imbalances, while improving fertility and reproductive health. (11)
The reishi mushroom lowers the amount of toxins or heavy metals that can accumulate within the body and cause sluggishness, which is why these mushrooms are tied to improved energy levels, better concentration, improved memory and even better quality sleep. Clinical studies have also shown that reishi extract exerts mild anti-diabetic effects and improves dyslipidemia. Some research suggests that taking reishi mushroom supplements for 12 weeks reduces severity and complications of type 2 diabetes, since it can raise hemoglobin levels but not blood sugar levels.
5. Fights Allergies and Asthma
One of the active ingredients of reshi mushrooms is triterpenes, a type of ganoderic acid that is tied to a reduction in allergies and histamine reactions associated with asthma. It’s this reason why the reishi mushroom is an asthma natural remedy. (12) Triterpenes are capable of lowering allergic reactions because of the way they affect the immune system, strengthen the digestive organs, protect the gut lining, lower inflammation, inhibit a histamine release, improve oxygen utilization and improve liver functions.
6. Reduces Risk for Infections and Viruses
Reishi mushrooms are considered a natural antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal substance. Aside from reducing allergies, triterpemes offer protection against microbial infections, viruses and fungal infections. Triterpenes can be found in many plant foods that taste somewhat bitter, a sign that they’re protective in nature and defend the plant against predators. In studies, isolated triterpenes have been shown to strengthen the lining of the digestive organs, fight off “bad bacteria,” help good bacteria replenish and protect against cell mutations.
Because reishi mushrooms can improve blood circulation and lower inflammation, they can help resolve infections more quickly, reduce pain and fight fatigue. Reishi mushrooms have been used to help treat symptoms and underlying causes of urinary tract infections, respiratory and sinus infections, hepatitis, bronchitis and even the HIV and AIDS viruses.

How to Use Reishi Mushrooms

According to some experts on reishi mushrooms, they might be most effective if you take them in the morning on an empty stomach. Drinking water along with reishi seems to help them absorb best, as does pairing them with vitamin C foods. Vitamin C seems to help with proper absorption of the active ingredients, including several types of antioxidants.
When purchasing reishi, ideally look for products that are certified pure, produced in Asian countries (such as Japan), and in extract or essence form. There are many different types of reishi products available, all of which have different levels of active ingredients that are affected by factors including the plant’s mother fungi, the growing conditions and the processing method used to extract the reishi. Products from Japan are considered to be some of the purest and are usually cultivated using techniques that preserve the delicate compounds in reishi. Check the product’s labeling for the species name (Ganoderma lucidum), extract ratio, country of origin and if any fillers are added.
You’re likely to come across reishi mushroom extract, capsules or powders in health food stores or online, so always read the directions carefully since dosage can vary depending on how concentrated the product is and the likelihood of having side effects goes up when you take too much.

Are Reishi Mushrooms Safe and Are There Any Side Effects?

Reishi mushrooms have been used for thousands of years in all kinds of patients, and amazingly very few (if any) side effects have ever been recorded. Reishi is classified as “Class 1: Herbs that can be safely consumed when used appropriately.” On occasion, some mild digestive upset and skin rashes have been occurred, but these side effects seem to go away and only be a threat in sensitive people with impaired immune systems. (12)
While reishi mushrooms are safe, effective and very well-tolerated by most people, there are some instances when you’ll want to talk to your doctor before using them on your own. According to studies, the reishi mushroom appears to be safe for adults when taken by mouth in appropriate doses for up to one year. It’s possible for powdered forms of reishi to be stronger or contaminated in some rare cases, which can increase the risk for toxicity, so use caution and purchase reishi powder from a reputable company.
If you notice any of the following side effects, stop using reishi mushrooms and visit your doctor to make sure you’re not reacting badly, having an allergic reaction or experiencing liver toxicity:

• dryness of the mouth
• dry or itchy throat
• itchiness in the nasal area
• strong indigestion or stomach upset
• nosebleeds
• bloody stool
• skin rashes

If you’re pregnant or breast-feeding, it’s best to avoid reishi mushrooms unless you work with your doctor, since there hasn’t been much research done involving pregnant women. If you have had any type of bleeding disorder; just underwent surgery; take blood pressure medications, blood thinners, chemotherapy drugs or immosuppresant medications; or have trouble with blood clotting, don’t take reishi mushrooms since they can increase blood pressure, impact blood clotting (called thrombocytopenia) and increase the risk for bleeding.

Reishi Mushroom Takeaways

If you’re looking for a mushroom to eat, the reishi mushroom may not be the best choice — although it is edible. However, if you want to unlock this unique mushroom’s benefits and love tea or soup, the reishi is perfect. Found in mostly tincture, tea, powder or extract form, reishi mushrooms are a high-antioxidant food that improved immunity.
My favorite way to consume them is in tea form — which can help fight cancer, detox the liver, improve heart health, balance hormones, combat allergies and stave of illness. It may be a fungus, but it’s the good type. So don’t be afraid to add the reishi mushroom to your daily routine!

Turkey Tail Mushroom: The Disease-Fighting, Immune-Boosting Fungus

When it comes to functional foods, the turkey tail mushroom, often called turkey tail fungus, may top the list. Named for the colorful fall-like palette of stripes it adorns that favor the plume of feathers on turkeys, turkey tail mushrooms have been brewed for thousands of years by the Chinese as medicinal teas, so it’s no secret to them just how amazing this beautiful mushroom is.

It’s been used as early as the 15th century during the Ming Dynasty in China. The Japanese, who reference it as kawaritake or “cloud mushrooms” due to an image of swirling clouds, have been well aware of the benefits of this super, power-filled mushroom, with researchers noting its health benefits, particularly in boosting the immune system. In fact, the cloud-like image symbolizes “longevity and health, spiritual attunement and infinity” to these Asian cultures. (1)  

So what is this amazing fungus? If you’ve taken a hike in the woods, you’ve probably seen plenty of turkey tail mushrooms because they grow abundantly on dead and fallen trees, branches, and stumps. Given the description of bracket fungi, they form a wavy, thin, leather-like structure with concentric circles. Unlike shiitake mushrooms that have gills underneath the top, they contain tiny pores that release spores, making them a part of the polypore family. These mushrooms easily grow almost anywhere in the world as long as there are trees, making them one of the most common mushrooms found today.

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Turkey Tail Mushroom Benefits

1. Prevents and Treats the Common Cold and Flu

The turkey tail mushroom has long been known to stave off any infection, including those associated with the common cold or flu. It helps your immune system become more resilient to ill-causing germs. When flu season approaches, you may want to include turkey tail as a supplement in your dietary routine. (2)

The turkey tail mushroom has been shown to modulate the immune system, helping fight infections, illness and diseases. (3)

2. Can Offer Support to Chemo Patients

Turkey tail mushrooms may help cancer patients who are going through chemotherapy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has conducted clinical trials for a turkey tail extract to be consumed by patients who have advanced prostate cancer and are enduring conventional chemotherapy as well as testing how well it helps women with breast cancer in combination with a vaccine treatment in hopes of a new and better form of cancer therapy. Ultimately, since chemotherapy suppresses the immune system, the hope is that turkey tail mushroom builds the immune system up to better handle the weakness that chemo often causes. And a stronger immune system can help combat deadly cancer cells, making the turkey tail mushroom a potentially potent cancer-fighting food. (4)

3. May Combat Breast Cancer

A study published in Global Advances in Health and Medicine revealed that an 83-year-old woman who was diagnosed with advanced, metastatic inflammatory breast cancer led a disease-free life after using turkey tail mushroom. Though she continued chemotherapy use, she consumed capsules of turkey tail mushroom at the same time.

Scientists believe that the immune response of the turkey tail mushrooms boosted the woman’s immune system by recognizing the tumor, which increased the effectiveness of the chemotherapy. This is consistent with research that claims medicinal disease-fighting mushrooms like turkey tail, as well as maitake, reishi and Agaricus blazei, can be natural immune-enhancing and anticancer treatments. (5)

4. Helps Treat Human Papilloma Virus

Mushrooms, in particular the turkey tail mushroom, may help heal infections, such as an oral strain of the human papillomavirus (HPV). According to a study of 61 patients with gum disease testing positive for oral HPV, 88 percent of the 41 patients who received both turkey tail and reishi mushrooms showed positive results after only two months of treatment. (6) HPV in the mouth can sometimes lead to oropharyngeal cancer of the mouth.

5. Aids in Digestion

The mycelium in the mushroom is what may help you have a smoother digestion process when supplementing with turkey tail mushrooms. The mushroom contains perfect prebiotics that assist the microbiome. This means that it can help the growth of the good bacteria in the body, including acidophilus and bifidobacterium, which is even more beneficial for anyone suffering from leaky gut syndrome. And this better digestion could even help you lose weight. (7)

6. May Help Patients with HIV/AIDS

Studies reveal that the use of turkey tail mushroom, in conjunction with other wild medicinal East African mushrooms, may be useful in treating patients with Kaposi’s sarcoma, a skin cancer often affecting those with HIV/AIDS. The same product has also benefited patients with HIV/AIDS even without the sarcoma.

Turkey tail has antibacterial and antioxidant properties; therefore, an extract of the turkey tail mushroom may be helpful. This extract, called PSP, has been studied in vitro, noting it as an antiviral agent that may prevent the replication of the HIV virus. (8)

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How Does a Turkey Tail Mushroom Work?

A “renaissance mycologist” inventor and researcher by the name of Paul Stamets, Ph.D,  is well-known for his strong beliefs in the power of mushrooms, having authored six mushroom-related books and being awarded nine patents with more that are likely to come. Specifically, he has discovered nine antiviral molecules that are revealed through the mycelium of the mushroom as it rots the wood it has inhabited.

Turkey tail mushrooms work by providing a big boost to our immune systems. They contain B-glucans, polysaccharides, within the fungal cell walls. When eaten, these B-glucans provide receptors in the small intestine area that get the immune-boosting power in full force. This power puts the turkey tail mushroom in the adaptogen category. Adaptogen herbs work to resist numerous stress factors that we face daily, providing support to the immune system and stimulating energy levels. Usually, adaptogens are herbal compounds found in things like mushrooms, roots, berries, barks and leaves.

Furthermore, mushrooms are composed of compacted mycelium, the same noted by Dr. Stamets, and jam-packed with nutrition, such as polysaccharides, proteins, minerals, and vitamins B and D. They’re also low-fat. The mycelium structure is loaded with helpful enzymes, antimicrobial agents and antiviral compounds. In fact, this mycelium is more important than you may think by helping provide nutrient-dense soil, something our land is often lacking, which can help neutralize the toxins in our immune systems.  

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How to Use and Buy Turkey Tail Mushrooms

The turkey tail mushroom is edible but is rather chewy, which is why it’s most commonly served as a tea or powder in capsule form. It’s often found combined with other mushrooms as a supplement.

It’s best to buy organic to avoid toxins that may be found in the soil, especially since one of the biggest benefits is the dirt the mushroom is grown in, providing nourishment due to its natural environment.

Other things to consider when making a purchase is whether the product has been validated by scientific studies. You want to make sure you get the real thing that has been properly sourced. Find out where the mushrooms were grown and if they’ve been handled by experts.

There is a fractionated “drug” version of turkey tail, also called PSK or polysaccharide K. It’s extremely popular in Japan for its anticancer properties, but it cannot be legally sold in the U.S. However, the pure version of turkey tail that was used in a breast cancer study can be found at Fungi Perfecti under the label “Host Defense.” Because this turkey tail mycelium is in its pure form, it’s considered an FDA-approved nutraceutical, allowing it to be marketed as a supplement.

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Turkey Tail Mushroom Recipes

Turkey tail mushrooms can be utilized in a number of recipe. For instance, you can make your very own turkey tail tea — just make sure to get turkey tail from an organic source. It’s recommended that you consume one to two eight-ounce glasses per day to receive the immune-boosting power it has the ability to provide. The get a mild flavor, the best ratio is one part mushrooms to five parts of water. For example, for this recipe, I recommend one cup of mushroom to five cups of purified water:

Turkey Tail and Turmeric Tea

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup chopped turkey tail mushroom
• 5 cups purified water
• 2.5 teaspoons ground turmeric
• ½ teaspoon local honey
• 1 drop lemon essential oil

DIRECTIONS:

1. Chop the turkey tail mushroom into small pieces and add to a large pot of water on the stove.
2. Bring the water to a boil, then simmer for an hour.
3. Strain the mixture through a colander. Add a ½ teaspoon of fresh ground turmeric and the honey and stir.
4. Add the lemon essential oil and stir again.
5. That’s it — time to drink!

If you’d like to add additional flavor, almond milk, one drop of cinnamon, ginger or lemon essential oil, or stevia are good options.

Feel free to add the rest of your turmeric to your leftovers while it’s still warm since it’s easier to blend, and keep any leftovers in the refrigerator. You can then reheat or serve chilled or on ice.

You can also try this Turkey Tail Tincture recipe.

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Turkey Tail Mushroom Nutrition and History

The turkey tail mushroom comes the Trametes versicolor family, formerly Coriolus versicolor, and is very useful to the ecology of the forest as it helps decompose hardwood. “The fungus is characterized among the white-rot basidiomycetes. T. versicolorproduces a laccase used to detoxify xenobiotics such as polychlorinated biphenyls, dyes, and a variety of synthetic polymers and as a pulp biobleach for making paper,” according to the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. (9)

Due to its ability to help cancer patients, turkey tail is considered the one of the best researched mushrooms and sits right on top with other medicinal mushrooms, such as reishi, cordyceps and maitake. Many edible mushrooms contain selenium, vitamin D and vitamin B3, which is part of what makes them strong immune boosters, in addition to the nutrient-rich soil and decaying matter where they live. These mushrooms feed on this decaying matter and other living things, such as rotting logs, making them saprotrophs.

To find one, you probably just need to look around the ground when in a wooded area. While they have an array of fall colors like a span of turkey feathers, one of the most vivid colors is typically bright green and is actually algae. (10) 

Mushrooms have been around medicinally as far back as Neolithic times. In fact, according to Spirit of Change Magazine, “The oldest human mummy, dating back 4,000 years ago, was found with Piptoporus betulinus in his medicine kit, a mushroom used for its antibiotic properties and as a natural parasite killer, still in use today.” (11)

Archaeologists have found evidence of mushrooms on Egyptian hieroglyphics noting the mushrooms as “the plant of immortality, called the ‘sons of the gods’ sent to Earth on lightning bolts and eaten only by nobles and pharaohs.” The Aztecs event kept mushrooms as sacred, consuming them in holy rituals. And as noted above, the Asian cultures have been keen to the turkey tail mushroom since the 15th century.

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Turkey Tail Mushroom Risks

It’s always best to check with your doctor prior to using any new food for medicinal purposes, especially if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding, or have any disease-related condition. Some patients have reported problems with bowels, such as diarrhea and darkened stools, as well as darkened nail pigmentation. If you notice any negative effects or discomfort while consuming turkey tail mushroom, discontinue use immediately and check with your doctor. (12)

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Research seems very strong in the area of the turkey tail mushroom and its ability to be a great cancer-fighting natural remedy and immune booster. These medicinal mushrooms have also been shown to prevent and treat the common cold and flu, offer support to chemotherapy patients, treat HPV and other infections, aid digestion, and even offer help to HIV/AIDS patience, in addition to potentially combatting cancer.

While more research needs to be conducted, choosing turkey tail mushrooms may be helpful and worth considering. If you choose to use the product, make sure that it you adhere to my recommendations above regarding how to use it and buy it.