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Are Medicinal Mushrooms Good for You? Here’s a Handy Guide

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Medicinal mushrooms are currently ruling the mainstream health, wellness, and culinary spaces. Today, they are available in capsules, extracts, and powders, and you can easily buy them from online and offline stores.

However, medicinal mushrooms might seem like the latest trend, and we know trends usually come and go. But, this is not the case with medicinal mushrooms, as they have been used for thousands of years in China and Japan.

But what’s so unique about mushrooms? Why is everyone talking about them? What kind of mushroom powder should you buy? If all these questions are popping into your mind, you’re in the right place!

What Makes Medicinal Mushrooms So Unique?

Medicinal mushrooms have been in the spotlight recently for their incredible health benefits. Several studies are being carried out to explore more health benefits of medicinal mushrooms. There are more than fourteen thousand varieties of mushrooms, out of which three thousand are edible and found to be rich in nutrients and antioxidants.

Since raw mushrooms can be bitter and have an earthy flavor, most people prefer to buy their powdered form. Medicinal mushrooms are usually dried and crushed into a fine powder containing essential nutrients and antioxidants.

However, make sure you buy the mushroom powder from a reliable and trusted provider in your area. Fortunately, you can find several popular online stores that provide the best medicinal mushroom powder for immunity.

Different Ways of Consuming Medicinal Mushrooms:

Fresh: You can directly consume fresh mushrooms such as shiitake, maitake, oyster, etc. You can simply roast, sauté or simmer them to get their health benefits.

Dried: Fresh medicinal mushrooms are dried and then required to be reconstituted for use in different recipes such as sauces, soups, teas, etc.

Powders: Mushroom powder is probably the most popular way of reaping the benefits of medicinal mushrooms. Raw mushrooms are bitter, challenging to cook, and find in the grocery store due to their short shelf life.

You can easily find mushroom powders at online and offline health food stores. Just a bit of research will help you find the best medicinal mushroom powder for boosting immunity.

Chunks: Few mushrooms such as Reishi and Chaga are thick and solid. You can find the chunks of these mushrooms in different sizes that you can consume in teas and soups.

Different Use of Medicinal Mushroom Powders

You can easily incorporate medicinal mushroom powders into various dishes you cherish. You can use mushroom powder in:

  • Dairy-free chocolate
  • Fresh desserts
  • Dairy-free ice cream
  • Cereal and porridge
  • Gluten-free baking recipes
  • Salad dressings
  • Cold drinks, like smoothies
  • Warm drinks, like teas

 Five Medicinal Mushrooms that Could Boost your Health

These five highly studied medicinal mushrooms are popular and packed with antioxidants and healing benefits. You can choose the one that suits your health requirements.

  • Reishi Mushroom

Reishi, also known as “immortality mushroom,” is one of the well-examined mushrooms in the world. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2000 years for various health benefits such as improved sleep, vitality, and inflammation.

  • Chaga Mushroom

Chaga, also known as InonotusObliquus, is rich in antioxidants and known for its anti-cancer properties. Studies have shown that it contains excess triterpenes that help in destroying the tumor cells.

  • Lion’s Mane Mushroom

Lion’s Mane effectively helps in relieving brain fog, memory loss, and nerve issues. Studies show that this mushroom has rich neuroregenerative properties that help in improving brain function and relieving anxiety.

  • Turkey Tail Mushroom

The Japanese government has already approved this medicinal mushroom for cancer treatment. Turkey tail mushroom medicinal benefits are now being studied in the USA. It contains antioxidants and prebiotics that help in improving gut health and immune function.

  • Cordyceps Mushroom

Cordyceps, popularly known as the “fountain of youth,” is known for its antioxidant properties. It can help in increasing stamina, energy levels, and strength. Moreover, it provides lots of benefits in diabetes by supporting healthy kidney function.

The Bottom Line

Whether you want to improve your sleep, immune system, or digestion, choosing the medicinal mushroom powder based on your specific health needs is the surest way to explore the rewarding benefits of medicinal mushrooms.