Mycelium is the underground fungal network that virtually covers the entire planet. Mycelium has the ability to produce mushrooms. Approximately 40% of pharmaceutical drugs today utilize mushrooms. There’re four different categories of mushrooms. The first is culinary mushrooms. These are what you think of when you usually eat them. The portabella, white button, and cremini are examples. Medicinal mushrooms are a category that have thousands of years of documented history. They have been used from everything to immune function, to disease support. They are know as adaptogens. This means that they help your body be more resilient toward stress. These include chaga, reishi, cordryceps, and lions mane. The third category is psychedelic mushrooms. These have been used in ceremonies for a very long time. These are used for spiritual enlightenment, and insight. Psilocybin would be an example. Lastly, we have poisonous mushrooms. We don’t want to eat these, and they consist of only a small percentage of all the mushrooms.

Today, I’m focusing on the class of medicinal mushrooms. These are lesser known, and have many benefits.

Chaga-

Chaga is a mushroom native to North America, and Russia. It is known as the king of mushrooms. It grows on Burch trees, and acts like a cancer to the tree. It get’s all it’s nutrients from the tree itself. Chaga is full of antioxidants like melanin, and SOD (super oxide dismutase). Yes, you can get melanin from food. Chaga is a rich source of beta glucans. These are compounds that train the immune system, the natural killer cells in particular. This is the mushroom that you would want to use if your primary goal is the immune system. It has been proven to significantly decrease cancer cells. This study shows how it reduces the blood supply to cancer, and reduces tumor size.

Reishi-

Reishi is known as the queen of mushrooms, and typically grows in the forest. In traditional Chinese medicine, it has been named as the number one herb for everything. Reishi is there go to. This is what you would want to use for the nervous system, and relaxation. Reishi is full of polysaccharides, and triterpenes that aid in sleep. A study published in the journal of pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior showed that reishi decreased sleep latency (how fast you fall asleep), increased sleep time; including REM, and non REM sleep.

Cordyceps-

Cordyceps is a mushroom that is grown on logs, or caterpillars. They actually protect the caterpillars. They have a long history of use in Chinese medicine. The story goes that they were only allowed to be consumed by the emperor, and the royal family. If anyone else was caught consuming them, it was punishable by death. Cordyceps is really the mushroom of endurance, and the lungs. It was actually used by the Chinese in the Olympics, and they attributed this mushroom to their great performance. In this study, cordyceps has shown to increase lactate threshold, and improve ventilation, and improves exercise performance.

Lions mane-

Lions mane is a medicinal mushroom that looks like a bundle of neurons when growing, resembling a lions mane. The benefits of this mushroom are vast. It has been specifically studied for it’s benefits on the nervous system, and cognitive function. It also promotes something called neurogenesis, or the creation of new brain cells. This happens because it contains many nerve growth factors that regenerate nerves. This has been studied for traumatic brain injuries as well. This study shows how lions mane grows new brain cells, and improved cognitive function.

How to optimize the usage

These mushrooms can not usually be eaten do to their hard exterior shell called chitin. Think of a shell of a lobster. Do to this, we have to do what’s called a dual extraction. This is a alcohol, and hot water extract to get all of the benefits out of the mushroom. Most companies do either, or, so look for a company that does both. It is kind of a waste if you only get one extraction method. Also, look for wild harvested. This is when they are harvested in the wild, and is the best method. If you can’t find that, then get log grown. Don’t get mushrooms grown on grains, they have less nutrients, and other harmful effects. Four sigmatic is a great brand. These are usually consumed in tea form. Also, make sure the mushrooms are combined with a source of vitamin c, and synergistic herbs. This increases the bioavailability of the mushrooms. Historically, our ancestors would not usually use one herb, they would combine it with other things. Also, to get the most out of it, add a type of fat along with it. This will help you absorb the fat soluble compounds in them. Adding MCT oil, ghee, or butter to the tea will be very beneficial.