Medicinal mushrooms: properties

Date of the last update: 12.06.2023

Mushrooms have long been known for their healing properties. In recent years, more and more scientific research has focused on exploring these properties and finding ways to incorporate them into your daily diet. Among the most popular ways to use mushrooms as dietary ingredients are powdered medicinal mushrooms and mushroom extracts. In this article, we will discuss the differences between them and what you should pay attention to when choosing one of these products.

Table of contents:

1. A powdered medicinal mushroom, extracts
2. Natural medicine and mushrooms
3. Medicinal mushrooms – scientific research
4. Reishi – Ganoderma lucidium
5. Lion’s Mane – Hericium erinaceus
6. Chaga
7. Cordyceps
8. Turkey nail

You can read this article in 6 minutes.

A powdered medicinal mushroom, extracts

A powdered medicinal mushroom is nothing more than a completely dried and ground mushroom. They are available in the form of powder, capsules or tablets. Mushroom powder can be used as an addition to dishes, drinks or to prepare decoctions. The powdered medicinal mushroom is rich in nutrients, including proteins, fiber, vitamins and minerals. In addition, medicinal mushrooms contain special chemical compounds such as polysaccharides, triterpenes and phenols that are responsible for their medicinal properties.

Mushroom extracts, on the other hand, are a mushroom concentrate with an increased content of bioactive ingredients. The extract can be obtained from raw mushrooms by various extraction methods, such as water extraction, alcohol extraction.

Mushroom extract usually contains more active ingredients than powdered mushrooms, making it more concentrated and faster acting than powdered mushrooms.

In conclusion, both powdered medicinal mushrooms and mushroom extracts are effective ways to incorporate the medicinal properties of mushrooms into your daily diet. The choice of one of these products depends on individual needs and preferences.

Natural medicine and mushrooms

Medicinal mushrooms have long been used in natural medicine to treat various diseases and to improve the overall health of the body. In recent years, more and more scientific research has focused on exploring the properties of mushrooms and finding ways to incorporate them into your daily diet. One way to use the medicinal properties of mushrooms is to use mushroom extracts. In this article, we will discuss the properties of mushroom extracts and what health benefits they can bring to the body.

Mushroom extracts are produced from raw mushrooms, which undergo special treatment to obtain a concentrated extract with an increased content of bioactive ingredients. Mushrooms used for the production of extracts include: reishi, shiitake, maitake, cordyceps, chaga, lion’s mane and many others.

Mushroom extracts contain many active ingredients such as polysaccharides, triterpenes, phenols, ganodic acid, ergothioneine and others. Polysaccharides such as beta-glucans are one of the most important components of medicinal mushrooms. They have an immunomodulatory effect, which means that they strengthen the body’s immune system and help fight disease. In addition, polysaccharides have an antioxidant effect, protecting the body against the harmful effects of free radicals. Triterpenes, such as ganodic acid, have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, and also affect the regulation of blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the blood.

Another active ingredient present in mushroom extracts is ergothioneine, an organic compound that acts as an antioxidant and helps protect the body from oxidative stress. Studies have shown that ergothioneine may help reduce the risk of heart disease, neurodegenerative diseases, and age-related diseases.

Medicinal mushrooms – scientific research

Scientific research conducted on medicinal mushrooms has shown many benefits for human health. Here are some of the most important discoveries:

1. Improvement of immunity: Polysaccharides contained in medicinal mushrooms, such as beta-glucans, are known for their immunomodulatory effect, i.e. strengthening the body’s immune system and helping to fight diseases.
2. Reducing the risk of heart disease: Research has shown that certain mushrooms, such as reishi and shiitake, contain components that may help reduce the risk of heart disease, such as coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis. These include polysaccharides that reduce blood cholesterol levels, as well as substances that dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
3. Supporting the fight against cancer: Many studies have shown that certain mushrooms, such as reishi, shiitake, maitake and chaga, contain components that have anti-cancer effects, i.e. they help fight cancer cells and inhibit their growth. These ingredients may also help reduce the side effects associated with cancer treatment.
4. Improvement of skin condition: Some mushrooms, such as cordyceps and tremella, are rich in ingredients that help improve skin condition, especially in the case of acne and skin aging. These ingredients have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which help protect the skin from harmful environmental factors.
5. Improve brain function: Some mushrooms, such as lion’s mane, contain ingredients that help improve brain function, especially memory and concentration. These ingredients affect the production of nerve growth factors, which contributes to the reconstruction and protection of nerve cells.
6. Treatment of infectious diseases: Some mushrooms, such as reishi and shiitake, contain ingredients that have antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties, which means that they help fight various types of infectious diseases.

I also invite you to read the description of the mushrooms that I introduced myself for sale and created mushroom mixtures that I first tried on myself.

Reishi – Ganoderma lucidium

Reishi, also known as Ganoderma lucidum, is a medicinal mushroom that has been used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine for centuries for its health benefits. Reishi extract is a concentrate of bioactive ingredients, which is obtained from dried mushroom fruiting bodies. Here are some of the properties of reishi extract:

1. Improving immunity: Reishi is known for its immunomodulatory effect, that is, it strengthens the body’s immune system and helps fight disease. Reishi extract contains polysaccharides such as beta-glucans that are effective in improving the body’s ability to fight disease and autoimmune diseases.
2. Reducing Inflammation: Reishi contains ingredients that have anti-inflammatory effects, such as triterpenes and ganoderic acid. Reishi extract may help reduce inflammation in the body and protect against inflammatory diseases such as heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.
3. Reducing cholesterol and blood pressure: Reishi contains ingredients that have the effect of lowering blood cholesterol and blood pressure. Reishi extract may help reduce the risk of heart diseases such as coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis.
4. Improved Liver Function: Reishi can help protect the liver and improve its function. Studies have shown that reishi extract can help treat liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatitis C.
5. Improvement of brain function: Reishi can help improve brain function, especially memory and concentration. Bioactive ingredients contained in reishi extract affect the production of nerve growth factors, which contributes to the reconstruction and protection of nerve cells.
6. Supporting the fight against cancer: Reishi contains ingredients that have anti-cancer properties, that is, they help fight cancer cells and inhibit their growth. Reishi extract may help reduce the side effects associated with cancer treatment, such as nausea and weight loss.

Lion’s Mane – Hericium erinaceus

Lion’s Mane, also known as Hericium erinaceus, is a medicinal mushroom that has been used in natural medicine for centuries for its health benefits. Lion’s mane extract is a concentrate of bioactive ingredients, which is obtained from dried mushroom fruiting bodies. Here are some of the properties of lion’s mane extract:

1. Improvement of cognitive abilities: Lion’s mane extract contains compounds that may help improve cognitive abilities such as memory, concentration, and thought processes. Studies have shown that lion’s mane extract may help to alleviate the symptoms of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive disorders.
2. Supporting the Immune System: Lion’s Mane contains polysaccharides such as beta-glucans that are effective in improving the body’s ability to fight disease and autoimmune diseases. Lion’s Mane Extract can help boost the immune system and protect against infections.
3. Improve Digestion: Lion’s Mane can help improve digestion and nutrient absorption from food. Lion’s Mane Extract contains compounds that affect the production of stomach acid and digestive enzymes, which helps in better absorption of nutrients from food.
4. Reducing Inflammation: Lion’s Mane contains compounds that exhibit anti-inflammatory effects, such as erinacins and hericenones. Lion’s Mane Extract can help reduce inflammation in the body and protect against inflammatory diseases such as heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.
5. Supporting Heart Health: Lion’s Mane can help protect heart health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Lion’s Mane Extract contains compounds that lower blood cholesterol and blood pressure, which may help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Supporting skin health: Lion’s mane can help protect skin health and improve its appearance. Lion’s mane extract contains compounds that have antioxidant and anti-aging effects, such as polysaccharides and phenolic acids. These compounds can help protect the skin from free radical damage and delay skin aging.

Research has shown that lion’s mane extract can help to relieve acne and dermatitis symptoms such as itching, redness and flaking. It can also help improve skin hydration and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin elasticity.

To sum up, hedgehog’s mane extract is a valuable ingredient that can positively affect many aspects of health. It is an effective way to improve cognitive abilities, strengthen the immune system, reduce inflammation, protect heart health, improve digestion and skin health. However, you should consult your doctor before using lion’s mane extract, especially if you are on medication or have a chronic medical condition.

Chaga

Chaga extract is a natural medicinal preparation with many health-promoting properties. Chaga is a mushroom that grows on trees in cold climates such as Russia, Japan and Canada. Chaga has a rich composition of bioactive compounds that have anti-inflammatory, antiviral and anticancer effects.

One of the most important properties of chaga extract is its ability to strengthen the immune system. Chaga extract contains a large amount of polysaccharides that stimulate the immune system and increase the production of immune cells such as lymphocytes and leukocytes. This can help fight infection and disease.
Chaga extract is also an effective antiviral agent. Studies have shown that the compounds in chaga can help fight flu, herpes, and HIV viruses. Chaga can also help fight viruses that cause liver disease, such as hepatitis C.

Another important property of chaga extract is its anti-cancer effect. Chaga contains compounds that can inhibit the growth of cancer cells, prevent the formation of blood vessels that feed tumors, and induce apoptosis, or programmed death of cancer cells.

Chaga extract can also help treat inflammatory conditions such as autoimmune diseases, arthritis, and skin conditions. The compounds in chaga have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect that can help relieve inflammatory symptoms.

In conclusion, chaga extract is a valuable medicinal preparation that can help strengthen the immune system, fight viruses, inhibit the growth of cancer cells and soothe inflammation. However, you should consult your doctor before using chaga extract, especially if you are on medication or have a chronic medical condition.

More: Chaga – a magical, health-promoting mushroom in your forest

Cordyceps

Cordyceps extract is a natural medicinal preparation that has many health-promoting properties. Cordyceps is a fungus that grows on caterpillars in the mountainous regions of China, Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet. Cordyceps contains many bioactive ingredients that have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antidiabetic and anticancer properties.

One of the most important effects of cordyceps extract is its ability to increase the body’s aerobic capacity. Cordyceps extract can increase the aerobic capacity of muscles, which helps to improve athletic performance and prevents fatigue and weakness.

Cordyceps extract may also help regulate blood sugar levels. Cordyceps contains active ingredients such as polysaccharides and amino acids that have anti-diabetic properties and may help regulate blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.

Cordyceps extract can also help boost the immune system. Cordyceps contains active ingredients such as beta-glucans and polysaccharides that stimulate the production of immune cells and increase the activity of the immune system. Thus, cordyceps extract can help fight infectious diseases and other diseases caused by a weakened immune system.

Cordyceps extract can also help fight heart and circulatory diseases. Cordyceps contains active ingredients that help dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure. In addition, cordyceps extract can help improve kidney function and strengthen the nervous system.

In conclusion, cordyceps extract is a valuable medicinal preparation that can help increase aerobic capacity, regulate blood sugar levels, strengthen the immune system and fight heart and circulatory diseases. However, you should consult your doctor before using cordyceps extract, especially if you are on medication or have a chronic disease.

Turkey nail

Turkey tail is a mushroom that has been used in natural medicine for centuries, especially in Asia, where it is called Yun Zhi. In recent years, the interest in variegated hedgehog in Western medicine has increased significantly, thanks to scientific research that has confirmed its medicinal value. Here are some of the health benefits of variegated hedgehog:

1. Strengthening the immune system – Hedgehog contains many components, such as polysaccharides and beta-glucans, which are powerful immunomodulators. They act at the level of immune cells, increasing their number and activity. As a result, the body’s immune system is strengthened, which helps in the fight against diseases.
2. Combating cancer – Wrośniak variegated contains compounds with a strong anti-cancer effect. Studies have shown that the polysaccharides from the variegated turkey inhibit the growth of cancer cells and stimulate the activity of immune cells against tumors.
3. Improved Liver Function – Hepatoma can help cleanse the liver of toxins and increase its cleansing function. The polysaccharides from the variegated bush stimulate the activity of liver enzymes, which helps to remove toxins from the body.
4. Antiviral Effects – Hepatopodium can help fight against viruses such as herpes viruses, influenza viruses, and other viruses. The polysaccharides in hepatopodium may increase the production of interferon, which is the body’s natural defense against viruses.
5. Reducing Inflammation – Hemorrhoid can help reduce inflammation in the body as it contains compounds with powerful anti-inflammatory effects. The polysaccharides from the heiferous turkey can inhibit the action of pro-inflammatory cytokines and thus reduce inflammation.

More: A turkey tail which you can find all year round in the forest.

To sum up, the variegated hedgehog is a mushroom that has many valuable medicinal properties. It can support the immune system, fight cancer, improve liver function, have antiviral properties and reduce inflammation. It also has few side effects, which makes it safe to use. However, as with any supplement, you should always consult your doctor before using it, especially if you have a chronic condition or are taking medication.

It can be used in various forms, including as an extract or infusion, however, it is most often used as a dietary supplement in the form of capsules or tablets.

The mushroom extracts described above are, of course, only some of them. There are much more medicinal mushrooms, it is worth being interested in nature and what it gives us, and what natural healing resources we can find in it.