In recent years, there has been a surge in interest and popularity surrounding the use of medicinal mushrooms for their various health benefits. These fungi have been utilized for centuries in different cultures worldwide, and modern research is shedding light on their potential therapeutic properties. From boosting the immune system to supporting cognitive function, medicinal mushrooms offer many benefits to overall health and wellness.

Understanding Medicinal Mushrooms

Medicinal mushrooms are a diverse group of macroscopic fungi with unique bioactive compounds distinct from those commonly used in cooking. With an estimated 14,000 to 22,000 known species worldwide, only a select few have been cultivated for consumption and medicinal purposes. These mushrooms are available in various forms, including powders, extracts, capsules, and teas, making it convenient for individuals to incorporate them into their daily routines.

The Nutritional Powerhouses

Mushrooms, both culinary and medicinal, are packed with essential nutrients that support overall well-being. They are a rich source of fiber, protein, selenium, potassium, and a range of vitamins, including B1, B2, B12, C, D, and E. Additionally, mushrooms contain bioactive components such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes, phenolic compounds, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and polysaccharides. These compounds contribute to the numerous health benefits associated with medicinal mushrooms.

Harnessing the Immune-Boosting Potential

Medicinal mushrooms can help boost and improve the immune system. Extensive research has shown that certain mushrooms can positively influence the gut microbiota, improving protection against pathogens. Furthermore, they have been found to enhance both innate and adaptive immune responses, making them invaluable in promoting overall immune health.

Types of Medicinal Mushrooms

Chaga: The King of Mushrooms

Scientifically known as Inonotus obliquus, Chaga mushrooms have gained recognition for their immune-boosting properties. Rich in antioxidants, polyphenols, betulin, and betulinic acid, chaga mushrooms are associated with anti-cancer effects and have been traditionally used to support skin health, immune function, and healthy digestion. Incorporating chaga mushrooms into your diet or consuming them in supplemental form can provide a natural way to help your immune system.

Cordyceps: Nature’s Stamina Booster

Although technically not a mushroom, cordyceps is a rare caterpillar fungus that has long been revered for its ability to boost energy and stamina. With bioactive components such as polysaccharides, cordycepin, and cordycepic acid, cordyceps has been shown to support healthy immune function and improve overall vitality. Whether you consume cordyceps in extract or powder form, this mushroom can be a valuable addition to your wellness routine.

Lion’s Mane Mushroom: Nourishing the Mind

Lion’s Mane mushrooms, scientifically known as Hericium erinaceus, uniquely resemble a white mane. Traditionally used to support memory and cognitive function, Lion’s Mane mushrooms offer nourishment for the brain and promote the production of nerve growth factor (NGF). Lion’s Mane mushrooms are highly regarded in cognitive support with their potential to enhance mood, health, and memory.

Maitake Mushroom: The Dancing Mushroom

Maitake mushrooms, or Grifola frondosa, have been studied for their potential anti-cancer activity and immune-supporting properties. Rich in proteoglycan and polysaccharides, maitake mushrooms have demonstrated the ability to regulate immune responses and exhibit anti-viral activity. Whether sautéed, cooked into dishes, or consumed on their own, maitake mushrooms offer a flavorful way to support overall well-being.

Oyster Mushrooms: A Culinary Delight with Health Benefits

Oyster mushrooms, belonging to the Pleurotus genus, not only add a delicious flavor to various dishes but also provide health benefits. With polysaccharides, oyster mushrooms have been found to activate natural killer immune cells against cancer cells. Additionally, extracts of oyster mushrooms have shown anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, making them a valuable addition to a well-rounded diet.

Reishi Mushroom: The Mushroom of Immortality

Scientifically known as Ganoderma lingzhi, Reishi mushrooms are highly valued for their numerous health benefits and are often referred to as the “king of mushrooms” or the “mushroom of immortality.” With its polysaccharides, reishi mushrooms support the immune, cardiovascular, and nervous systems. They exhibit anti-cancer effects by increasing the production of natural killer cells and have also been associated with stress reduction, improved sleep, and overall well-being.

Shiitake Mushrooms: A Mighty Mushroom

Shiitake mushrooms, known as Lentinula edodes, are delicious and offer significant nutritional value. Packed with B vitamins, vitamin D, and other essential nutrients, shiitake mushrooms have been traditionally used to support immune, liver, and cardiovascular health. With their versatility in various culinary preparations, shiitake mushrooms can be easily incorporated into your diet for their numerous health benefits.

Turkey Tail Mushroom: A Natural Immune Support

Turkey tail mushrooms, scientifically known as Coriolus versicolor, uniquely resemble a turkey’s tail feathers. With their immunomodulating properties, turkey tail mushrooms stimulate the body’s natural defenses against tumor growth and metastasis. Polysaccharide-K (PSK), a compound found in turkey tail mushrooms, has been extensively studied for its anti-tumor effects and is approved as a complementary cancer treatment in Japan.

Choosing the Right Mushroom Products

When purchasing mushroom supplements or products, it’s essential to consider quality and potency. Look for products that contain minimal fillers and opt for hot water extracted, as this ensures the extraction of beneficial compounds. Avoid supplements that solely contain mycelium, as they may lack the medicinal qualities found in the fruiting bodies of mushrooms. Instead, opt for products that contain triterpenoid compounds and active polysaccharides, which are associated with the therapeutic effects of mushrooms.

The Best Mushroom Supplements

Below are our picks for the best mushroom supplements for 2024:

• Nootrum Mushrooms
• MushGooms Best Mushroom Gummies
• Real Mushrooms Lion’s Mane Mushroom Cognition Capsules
• FreshCap Ultimate Mushroom Complex Capsule
• Future Kind Lion’s Mane Mushroom Complex
• Supermush Mouth Spray Bundle
• Mushroom Design Multivitamin + Mushrooms Vitamin Formula
• Wooden Spoon Herbs Mushroom Magic

Nootrum Mushrooms

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  Price: $39.99
• Ingredients: Lion’s mane, shiitake mushroom, maitake mushroom, reishi mushroom, chaga mushroom, cordyceps, turkey tail mushroom, royal sun agaricus extract, black fungus extract, vitamin d

We mentioned earlier that Nootrum should be your go-to brand if you’re looking to supplement medicinal mushrooms. They offer a variety of mushroom extracts that can improve cognitive function and support immune health. Their innovative extraction process makes Nootrum Mushrooms an excellent choice, as they get the most out of the mushrooms they include in the blend.

This supplement combines carefully selected extracts known for their cognitive enhancement properties. Lion’s mane, in particular, has been shown to improve mental clarity, focus, and overall cognitive performance. Nootrum’s medicinal mushrooms also provide natural immune support, harnessing the immune-boosting properties of certain mushroom varieties, including chaga and reishi, enhancing energy and boosting stamina. They also offer mushroom powder with a load of prebiotics alongside their medicinal mushroom capsules to boost gut health further.

As an aside, Nootrum capsules are my go-to choice. After having spent the year trying all of the ones on this list and many others, it’s effortless to notice the difference between these and the competitor brands when it comes to medicinal mushrooms.

Pros

• A blend of potent mushroom extracts for cognitive enhancement
• Natural immune support properties
• Energy boosting
• Available in capsules or powder
• No artificial additives or preservatives

Cons

• Results may vary among individuals

MushGooms Best Mushroom Gummies

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  Price: $29
• Ingredients: Maitake, Shiitake mushrooms, Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Cordyceps mushroom, Chaga, Turkey Tail, White Button, Black Fungus, Royal Sun Mushroom

Regarding medicinal mushrooms, there are quite a few options for gummies. Unfortunately, very few of them have enough of the various mushrooms to have any of their effects for improving immune response or brain health. That’s partly due to how much of the edible mushrooms you need for them to function; there are ways to get higher amounts of the valuable compounds from mushrooms for their benefit. Not many get enough into gummies. MushGooms, however, actually do. They’re not as good medicinal mushrooms as Nootrum, but if you want a gummy option, these are an excellent choice. They taste great, they’re priced well, and all in all, they’re a superb mushroom supplement.

Pros

• Good Price
• Great Taste

Cons

• Gummies inherently hold way less active ingredients than capsules or powders.

Real Mushrooms Lion’s Mane Mushroom Cognition Capsules

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  Price: $29
• Ingredients: Lion’s mane

Real Mushrooms Lion’s Mane Mushroom Cognition Capsules are a standout choice for improving cognitive function and memory. Made from hand-picked lion’s mane mushroom extract, these capsules contain potent compounds that enhance mental clarity, focus, and overall cognitive performance. The capsules are made from 100% mushrooms (fruiting bodies), ensuring maximum nutrient density and effectiveness.

And suppose you’re looking at a medicinal mushroom for brain health. In that case, Lion’s Mane is probably the best choice as Lion’s Mane mushrooms can boost Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) production through compounds called hericenones and erinacines. NGF supports nerve cell growth and maintenance, which is what is responsible for its ability to improve mental performance.

Pros

• Derived from lion’s mane mushroom for cognitive enhancement
• Quality tested and free from contaminants
• Easy incorporation into daily routine

Cons

• Only provides the benefits of one type of medicinal mushroom
• Individual results may vary

FreshCap Ultimate Mushroom Complex Capsule

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  Price: $39
• Ingredients: Organic Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Cordyceps, Maitake, Chaga, Turkey Tail Mushroom

FreshCap’s Ultimate Mushroom Complex is a comprehensive mushroom supplement that offers a blend of beneficial mushrooms known for their immune-boosting, mood-enhancing, and energy-promoting properties. This supplement is formulated without soy, gluten, caffeine, or animal products, making it suitable for various dietary needs.

The extracts are taken from fruiting bodies, meaning the mushrooms’ medicinal properties will be present in the supplement. However, it’s unlikely that these extracts are as potent as those used in Nootrum, which has a 20:1 extraction rate. So even though it has the same good ingredients, turkey tail, maitake mushroom, etc., there’s a better option for boosting brain health and your immune system.

Pros

• There is a good range of functional mushrooms in the formula
• Supports immune function

Cons

• Low potency of extracts

Future Kind Lion’s Mane Mushroom Complex

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  Price: $17.99
• Ingredients: Lion’s Mane Mushroom Extract 4:1, Chaga Mushroom 4:1 Extract, Maitake Mushroom 4:1, Shiitake Mushroom 4:1 Extract, Reishi Mushroom 30% Extract

Future Kind’s Lion’s Mane Mushroom Complex is designed to support cognitive health. This supplement contains a high dose of lion’s mane mushroom, known for its potential to improve memory, focus, and overall brain function. Future Kind prioritizes quality and uses only vegan ingredients in their supplements.

The supplement contains medicinal mushrooms, including lion’s mane, shiitake, and reishi. Unfortunately, Future Kind only uses a 4:1 extract, which means the formula is not potent.

Pros

• There is a good range of functional mushrooms in the formula
• Supports cognitive function

Cons

• Low-potency extracts used

Supermush Mouth Spray Bundle

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  Price: $76
• Ingredients: Reishi mushroom, Ashwagandha, Lavender

Supermush offers a unique approach to mushroom supplements with its mouth spray bundle. These sprays provide fast absorption for immediate results and come in three different formulas: one for immunity, one for energy, and one for relaxation. Supermush’s formulas are made with adaptogen mushrooms, ensuring a clean and health-boosting experience.

The mushrooms used in the three formulas provide health benefits, but the doses are low, and it is unclear how much of the extracts are contained in each spray of the formula. According to the manufacturer, each bottle contains half a gram of mushroom extracts. This isn’t much. Some extracts are pretty potent, with lion’s mane included at 20:1 and the reishi extract at 16:1, but the amounts are still low.

Pros

• Innovative approach to consuming mushrooms
• Contains some of the healthiest mushrooms

Cons

• The doses are possibly too low to get any real health benefits
• Very expensive

Mushroom Design Multivitamin + Mushrooms Vitamin Formula

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  Price: $29
• Ingredients: Thiamin mononitrate, Riboflavin, d-Cal pantothenate, Pyridoxine HCL, Folic acid, Methylcobalamin, Ascorbic acid, Cholecalciferol, alpha-tocopherol, Cordyceps, Lion’s mane, Turkey tail, Agarikon, Maitake, Chaga, Oyster, Reishi, Shiitake, dried myceliated brown rice, MCT oil, microcrystalline cellulose, vegetable cellulose capsule, natural cabbage pigment

Mushroom Design offers a comprehensive multivitamin formula that combines the benefits of medicinal mushrooms with essential vitamins. This supplement contains nine mushrooms, including cordyceps, lion’s mane, chaga, and reishi, and nine vitamins crucial for overall well-being. Mushroom Design’s formula excludes animal products, gluten, soy, and synthetics.

While the best medicinal mushrooms have been used in the formula, the manufacturer has chosen the mycelium version, which has a very low potency. Moreover, the nutritional benefits will be minimal, with only 321mg of mushrooms per serving. Together with the vitamins, this product might support immune function and provide other medicinal properties, but it is far from the most effective mushroom supplement available.

Pros

• Combines the power of medicinal mushrooms with essential vitamins

Cons

• It is not likely to significantly impact health as it contains a low dose of mushrooms.
• It uses mycelium rather than extracts

Wooden Spoon Herbs Mushroom Magic

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  Price: $29
• Ingredients: Mushrooms and herbs

Wooden Spoon Herbs’ Mushroom Magic is a small-batch apothecary tincture made with organic mushrooms. The Daily Balance blend contains reishi and lion’s mane mushrooms for immune and cognitive support and maitake mushrooms to encourage a healthy metabolism. Wooden Spoon Herbs focus on providing gentle, natural support for the immune and nervous systems.

While they use fruiting body extracts, which have a decent potency, it is unclear how much of each mushroom is included in the formula as it is a proprietary blend. We also do not know the extract’s ratio, making it hard to judge how effective this tincture will be.

Pros

• It contains organic medicinal mushrooms

Cons

• Unclear how potent and effective the blend is

Incorporating Medicinal Mushrooms into Your Routine

There are numerous ways to incorporate medicinal mushrooms into your daily routine. Powders, capsules, and liquid extracts offer convenient options for supplementation. Culinary mushrooms such as maitake, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms can be added to various dishes, enhancing flavor and nutritional value. Brewing teas with whole fresh or dried mushrooms is another popular method of consumption, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of mushrooms in a warm and soothing beverage.

Safety Considerations For Mushroom Supplements

While medicinal mushrooms are generally considered safe for consumption, it’s essential to exercise caution and consult with a healthcare practitioner before incorporating them into your routine, particularly if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medication. Additionally, it’s crucial to differentiate between medicinal mushrooms and psychoactive species, which contain hallucinogenic compounds. Always consult a mycologist or qualified mushroom forager before foraging wild mushrooms to ensure safety.

The Benefits of Mushroom Supplements

Mushroom supplements offer many health benefits thanks to the bioactive compounds found in different mushroom varieties. From immune support to cognitive enhancement, here are some of the key benefits of incorporating mushroom supplements into your daily routine:

Immune System Support

One of the primary benefits of mushroom supplements is their ability to support and strengthen the immune system. Mushrooms like reishi, chaga, and turkey tail are rich in beta-glucans, which have been shown to enhance immune function and help the body defend against infections and diseases. These compounds stimulate the production of immune cells, promoting a robust immune response.

Cognitive Enhancement

Certain mushroom extracts like lion’s mane have been linked to cognitive enhancement and improved brain function. Lion’s mane contains hericenones and erinacines, which have neuroprotective effects and may stimulate the growth of nerve cells. The lion’s mane may help enhance memory, focus, and overall cognitive performance by promoting the synthesis of nerve growth factors.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Inflammation is a common underlying factor in many chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and arthritis. Mushroom supplements, particularly reishi and chaga, are known for their potent anti-inflammatory properties. The bioactive compounds found in these mushrooms help reduce inflammation, alleviate symptoms, and promote overall well-being.

Antioxidant Support

Mushrooms are rich in antioxidants, which play a crucial role in protecting the body against oxidative stress and free radicals. Oxidative stress can lead to cellular damage and contribute to the development of chronic diseases. By providing a potent source of antioxidants, mushroom supplements help neutralize free radicals and support overall cellular health.

Energy and Vitality

Some mushroom extracts, such as cordyceps, are known for their energizing properties. Cordyceps sinensis, in particular, has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine to enhance stamina, improve athletic performance, and increase energy levels. Whether you’re an athlete looking to boost endurance or want to combat fatigue, cordyceps can be a valuable addition to your supplement routine.

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Mushroom Supplement

Knowing the right one for your needs is essential with so many mushroom supplements available. Here are the key factors to consider when selecting a mushroom extract supplement:

Mushroom Type

Different mushrooms offer different health benefits, so choosing a supplement that contains the specific mushroom(s) aligned with your health goals is essential. Common mushrooms used in supplements include reishi, chaga, lion’s mane, cordyceps, and turkey tail.

Extraction Method

The extraction method used to produce the supplement can impact its quality and potency. Look for supplements that use hot water extraction or dual extraction methods, as these methods ensure concentrated levels of beneficial compounds.

Quality Control

Choose a supplement that has undergone rigorous quality control testing. Look for supplements that have been third-party tested for purity and potency, and avoid those that contain fillers or additives.

Dosage and Serving Size

Check the dosage and serving size of the supplement, as this can vary between products. Look for supplements that provide clear dosing instructions and have been tested for safety.

Price

Consider the price of the supplement, but remember that quality is paramount. Compare prices between different brands and products to ensure you’re getting a fair price for the quality of the supplement.

Considering these factors, you can confidently choose a high-quality mushroom extract supplement that aligns with your health goals.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mushroom Supplements

Q: What Are the Different Types of Mushroom Supplements Available?

A: Various mushroom supplements are available, including reishi, chaga, lion’s mane, cordyceps, and turkey tail. Each type of mushroom offers unique health benefits, so choosing the one that suits your needs is essential.

Q: What Are the Potential Side Effects of Mushroom Supplements?

A: Mushroom supplements are generally safe for consumption, but some individuals may experience mild side effects such as digestive issues, allergic reactions, or headaches. It’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional before taking any new supplement.

Q: Which Companies Produce the Best Mushroom Supplements?

A: Several reputable companies produce high-quality mushroom supplements, including Nootrums, Host Defense, and Real Mushrooms. It’s essential to research the company and read reviews before purchasing.

Q: Where is the Best Place to Purchase Mushroom Supplements?

A: Mushroom supplements can be purchased from health food stores, online retailers, and the manufacturer’s website. Buying products from trustworthy sources is crucial to guarantee their quality and purity.

Q: Are Mushroom Extracts Worth the Investment?

A: Mushroom extracts offer numerous health benefits, including immune support, cognitive enhancement, and reduced inflammation. While individual results may vary, mushroom supplements can be a worthwhile investment in improving overall health and well-being.