We are heading into the busiest time of the year. From holiday shopping to stressing about family functions topped off with cold and flu season it is so important to start prepping our body to be the healthiest it can be…now!
For years I have been using medicinal mushrooms to help my body stay in balance.
Balance is the KEY word. Medicinal mushrooms act as adaptogens. Adaptogens regulate stress in the bod, keep your hormones in check, and support our immune systems. All of these are key to maintaining health and being able to fight any invaders that might come our way (without destroying our good bugs in the process!)
There are so many adaptogens but today I want to focus solely on medicinal mushrooms.
There are three that I rotate in my routine daily or weekly and I want to chat about those today. Before we jump into that I want to talk a bit about two of the benefits of Medicinal Mushrooms.
Adaptogens and Immunomodulators
Really simply adaptogens protect the body from stress by supporting your bodies functions. They help to boost the immune system, protect from diseases, and in general help with overall wellness. The most important thing to note is that adaptogens help the body in non-specific ways. This means that you can take an adaptogen (like one of the mushrooms we will talk about or other herb) and it will communicate with your body to find out where it is needed to return your body to homeostasis.
Immunomodulators are very similar except they ONLY work on the immune system. Immunomodulators are very important because they are able to work with both underactive and overactive immune systems. So if you are feeling depleted, traveling a lot, or ae experiencing an auto-immune flair up Immunomodulators could be a tool in your toolbelt to help you stay healthy and return back to balance.
The king of mushrooms
First is Chaga the mushroom of the Immune System, and the King of Mushrooms (more on the Queen in a bit!) I wanted to start with Chaga because it is my favorite mushroom.
It is an immunomodulating mushroom. It has polysaccharides (specifically beta-glucans) that help increase the production of lymphocytes (white blood cells that regulate the immune systems response to infections/viruses/bugs, etc.)
It is full of antioxidants and is the single richest for found in nature. Antioxidants protect our cells from free radicals and oxidation which lead to cell degeneration, chronic fatigue, inflammation, pain, illness, and cancer.
Chaga is also rich in Betulinic Acid which is anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, rich in antioxidants, and has apoptogenic properties. Betulinic Acid is what gives Chaga the ability to go into the body and regulate it. It works to help you feel your best.
Chaga has more Zinc, and Melanin than any single natural source - this is not only great for our immune system but also our skin, hair, and eyes.
The Queen of Mushrooms
Reishi is considered the Queen of Mushrooms (I mean doesn’t her name just sound Regal?) and back in the day was reserved for use by Emperor’s and other royalty.
In addition to Queen of Mushrooms - Reishi is also referred to as “Mushroom of Immortality”, “Ruler of Herbs”, and “Mushroom of Spiritual Potency”
Has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for over 2000 years, and was ranked highest among 365 healing plants and fungi
Like Chaga, Reishi is an Immunomodulating mushroom and protects against viruses, bacteria, and parasites.
Reishi is also great for skin health and circulation, and there are studies supporting its benefits on lowering blood pressure, keep blood sugar stable, lowering cholesterol, and in some cases preventing tumor growth.
One of the most important functions of Reishi is the effects it has on hormones and our endocrine system. It helps to balance hormones and relax the nervous system which allows for deeper and more restful sleep. This improves overall health and immunity.
boost your Brain Function
The last mushroom I want to talk about is Lion’s Mane. This was one of the first mushrooms I was introduced too back 6ish years ago. I guess now is a good time to tell you, I actually HATE culinary mushrooms. I can’t eat them. I learned about Mushroom Coffee from a nutrition podcast I binge, and gave it a shot. It was Lions Mane and Chaga mixed with coffee, I loved it and loved the added benefits.
Lions Mane has been used in TCM for helping with digestion and gut issues
It is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and has immunomodulating properties.
The uniqueness of Lions Mane comes from its brain boosting properties. It protects our nervous system and has even reversed the effects of Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Dementia.
My great grandmother and my grandmother suffered from dementia and Alzheimer’s so I appreciate the protection that this mushroom offers.
How To Buy Medicinal Mushrooms that Work
I am the first to tell you that I often get drawn into wanting to try every single superfood, or powder. This can get expensive, and can leave you with a cabinet of half full products you never use. I’ve done that too.
I personally use Four Sigmatic products. They were the first brand that I knew of using medicinal mushrooms in this way and they are really transparent. I have been using them for 6 or so years and have seen the benefits of their products. I believe in the quality and appreciate how they are constantly adapting to make better products. I also think they have the most flavorful products out there! Plus, I’ve been able to switch my parents (who are totally NOT into all of my Hippie antics) to switch to mushroom coffee.
You can use whatever products you connect with and do not have to buy Four Sigmatic -but here are a few things you should look for when purchasing medicinal shrooms!
Look for Dual Extracted (Alcohol + Hot Water) to get the most benefits of the mushroom
Alcohol Extraction - pulls out the fat soluble compounds
Water Extraction - pulls out the water soluble compounds
The only way to get the maximum health benefits of the mushrooms is to find a product that uses both extraction processes.
Third Party Testing
Mycotoxins, heavy metals, bad bacteria, yeast, and pesticides are all possible contaminants when you are consuming medicinal mushrooms. Mycotoxins are unhealthy mold (think: black mold) that can be found on nuts, seeds, coffee, cacao, and beans. They can be harmful to our health. Look for a brand that is transparent in their testing and uses Third Party Testing to ensure their products are free of these contaminants.
USDA Organic
It’s so important to know where and how your food is grown. It’s especially important when you are using food as medicine and consuming it multiple times a day. When you buy a USDA certified product you know that you are not contaminating your body with pesticides, GMO’s, fungicides, or herbicides.
*If you want to order from Four Sigmatic use code kaleismykarma to save 10% on all your orders*