Mushroom Supplements

Mushrooms—of all shapes, sizes, and species—are gaining mainstream popularity. But did you know that some cultures have been using mushrooms holistically for thousands of years? Revered both for their effects and unique flavours, here we discuss five very special mushroom supplements we think you should introduce into your daily regimen.

The effects of 5 amazing mushrooms

Lion’s mane, reishi, chaga, cordyceps, and turkey tail mushrooms are all believed, by some, to bear beneficial properties. Indeed, all have been used in traditional Eastern practices for thousands of years, yet only now are they becoming popular in the West.

Following these age-old beliefs, contemporary science is investigating what interactions these mushrooms may or may not have with the body. Each is currently being tested for its adaptogenic potential—its ability to reduce stress on the body. With various forms of stress inflicting a major blow on our body and mind, adaptogenic substances are only gaining in popularity.

In what follows, we examine some of the research and potential benefits surrounding these five mushrooms.

Lion's mane — researched for effects on cognition

• Cognitive effects: A Japanese study from 2009 tested two groups of adults diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. One group took lion’s mane for 16 weeks; the other a placebo (Mori et al., 2009).
• Effects on mood: A 2005 Taiwanese study looked to determine the effects of lion’s mane on a mouse model of depression (Tang et al., 2005).

Lion's Mane Mushroom Tincture (Mushinto)

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Reishi — studied for fatigue

• Effects on stress: Research from 2018 sought to assess the impact of reishi mushroom on the stress hormone, cortisol (Liao et al., 2018).
• Effects on fatigue: A randomised study from 2005 looked into reishi’s effects on fatigue (Liao et al., 2018).

Reishi Mushroom Capsules (Foodsporen)

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Chaga — vitamin powerhouse

• Betulinic acid: This acid is absorbed by the chaga mushroom from its host—often a birch tree. Betulinic acid has been researched in relation to numerous conditions, including inflammation and infection (Géry et al., 2018).
• A treasure trove of nutrients: Chaga mushrooms are packed with nutrients such as B vitamins, vitamin D, potassium, zinc, and selenium.

Chaga Mushroom Tincture (Mushinto)

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Cordyceps — a trove of polysaccharides

• Antioxidant potential: In 2009, mice were given cordyceps extract in order to determine its effects on the ageing process (Liao et al., 2018).
• Contains polysaccharides: These complex carbohydrate chains are known to be easily absorbed by the body. Moreover, they have been researched in relation to fatigue and the immune system.

Turkey tail — GABA agonist?

• Effects on mood: Turkey tail mushrooms, among others, have been investigated for their GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) content (Ramos-Ruiz et al., 2018). GABA is a naturally occurring neurotransmitter that can have a powerful effect on mood and anxiety.
• Effects on immune system: Studies have looked into whether turkey tail could affect levels of TNF-alpha, a proinflammatory protein (Jin et al., 2018).

How best to take mushroom supplements

Taking mushroom supplements is incredibly easy. Some methods take only seconds per day, delivering all of the effects with little inconvenience. Others take a little more work but offer extra benefits, such as a delicious meal! To help you decide what works best for you, below we outline the different methods of taking mushroom supplements.

Capsules

This is a simple and easy method. Containing mushroom extract powder, doses are equal and predetermined, allowing for great consistency. Simply swallow with water and you’re done. This is probably the easiest way to take mushroom products.

Lion's Mane Mushroom Capsules (Foodsporen)

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Tinctures

Tinctures allow for a little versatility and can be added to food or drink. Otherwise, you can drop them straight into your mouth. Coming with a dropper for easy dosing, tinctures are another simple way to take mushroom extracts.

Reishi Mushroom Tincture (Foodsporen)

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Powder extract

Powder extract offers versatility in exchange for the simplicity of other methods. You can make a mushroom tea or add it to a meal.

Whole

Whole mushrooms are the choice for purists and chefs. Many of these mushrooms are also delicious culinary ingredients and a real pleasure to cook with. If you fancy cooking a meal that also contains the effects these mushrooms have to offer, whole specimens are the way to go.

Buy mushroom supplements today

These mysterious fungi connect us to many different cultures, across the ages. Now, you can imbibe their effects for yourself. Choosing which mushroom to buy can be difficult. Fortunately, we have a product available that packs all five into one extract, meaning you can reap the effects of each mushroom with almost no effort!

What are you waiting for?