Superfood mushrooms are becoming more and more popular in the health and wellness industry. However, it’s not just recently that these mushrooms have “sprouted up” into the medicinal and fitness scene.
Mushrooms have been used in most Eastern medicine for thousands of years. Many Chinese herbal medicines and remedies incorporate mushrooms into them, mostly for their traditional therapeutic properties. Mushrooms have been claimed to support the human immune system and to help soothe many everyday ailments.
Here are six of the best superfood mushrooms you can find nowadays.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom
The Lion’s Mane mushroom is sometimes also called “the smart mushroom”, and this speaks of its many benefits to mental clarity and overall brain support. Some of the most well-known benefits of this mushroom include mental clarity, increased memory sharpness, alertness, and overall brain support.
The Lion’s Mane is able to provide these benefits mostly through the ingredients which it is rich in, including natural compounds such as erinacines and hericenones which could support cognitive and neurological health. Using Lion’s Mane mushroom has become increasingly popular as a way to stay focused,
creative, and mentally alert. It also acts as an antidote whenever you feel distracted, and when brain fog starts to set in and clouds your thinking.
This mushroom is best taken before starting your workday, prior to studying for a test, or even before you set out to have a marathon gaming session with your friends. The mental boost Lion’s Mane provides could really help you gain an edge in these situations.
Turkey Tail Mushroom
The Turkey Tail mushroom has been one of the most researched functional mushrooms in recent times for its powerful immune support capabilities.
Turkey Tail is nutrient-rich with natural polysaccharides, beta-glucans, and various antioxidants which support both gut health and the body’s natural defences.
This mushroom has been brewed for over thousands of years in Chinese and Eastern medicinal cultures, and despite its name, contains no animal elements at all. It is good for vegans and vegetarians alike who are looking for a nutrient-dense, healthy supplement for their body’s overall wellness and health.
Reishi Mushroom
The mushroom is sometimes known in traditional Eastern medicine as the “mushroom of immortality”. This could be due to the Reishi mushroom’s wide range of health benefits pertaining to the body’s immune system and its energy-boosting capabilities. Reishi contains many powerful natural ingredients including beta-glucans which could support the immune system’s functionality.
The mushroom works with your body in managing everyday physical, mental and emotional stressors by balancing your physical and mental states in a natural and healthy way. This could be mostly due to Reishi containing a compound known as triterpene which helps support and regulate a person’s mood.
This superfood mushroom can be taken at any time of the day and in many forms. An example would be the mushroom being in powdered form to easily add to shakes and smoothies, hot tea or coffee, or mixed with oatmeal, salads, and sauces or soups. It would also be taken in capsule form as a direct food supplement.
Chaga Mushroom
This mushroom is sometimes called the “King of Medicinal Mushrooms”. This is because the Chaga mushroom can be said to stand out amongst mushrooms with antioxidant ingredients due to its powerful free radical-fighting capabilities. It has been used extensively by traditional healers all around the globe over many years.
The mushroom is nutritionally dense, containing beta-glucans, amino acids, potassium, zinc, calcium, and various vitamins such as vitamins B, D, and biotin. This mix of health-boosting ingredients all work together in fighting oxidative stress and could help regulate body inflammation.
Besides being a powerhouse for the body’s immune system, the Chaga mushroom even works as a remarkable beauty supplement. It has been used to support the health of the body’s hair, skin, and nails, and could be said to be an anti-ageing superfood as well.
Maitake Mushroom
The name “Maitake” translates from Japanese as “dancing mushroom” – legend has it that foragers were so delighted when they stumbled across Maitake mushrooms in the wild that they broke into a dance. While cooks and traditional practitioners across China and Japan have prized this frilly, ruffled fungus for centuries, the Western world has only really discovered it in recent decades.
Today, Maitake has earned a loyal following among health-conscious people of all ages who value it as part of a lifestyle focused on vitality and general wellbeing.
What makes Maitake so interesting from a nutrition standpoint is what’s packed inside it: antioxidants, beta-glucans, vitamins B and C, copper, potassium, fibre, and a spread of amino acids. Because of these nutrients – especially its beta-glucans – researchers have taken an interest in Maitake’s potential role in supporting normal immune function, though studies are still ongoing.
If you’d like to try Maitake for yourself, you can enjoy it alongside six other prized mushrooms in our Organic 7 Mushroom Extract Powder.
Cordyceps Mushroom
The Cordyceps mushroom has been known as a functional mushroom for energy and endurance and is an ideal start for any person’s busy day. It has been used for centuries in Eastern medicine as a natural energy and vitality elixir, supporting the body by increasing energy, endurance, performance, stamina, and vitality.
The mushroom contains cordycepin and other natural bioactive compounds and supports the availability of oxygen in the body. This could improve blood flow which is a key factor in improving the body’s energy levels and athletic performance.
Besides being an excellent spark to start the day, Cordyceps could also be taken as an afternoon pick me up, or as a pre-workout supplement. You could add this mushroom to your breakfast, pre-workout shake, post-workout smoothie, or even in your late afternoon coffee. The benefits you can gain from it could be felt any time of the day.
Super Mushrooms from Superfoods Australia
Enjoy the full health benefits of super mushrooms from our collection of products.
This article is general information only and is not medical advice. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting a new supplement.
