If you clicked on this post and thought, I’m going to talk about magic mushrooms. I’m sorry to disappoint. I’m not going to talk about the average mushroom either.
There are more than 10,000 species of mushrooms in the world, of which only 15 are used for human consumption, while another 20 species are edible for humans.
Mushrooms such as Reishi have been a medicinal herb in China and Japan for more than 2,000 years. As a result, many studies have been conducted on medicinal mushrooms and their effect on tumors and the immune system.
“In 1991, a 5,300-year-old mummy was even discovered carrying birch polypore fungus, which has a purifying effect and may have been used to treat the intestinal parasites of the mummified person.”
Eleven years ago I started using medical mushroom blends with Reishi and shiitake to help people suffering from glandular fever or chronic fatigue after a virus.
That’s probably why mushrooms have made a big comeback and are even more common than ever before, as new research shows good results from using mushrooms in a long time.
Mushrooms are a source of many nutrients, including fiber, protein, selenium and potassium, as well as vitamins B1, B2, B12, C, D and E. In addition, they contain various bioactive components, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes, phenolic compounds, polyunsaturated fatty acids and polysaccharides. In particular, β-glucan, a polysaccharide commonly found in mushrooms, has been studied for its immune-stimulating and prebiotic properties.
Researchers have identified 130 potential therapeutic uses for mushrooms, including:
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Antibacterial
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Anti-diabetic drug
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Antifungal
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Anti-inflammatory
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Antioxidant
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Antiparasitic
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Anti-tumor
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Antiviral
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Hepatoprotective
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Immunomodulatory
The Top 8 Mushrooms for Immune Support
Chaga – anti-cancer and antioxidant effect and support of the immune system
Cordyceps – protects against viruses and has antibacterial effect
Lion Mane – anti-cancer, anti-microbial and immune support
Maitake- supports immune function
Oyster – anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, immune support
Reishi- immune support, anti-allergic, anti-tumor, anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory
Shiitake – anti-cancer, anti-microbial, immune support
Turkey tail supports immune function
For general immune support, it is recommended to have a combination of mushrooms in a mix and use a single mushroom for targeted support.
Medical mushrooms like those mentioned above come in many forms, including powder, liquid, or capsules.
Research and paper used to formulate this blog
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0896841120302092