It’s no secret that I LOVE fungi and often find myself weaving some kind of shroom talk into conversations even when I’m not running workshops and retreats. I think they're amazing and I wish more people knew about their health giving benefits whether we eat them, drink them, take tinctures, opt for supplementation or choose to work with some of the psychoactive varieties. From the humble portobello and button varieties which are naturally high in vitamin D2 through to more exotic chanterelles, oyster or enoki, they are all nutritious in their own right. There are however over 38,000 mushrooms with medicinal uses so it’s highly likely you will find a fabulous fungi to suit you.
How to consume them:
Many of the medicinal mushrooms can be foraged or bought raw ready to be cooked. Lion’s mane makes a great steak and if you want to know the best way to cook it, hand’s down I would recommend this video by Chef Derek Sarno - get ready for mouth watering juiciness - How to make the juiciest STEAKS
Several of the mushrooms are sourced dried (such as reiki and chaga) unless you are able to forage for these in which case they will need to be dried to store them. From dry, they need to be boiled and simmered to make tea (there are plenty of recipe tutorials on you tube) - the mushrooms are then strained and discarded and you drink the liquid, which can be stored in a fridge for up to a week (then added to smoothies, hot drinks, meals etc)
Alternatively, you can buy extracted prepared powders, ready to be consumed. Doses are usually between 1/4 and 1/2 tsp. Add to hot water, smoothies, savoury dishes or sweet dishes (depending which mushroom you are using)
Some people prefer to take mushrooms in tincture form (which can be added into water or taken under the tongue) or supplement in order to ensure regular intake
My favourites to get started with:
CORDYCEPS - one of my go to mushrooms for stamina and endurance, when you need a natural gentle energy lift and don't want to reach for caffeine. This incredible mushroom increases oxygen uptake in the body and enhances cellular energy production so it can be supportive in combatting fatigue without depleting the adrenals. It's also useful for respiratory problems, asthma & bronchitis and may also help to lower insulin. It's straight forward to use in powder form - add hot water and drink as a tea or add to a hot chocolate or smoothie.
CHAGA - a rich source of anti-oxidants (higher levels than blueberries, goji, chocolate or green tea) which help protect the body against free radical damage. Chaga has potential benefits in cancer treatments as it contains betulin (a precursor to betulinic acid which inhibits cancer promoting enzyme topoisomerase). Chaga also contains high levels of beta-D-Glucans which help modulate our immune response and can be helpful dealing with numerous conditions in particular inflammation, fatigue, yeast and fungal infections. It also helps promote a healthy liver, intestines & blood sugar. Chaga has a rich smooth taste and is delicious mixed with chocolate, added to drinks or mixed in with your favourite raw or cooked savoury dish for a delicious depth of flavour (it works really well with mushroom soup, risotto or stroganoff).
REISHI - as with most medicinal mushrooms, Reishi promotes a healthy immune system and increases vitality. It is particularly beneficial for calming for the mind, good for stress relief, anxiety, depression & sleep disorders. Due to it's ability to calm the nervous system, it may n help enhance a sense of inner peace. It can also help improve memory, focus and concentration. It has an incredibly bitter taste so it is naturally beneficial for the liver and is supportive in alleviating some chemotherapy side effects (nausea /kidney damage). Reishi also helps reduce inflammation, balance blood sugar levels and help with autoimmune diseases. It is good to get our palate used to bitter flavours but if you don't fancy it bitter, mix it into a creamy drink with cinnamon, maca and/ or turmeric.
LION'S MANE - another phenomenal mushroom which supports a healthy GI tract and has anti- tumour and anti-microbial properties. One of it's most fascinating properties is its ability to help regenerate the nervous system and help rebuild the myelin sheath. It can help improve neurological function and cognitive abilities improving memory and concentration. It has also been used to elevate mood and treat mild depression. It has a very mild flavour and is easy to add to drinks or food.
Book recommendations:
kindly note, this page is for informational purposes only. If you have any health concerns or if you are on medication and are considering using any of these mushrooms, please do your own research, consult with your doctor or health care professional first.
