THE CONNECT

LIFE LEAD BY FUNCTION

Functional mushrooms are types of fungi that are heralded for health benefits beyond their nutritional compositions. The exact benefits depend on the species of mushroom used. However, functional mushrooms are often categorised into two main groups: medicinal mushrooms and adaptogenic mushrooms.

Medicinal mushrooms

Contain compounds that provide specific health benefits. Many of these mushrooms offer anti-oxadative and cytotoxic properties, meaning they may be able to inhibit the damaging process of oxidation as well as kill harmful cells. While these mushrooms may provide medicinal benefits, it’s important to recognise that they’re considered dietary supplements. That means they’re regulated by the Food and Drug Administration as food, not drugs.

Adaptogenic mushrooms

Contain adaptogens – compounds that help bodies adapt to and fight off chemical, biological, and physical stress. Rather than relieve a cough or get rid of the inflammation that’s causing a headache, adaptogens help our bodies’ stress response systems function as they should.

TYPES OF FUNCTIONAL MUSHROOMS FLOATING IN THE COSMOS

Reishi

Known as the “spirit mushroom” Reishi is used for relaxation and sleep, but also immune health and allergies.

It is the medicinal mushroom with the longest history of use, appearing in Classics of the Materia Medica over two thousand years ago!

You can enjoy Reishi as a tea, but it’s best if dual extracted. It can be bitter because of a high concentration of triterpenes, but that is what gives it the unique benefits.

Chaga

This “mushroom” is actually a sterile conk, made up of Chaga mycelium and birch wood. It looks like a lump of coal, but is packed with immune supporting compounds and beneficial triterpenes.

Mainly, it is used for immunity, digestive health, and skin health. Chaga is also a really powerful antioxidant.

It can be enjoyed as a tea, but better if dual extracted with water and alcohol.

Since Chaga has such a complex growth cycle, it needs to be wild harvested from birch trees.

Cordyceps

Known as the “athletes mushroom” Cordyceps is used for energy, endurance, and athletic performance.

It works by improving the way that we deliver oxygen from our lungs to the rest of the cells in our body.

Runners love Cordyceps, but the biggest benefits are actually seen by those who are NOT yet at peak performance.

In nature, this mushroom grows on insects. Creepily, it takes over their brain, turning them into a zombie before fruiting out of their heads. But luckily it can be cultivated on natural substrates now, without using bugs!

Lion’s Mane

Used mainly for cognition, mood, focus and nerve health.

The secret power of Lion’s Mane are two compounds known as herecenones and erinacenes, which can cross the blood brain barrier and promote the production of “Nerve Growth Factor” (NGF).

NGF protects neurons, and may help with the growth of new ones.

Turkey Tail

Known as the “defender” Turkey Tail is packed with immune supporting compounds called “beta-glucans”. All medicinal mushrooms have fungal beta glucans, but Turkey Tail is really in a league of it’s own.

Our bodies are hard wired to interact with beta-glucans. Taking Turkey Tail is like taking your immune system to the gym- training it and turning it into a killing machine!

Turkey Tail grows on dead logs, and there is no doubt that you have seen it before (or a close cousin) whilst walking around in the woods.