What Are Adaptogenic Mushrooms? Benefits, Types, And Uses
In traditional Chinese herbalism, practitioners have utilized the adaptogenic properties of mushrooms for centuries. But what are adaptogenic mushrooms, and what do they do?
Adaptogenic mushrooms are a powerful tool at your disposal to improve your overall sense of well-being - ready to learn more?
Keep reading for the ultimate guide to adaptogenic mushrooms, the different species, and their beneficial effects. This information will help you begin your journey towards a more healthful life!
Adaptogenic Mushrooms Explained
Adaptogenic mushrooms are mushrooms that help support the body's natural defense against occasional stress. They are a specific type of functional mushrooms that are considered adaptogens, which are potent mushrooms or herbs that may help bring stability to bodily functions and help the body to maintain homeostasis.
Adaptogenic mushrooms come in many different forms and can be found all over the globe. Mushrooms have been an integral part of traditional Chinese herbal practices, and the western world is just recently recognizing the remarkable powers of adaptogenic mushrooms. Many herbalists are using adaptogenic mushroom supplements very successfully to help people feel more healthy and balanced.
You shouldn't confuse adaptogenic mushrooms with psychoactive mushrooms, called psilocybin mushrooms or 'magic' mushrooms. So, although you may feel great when using adaptogenic mushrooms, you won't experience any psychedelic effects!
Types Of Adaptogenic Mushrooms And Their Benefits
Let's explore some of the main types of adaptogenic mushrooms and the support they provide for the body through adaptogens and their benefits. There are many mushroom supplements available to get a daily dose of each mushroom, helping you to bring wellness and balance to your everyday life.
Chaga
Chaga is commonly known as “the king of functional mushrooms”. It is also well known for its antioxidant properties, which encourage the body’s natural ability to balance normal inflammation post workout. Inflammation is the culprit for many illnesses and chronic diseases such as arthritis and high blood pressure. Antioxidants may also help the body to manage and reduce oxidation, which may lead to other severe health conditions.
As with every functional mushroom, it also contains polysaccharides, which might be beneficial in supporting the body's management of normal blood sugar levels and for supporting the immune system. Consuming a mushroom supplement daily that contains Chaga might support the immune system and aid in the body's natural ability to maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
Cordyceps
Cordyceps is known for supporting the body's production of the molecule ATP, or adenosine triphosphate. ATP is believed to support athletic performance by delivering renewed energy, enthusiasm, and excitement to the muscles and supporting the body’s use of oxygen.
And if you're looking to maintain a youthful sex drive, you're in luck! Cordyceps has been used for centuries to encourage a sense of youthfulness and vitality in the aging body.
Reishi
The reishi mushroom has been known for centuries as the “mushroom of immortality”. It is an immune system essential, supporting the body’s natural ability to stay healthy. Reishi mushrooms may also act as a helping hand for those who suffer from occasional restlessness and low mood. The mushroom may help the body's natural response to occasional mood fluctuation, supporting overall mental stability and wellness.
Like other adaptogenic mushrooms, these types of mushrooms offer antioxidant support, which are essential in supporting the body’s ability to respond to ups and downs life throws at you.
Lion’s Mane
If you're looking to maximize your overall health and provide your body with more vitality, lion's mane mushroom is an excellent supplement for you. This mushroom is called lion's mane because the tendrils cascading from the mushroom cap create a beautiful mane.
Brain fog can be a severe problem for many of us. Do you ever feel unable to concentrate, like a zombie? Lion's mane might be the perfect solution for your fogginess. The mushrooms support mental clarity, focus, and concentration - keeping your brain sharp as a tack throughout the entire day. It’s no wonder that ancient Buddhist monks used a lion’s mane as a tool to help their focus and clarity during prayer and meditation.
Additionally, lion's mane mushrooms may help support your body’s natural ability to combat occasional stress and fatigue. If you're looking for a stress management tool to add to your supplement routine, lion's mane may help you to feel balanced and well-equipped to tackle those occasional worries.
If you need another reason to use a lion's mane supplement, consider that lion's mane contains compounds that might be beneficial to the body's management of normal inflammation post workout.
Turkey Tail
Turkey tail gets its name from the appearance of its cap. The cap is covered in rings of warm, autumnal colors that make it look like a turkey tail. This mushroom is unsuitable for cooking, as the texture can be too dry, thick, and chewy.
Turkey tail is well known for supporting the immune system, making it a particularly beneficial supplement during the winter when the body is more vulnerable. The supplements might hold your hand through the chilly season and help you support your immune function.
The turkey tail mushroom may also be beneficial for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. These mushrooms contain compounds that might help to encourage the growth of good bacteria in the gut. The gut is the largest immune system organ, and maintaining a healthy gut is important for many things including mood, immune function, and digestion.
Taking a turkey tail supplement may also help reinforce your body's natural ability to manage occasional stress and fatigue.
Shiitake
You've likely already heard of the Shiitake mushroom. It's one of the most delicious edible mushrooms and extremely popular in traditional Japanese and Chinese recipes.
The shiitake mushroom, like other functional mushrooms, contains a generous supply of 1,3 1,6 beta-glucans, which are compounds that are highly beneficial in supporting overall health. 1,3 1,6 Beta-glucans may encourage the body's immune function and help to support the body's natural ability to produce white blood cells. The shiitake mushroom is more than a great addition to your ramen noodles - it may act as your own personal immunity shield!
Shiitake mushrooms may encourage your body’s support of healthy cholesterol levels, as they contain polysaccharides - which play an essential role in supporting cholesterol management in the body.
How To Use Adaptogenic Mushrooms
Now that you’ve read about the potential health benefits of adaptogenic mushrooms, let’s talk about how to access these benefits! Though some mushrooms make a great addition to your favorite recipes, you don't have to cook with these mushrooms to receive the benefits.
Instead, you can incorporate adaptogenic mushrooms into your daily routine with a mushroom supplement. Mushroom supplements often combine the benefits of many different mushrooms into a single product, which makes it incredibly easy to get your daily dose.
Be sure to opt for only high-quality, organic, 100% fruiting body supplements, as these will provide you with the most value.
Below, we describe some of the best ways to take adaptogenic mushroom supplements so you can decide which kind of supplement best suits your daily habits and rituals.
Tinctures
If you are looking for the fastest-acting mushroom supplement, then tincture drops placed under the tongue might be the best option. Because of the high number of blood vessels underneath your tongue, the tincture will be quickly absorbed!
You could also try placing a few droppers into your morning coffee or adding a few droppers to your favorite recipe. This is a highly versatile and no-fuss way to take your mushroom supplements. Since a tincture can be an easy addition to any drink, snack, or meal, incorporating it into your diet can be a great way to remember to take your supplement daily.
Capsules
Capsules are one of the most common and practical ways to take your functional mushrooms. You can take it with a glass of water at a time that best suits you, which makes it super easy to get consistent dosing.
The adaptogenic mushroom capsule is ideal for those with a busy schedule who must rush out to work in the morning. You can even keep your mushroom capsules in your car and take them on the go, although be careful of high temperatures that might melt the capsule. This is the easiest and simplest mushroom supplement.
Gummies
Many people don't like taking pills, capsules, or tablets. This is why we have seen gummy bear multivitamins and supplements pop up everywhere in recent years - including functional mushroom gummies!
Mushroom gummies are a great way to enjoy a delicious treat while you get your daily dose of reishi, lion's mane, or turkey tail. There are many different mushroom gummy blends tailored to give your body the precise support it needs. Some of the best adaptogenic mushroom gummy blends include:
Energy Gummies
This energy gummy blend is designed to help you feel more energy throughout the day and ditch that mid-afternoon slump. These gummies provide all the benefits of the cordyceps mushroom that may help your body reach optimal athletic performance and endurance levels.
Calm Gummies
Our daily lives are wrought with stressful events. Getting to work on time, handling work pressure, and managing our households can drive us toward higher stress levels. Occasionally, these stress levels may be challenging to manage. Our adrenal glands might go into overdrive, and our blood pressure may rise.
The calm gummies may help relax your nerves and help your brain get into a zen state. The reishi mushroom's benefits might help you wind down and relax - feeling like you've got some backup throughout the day. These reishi gummies are the perfect addition to your wellness routine, supporting cardiovascular health and immune function (so that occasional stress doesn't affect your overall well-being).
Focus Gummies
Focus gummies are highly beneficial for those who suffer from occasional brain fog. Think of the focus gummies as brain food - supporting your memory, focus, and recall throughout the day, so you're sharp as a tack.
The focus gummies may help you to support a flourishing gut, central nervous system, and healthy cognitive function—all with the power of the lion's mane mushroom.
If you're looking to cut down on caffeine and switch to a healthier alternative - this is the perfect supplement blend.
Daily 10 Gummies
If you want the mushroom goodness of 10 functional mushrooms in a single product, then you'll benefit from the Daily 10 mix mushroom blend. When you start taking this blend, the daily 10 gummies will be like magic for your immune system and provide you with antioxidant support.
The Daily 10-gummy blend reinforces your body with health and vigor, giving you overall well-being and the ability to cope with the occasional stresses that life sends you.
Powders
If you're a lover of a good protein shake or smoothie, then you might just love functional mushroom powders.
You can readily incorporate these mushroom supplements into your favorite smoothie or protein drink. Or, if you love oatmeal, you can make it even healthier with a mushroom supplement powder.
A calming mushroom powder blend may be a great addition to your moon milk recipe or pre-bedtime chai latte.
Mushroom supplement powders are perfect for those who are creative in the kitchen. And you don't need to worry about ruining the flavor of your drink with these powders.
Conclusion
Adaptogenic mushrooms are a fantastic gift from nature that may help you to fortify your body and feel healthier overall. And you can easily access supplements that make it easy to incorporate adaptogenic mushrooms into your daily routine and habits.
At Mushroom Revival, we are obsessed with the power and value of these great mushrooms. We've made it our mission to make the benefits of functional mushrooms available and accessible to all. If you're curious to learn more, check out our endless resources on the power of adaptogenic mushrooms as superfood, or use the chat function to ask us any questions you have!
