An Introduction to Medicinal Mushrooms
by ANNIE FRESHWATER and DEAN FOOR
Although the pandemic has drastically redefined the American healthcare crisis, the majority of the population has long suffered due to oppressive policies, narrow-minded treatments, or simply a lack of affordable care. For those able to acquire health coverage, the Westernized approach to pharmaceuticals leaves much to be desired: A prescription can be written for every symptom, it seems, yet we fail to address the root cause or take a holistic view of a person’s well-being.
Whether they do not have access to healthcare or are interested in a more naturopathic approach, adaptogenic herbs and mushrooms regulate the balance between the hypothalamic, pituitary, and adrenal glands involved in our stress response. Also known as “herbal pharmaceuticals,” adaptogens empower our bodies to counteract the effects of stress. They can potentially reduce stress, improve mood, protect neurons, and stimulate the central nervous system—all of which can help us overcome stressful situations, from our daily routine to sudden illness.
Adaptogens may have a new-age vibe when you first read about them, but they have been used since ancient times across the globe. From Ayurvedic practitioners to Native American healers, diverse cultures and civilizations have leveraged local herbs and mushrooms to combat sickness, stave off hunger, increase performance, discover clarity, and lead generally better lives.
Medicinal mushrooms are among the most popular adaptogens—and for good reason. Medicinal mushrooms have been utilized historically by the Ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Chinese, and even Vikings. Despite being primarily maligned in modern American lore as poisonous or downright deadly, a wide variety of medicinal mushrooms are emerging as the heroes of the non-pharmaceutical movement.
Consider the legacies of fungi across time and space. In ancient and modern China, mushrooms have been a nutritional and medicinal staple, touted for their ability to cleanse the body and heal wounds. In traditional Chinese medicine, mushrooms are classified by their colors, corresponding to different bodily systems. Red mushrooms, for example, are used to treat heart conditions, while black mushrooms are thought to improve kidney function. The Yun Zhi or Turkey Tail mushroom has been celebrated for its anti-cancer properties in Chinese medicine; it is also used to lower cholesterol and increase longevity. Reishi has been traditionally used in China to increase longevity and has been scientifically researched for its significant anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting effects.
Ancient Egyptians held mushrooms in high reverence: In the Book of the Dead, mushrooms are known as “the flesh of the gods.” They were considered a gift from Osiris and believed to grant immortality. Historians speculate that the Egyptians specifically harvested Psilocybin, as depictions of the psychoactive mushroom can be found in hieroglyphic texts and on temple walls.
While Eastern medicine has been a proponent of mushrooms, Western civilizations have also recognized their potency. Ancient Greeks used mushrooms both psychedelically and medicinally. Scholars believe a psilocybin variety was used in the Eleusinian Mysteries, a series of religious rites devoted to Persophone and Demeter. Hippocrates—considered the father of Western medicine—discussed the anti-inflammatory and cauterizing properties of the Amadou mushroom.
Indigenous tribes across Africa use wild mushrooms to address a variety of needs not met by institutionalized medicine. Traditional herbalists use mushrooms to treat headaches, heart and liver disease, gonorrhea, infertility, diabetes, arthritis, and more in Nigeria. Although, initial studies have shown antimicrobial and antioxidant properties in several species commonly used in Nigerian folk medicine.
North American tribes have likewise historically used mushrooms for religious and medicinal purposes; the Arikara, Cherokee, Navajo, Yuki, and more used Puffballs to treat sores, inflammation, burns, and other maladies. In Mexico, the natives of Oaxaca have traditionally used Psilocybin in shamanic practices. Today, the region sees a high volume of tourism-related to this powerful fungus’s spiritual and medicinal uses.
Even Otzi the Iceman relied on mushrooms: This 5,300-year-old mummy was discovered with Birch Polypores string around his neck, a medicinal mushroom used to combat parasitic infections.
When it comes to advocating for one’s wellness, several medicinal mushrooms, in particular, deserve consideration for their adaptogenic benefits:
Reishi: Studies have shown that Reishi can help boost the immune system by stimulating white blood cell formation and fighting inflammation. It may also combat sleeplessness and improve mood. Thanks to its abundance of triterpenoids, polysaccharides, and peptidoglycans, Reishi is an adaptogenic powerhouse. In 300 BCE, the Chinese Materia America describes Reishi as the Elixir of Life and ranks it as the number one medicinal mushroom.
Chaga: Some of the compounds in Chaga include B-complex vitamins, Vitamin D, amino acids, iron, zinc, copper, potassium, calcium, and antioxidants. With such nutrient-dense properties, Chaga can provide anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and even anti-viral benefits.
Cordyceps: Cordyceps mushrooms are believed to increase the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is responsible for delivering energy to our muscles, which means Cordyceps can dramatically impact muscle fatigue and recovery. Because it increases maximum oxygen intake may improve the efficacy of oxygen use overall and lung function specifically.
Turkey Tail: Turkey Tail mushrooms are packed full of antioxidants, prebiotics, and polysaccharides. These properties can bolster the immune system, specifically by stimulating healthy gut bacteria.
Lion’s Mane: This mushroom is full of bioactive compounds that can affect several systems. Of particular note are the hericenones and erinacines found in Lion’s Mane, which can stimulate the growth of brain cells; as a result, Lion’s Mane can potentially combat memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s. Studies also show Lion’s Mane may stimulate nerve growth and help speed the recovery of injuries to the nervous system. Its anti-inflammatory properties may help with mood disorders like chronic depression.
When first considered, medicinal mushrooms may seem challenging to incorporate into one’s daily routine: Some of them may be delicious, but who has the budget or appetite for pound upon pound of mushrooms? Happily, powdered supplements can offer an easily accessible option. But more exciting still are the extraction techniques that allow us to unlock the potency of medicinal mushrooms at fractional doses, providing incredible efficacy with just a few drops of specially curated tinctures. When combined with other adaptogens in extracted tinctures, mushrooms can provide synergistic benefits mentally and physically.
In an era where we are forced to advocate for our health, non-pharmaceutical alternatives have become necessary. A return to traditional wisdom may be the best course to overcome the increasing stressors of the modern world. With their ancient roots and incredible adaptogenic benefits, medicinal mushrooms have a special place in our naturopathic approach to wellness.