The Benefits of Medicinal Mushrooms & How to Choose a Quality Product

Medicinal mushrooms have been used for centuries to support whole-body wellness. They offer a wide range of benefits, including support for the immune system, gut health, nervous system, skin health, and cognitive function.

Some of my favourites include:

• Reishi for its immune-modulating and stress-balancing properties. Particularly supportive during the winter months when immunity needs extra care.

• Tremella for its powerful hydrating and skin-supportive qualities.

• Lion’s Mane for cognitive function, focus, memory, and overall nervous system health. It also supports gut health due to its prebiotic effects.

However, not all mushroom supplements on the market are created equal. Many products contain fillers or are grown in ways that reduce their potency. Choosing a high quality product is essential to reap the benefits.

Here’s what to look for:

• Extraction method. Look for heat-activated products. For tinctures, a triple extraction is ideal because it pulls out the full spectrum of beneficial compounds: polysaccharides, beta-glucans, antioxidants, and triterpenes. For powders you want an ‘extract powder’.

• Growing method. Mushrooms grown on hardwood substrates or in the wild develop higher levels of active compounds. Avoid products grown on grain, rice, or oats, as these can dilute potency and increase starchy fillers.

• Part of mushroom used. Choose products made from the fruiting body over mycelium. This is where the majority of medicinal compounds are concentrated.

Some products that I have been loving are the tinctures from Bristol Fungarium and the Raw Living mushroom extract powders!