NederlandsA closer look at 3 super-potent medicinal mushrooms
Medicinal, functional or medicinal mushrooms: Whatever you call them, you might have noticed that certain species of mushrooms have been gaining popularity as supplements in recent years. Thanks to new scientific insights and a growing interest in healthy living, you come across them more and more, in all kinds of forms. As powder, liquid extract (tincture), capsules, tea and there is even mushroom coffee. In this article, we look at the benefits of our 3 most popular mushroom supplements.
Lion's Mane: extraordinary brain booster
As microdosers, we can't resist kicking off with one of our own favourites. Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus), is a special mushroom that - like many of its kind - has long been used in Eastern medicine, especially to support the brain and neurological health.
A bottle of Lion's Mane tincture
How does it work?
The lion's mane mushroom is rich in two compounds that support the growth of brain cells. This can help the brain to make new connections and can help the cognitive process to learn something new.
Lion's mane also helps the brain to form new connections by supporting the myelination process. Myelination is essential in making connections between brain cells. An excellent brain booster, this peculiar looking fungus!
Who is it for?
Lion's mane can be used by almost everyone. Improved brain connections - who wouldn't want that? For this reason Lion's mane is often used by students and those who need a boost in concentration for their work.
Also the combination with microdosing (the so-called Stamets Stack) has ensured that Lion's Mane is becoming increasingly popular. This combines the benefits of microdosing with the unique effect of lion's mane, which, according to the world's most famous mycologist Paul Stamets - featured in the Netflix documentary Fantastic Fungi - provides a powerful combination of increased thinking ability, creativity, sensitivity and concentration.
The graph below (from Google Trends) clearly shows that more and more people are aware of this combination, or want to know more about it:
Would you like to read more about microdosing with lion's mane? Then take a look at the article Lion's mane and microdosing: what are the benefits?
Cordyceps: zombie-making mushroom
The title above may sound a little strange, but these are really words to describe the illustrious Cordyceps mushroom. Fortunately, only ants and other insects need fear this mushroom. After cordyceps invades insect, they secrete substances that allow them to slowly take control of the brain. When cordyceps takes control of an ant, the ant climbs to the top of a plant where it then attaches itself. From there Cordyceps can overgrow its host and spread from there. A fine example of a survival technique!
Dried Cordyceps mushrooms
The use of Cordyceps as a medicinal mushroom dates back thousands of years and originates in the mountains of Nepal and Tibet. The main reason for this is its alleged antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect. The mushroom is also said to provide more energy and improve stamina.
How does it work?
Cordyceps may improve immunity by stimulating cells and specific chemicals in the immune system. It may also help fight cancer cells and reduce tumor size - particularly in lung or skin cancer.
Who should use cordyceps?
Cordyceps is sometimes used to improve libido, but many athletes also swear by it. During the 1993 Olympic Games no fewer than five world records were broken by three female Chinese athletes. They indicated that the use of cordyceps as a supplement had played an important role in this success.
Would you like to read more about cordyceps? You will find an extensive article on our blog: Cordyceps: what makes this mushroom so special?
Looking to order cordyceps mushrooms? We offer cordyceps of the renowned brand Foodsporen in both capsules and as an extract.
Reishi: mushroom of immortality
The Reishi mushroom has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2000 years and is known there as the 'mushroom of immortality'. Reishi is especially known for its ability to improve resistance and for its positive effects on the immune system. It also improves fitness, and is therefore increasingly used by people who benefit from it, such as cancer patients who are undergoing or have already completed radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
Cultivated Reishi mushrooms
How does it work?
Reishi mushrooms are so-called adaptogens, organisms that help the body fight stress. Although some details still need to be better understood, test tube studies have shown that reishi can influence genes in white blood cells. These are crucial parts of the immune system. It is possible that reishi may boost immune function and thus help fight inflammation and cancer.
Who should use reishi supplements?
Reishi mushrooms would be especially beneficial for people who are sick or recovering. We see that these mushrooms are widely used by people for the purpose of strengthening the immune system, reducing stress, improving sleep and reducing fatigue. People also take reishi mushrooms for health problems such as;
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Liver or kidney diseases
- Respiratory diseases (such as asthma)
So reishi can rightfully added to the list of versatile and medicinal mushrooms!
In our assortment you will find reishi both in capsules (jar of 60) and as premium extract (bottle, 30ml).
Want to buy mushroom supplements? This is what to look out for
As you could have read in this article, there are more than enough reasons to experience the power of these special mushrooms yourself. Besides sufficient exercise and healthy food, these supplements fit very well into a daily routine for a healthy(er) life.
Of course, we kindly invite you to order the above supplements from us, because we fully stand behind the products we offer. We mainly supply supplements of the renowned (Dutch) brand Foodsporen, for the following reasons:
- Ecologically responsible company with respect for people and nature
- Triple extraction for exceptionally pure and high quality products
- Produced in the Netherlands
We keep small stocks to guarantee the freshness of the product you order.
Do you prefer to shop elsewhere? Make sure that the mushroom supplements you order are of good quality and fresh. Look carefully at the list of ingredients and look out for 'fillers' such as starch. Reputable sellers of mushroom extract and supplements should list starch on their labels. Look for a starch content of less than 5% in your product. And be wary if you look at a product that does not list the starch content, as it may contain up to 70% fillers!
