National Mushroom Day: How To Use Mushrooms For Health

Oh hello, National Mushroom Day, we meet again. In light of this national day, there is a lot to discuss.

Without a doubt, mushrooms for health and wellness has become one of the hottest wellness conversations of today. In fact, the New York Times published an article asking the question: "Are Mushrooms the Future of Wellness?"

While the article talks about a couple of the featured mushrooms below, here's a deeper dive into the world of this fantastic fungi. Whether you're new mushrooms or you're already reaping the benefits of them, take a look at what these specific mushrooms can offer you.

Without delay, these are the mushrooms you should become acquainted with:

Lion’s Mane

According to WebMD, "Lion's mane is a mushroom that grows on trunks of dead hardwood trees such as oak. It has a long history of use in East Asian medicine. Lion's mane mushroom might improve nerve development and function. It might also protect nerves from becoming damaged."

Additionally, Lion's mane mushrooms can:

• Boost the immune system
• Help with mood, stress, and sleep
• Support brain health

Looking to reap the benefits of Lion's mane mushrooms on National Mushroom Day? Emphatically go for it. Lion's mane is non-psychoactive and non-addictive.

Reishi

Interested in exploring reishi mushrooms for health purposes? All in all, National Mushroom Day is a perfect time to incorporate mushrooms into your daily mix.

According to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, "Reishi mushrooms are used in many Asian countries to increase energy, boost the immune system, and for general health. Reishi supplements come as capsules, tablets, extracts, powders, and teas."

Here's what reishi mushrooms can also do:

• Support brain health
• Lower cholesterol 
• Boost immune system
• Ease allergies and asthma
• Promote heart health
• Help with mood, stress, and sleep
• Offer liver and detox support

Cordyceps

I'm sure you've heard the buzz of cordyceps. At this point, who hasn't? Great mushrooms for health, cordyceps, are worth the hype.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, "Cordyceps is a kind of fungi found all over the world. Some of the rarest kinds are at higher altitudes in the Himalayan regions of China, Nepal, Tibet, and India. In total, there have been more than 750 species of cordyceps identified. Of those, scientists have identified at least 35 kinds that have had some potential health benefits and medicinal properties." 35 kinds of medicinal properties? Hell yeah.

Here's what cordyceps can also do for you and your health:

• Help manage blood sugar levels
• Improve heart health
• Boost sex drive
• Boost your immune system
• Reduce inflammation
• May relieve respiratory issues
• Combat fatigue 
• Slow aging
• Improve skin

Furthermore, if you're curious about cordyceps this National Mushroom Day, check them out in capsule, tea, powder, and tinctures form.

Chaga 

When it comes to great mushrooms for health, check out chaga mushrooms this National Mushroom Day.

According to Medical News Today, "Chaga mushroom is high in antioxidants and plant compounds that may benefit health. Chaga is available as a herbal tea and supplement. Consuming chaga mushrooms as part of a healthy, balanced diet may help reduce oxidative stress, lower “bad” cholesterol, and support immune function."

Additionally, Medical News Today shares that "While it is available as a supplement, people also typically use chaga mushrooms to make teas and other infused drinks."

Here are more benefits of using chaga mushrooms for health:

• Boosts immune system
• Reduces inflammation
• Slows aging and improves skin
• Lowers cholesterol
• Lowers blood pressure

Turkey Tail 

One of the best mushrooms for health is the turkey tail. According to UCLA Health, "Turkey tails are named for their colorful, fanlike shape, which resembles a turkey's outspread tail."

Found on trees and fallen logs, turkey tail is a medicinal mushroom that happens to also be full of antioxidants. In fact, Healthline says that, "Turkey tail is a medicinal mushroom that's full of antioxidants. Evidence shows it also may help fortify your immune system, maintain healthy gut bacteria, and support the treatment of some cancers."

This National Mushroom Day, pick up some turkey tail mushrooms because these shrooms can also:

• Boost your immune system
• Produce anti-cancer compounds
• Aid in digestion 
• Provide liver & detox support

Maitake

If you're looking for another mushroom for health purposes, consider adding maitake into your regular routine. With an overall positive effect on immunity, these mushrooms come with a slew of benefits. Like what? Well, according to Healthline, maitake mushrooms are rich in beneficial properties such as antioxidants, beta-glucans, vitamins B and C, copper, potassium, fiber, minersals, and amino acids.

Additionally, here's what else maitake can do for you and your health:

• Boost your immune system
• Support brain health
• Improve metabolic balance 
• Lower cholesterol
• Lower blood pressure

Also, I think it's important to point out that maitake mushrooms are cholesterol-free, fat-free, low-calorie, and low in sodium.

Shiitake

Boy oh boy, I couldn't celebrate National Mushroom Day without mentioning the ever so popular shittake mushroom. As the second most eaten mushroom in the world (white cap mushrooms come first), shittake mushrooms for health come with a plethora of benefits, like lentinan and other chemicals.

According to WebMD, people use shittake mushrooms for HIV/AIDS, common colds, and the flu. Also, shiitake mushrooms have:

• Anti-cancer compounds
• Weight loss capabilities
• Boosted immune system properties
• Lowered cholesterol benefits

Blazei

Firstly, meet the mighty, mighty blazei mushroom. In fact, the National Library of Medicine calls blazei mushrooms, "one of the most edible and culinary-medicinal biotechnical species."

Additionally, blazei mushrooms traditionally were used to treat many common diseases like "atherosclerosis, hepatitis, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, dermatitis, and cancer," blazei mushrooms pack a heavy medicinal punch.

Secondly, check out these other blazei mushroom benefits:

• Anti-cancer compounds
• Digestive aid
• Lower cholesterol properties
• Support for cellular health
• Weight loss

Agarikon

On this National Mushroom Day, let's take a moment to marvel at the agrikon mushroom. Known as the mushroom of longevity, agarikon is one of the oldest and longest living fungi species on the planet. In fact, agrikon's can live up to 70 to 100 years.

As one of the best mushrooms for health, agarikon mushrooms can also help by:

• Aiding in digestion
• Boosting immune systems
• Offering anti-cancer compounds
• Reducing inflammation
• Relieving respiratory issues

Happy National Mushroom Day 

Ready to jump into the world of using mushrooms for health? Of course you are. After all, taking mushrooms for health is the new wellness craze worth the hype.