TYPES OF MUSHROOMS
All mushrooms are not created equal. Some can heal you and offer immunity. Some expand your consciousness and open you up to the spiritual dimensions. Some give you energy and focus. But some are poisonous and can kill you. So knowing what type of mushroom is best for your needs is the first step in choosing the right form of supplementation.
Below are a few types of mushrooms and the benefits they offer :
REISHI
More than 2000 years ago in the Han Dynasty, Chinese healers began using Reishi for it’s medicinal properties. It was know as the “mushroom of immortality” because of it’s immune boosting functions.
The reishi mushroom thrives on the base of deciduous trees in tropical and temperate regions of Asia, and is exceptionally rare in its wild form. It grows in a range of colors, with the red reishi being the most potent and well-known form. Modern healers use reishi mushrooms to boost the immune system, fight viral infections, and treat a long list of illnesses and health conditions, from heart disease to high blood pressure to HIV/AIDS. Some research indicates that reishi mushroom may be effective at fighting cancer, particularly prostate cancer by encouraging the death of cancerous cells and preventing their multiplication. It achieves this through compounds called triterpenes, which improve oxygen absorption in vital organs. The main cancer fighting and immune boosting properties are thought to come from the high concentration of water-soluble polysaccharides. In addition to being an effective immune modulator, it also acts as a nerve tonic, and hormone balancing herb that can bring harmony to the body-mind and spirit. There are several things to take into account when choosing a Reishi supplement. In order to preserve the polysaccharide compounds in reishi it needs to be hot water extracted. However, the anti-inflammatory properties known as triterpenoids need to be alcohol extracted. So it’s best to know what you’e looking for before choosing. The best would be a product that combines the two extraction processes into one supplement after the fact.
BENEFITS OF REISHI
Detox - Studies suggest that Reishi mushroom can improve liver health by regenerating the cells more quickly
Refresh the spirit- Reishi can help you deepen your connection to yourself. An enhanced mind, body, spirit connection has proven to benefit health.
Boosts the Immune system- The immune system fights off infection and disease and cleanses the body of natural toxins. Disorders of the immune system result in autoimmune disease, inflammation, and cancer. Reishi contains high levels of beta-glucans, one of the most powerful boosters of the immune system.
Improves cognitive ability and energy levels-
Reishi can help trigger nerve growth, which can boost memory and cognitive function.
Improves Cardiovascular Health- Reishi has a beneficial impact on cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure. Research has proven Reishi’s ability to help fight against cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses with success.
Tumor Modulating Impacts- Many studies show positive effects of using Reishi in conjunction with chemotherapy to lower the negative effects as well as in modulating the growth of tumors.
Improves Respiratory Health- Chronic respiratory illnesses like bronchitis and asthma as greatly helped when treated with Reishi. It has shown to help the immune system respond better to histamine reactions and help deter allergic reaction. It can be powerful agent of prevention and recovery of Covid-19.
Side Effects
In high does Reishi does have some very rare side effect that may include abdominal upset, dizziness, nose bleeds and dry mouth and throat.
*Please check in with a well-versed healthcare partitioner if you are planning on incorporating Reishi mushroom into your life especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a blood disorder, low blood pressure or will be undergoing surgery.
CHAGA
Chaga grows mainly on the bark of birch trees in throughout the Northern Hemisphere. It appears as a dark clump of dirt and stands out because of it’s orange tissue. Chaga has many health benefits because it is dense with a wide variety of vitamins and minerals like vitamins B and D, as well as, zinc, copper, selenium, iron, manganese, magnesium, calcium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, amino acids and fiber. So you can see it’s basically jam packed with nearly everything you need to function properly. It’s a powerful superfood.
Chaga helps to fight oxidative stress and that can help to slow the aging process. So if you’re super vain and want to look and feel young then Chaga could be for you.
Chaga helps fight cardiovascular disease by lowering lipoprotein or LDL, the bad cholesterol. It also helps to lower blood pressure and aids in fighting the replication of cancer cells. Chaga has shown to slow the growth of breast, cervical, and lung cancer cells in a petri dish as well as in mice. Triterpenes, the compound found in Chaga and other mushrooms, causes cancer cells to self destruct according to this 2009 study.
Chaga supports the immune system by regulating the production of cytokines. It helps to fight inflammation in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and may even assist in depression caused by inflammation.
As an alternative to alleviating negative side effects for drugs like chemotherapy and other chemicals that disrupt the body, Chaga is your mushroom.
BENEFITS OF CHAGA
To prevent and treat cancer
Laboratory and animal studies suggest chaga may inhibit the progression of some cancers. Studies in humans are needed.To stimulate the immune system
Laboratory and animal studies suggest chaga can activate some types of immune cells. Studies in humans are needed.To reduce inflammation
Laboratory and animal studies suggest anti-inflammatory effects. Clinical trials for this use are needed.To protect the liver
Although protective effects have been reported, these benefits have not yet been studied or confirmed.
DO NOT TAKE CHAGA IF :
You are taking blood-thinning medications (eg, warfarin): Laboratory studies suggest that chaga may cause additional effects.
You are taking diabetic medications: Laboratory studies suggest that chaga may also lower blood sugar, causing additional effects.
You have kidney disease: Chaga is high in oxalates and may cause kidney problems in some individuals.
LION’S MANE
Lion’s mane is a large white, shaggy mushroom that looks like the mane of lion as it grows. Lion’s mane mushrooms can be enjoyed raw, cooked, dried or steeped as a tea. Their extracts often used in over-the-counter health supplements. Many describe the taste as being almost like seafood in flavor. It has many benefits especially for the brain, gut, and heart. Lion’s mane can be a powerful nootropic mostly because of it’s powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunostimulant properties. This is perhaps it’s most attractive feature. Animal studies show that lion’s mane mushroom extract may actually support brain health by stimulating the creation of two important compounds: nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). NGF and BDNF are proteins that stimulate the production of new cells and strengthen existing ones. NGF also plays an important role in forming myelin, the sheath around nerve cells that helps brain cells do their job. BDNF increases brain plasticity, which helps your brain cells stay resilient in the face of stress or aging. It actually helps you grow new neurons and keep the ones you have younger.
BENEFITS OF LION’S MANE
Boost Cognitive function -
In 2008, a double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial found that lion’s mane effectively improved cognitive function in a randomized group of 15 older adults. Rodent studies found that lion’s mane potentially may have protective effects on brain cells, improve memory and promote the creation of new neurons. Researchers also found that hericenones and erinacines from the fruiting body and mycelium of lion’s mane easily cross the blood-brain barrier to stimulates NGF. It also contains powerful antioxidant properties that help neutralize free radicals.
Improve Mood and Focus -
Reduced inflammation improves blood flow, which provides your brain with more oxygen. The side effect of more oxygen in your brain is better brain performance and mood. The antioxidants in lion’s mane may help promote learning and memory, possibly by strengthening your brain cells and stimulating the growth of new neurons.
Enhanced Gut Health
Lion's mane may help digestive health by fighting inflammation, which could be beneficial for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The mushroom may also boost immune function and encourage the growth of good bacteria in the gut.
CORDYCEPS
Cordyceps is a parasitic fungi that grows on the larvae of insects. It actually consumes the host and sprouts long stems that grow from the body of the host. The remains are collected, dried, and have been used for centuries in Chinese medicine to treat sickenss, fatigue, and impaired libido. Cordyceps has been widely studied and has many benefits. It can boost athletic performance, increases strength and sex drive, improves heart health, and has anti aging properties. It is considered to be an immune modulator and adaptogen that promotes overall endocrine health, and it is used to support the liver and kidneys.
Boost exercise peformance -
Cordyceps increase the body’s production of the molecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is essential for delivering energy to the muscles. It may help to deliver oxygen to specific areas that assist in generating muscle tissue for better recovery after strenuous workouts or sports.
Anti Aging Properties
Along with boosting strength and reducing fatigue Cordyceps is known to have anti aging effects. In animal studies, increased antioxidants in aged mice, helping improve memory and sexual function. Antioxidants are molecules that fight cell damage by neutralizing free radicals, which can otherwise contribute to disease and aging.
Decrease blood sugar levels -
Cordyceps has been shown to decrease blood sugar levels by mimicking the action of insulin. Some evidence suggests that they may also protect against kidney disease, a common complication of diabetes.
Side Effects
Cordydeps is generally safe. It might cause mild side effects such as diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal discomfort. People with bleeding disorders should use caution. Cordyceps might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.
BUY CORDYCEPS HERE
TURKEY TAIL
TURKEY TAIL
Turkey tail mushrooms are multicolored fungi that grow on tree trunks and fallen trees in wooded areas.They’re abundant in many parts of the world including the U.S. Turkey tail gets its name from its unique appearance, which resembles the plumage of a turkey. It has many medicinal properties and is well known for enhancing the health of your immune system. It’s benefits include cancer fighting potential, stimulating gut health, and reducing oxidative stress.
Reducing Oxidative Stress -
Turkey Tail is packed with antioxidants that help reduce damage caused by oxidative stress. Oxidative stress results from an imbalance between antioxidants and unstable molecules known as free radicals. This can result in cellular damage and chronic inflammation. This type of imbalance leads to the formation of cancerous cells and heart failure. Turkey tail contains an impressive array of antioxidants, including phenols and flavonoids. Phenols and flavonoids help to fight inflammation while also stimulating the release of protective compounds like interferon-y and inhibiting pro-inflammatory enzymes cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX).
Immune Boosting Properties -
Turkey tail contains Polysaccharopeptides, which are protein-bound polysaccharides (carbohydrates). Krestin (PSK) and Polysaccharide Peptide (PSP) are two types of polysaccharopeptides found in turkey tails. PSK stimulates dendritic cells that promote immunity to toxins and regulate the immune response. In addition, PSK activates specialized white blood cells called macrophages, which protect your body against harmful substances like certain bacteria. This natural immune boosting potential makes Turkey tail a great cancer fighting agent.
Enhancing Gut Health -
A major factor on staying healthy and is to regulate and maintain proper balance in the gut. Gut bacteria interacts directly with immune cells in order to stimulate your immune response. Turkey tail contain probiotics that aid in stimulating this healthy gut bacteria. Turkey tail has been proven to increase populations of beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus while reducing potentially harmful bacteria, such as Clostridium and Staphylococcus. This enhances the immune response and lowers the risk of certain cancers.
Turkey Tail may also aid in treating HPV, improve athletic performance, as well as insulin resistance.
SHIITAKE
Shiitake mushrooms, primarily grown in Japan, are loved worldwide for their superb taste and coveted for thousands of years by those looking to boost longevity and reduce inflammation. What makes shiitake mushrooms so effective is that they are a great source of B vitamins and have antiviral and antibacterial properties. If you, like many of us, put on a couple of extra pounds during quarantine, you might be pleased to hear that a study published in the Journal of Obesity concluded that shiitake could help reduce and prevent body weight gain and the build-up of fat. Even more, a recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that shiitake can help boost immune function, improve cell function, gut immunity, and reduce inflammation.
PSILOCYBIN
Psilocybin cubensis is a naturally occurring mushroom with psychoactive properties. It has been used in rituals by Indigenous tribes dating back thousands of years. There are theories that psilocybin containing mushrooms could have been a factor in evolutionary advances of humanity because of its ability to enhance vision and alter perception. Psilocybin works by activating serotonin receptors, most often in the prefrontal cortex. This part of the brain affects mood, cognition, and perception. Hallucinogens also work in other regions of the brain that regulate arousal and panic responses as well as time perception and geolocation.
Psilocybin does not always cause active visual or auditory hallucination. Instead, it distorts how some perceive objects and people already in their environment.
The quantity of the drug a person consumes, their past experiences, and their expectations of how the experience will take shape can all impact the effects of psilocybin. When consumed in high doses (2-5 grams) hallucinogenic effects are experienced along with euphoria and sensory distortion. These effects range from terrifying to supernatural to spiritual in nature. An expanded state of awareness can help heal trauma and foster a greater connection to nature and the divine. In low doses (50-300 mgs) an experience of elevated mood and focus is reported. A decrease in anxiety and depression and increased sense of presence make it an incredible medicine for healing these ailments. Many people find great benefit in microdosing, which is the practice of taking a small sub perceptual dose of a psychedelic as a way to enter into more of a flow with life as it is. There have been many studies that suggest microdosing as promising for treatment resistant depression.
There are warnings however, especially anyone who has a history of schizophrenia in the family or severe personality or dissociative disorders. While it can certainly aid in healing trauma by helping to view it from a different perspective, anyone with severe PTSD should exercise caution with higher doses so as not to do any further damage. Starting with smaller doses and working ones way up to confront the trauma gradually is always preferred. Having a dedicated spiritual practice like meditation or yoga is encouraged before embarking on a relationship with these compounds.
BENEFITS OF PSILOCYBIN
Increased mood
Decrease in anxiety and depression
Expanded state of awareness
Sense of oneness/flow/spiritual connection/awakening
Healing of past traumas
euphoria/ peacefulness
RISKS
depersonalization
confusion
delirium
agitation
increased fear to the expanded state
experiencing buried trauma too rapidly and without proper preparation
psychosis
Incorporating these powerful compounds into your daily life can have tremendous health benefits and increase spiritual awareness. Mycelium is the neural network of the Earth, connecting all plant life across the planet in a vast underground network. As above so below. As within, so without.
