After two years of living through a public health emergency, it’s no surprise that many people are thinking more about their health and wellness. With so many products out there, it can be difficult to know what the best ways to support your individual needs are. Fortunately, there is an increasing number of natural remedies available that can provide meaningful benefits. One option you should consider is incorporating medicinal mushrooms into your daily routine. If you want to learn more, keep reading for everything you need to know about mushroom supplements.
What do you need to know about mushroom supplements?
There is a long history associated with using mushrooms for their medicinal properties. Mushroom supplements have started to gain popularity again, introducing many new people to their potential benefits. There are many reasons why people are interested in mushrooms, and there is a lot of research being done to uncover all of their potential health benefits. There are several medicinal mushrooms that are commonly used, but one of the most common is the reishi mushroom.
In the past, mushrooms have been used to treat a variety of infections, primarily in Asian countries. More recently, they have been used to help with pulmonary diseases and cancer. In Japan and China, medicinal mushrooms have been an approved complement to standard cancer treatments for over 30 years. They have a demonstrated safe clinical history when used in combination with chemotherapy. Though they are less well known in Western countries like the United States, awareness about natural remedies like mushrooms is growing.
As with anything you intend to use regularly, you should consult your doctor before using any mushroom supplement. Your doctor can tell you how it may affect your health conditions or interact with any prescription medications you’re currently taking. They may also be able to tell you more about medicinal mushrooms and how they can be used safely.
What benefits do medicinal mushrooms have?
Supplements incorporating natural ingredients like mushrooms can be a great way to support your overall wellness, though many people don’t know much about the specific ways they can do so. The reishi mushroom is one of the most popular forms of medicinal fungus. There are studies that have indicated reishi has the potential to help with weight loss, regulate immune health, and provide relaxation. Experts are particularly interested in its perceived calming qualities, including its ability to help with sleep quality and mood.
Lion’s mane is another common medicinal mushroom, which many people use to clear up brain fog and improve mental clarity. What makes lion’s mane unique is the fact that it facilitates the production of nerve growth factor (NGF) and myelin, which are crucial for brain health. A small human study demonstrated that some patients who used lion’s mane had improved cognition, and a study on mice also showed potential benefits for memory and recall.
Chaga mushrooms are known for their antioxidant properties. They could be a good option for anyone who needs to fight free radicals and inflammation. They may even be able to prevent oxidative stress, which is a major contributor to skin aging. Some studies also suggest they can lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which is a form of bad cholesterol.
With several clinical trials underway, it’s likely that we’ll learn a lot more about the benefits associated with medicinal mushrooms in the coming years. Mushrooms like the reishi mushroom, Chaga mushroom, and lion’s mane have already shown promise in studies on humans and mice. They’ve been used in other parts of the world for decades, including as an approved adjunct to standard cancer treatments in Japan and China. Given that there have been so many positive experiences with them, it’s likely that people all over the world will continue to incorporate mushroom supplements into their holistic wellness routines.