Functional Mushrooms: What are they? A First Timer’s Guide to Holistic Health
Functional mushrooms are pivotal In today’s world of wellness, women are exploring more natural and holistic approaches to their healthcare regimen. Functional mushrooms have grown to be an increasingly popular plant medicine supplement in women’s wellness, thanks to the holistic properties many of these fungi hold.
If you’re seeking an elevated and holistic approach to your health and wellness, understanding what functional mushrooms are and their medicinal value is important for navigating your wellness journey.
Let’s unravel the mystery of functional mushrooms and discover how you can responsibly and resourcefully consume them for a more mindful and elevated lifestyle.
What Exactly Are Functional Mushrooms?
First and foremost, there are a few common mushroom terms that each consumer must know in order to fully understand and utilize functional mushrooms for a more mindful and holistic lifestyle.
Functional mushrooms are types of fungi that hold health benefits and advantages beyond their nutritional makeup. They can be categorized as either adaptogenic or medicinal:
- Adaptogenic mushrooms help regulate the body’s stress response systems. They contain adaptogens, which help the body adapt and fight off chemical, biological, and physical stress.
- Medicinal mushrooms are used for their variety of strong medicinal properties. Many of these mushrooms will contain antioxidative properties, increasing oxidation and reducing harmful cells in the body.
Medicinal mushrooms and adaptogenic mushrooms are both used as superfood supplements for supporting physical and mental health. Let’s look at the different parts of the mushroom used for holistic wellness:
- Mycelium: This is part of all mushroom fungi that is usually underground. When broken apart, mycelium (or mycelia in singular form), is made of hyphae. Hyphae look like micro-threads or interwoven rootlets making up the base of the mushroom. The main function of this specific part of mushrooms is to extract nutrients from the growing substrate, or the surrounding area in which the fungi are growing.
- Fruiting Body: As the most commonly known part of the mushroom, the fruiting body is the most nutrient-dense and contains a large concentration of the active compounds that people seek for medicinal or therapeutic value.
Think of the structure of mushrooms as trees or other similar plant structures – the mycelium is like the roots and base of the tree, while the fruiting body is the ripe apples or blooming flowers on the tree.
The magical complexities of functional mushrooms don’t stop here! With a better idea of fungi’s basic structure, learning how the different mushrooms can benefit your body will help you achieve higher holistic healing.
Types and Benefits of 5 Functional Mushrooms for Health & Wellness
Currently, we know there are over 10,000 different types of mushrooms. Some research has shown that both medicinal and functional mushrooms can provide more than 130 medicinal functions to our bodies.
Check out some of the most common functional mushrooms you’ll find to help elevate your holistic health and wellness:
Functional Mushroom #1: Lion’s Mane
Iconically coined the “think mushroom,” lion’s mane mushrooms help to support productivity and creativity. As a natural brain booster, lion’s mane mushrooms enhance cognitive function.
With both culinary and adaptogenic properties, lion’s mane mushrooms add great value and potential to our bodies – specifically our brain, heart, and gut. Multiple studies suggest that this type of functional mushroom may help some of the following:
- Improve brain function
- Support digestive health
- Relieve anxiety or depression
- Boost immune system
- Manage diabetes or reduce the risk of heart disease
Functional Mushroom #2: Reishi
Known as the mushroom of immortality, reishi mushrooms have been a staple in Eastern medicine and plant medicine rituals for centuries. These medicinal mushrooms contain over 400 bioactive compounds – including ganoderic acids and beta-glucans, which have been found to support longevity and well-being.
Many users will turn to reishi mushrooms as a holistic approach to alleviating the body from various symptoms, including:
- Stress
- Reducing allergies or inflammation
- Inducing a well-rested night of sleep
- Supporting the immune system
- Hepatoprotective properties (live support)
- Mental Clarity
Functional Mushroom #3: Turkey Tail
This is one of the most commonly found functional mushrooms in the world, and its name matches its appearance! Turkey tails are medicinal mushrooms favored for their high content of antioxidants, such as flavonoids, that support immune system compounds such as krestin and polysaccharide peptide.
Other holistic benefits of turkey tail mushrooms include:
- Boosted immunity
- Improved cognitive function & clarity
- Increased energy
- Improved gut health
- Reduced inflammation
- May lower blood sugar balance
Functional Mushroom #4: Cordyceps
Traditional Chinese and Tibetan plant medicine rituals valued cordyceps mushrooms to combat illness and improve stamina and longevity.
Viewed as a holistic energy tonic, this medicinal mushroom contains healthy amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Cordycepin and other important bioactive compounds are also abundant.
Because of this, cordyceps mushrooms are known for some of the following holistic properties:
- Promoting stamina and endurance
- Increasing blood oxygen levels
- Protecting and stabilizing brain health
- Boosting cognitive function
- Supporting the immune system & anti-inflammation
Functional Mushroom #5: Chaga
With over 200 different bioactive metabolites, chaga mushrooms are viewed as the ultimate medicinal fungi.
The primary active compounds found in chaga are beta-glucans polysaccharides, melanins, and triterpenes – all of which hold strong antioxidant properties.
As the “king of mushrooms,” chaga mushrooms provide a wide range of holistic health benefits, including:
- Boosting antioxidant functions
- Regulating digestive health
- Reducing inflammation
- Helping maintain homeostasis and balance
- Regulating blood sugar levels
- Alleviating muscle fatigue
- Supporting healthy brain function
- And much more
It’s no secret that the power of functional mushrooms can elevate and enhance your everyday lifestyle in more ways than one. The intention you put behind the mushrooms you choose to consume will help you find a more natural approach to mindful living.
Incorporating Functional Mushrooms into Your Holistic Health Routine
Although the trend of mushroom wellness has recently been lighting up the world of holistic wellness – the truth is that mushrooms have been used medicinally for thousands of years.
For centuries, ancient China and Eastern Asian countries have traditionally grown and harvested fungi for their therapeutic value. Magic and medicinal mushrooms were brewed as teas and elixirs in wellness rituals and holistic practices across the world.
Fast forward to centuries of innovation and forward-thinking, functional mushrooms are influencing a more intentional and mindful lifestyle in more ways than one.
Most functional mushrooms you’ll find today are not meant to be eaten raw, but can be consumed in capsules, tinctures, chocolate, mushroom tea, or coffee.
No matter what mushroom wellness products you explore, you can personally tailor your dosage and plant medicine experience to fit your personal needs.
Sugar Magnolia’s holistic health products and subscription boxes are here to take the hassle and guesswork associated with finding the right wellness products for women.
Sugar Magnolia: Cultivating the Culture of Plant Medicine
Sugar Magnolia exists to create an effortless, high-vibe way to integrate plant modalities into your intentional and mindful lifestyle. By cultivating a safe space for both the curious and the connoisseur, Sugar Magnolia encourages you to elevate everyday moments and share your sugar responsibly.
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