Medicinal Mushrooms

Medicinal mushrooms are edible mushrooms that are used for their health promoting properties. They can be consumed as food, for culinary purposes, or taken as a supplement. Medicinal mushrooms are rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds such as antioxidants, beta-glucans, vitamins B, C, D and E, copper, potassium, fiber, amino acids and other minerals. Some of the bioactive compounds include: alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes, phenolic compounds, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Health benefits include immune support, memory support, neuro-regeneration, cancer protection, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal, blood sugar control, heart health and others. The beta glucans in mushrooms are a form of fiber that has been shown to be gut health promoting, cholesterol reducing, blood sugar regulating and immune modulating.

Not all mushrooms are consumed as food due to their bitter flavor or tough texture. The most commonly used in cooking include Lion’s Mane, Maitake and Shitake. The tougher mushrooms like Chaga and Reishi can be boiled and used for soups, teas or even added to smoothies. Many are also available in powder, tincture or supplement form, including capsules or extracts. Powders or extracts may be preferred for anyone with difficulty swallowing as it can easily be added to soft food, or other beverages.

Ways to include mushroom powders/elixirs:

• Add to soups or use as broths

• Add to smoothies

• Add to rice, polenta, or other grains for an earthy flavor

• Sip as tea or add to coffee

• In savory cereal or oatmeal

• In salad dressings

• Energy bites and balls

Products to try!

• Buffalo Local - Flat 12 Mushrooms

• Host Defense - powders, elixirs, cocoas and more

• Four Sigmatic - Elixirs, Coffee, Cocoa

• KOS - (NSF certified) protein powders and more

Here is a look at some medicinal mushrooms and their uses

Chaga (Inonotus Obliquus)

Studied mostly for anti-cancer effects, inducing apoptosis in cancer cells. It has antioxidant, anti-microbial, cytotoxic activity, and anti-quorum sensing. Chaga has been found to prevent H. pylori due to its ability to disrupt bacterial cell signaling (anti-quorum sensing). Chaga protects against hypertension and cardiovascular disease and provides neuro protection.

Aqueous extract of Chaga mushroom (IOWE) enhanced adipogenesis by increasing PPARγ transcriptional activity, these results require further investigation, the ability of natural mushroom products to increase PPARγ transcriptional activities may be used as therapeutic targets for dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes.

Betulinic acid, inotodial, and ergosterol peroxide are compounds in chaga that reduce inflammation by inhibition of cytokines (pro-inflammatory molecules), such as TNF-a.

Reishi (Ganoderma Lingzhi)

Reishi mushroom is known as the immortality mushroom. Bioactives in reishi, protect the liver, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, prevent platelet clumping that leads to heart attack and stroke, reduces allergic response and has anticancer activity. Reishi can also calm the nervous system, and is used to reduce stress and to promote calm for better sleep.

Reishi has also been shown to promote neuroprotection, likely due to mushrooms anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Polysaccharides GL-PS and GL-T have the strongest anticancer activity. They can inhibit the cell cycle, are cytotoxic, and have antimetastatic, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects.

Cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps Sinensis)

This mushroom is known for being very stimulating — for both energy and the libido. Cordyceps can help the body utilize oxygen more efficiently, which may be especially helpful for those looking to increase exercise or movement or for those who regularly work out. This mushroom has been shown to not only improve exercise and athletic performance, but also speed up post-workout muscle recovery. It also has antioxidant properties, which may help with preventing tissue damage and speeding up recovery. Cordyceps is also being studied for anti-cancer effects and the ability to prevent leukopenia during cancer treatment. In experimental models, Cordyceps has been shown to have blood sugar lowering effects and kidney protective, kidney disease is a common complication of diabetes.

Lion’s Mane (Hericium Erinaceus)

Most studied for its neuro protective benefits. Compounds in the mushroom stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF). Preclinical studies have shown improvements in ischemic stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and depression if Lion’s Mane are included in daily meals. More research is needed but this may be a future treatment as many drugs used to treat cognitive disorders have undesirable side effects. It may also benefit people suffering from peripheral neuropathy due to the boost in NGF. In addition, it also has strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune-boosting abilities and has been shown to lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, ulcers and diabetes in animals. While the current research is promising, more human studies are needed to develop practical health applications for lion’s mane mushroom.

Turkey Tail (Coriolus Versicolor)

Turkey Tail contains polysaccharide peptide (PSP) and polysaccharide krestin (PSK), which boost the immune system and can help slow cancer growth. It can be used as an adjunctive therapy during some cancer treatments to improve the response to medicines and radiation. A 2012 clinical trial found breast cancer patients who took powdered turkey tail daily recovered immune function faster after radiation therapy than those who didn’t. Another study related to breast cancer patients found the mushrooms appeared to boost the efficacy of chemotherapy. Other research suggests that compounds found in turkey tail mushrooms have anti-tumor properties, making them cancer protective. They are also rich in antioxidants, and prebiotics, which promote gastrointestinal health.

Maitake (Grifola Frondosa)

Maitake is also known as hen of the woods. These mushrooms are rich in flavor and earthy with slight peppery flavor. Some people describe them as “woodsy”. They have been used medicinally for managing blood sugar, reducing cholesterol, reducing high blood pressure, boosting the immune system and for cancer treatment and prevention. Very similar to many other mushrooms. Doses for medicinal uses are higher than using in culinary uses, but you still get benefits to enjoying these in your stir fry, soups and risottos.

Shitake (Lentinula Edodes)

These mushrooms are great for culinary uses. Many people find the rich, savory flavor to be delicious. They are rich in polysaccharides that promote gastrointestinal health, and immune health. The polysaccharides can help boost WBC production, to help fight off infections. They also have a decent amount of protein, about 2.5 g per 1⁄2 cup and they contain healthy fat, linoleic acid. Like our other mushrooms, Shiitake also contain compounds that may help fight cancer, boost immunity, and support heart health. So, enjoy the rich savory mushrooms and some health benefits too.

There are many other mushrooms, some are also great for culinary uses. If you decide to buy mushrooms, be sure to source them from a reputable grower. Some people like foraging mushrooms, just be aware not all mushrooms are beneficial. Some are poisonous. Please know your mushrooms if you choose to forage. To keep your mushrooms fresh, store them in paper bags, or in paper towels in open plastic bags so they can breathe. Keep them in the fridge, they do have a high-water content, so they will dry out on your counter.

Chef’s Choice

Lion’s Mane “Crab” Cakes

Lion’s mane has a delicate and sweet flavor, resembling crab meat or lobster. Some people enjoy it just sauteed, you can use in stir fries or any way you like. This is a great vegetarian option for a [-=crab cake, with neuroprotective benefits!

Ingredients:

• 8 oz Lion’s Mane mushroom

• 1 egg (or flax egg)

• 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs

• 1/4 cup onion (finely diced)

• 1 tbsp mayonnaise or vegan mayonnaise

• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• 3/4 tsp Old Bay seasoning

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• 1 tbsp parsley (finely chopped)

• 1/4 tsp salt (to your taste)

• 1/4 tsp black pepper

• 2-3 tbsp olive or avocado oil (to fry cakes)

• Garnish: lemon wedges, optional tartar sauce

Instructions:

1. Hand shred Lion's Mane Mushroom into small pieces resembling texture of flaky crab.

2. In large bowl, combine egg, mayonnaise, onion, Worcestershire sauce, old bay seasoning, Dijon mustard, parsley (finely chopped), salt and pepper. Mix until fully incorporated.

3. Mix in Lion's Mane Mushroom until fully incorporated.

4. Mix in Panko breadcrumbs until fully incorporated.

5. Form mixture into 3-4 equal size round flat patties (about 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 inch thick).

6. Heat oil in sauté pan on medium/high heat.

7. Cook patties for approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Should be golden brown and cooked throughout.

8. Add squeeze of lemon and enjoy!

Recipe from www.aubreyskitchen.com