Functional mushrooms are a class of fungi. They have biologically active compounds that can have a significant effect on our health. They provide us with antioxidants and essential nutrients to bring the body back into balance, naturally. When consumed regularly, these mushrooms have the potential to improve overall wellbeing and increase resilience to stress and illness.
Mushrooms have a robust history of use dating back thousands of years. They’ve been treasured for their therapeutic value in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Indigenous Medicine and other ancient healing systems. In recent years, they’ve become a popular component of Western Medicine as well. These health-supportive fungi are steeped into strong teas, extracted into tinctures or eaten in the fruiting body phase of their life cycle.
At Harmonic Arts, we work with the world’s top 5 most studied functional mushrooms. Featured in ancient healing modalities and current scientific research, Reishi, Chaga, Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, and Turkey Tail remain at the forefront of the mushroom revolution. They offer vast healing benefits for whole-body health and immune system intelligence.
So, how do you choose which functional mushroom is right for you? Read on to learn how to support your wellness needs with these incredible fungi.
Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only. It is not designed to substitute the advice of your registered health care provider. Please talk to your health care provider before adding any new herbs or mushrooms to your routine.
A Mushroom for Every Wellness Need
Start by identifying a wellness need you want the most support with. All the functional fungi listed below offer multiple benefits, including immune system support. So, choosing one mushroom doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll miss out on the benefits of another. For the purpose of this blog, we’ve split them up into their most researched and well-known benefits below.
Antioxidant Boost
Chaga is a nutrient-dense superfood. It’s packed with over 200 phytonutrients, essential vitamins, and minerals that protect our DNA. The polyphenol compounds protect our cells against oxidative damage, helping us age gracefully (1). Chaga fortifies the immune system and suppresses inflammation (2). It stabilizes blood pressure and blood sugar and shows promise as a treatment for metabolic disorders (3).
Digestive Wellness
Turkey Tail is a microbiome-friendly medicinal mushroom. It is used in TCM to treat chronic illnesses, fortify immunity and strengthen the stomach and spleen. Turkey Tail contains a polysaccharide called PSP, which is a prebiotic fiber. This promotes gut healing and bolsters diversity within the gut microbiome (4). PSP is also shown to increase white blood cells, allowing our bodies to fight infection and boost immunity (5).
Cognitive Wellness
Lion’s Mane is known for its ability to sharpen memory, boost concentration and inspire creativity. It stimulates the synthesis of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) (6). This is a protein that helps to maintain healthy neurons. It’s been shown to improve symptoms of dementia (7), as well improve spatial and visual recognition memory (8). Lion's Mane may also inhibit the growth of H. pylori and protect the stomach lining from damage (9).
Stress Support
Reishi is a relaxing and revitalizing mushroom with the longest record of medicinal use, dating back over 2,000 years. This polypore is a potent adaptogen that helps us adapt to stress and combat anxiety (10). It is packed with antioxidants that activate immune health and lower inflammation (11). Reishi can also support the liver by promoting cell regeneration (12).
Energy Boosting
As a functional mushroom, Cordyceps is mainly prized for support of the respiratory tract. It improves oxygen uptake, helps move oxygen into our cells and increases endurance and stamina as a result (13). It supports energy through the generation of cellular ATP (14). Cordyceps helps to build strength, combat fatigue, and support adrenal health (15).
Whole-Body Balance
Looking to stack the benefits of all 5 mushrooms at the same time? There are two ways to experience our synergistic blend of Chaga, Cordyceps, Lion’s Mane, Reishi and Turkey Tail: Our 5 Mushroom Concentrated Powder and 5 Mushroom Tincture. Both products support whole-body harmony and immune system intelligence.
Can I Take More Than One Mushroom?
You can take one or all of the above mushrooms at the same time. Depending on your wellness needs, you may want to explore a combination to reap the benefits. For example, if someone is looking for support with gut health and stress support, they might want stack the benefits of Turkey Tail and Reishi.
Curious to learn more about how we source our mushrooms? This blog takes you step-by-step through their journey from the farm to your pantry.
