Chaga

Chaga is a hard, charcoal-like mushroom found growing on the bark of birch trees in cold climates. Packed with antioxidants that combat oxidative stress and support overall health, melanins contribute its dark hue while providing additional anti-inflammatory benefits; additionally it’s an excellent source of polysaccharides necessary for immune function support. Chaga has traditionally been used as a traditional medicinal herb to support cardiovascular and digestive wellbeing as well as strengthen the immune system, reduce cholesterol levels, and provide protection from cancer.

Chaga mushrooms contain beta-D-glucans that stimulate cytokine production and help balance immune response, while at the same time helping lower LDL cholesterol, which is one of the major risk factors of cardiovascular disease. They’ve even been shown to promote apoptosis – an effective process to remove damaged or unhealthy cells from our bodies’ systems.

Inonotus obliquus, commonly referred to as Chaga, is an unusual fungus found on birch trees in cold climates. The Chaga fungus infiltrates any wounds or scars on the trees’ bark and slowly forms black-charcoal-colored hard growths known as Sclerotia over several years’ time – becoming a traditional remedy in Russia, Eastern Europe, and Northern areas of America.

Chaga can also be taken supplementally, in the form of tea, powder, capsules and tincture. Chaga tea can be prepared by simmering small chunks or powder in water until its flavor intensifies; sweetening it as desired can also improve this experience. Chaga capsules provide a convenient premade dose. Tinctures are made by boiling mushroom fragments with alcohol to produce a powerful liquid; either taken orally as a supplement or used to add flavour when cooking dishes.

Reishi

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), commonly referred to as the queen of mushrooms, has long been employed in traditional Chinese medicine to treat fatigue, asthma, coughs and liver conditions as well as promote overall health and longevity. Reishi is considered an adaptogen, helping the body adapt better under stressful situations while inducing deep, restful sleep.

Medical studies demonstrate that Reishi contains beta-glucans and other compounds which activate and stimulate white blood cells, increase natural killer (NK) cell activity to combat cancer cells more effectively and stimulate cytokine production – all which serve to strengthen immunity.

Reishi can also help improve mood and relieve symptoms of mild anxiety and depression by raising dopamine levels – the chemical that gives feelings of pleasure and motivation – in your brain.

Reishi contains naturally sedative compounds that may help the brain relax and enter a healthier sleep cycle, thus improving both quality and quantity of restful restful slumber. As such, Reishi is often combined with Ashwagandha in products designed to treat insomnia or stress.

Reishi comes in powder, capsule, or dried extract form; powder is an ideal option for creating tea.

Reishi may cause stomach upset in some individuals when taken at high doses or for extended periods, especially at higher dosage levels or over extended time periods. Furthermore, Reishi could interact with certain medications including those for diabetes and high blood pressure; to ensure its safe consumption it should only be done under medical supervision and in dose increments that suit individual needs and wellness goals – this advice particularly holds true for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.

Maitake

Maitake mushrooms have long been used in traditional Chinese medicine to balance energy and improve overall health, providing support to immune systems, digestions and even relieving stress and fatigue. Maitake has even been known to enhance sexual performance!

Scientifically known as Grifola frondosa, maitake is a polypore fungus with no gills that releases its spores through small pores on its surface. Known for growing around oak trees but also maple and elm trees, maitake reappears annually each autumn across both North America and Europe; being farmed in Asia since antiquity but only recently making waves here and in Europe.

Studies suggest maitake may aid in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. It contains high amounts of potassium to regulate blood pressure. Furthermore, maitake contains alpha-glucans which have been demonstrated to decrease oxidative stress and enhance immune function.

Maitake mushrooms are an excellent source of vitamin D, which is proven to support bone health by improving calcium absorption. Maitake also assists digestion and helps create a healthier gut microbiome while being rich in B2 and C vitamins as well as zinc and iron content.

Maitake in Japanese means dancing mushroom; foragers would likely dance with joy when discovering this prized edible in nature. Additionally, its fruiting bodies resemble waving sleeves of a dancing girl, leading many to refer to this tasty fungus by this name; an explanation commonly offered can be found within Konjaku Monogatari collection of short stories as an explanation for this name.

Turkey Tail

Turkey Tail mushrooms are widely known to strengthen immunity, increase energy levels and promote gut health. As one of the world’s most widely studied medicinal mushrooms, Turkey Tail has been subject to hundreds of clinical studies worldwide and can even help with active cases! Turkey Tail can easily be found and foraged around most parts of the globe and comes in powder form, tinctures or capsules for easy consumption.

Trametes versicolor, the scientific name for Turkey Tail Fungus, means “of many colors.” This reflects how this bracket fungus can display rings of different hues on fruitbodies as well as multicolores surfaces; hence why it has come to be commonly known by its popular moniker of Turkey Tail.

This species of wood-rotting mushroom can be found worldwide and is known as a polypore mushroom – meaning its underside features pores instead of typical gills, making its presence easily seen under magnification. These pores can often be found directly attached to wood trees such as Oak, Maple, Birch, Sycamore, and Beech trees.

Though not edible, Turkey Tail mushrooms can be used medicinally by boiling to create a tea that can be taken orally as medicine. They have been shown to protect against oxidative stress and treat hepatitis, in addition to being considered adaptogens that help the body cope with environmental stressors by balancing hormone levels; in turn, the Turkey Tail mushroom also promotes cardiovascular health and boosts immune systems.

Cordyceps

Cordyceps contains several species that parasitize insects and are prized for their medicinal qualities. Their bioactive metabolites may offer therapeutic effects against various diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) and oxidative stress-related brain damage; their beneficial properties include antioxidant, antiaging, antibacterial, antifungal, antinephropathic, immunostimulant revitalizing sexual and reproductive functions and antitumor properties.

Multiple studies have demonstrated the antitumor and immunological activities of Cordyceps fungus, including its anti-tumor activity that prevents tumor growth, cell proliferation, migration, invasion, modulating expression of genes associated with the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and suppressing activation of p-4EBP activation. Furthermore, Cordyceps helps inhibit formation of senescent cells while simultaneously increasing expression levels for Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) and caspase-3.

Researchers have studied the effects of Cordyceps on gastric cancer using cell models and animal models. According to these research studies, Cordyceps extract inhibited human gastric cancer cell growth both in vitro and in vivo; suppressed tumor cell proliferation and metastasis in mouse models; as well as inhibiting lung cancer cell growth both in vivo (reducin number of tumors in lung), as well as increasing survival time of mice with metastatic lung cancer in an animal model.

Researchers have successfully optimized Cordyceps cultivation methods in order to increase its volume, employing new methods that boost biomass and fruiting body production and identify genetic bases of cordycepin synthesis and its biosynthetic gene cluster that controls its production; furthermore they demonstrated how insect species determines how much cordycepin is present; fruiting bodies contain higher concentrations than any other place.