Mushroom-infused coffee, tea and elixirs may have recently made the rounds on your social media feed, promising to increase mental power, give energy boosts, and provide immune support.

Tero Isokauppila grew up on a family farm in Finland and often went mushroom hunting as part of his upbringing. So when he founded Four Sigmatic he wanted to introduce functional mushrooms into modern living.

Chaga Mushrooms

Chaga mushroom, with its distinctive appearance resembling burnt blister or scab, has made waves lately due to its numerous health benefits that date back centuries – including immune system support, heart health benefits and balanced stress response mechanisms.

Chaga mushroom stands out as being a source of antioxidants, especially polyphenols and triterpenes, with strong antioxidative effects against both DPPH radicals and superoxide radicals. Other beneficial mushrooms also contain these substances; however, chaga is distinguished as having one of the highest concentrations.

Chaga has long been used in traditional and botanical medicine as an antioxidative remedy, in folk and botanical practice to treat cancer, stomach ulcers, liver disease, tuberculosis and more. A recent study demonstrated how extract from this mushroom may also prevent progression of hepatocellular carcinoma – an aggressive type of liver cancer.

An unusual-looking fungus provides multiple advantages, including its ability to stimulate white blood cells that help fight infections and maintain an effective immune system. Furthermore, this organism may reduce oxidative stress in the body by combatting free radicals that contribute to premature aging and chronic diseases.

As for its anti-diabetic properties, chaga is abundant with soluble fiber and contains beta-D-glucans – an ingredient which inhibits alpha-glucosidase (an enzyme responsible for breaking down starches and simple sugars into glucose). Studies have revealed that eating more beta-D-glucans will lower your risk of diabetes.

Although its appearance may not be appealing, fungus has become the foundation of numerous modern beverages such as coffee, tea and hot chocolate – you’ll even find it available as supplements or capsules!

Just like chaga, there are various other medicinal mushrooms you can find at a natural foods store that have proven their therapeutic effectiveness, including Reishi, Cordyceps and Umbrella polypore. When selecting quality products such as these it’s essential that they meet certain standards such as organic certification or being fair trade certified; in addition, avoid supplements derived from materials harvested illegally as this will compromise quality control measures and be harmful for you health.

Lion’s Mane Mushrooms

Lion’s Mane mushrooms act like sponges that absorb whatever liquid you add them to, making them great additions to soups and sauces. Their sweet, lobster-like flavor and tender, chewy texture makes for delicious food combinations. As with other mushrooms, however, consuming raw lion’s Mane should be avoided since their cell walls contain chitin that may cause gastric distress in high concentrations – however this risk is reduced with proper cooking procedures.

Studies have confirmed that lion’s mane mushroom is an effective nootropic, meaning it helps promote mental health and function. It contains compounds such as hericenones and erinacines which support nerve and brain health in particular in the hippocampus, an area which facilitates learning and memory retention. Furthermore, this substance helps increase serotonin production which in turn can help alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms.

Lion’s mane is rich in antioxidants that can reduce inflammation throughout your body, thus improving cognitive function and helping prevent neurodegenerative diseases. One study discovered that compounds found in lion’s mane caused neurons (the main type of brain cell) to form connections more readily, leading to enhanced cognition and memory performance.

Danny Walsh is a self-described “food nerd” who turned his enthusiasm for superfood experimentation into the award-winning mushroom coffee company Peak State. Through diet tweaking he managed to overcome ulcerative colitis, and continues using mushrooms as part of his wellness regime to support gut health and immunity.

He and his team are currently creating a functional beverage combining Lion’s Mane, Reishi and Cordyceps mushrooms for improved energy, focus and mood without adding excess sugars or chemicals. Their latest project – Lion’s Mane and Reishi Brain Fuel powder can be added to a morning cup of tea or used alone; release is planned for early 2024 – for more information visit their website here

Reishi Mushrooms

Reishi mushrooms have long been used as part of traditional Eastern medicine and more recently among modern wellness enthusiasts. Dubbed the “queen of the mushroom kingdom” or the “mushroom of immortality”, Reishi mushrooms can help strengthen your immune system, manage stress and fatigue and even fight fatigue!

Ganoderma contains many species, with red reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) being one of the best-known and highly revered ones. With its fan-shaped appearance and distinctive kidney-shaped cap covered by reddish varnishing, red reishi has long been used by royal families as medicine to improve health and restore vitality.

Reishi mushrooms offer more than antiviral, antifungal and antibiotic properties; they also stimulate production of natural killer cells – your body’s first line of defense against infections – through natural killer cell stimulation and reduction of inflammation pathways within white blood cells, providing an additional defense mechanism against infections.

Reishi has also been studied for its effects on stress and sleep, helping promote mental wellbeing by decreasing anxiety, depression, and stress levels. Reishi serves as an all-natural sedative and hypnotic, helping us sleep faster while increasing its quality.

Mushrooms may help improve liver function and aid the body’s detoxification processes, while acting as potent antioxidants to neutralize harmful free radicals that damage cells through oxidation.

Studies have also indicated that Reishi can support healthy blood pressure by helping balance cholesterol levels, though those already taking low platelet counts or blood thinners should consult a professional prior to beginning supplementation with powder or extract forms, which contain differing concentrations of active ingredients.

Reishi can be taken in various forms daily, from whole dried mushrooms and supplements, capsules and teas to whole mushrooms or higher doses specifically used for clinical studies. A daily recommended dosage ranges between 1.5-9 grams a day. Reishi should also be combined with other immune-supportive nutrients and herbs in order to maximize effectiveness.

Turkey Tail Mushrooms

As their name implies, turkey tail mushrooms (Trametes versicolor) feature rings of color reminiscent of feathers on a wild turkey. Also referred to as Yun Zhi in traditional medicine circles for millennia and known for promoting immune function enhancement.

Scientists have recently discovered that turkey tail mushrooms and their extracts contain many health-promoting compounds, including b-glucan polysaccharides that act as immunomodulators as well as having antimicrobial, antifibrotic, antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-aging and wound healing benefits.

Turkey tail mushrooms and their extracts appear to have the greatest benefit for immune system functioning, according to studies. Studies have demonstrated that extracts PSP and PSK of turkey tail mushrooms significantly boost activity of several different kinds of immune cells and inhibit cancer cell growth, improving overall survival rates among certain forms of cancer patients, such as lung and gastric cancer patients.

Reduce chemotherapy-induced side effects like diarrhea and nausea. May help prevent lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer patients – however this evidence remains weak, and more research needs to be completed1.

Not only have turkey tail mushrooms been shown to strengthen immune systems, their extracts have also demonstrated antioxidant and liver-protecting effects. They can counteract any negative impacts caused by chemicals that damage liver function like carbon tetrachloride. They may also help lower cholesterol levels and increase glucose metabolism.

There is evidence of turkey tail mushrooms improving athletic performance in mice by blocking inflammation pathways that cause fatigue and degradation of muscles.

Turkey tail mushrooms contain mycelial mycelia that can induce robust activation of CD69 on monocytes and lymphocytes, while fermentation increases production of anti-inflammatory and antiviral cytokines, making these mushrooms an excellent immune-stimulant supplement during cancer chemotherapy treatment.