Mushrooms add flavor and nutrition to many dishes, yet require proper storage for long-term enjoyment.

Reishi, Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps all work as adaptogens, increasing stress resilience and immune balance while decreasing inflammation and oxidative damage. Their effects are due largely to b-glucans which increase metabolic regulation and mitochondrial function – qualities which cannot be found elsewhere.

Reishi

Reishi has long been revered in China and Japan as a semimagical medicinal herb. Dubbed “the mushroom of immortality”, Reishi used to be rarer than ginseng at being accessible; people suffering severe illnesses would travel long distances just for its extract. Today it can be found both as nutritional supplements such as pills or extracts as well as teas or powders.

Reishi can help extend longevity by stimulating white blood cells – the natural defenses against infection and disease in your body – as part of its immune-enhancing properties. Reishi’s high levels of beta-glucans also slow and even stop tumor growth when tested in lab conditions, while natural killer cells stimulated by Reishi target abnormal cells including those cancerous ones – all combined together they have shown to prevent or lessen cancer and other chronic diseases associated with ageing, environmental toxins or medications exposure.

As we age, the immune system’s vigilance declines, leaving just one abnormal cell to flourish into full-blown malignancy. Reishi contains glycans, ganoderic acids, lucidumol and ganodermanondiol that may increase immune reactivity towards cancerous cells while simultaneously blocking their formation – this makes Reishi an appealing candidate for improving cancer treatments and outcomes as well.

Other potential health benefits of Reishi include improving blood circulation, controlling blood sugar levels, and supporting antioxidant activity. It may even possess antiviral and possibly antibacterial properties; however, such claims are mostly speculation until more scientific trials can be completed on these claims.

Reishi has many health benefits, with fatigue reduction being one of them. Additionally, its anti-ageing properties help prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s through reduced oxidative stress levels. Furthermore, Reishi can provide great support to pets’ immune activities, nervous systems, body reactions to physical stressors as well as symptoms associated with aging in dogs and cats.

Lion’s Mane

Lion’s mane mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus) are an exotic variety coveted by mycophiles. Known for its brain-boosting properties such as supporting nerve growth factor and decreasing neuroinflammation, these rare and delicious varieties contain powerful antioxidants and nootropic compounds such as hericenones and erinacines that may improve mental acuity and cognitive performance; further clinical studies will need to take place to ascertain long-term benefits.

Lion’s Mane mushrooms vary depending on storage conditions, moisture levels and exposure to air; when stored properly they should last up to one week in the fridge when kept wrapped or placed in a paper bag instead of plastic bag which trap moisture and promote spoilage. Look out for discoloration, soft texture or foul odor as indicators that your mushrooms have passed their prime and should be thrown out immediately.

If you plan to use lion’s mane mushrooms in a recipe, it is recommended to rinse and pat dry them prior to placing in an airtight paper bag or container for optimal preservation. Rinsing under running water is also effective at eliminating bacteria. Once rinsed and pat dried, store them for optimal preservation by placing them into paper bags or airtight breathable containers for storage.

Dehydrating lion’s mane mushrooms is an easy and popular way to extend their shelf life, though this process may alter their texture and flavor. As with all kinds of mushrooms, dehydration should only be performed if intended to use in recipes; using silica gel packs as packaging materials will absorb excess moisture while helping prevent mold growth.

Cooking lion’s mane mushrooms is another effective way to prolong their freshness and increase longevity. Steaming is an ideal method for this, preserving their delicate texture while still offering many health benefits. Pan frying, however, will give them an irresistibly seafood-esque taste; simply heat a skillet with medium-high heat before adding butter or oil and slice your mushrooms before flipping until both sides become golden-brown in color.

Cordyceps

Cordyceps mushroom (Cephalosporium sinensis) is an energizing, adaptogenic, immunomodulatory and antioxidant functional food used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat fatigue by increasing endurance and strength training, supporting immune function and helping regulate stress hormones. Studies have also demonstrated its ability to boost ATP production within the body, leading to greater energy and athletic performance.

C. sinensis mushroom used to be prized herb of traditional Chinese medicine, prized due to its rare and costly status as part of China’s pharmacopeia. Unfortunately, however, due to being hard to collect from nature alone it has since been replaced by cultured mycelia or fruiting bodies of this mushroom which have become the main components of many health formulas.

Studies on mice show that cordyceps stimulates natural killer cells and monocytes while simultaneously decreasing inflammatory markers, likely due to its active ingredients including polysaccharides, ergosterol and peptides.

Cordyceps may also prove effective against autoimmune disorders like lupus. A 2024 study demonstrated how extracts of this fungus could increase survival among mice with lupus by modulating oxidative stress and inflammation levels; they also seem to inhibit new lesions while decreasing anti-double-stranded DNA antibody titers.

Fungus has quickly become one of the most beloved supplements in modern naturopathy, often taken as a means to enhance physical performance while speeding recovery times. They do this by increasing oxygen uptake and burning fat as fuel, while simultaneously helping reduce muscle damage and improving cell repair. One study demonstrated that taking Omega-3 before high-intensity exercise increased VO-2 max by an incredible 13%! That’s an extra boost of energy for athletes! As with all functional foods and supplements, cordyceps won’t work for everyone; for optimal results it should be combined with healthy living practices in combination with daily consumption of cordyceps supplements such as capsules or powders. Luckily, its availability makes its consumption easier.

Glutathione

Glutathione is the body’s master antioxidant, providing protection from cell and DNA oxidative damage as well as supporting DNA repair and detoxing of heavy metals and harmful substances. Furthermore, glutathione enhances white blood cell activity by binding to toxins that make their removal simpler for our bodies to do. Gluthione also boasts anti-ageing benefits, improves skin clarity, reduces hyperpigmentation as well as acting as antiviral medication and antioxidative stress prevention post workout for faster recovery times.

Mushrooms are widely recognized as adaptogens, or medications that help the body cope better with stress. Mushrooms can be especially beneficial to athletes who train hard and wish to maintain optimal performance; one study demonstrated this benefit with cordyceps mushrooms increasing VO2 max and resistance to fatigue during exercise, and providing L-ergothioneine, an anti-ageing compound found in higher levels in cordyceps mushrooms; this compound has been found to decrease risk of death among population studies; in addition, L-ergothioneine may prevent shortening of telomeres as well as age related cognitive decline.

An effective strategy to maintain high levels of glutathione is through eating fruits and vegetables with high sulfur content, such as cruciferous veggies, garlic and onions. Furthermore, regular exercise, good sleep quality and stress management help minimize oxidative stress, thus supporting natural antioxidant production.

Finally, glutathione supplements may prove useful. These come either in pill form or liquid sublingual solution form; to maximize absorption it should be taken on an empty stomach before eating and when combined with vitamin C for enhanced results.

Olympia Pharmaceuticals can help your body increase glutathione levels with healthy habits, targeted supplementation and IV therapy. Their team of health experts can assess your needs and recommend the optimal glutathione solution based on individual circumstances – just give us a call to get started today!