Top 3 Medicinal Mushrooms for Stress and Immunity


Mushrooms. Everyone is talking about them. Ten years ago, few people mentioned anything about mushrooms, even the edible varieties such as portobello and shiitake. However, over the last couple years, with the growing global focus on immunity, cognitive function and stress, mushroom interest has grown significantly. Mushrooms are anything but new and have been part of ethnobotanical practices the world over for centuries, even millennia. There are several medicinal mushrooms that everyone should be aware of to help support immunity and brain health due to their amazing health benefits!

1. Reishi – the most popular mushroom worldwide, also known as the mushroom of immortality.

Reishi mushroom is potentially the world’s strongest modulator of the immune response. Simply speaking, it both engages a range of immune cells into action as well as manages and balances overall immune function. Reishi is also a premiere adaptogen, supporting physical and mental endurance and builds energy within our body over time. It helps us adapt to stress, reducing the fight or flight response so that we feel calmer without feeling sedated. It is also well studied for supporting cardiovascular functioning and heart health, supporting balanced blood lipid levels and cellular antioxidant activity. We can use it for respiratory wellness, intestinal health, and liver function. You can see why it’s been touted as the mushroom of longevity throughout history!

2. Lion’s Mane – a tasty edible mushroom that can be easily incorporated into meals that also gives our brain a boost. 

Given the current global experience, memory, mood and cognitive functioning could all use a boost after the past two years and research on Lion’s mane shows strong supportive activity in these areas. Finances, job, family, education, safety, grief… all of these issues and more have piled layers of stress upon the vast majority of people across the globe. Lion’s Mane also supports our nervous system and intestinal health playing a dual role for brain support. The intestinal tract is referred to as our ‘second brain’ impacting mood, mental acuity and cognitive functioning both positively or negatively depending upon on the health of the gut. Lion’s Mane provides beneficial fiber and food for our probiotic microflora, feeding lactobacilli and bifidobacteria microorganisms, supporting our immune system in the gut. Sometimes Lion’s Mane mushroom is referred to as the “smart mushroom”, and you can now see why!

3. Turkey Tail – another mushroom with research related to immunity.

Turkey Tail mushroom has a strong engaging action for immune cells, potentially stronger than Reishi and Lion’s Mane. It appears to drive the immune response for a rapid and diverse response and helps return the immune system back to its’ base line when it doesn’t need to be on guard any longer. Turkey Tail has been repeatedly researched and appears to be both effective and safe for immune support when we need it the most. A great go-to mushroom for acute immune support.

Host Defense Mushroom products are available in single mushroom varieties including, Reishi, Lion’s Mane and Turkey Tail and in specific targeted blends with additional mushrooms and herbs to take advantage of the synergy these combinations garner.

Host Defense uses both the mycelium (the root-like structure of the mushroom) and organic brown rice to grow it on. The mycelium ferments the organic brown rice and converts it into immune supportive compounds. Peer reviewed and published research on Host Defense products show strong and complex immune responses when consumed, and therefore we are confident that they work safely and effectively. Along with creating mushroom products that are tested for efficacy and safety, Host Defense is also expanding sustainability practices. We are actively reducing our carbon emissions, using 100% Post-Consumer Recycled, BPA free plastics, supporting reforestation projects and participating in Gold Standard global, carbon offset programs. We strongly believe that supporting the health and wellness for the Earth and our sister species is intricately connected to supporting the health and wellness of our fellow humans.

Jerry Angelini, MS, LRC
Head of Education | Host Defense® Mushrooms™ | Fungi Perfecti, LLC
Host Defense Mushrooms
References:
Reishi:
Bhardwaj, N. K., Priya; K. Sharma, Anil. (2014). Suppression of Inflammatory and Allergic Responses by Pharmacologically Potent Fungus Ganoderma lucidum. Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery, 8(2), 14.
Liu, C., Dunkin, D., Lai, J., Song, Y., Ceballos, C., Benkov, K., & Li, X.-M. (2015). Anti-inflammatory Effects of Ganoderma lucidum Triterpenoid in Human Crohn’s Disease Associated with Downregulation of NF-κB Signaling. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, 21(8), 1918-1925. doi:10.1097/mib.0000000000000439
Lee, S. Y., & Rhee, H. M. (1990). Cardiovascular Effects of Mycelium Extract of Ganoderma lucidum : Inhibition of Sympathetic Outflow as a Mechanism of Its Hypotensive Action. CHEMICAL & PHARMACEUTICAL BULLETIN, 38(5), 1359-1364. doi:10.1248/cpb.38.1359
Wenbo Tang, Y. G., Guoliang Chen, He Gao, Xihu Dai, Jinxian Ye, Eli Chan, Min Huang, and Shufeng Zhou. (2005). A Randomized, Double-Blind and Placebo-Controlled Study of a Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharide Extract in Neurasthenia. Journal of Medicinal Food, 8(1), 53-58. doi:10.1089/jmf.2005.8.53
Bhardwaj, A., Sharma, P., Mishra, J., & Misra, K. (2019). Lingzhi or Reishi Medicinal Mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum (Agaricomycetes), Mycelium Aqueous Extract Modulates High-Altitude–Induced Stress. 21(5), 443-458. doi:10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2019030648
Mateo, D. C., Pazzi, F., Muñoz, F. J. D., Martínez, J. P. M., Olivares, P. R., Gusi, N., & Adsuar, J. C. (2015). Ganoderma lucidum improves physical fitness in women with fibromyalgia. Nutrición hospitalaria, 32(5), 2126-2135.
Li, K., Zhuo, C., Teng, C., Yu, S., Wang, X., Hu, Y., . . . Qu, J. (2016). Effects of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides on chronic pancreatitis and intestinal microbiota in mice. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 93, 904-912. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.09.029
Jin, M., Zhu, Y., Shao, D., Zhao, K., Xu, C., Li, Q., . . . Shi, J. (2017). Effects of polysaccharide from mycelia of Ganoderma lucidum on intestinal barrier functions of rats. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 94, 1-9. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.09.099
Wu, Q., Zhang, H., Wang, P. G., & Chen, M. (2017). Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Ganoderma lucidum mycelium-fermented liquid on gut microbiota and its impact on cardiovascular risk factors in human. Rsc Advances, 7(71), 45093-45100.
Sargowo, D., Ovianti, N., Susilowati, E., Ubaidillah, N., Widya Nugraha, A., Vitriyaturrida, . . . Hayuning Putri, D. (2018). The role of polysaccharide peptide of Ganoderma lucidum as a potent antioxidant against atherosclerosis in high risk and stable angina patients. Indian Heart Journal, 70(5), 608-614. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ihj.2017.12.007
Lions Mane:
Mori, K., Inatomi, S., Ouchi, K., Azumi, Y., & Tuchida, T. (2009). Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytother Res, 23(3), 367-372. doi:10.1002/ptr.2634
Nagano, M., Shimizu, K., Kondo, R., Hayashi, C., Sato, D., Kitagawa, K., & Ohnuki, K. (2010). Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericium erinaceus intake. Biomed Res, 31(4), 231-237. doi:10.2220/biomedres.31.231
Vigna, L., Morelli, F., Agnelli, G. M., Napolitano, F., Ratto, D., Occhinegro, A., . . . Rossi, P. (2019). Hericium erinaceus Improves Mood and Sleep Disorders in Patients Affected by Overweight or Obesity: Could Circulating Pro-BDNF and BDNF Be Potential Biomarkers? Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2019, 7861297. doi:10.1155/2019/7861297
Xie, X. Q., Geng, Y., Guan, Q., Ren, Y., Guo, L., Lv, Q., . . . Xu, Z. H. (2021). Influence of Short-Term Consumption of Hericium erinaceus on Serum Biochemical Markers and the Changes of the Gut Microbiota: A Pilot Study. Nutrients, 13(3). doi:10.3390/nu13031008
Turkey Tail:
Torkelson, C. J., Sweet, E., Martzen, M. R., Sasagawa, M., Wenner, C. A., Gay, J., . . . Standish, L. J. (2012). Phase 1 clinical trial of Trametes versicolor in women with breast cancer. International Scholarly Research Notices, 2012.
Benson, K.F., Stamets, P., Davis, R. et al. The mycelium of the Trametes versicolor (Turkey tail) mushroom and its fermented substrate each show potent and complementary immune activating properties in vitro. BMC Complement Altern Med 19342 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-019-2681-7