For thousands of years, various types of fungi have been utilised for their medicinal properties, almost to the point of veneration – with mushrooms such as lion's mane and reishi, for example, having spiritual significance within Southeast Asian culture, as well as providing a multitude of health benefits on both a mental and physical level. Understanding how these types of fungi can benefit us in a preventative and curative manner can allow us to incorporate them into a healthy lifestyle, and support us in the most effective way possible.
Credits: Adam Sayner
The recent emergence of mushroom supplements has certainly captivated the wellness industry, with many different products to choose from, often in different forms with varying degrees of potency. As we face increasing demands as individuals and as a society, we are looking for different ways to manage unprecedented levels of pressure and stress.
The cognitive-enhancing and stress-reducing properties of certain mushrooms, which can help us perform and adapt better to changing dynamics in our environment, are becoming increasingly important as well as understanding how compounds within these fungi can support us when faced with diseases such as cancer or Alzheimer's. This knowledge can help us to focus more specifically when utilising fungi in our daily regime, as it may be that one type of mushroom will provide more benefit than another depending on our circumstance. Certain compounds require extraction using hot water, alcohol, or both, and this is important to note when assessing what kind of product will suit the individual best.
Turkey tail, for example, has been used for over 3,000 years in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to treat a variety of ailments including gastrointestinal disorders and pulmonary diseases – however since the 1970s doctors in Japan have been using an extract from Turkey Tail known as krestin (PSK) alongside other forms of cancer treatment. This compound has been studied for its effect on different types of cancer, as well as potentially bolstering the immune system of patients going through chemotherapy and immune treatments.
Turkey tail, Trametes versicolor. Credits: Oli Genn-Bash
Reishi is another type of fungi which has been used for a similar length of time in TCM and often touted as the 'mushroom of immortality' for its positive effects on life-energy and longevity. Specific compounds within the reishi mushroom known as triterpenoids have been shown to have medicinal benefits, with one of these triterpenoids known as ganoderic acid A, having positive effects in helping to slow down the ageing of the brain when administered over a long period of time. However, this fungi has also been explored as a treatment for certain cancers after a recent study in September 2024 found that ganoderic acid DM has been effective in suppressing a specific protein in breast cancer cells, and may be a potential treatment for breast cancer by slowing down the growth of cancer cells.
Reishi, Ganoderma sichuanense. Credits: Adam Sayner
The effect on our body's cells is an interesting area of exploration, and one mushroom in particular seems to have a positive role to play in how energy is delivered from our cells to our muscles.
With over 350 different species, the cordyceps fungus has a rich history of traditional use, dating back at least 300 years in Chinese and Tibetan medicine. Only one of these species, cordyceps sinensis, has been officially recorded in the Chinese pharmacopoeia, but it is one of the most potent medicinal mushrooms around, with traditional Himalayan folk healers suggesting it is a mushroom to cure all illnesses. Boasting many medicinal benefits such as treatment of lung and kidney function, antitumour activity, and potential treatment of diabetes, cordyceps has gained increasing popularity in recent years due to its positive effect on stamina and endurance.
Cordiceps, cordiceps sinensis. Credits: Enrique Lopez-Tapia
This popular adaptogenic mushroom has many functions, one of which involves the compound cordycepin – this is chemically similar to another compound called adenosine triphosphate which allows more oxygen to be delivered to our muscles. Cordycepin can stimulate our adenosine receptors, as well as interfering with the metabolism of naturally occurring adenosine, and improving the efficiency of how our muscles use oxygen.
This can have a big impact on physical endurance, with a well-known example taking place in 1993 with the Chinese female Olympics running team being accused of using performance-enhancing steroids after breaking 1500m, 3000m, and 10000m races – after tests revealed that no steroids had been used, the coach claimed that he had requested the team to take cordyceps after each training session.
The enhancing effect of these mushrooms on our bodily systems can be surprising, and there is another type of fungi which has gained a lot of popularity due to its neuro-protective and cognitive-enhancing effect.
Lion's mane, Hericium erinaceus. Credits: Oli Genn-Bash
Lion's Mane has been revered by the Yamabushi monks of Japan for providing focus during meditation, and it's positive effects on the brain have been known about for hundreds of years. In more recent times it has been spoken about more as a 'smart' drug to help with cognitive function, and there are specific compounds known as erinacines which seem to be providing this benefit. This group of compounds has been shown to stimulate what's known as 'nerve-growth factor' and may be a potential treatment for neuro-degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's, with one study from 2020 showing that specifically using erinacine A had positive effects on cognitive function.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of fungi, but ones which are gaining a lot of popularity for their benefit in helping to maintain our immune system, support our brain, and allow us to respond more positively to stressful situations, allowing more control over our health. With more access to information and a greater willingness to explore this compounds in more detail, we can create more of a targeted approach to preventing and treating certain diseases.
With so many available products on the market, it's important to be able to make calm and informed decisions when we are choosing the right product to suit our needs. As the interest in the therapeutic application of fungi continues to grow, we can feel confident in knowing that we have the ability to understand the nature of their effects and how best to incorporate them into our daily routine.
Contributing Author
Oli Genn-Bash is Founder of The Fungi Consultant, with a mission to bridge the gap between fungal wisdom and modern understandings of wellness. For the past 15 years Oli has collaborated with many individuals in both the fungi and psychedelic world, fostering new connections and alternative routes to well-being.