The 5 Best Medicinal Mushrooms Validated By Science

In this article, we tell you which medicinal mushrooms are most beneficial for your health according to scientific research. More and more studies are showing that these super foods aren’t just delicious; they are also curative.

The mushrooms

Mushrooms are one of the few wild foods that are still eaten today and it is common in many cultures to collect them. Note that the picking period varies depending on the variety.

One of the most common therapeutic properties of mushrooms is that they help  strengthen the immune system thanks to their antibiotic and antiviral power.  So, these are great foods for preventing disease and keeping us healthy.

5 medicinal mushrooms

1. The Shiitake

The shiitake mushroom  (Lentinula edodes) stands out for its beneficial properties that help strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation. This means that this food can be particularly effective for people suffering from painful inflammatory diseases such as arthritis or fibromyalgia. In addition, it turns out to be a good remedy for people suffering from chronic illnesses.

This mushroom currently enjoys an important reputation, both at the culinary level and at the medicinal level. Its pronounced taste makes it special, it is also very frequently used in Asian cuisine. It is usually incorporated into dishes in sauces, soups, rice and pasta.

2. The button mushroom

The button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) is one of the most widespread medicinal mushrooms, it is also incorporated in many recipes: salads, soups, dishes in sauce, pizzas, pasta, etc.

This mushroom has many medicinal properties: 

• Strengthens the immune system and fights viruses and bacteria thanks to its content of polysaccharides among other elements
• Prevents the appearance of certain tumors: the enzymes present in this fungus fight cancer cells
• Alleviates allergy-related symptoms
• Relieves inflammation.
• Helps reduce blood sugar levels and fights insulin resistance, diabetes, etc.
• Improves the functioning of the liver, and thus the digestion of fats and the elimination of toxins from our body

3. The reishi

This is one of the most famous medicinal mushrooms for these healing properties: here is the reishi (Ganoderma lucidum). However, it should be noted that this mushroom is not edible as it is. On the other hand, you can  drink its extract as a natural treatment. 

Reishi has the following properties:

• Increases blood flow
• Strengthens the immune system
• Reduces high blood pressure
• Reduces blood sugar levels
• Improves liver function
• Reduces inflammation
• Promotes the creation of blood cells
• Has a highly antioxidant power that increases longevity
• Prevents osteoporosis
• Improves memory

4. The maitake

This mushroom, native to Japan, has been consumed since ancient times and has been used as a remedy in oriental medicine for centuries. The maitake ( Grifola frondosa ), which is characterized by its fan shape, can grow very very large.

Like shiitake and reishi, maitake  also strengthens the immune system and increases longevity.  In addition, it has the power to increase the energy and vitality of people who consume it regularly. Finally, its curative power helps improve the functioning of the respiratory and circulatory system.

Be careful never to eat the raw maitake. It can be  cooked and incorporated into dishes in sauces or it can be ingested as a powder or extract,  as a supplement to improve health.  If you are on medication, we do not recommend that you consume it. 

5. Oyster mushroom

The oyster mushroom ( Pleurotus ostreatus) has the particularity of having a high level of lovastatin. This nutrient makes this mushroom the ideal food for controlling  cholesterol and trigliceride levels  in the blood in a natural way.

This mushroom has a strong antioxidant power which will protect you from damage caused by free radicals and prevent cell aging. It is even believed that it can help prevent certain types of cancer.