Mushrooms have become an increasingly popular lifestyle supplement over the last few years, but with an increasing amount of products on the market, it’s important to know what makes mushroom supplements good.
Are they Organic?
The first thing to look for in your mushroom supplements is an Organic certification. Mushrooms are very porous, and absorb everything from their environment- both good and bad- meaning they can easily absorb pesticides, fungicides, heavy metals, and other toxins used in non-organic growing and can accumulate toxins.
Our mushroom supplements are all certified Organic by the Soil Association, this is a very strict regulatory body that ensures our products are up to a very high standard.
Where are they sourced?
A good mushroom supplement company will be transparent about their sourcing, it’s extremely important to know where your mushroom supplements are coming from, where they are grown and the standards of growing is vital.
At Mushrooms For Life we work with reputable growers in pristine regions of China, who we have long standing relationships with. We source our functional mushrooms from places where they are traditionally cultivated, grown, and used.
We work with organic farms who specialise in the growth of functional mushrooms in their natural habitat. They are experts in the extraction process which means our extracts are pure and nutrient-dense.
The use of medicinal mushrooms was a cornerstone in Traditional Chinese Medicine and this practice dates back thousands of years. No country has more extensive knowledge than China in the growing and extraction of mushrooms.
China is also home to some of the vastest and most pristine forests in the world, which provide the ideal environment for mushrooms to grow. It is universally agreed, through ongoing DNA analysis, that China continue to grow the best quality mushrooms in the world.
Are they third-party tested?
We are transparent about where our medicinal mushrooms are grown and our organic certification, as we believe these standards are vital to a good mushroom supplement.
Our growers and their facilities are regularly tested, and all our mushroom products are sent for third-party testing for purity of mushroom source and to ensure there are no contaminants. This ensures we bring the highest quality and purest medicinal mushroom supplements to you.
Sustainable sourcing
Unfortunately, many mushrooms are highly rare and wild harvesting can cause damage or destruction, so it’s important to look for a sustainably harvested product if it is wild crafted.
Wild crafted cordyceps mushrooms are the most expensive herb in China due to intense harvesting pressure and it would not be possible to turn them into an affordable and sustainable supplement so cultivation is the better option with this fungi. Most cultivated mushrooms if grown on the right substrate offer the same health benefits as wild crafted ones and are far more sustainable.
With chaga, it is important that it is wild crafted and grown on birch as it gets many of its health benefits from the birch tree. We work with experienced growers, who are trained and highly experienced in how to harvest the chaga in order to avoid damaging the host tree and ensuring the chaga conk can re-grow.
Our mushroom supplements are formulated by mushroom experts. We use only the best quality sources and extraction methods to achieve superior nutrient levels and bio-availability.
Medicinal Mushroom supplement benefits backed up by science
Mushrooms have long since fascinated humans, with history in ancient folk tales and across many ancient cultures suggesting their healing, protective, and ritualistic uses across the ages. Functional mushrooms may enable you to live a healthier life in more ways than one.
Science and western medicine has started to catch up to the lore surrounding medicinal mushrooms in recent years. Here are just some of the researched benefits:
Immunity
Mushrooms have long been revered for their immune supporting benefits. Mushrooms including maitake mushrooms and shiitake mushroom are rich in polysaccharides including beta-glucans which enhance macrophage and natural killer cell function–two important cells for our defences–and stimulate the immune response to invading pathogens and infected cells.
Good Mood
Each medicinal mushroom has its own unique set of compounds, and many offer support for physical and emotional well-being. Lion’s mane is the most revered mushroom for brain health benefits. A study in 2010 found that lion’s mane mushroom offered benefits for depression, helping to alleviate some of the symptoms of mood disorders, which may be due to its ability to reduce inflammation, particularly in the brain.
Reduce stress levels
Reishi mushroom is also known as one of the ‘adaptogens’, helping to bring the body and its systems back into balance, it appears to work on the HPA axis, supporting adrenal function, and improving resilience to stress over time. Early research suggests the polysaccharide and triterpenoid compounds in reishi mushroom extract are responsible for its stress lowering capacity.
Support exercise performance and recovery
Cordyceps mushrooms are highly regarded for their uplifting effects and ability to reduce fatigue as well as support the adrenal glands. Research has shown that cordyceps mushrooms are able to support exercise performance as well as overall wellness.
Top 5 Mushroom Supplements You Should Try
Lion’s Mane powder
A popular choice for cognitive support. If you are studying, have a busy workload or suffering from brain fog, then try adding a serving to your hot drinks and recipes. Lion’s mane mushroom powder is a powerful nootropic, rich in bioactive compounds to support brain health.
Mycomplex capsules
Mycomplex mushroom powder combines three of the most revered mushrooms for all-round support. Offering the benefits of reishi spores, cordyceps mushrooms, and maitake mushrooms all-in-one. This blend of mushrooms is packed with bioactive compounds, and comes in powder or capsule form for easy dosing and ease of use on-the-go.
Chaga Turmeric Latte
A powerful blend of antioxidant rich chaga mushroom extract and turmeric make this delicious golden milk a pantry essential. Perfect for cosy evenings, this dream team will help you get the glow from the inside out. Consume our chaga turmeric latte with warm milk, or add to recipes.
Cordyceps Adaptogen Coffee
Love coffee but not the side effects? Try our Cordyceps Adaptogen Coffee for a smooth synergy, with all the benefits of that cup of coffee without the jitters. A perfect blend of coffee and cordyceps mushrooms for busy days, pre-workout, or when you are in need of a lift.
Reishi powder
The most revered herb/fungi in TCM, known as the ‘mushroom of immortality’, and traditionally used for its longevity benefits. Reishi mushroom is a bitter fungi that makes a great addition to coffee or cocoa, with wide ranging adaptogenic effects for full body support.
Regularly adding mushroom supplements to your routine is a great way to reap their magical health benefits.
Mushrooms contain potentially hundreds of bioactive compounds with medicinal benefits, and more are still being discovered each year. The fungi kingdom is so large, and in reality we have only scratched the surface in discovering them and their potential benefits. The nutritional benefits of mushrooms cannot be understated and consuming a wide variety of functional mushrooms ensures you get a broader spectrum of beneficial compounds.