NATURAL REMEDY
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holistic strategies to help you feel better
Super Mushrooms
A guide to six medicinal mushrooms for physical and mental health BY LISA TURNER
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Shiitakes
These savory ’shrooms have been used for thousands of years in Asian culture in both culinary and medicinal applications. And since they’re familiar, versatile, and delicious, shiitakes are a great way to start your mushroom journey. What they do. Lower cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, protect against atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries), and improve cardiovascular health. Shiitakes also reduce inflammation, improve immune response, inhibit bacterial and viral infections, and may protect against cancer. What to look for. You’ll find fresh shiitakes in most health food stores, or look for dried shiitakes in larger grocery stores or Asian markets. Shiitakes are also available in powdered form, or as supplements or tinctures.
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How to use them. Shiitakes have a mild,
meaty taste that’s perfect for mushroom recipes. To use fresh shiitakes, remove the woody stems, chop the caps, and add to sautéed greens, lentil soup, or roasted root vegetables. Soak dried shiitakes in warm water until softened, then drain and use as you would fresh shiitakes.
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Reishi
These thick, beefy mushrooms are characterized by their kidneyshaped cap and glossy reddish-orange color. Also known as Ganoderma lucidum, lingzhi, or the “mushroom of immortality,” they’ve been used in traditional Asian medicine and cuisine for more than 2,000 years to treat liver disease, high blood pressure, insomnia, and more.
What they do. Improve immune function, protect against viral infections, inhibit cancer cell growth and tumor progression, and protect against a variety of cancers, including breast, prostate, and colorectal. Reishi mushrooms may also ease anxiety and depression, reduce stress, improve sleep, and promote cognitive health. What to look for. Whole reishi mushrooms are hard to find, and their tough, woody texture make them difficult to cook with. Look for them in Asian markets, or buy them in powdered form or in capsules or tinctures. How to use them. Reishi mushrooms are bitter, so they’re best used with strong, pungent herbs and spices that mask their flavor. Simmer dried reishi mushroom slices with garlic, ginger, and onions, then strain for a healing broth or soup base. Or stir a spoonful of powdered reishi into a garlicky mushroom-tomato sauce.
Photo: adobestock.com
They’re cropping up everywhere— from coffee to chocolate—with claims about their mystical properties. But there’s nothing magic about medicinal mushrooms. They’re backed by dozens of studies that support their ability to improve immune function, reduce inflammation, protect against cancer, and more. While all medicinal mushrooms share similar compounds, each variety has its own subtle differences and unique benefits. New to ’shrooms? Here’s a starter guide to the six most popular— and best-researched—options.
• MARCH 2020
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1/27/20 5:21 PM
