The Benefits of Functional Fungi
Mushrooms are a highly nutritious food and make a fantastic addition to any healthy diet.
Around 25 different mushroom species are typically eaten worldwide, but as many as 700 types are thought to have medicinal properties. Many of these are too bitter or tough to eat, but can be extracted and taken as supplements instead. These are widely classified as “medicinal mushrooms” or “functional fungi.”
I prefer the term “functional fungi” as not all of the species in question are technically mushrooms. Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of a larger fungal organism, and often only account for some of its medicinal properties.
Read on to learn more about the benefits of these fantastic fungi and how they can help us maintain health and wellbeing.
Functional Fungi Benefits
Many fungi are good sources of large carbohydrate molecules known as polysaccharides. The best-studied of these in relation to fungi are 1,3-1,6 beta-glucans, which are well-known for their effects on the immune system and other health benefits.
Most functional fungi contain these compounds, meaning they have somewhat similar properties. However, some species also contain other chemicals, giving them unique characteristics and additional effects.
There is plenty of research on the generalist effects of functional fungi, and some of their most commonly listed benefits include:
Immunonodulating
Anti-inflammatory
Antioxidant
Anticancer
Antimicrobial
Antidiabetic
Lipid-lowering
Some of the most frequently used functional fungi and their individual benefits are listed below.
Reishi
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is among the most esteemed fungi in traditional Chinese medicine. Sometimes known as the “mushroom of immortality,” it is often used as a supplement to promote longevity and wellbeing.
As well as being rich in polysaccharides, reishi contains aromatic triterpenoids and various other beneficial compounds. This means that it has a broad range of uses, with potential benefits for both physical and emotional health.
The best-known benefits of reishi include:
Immunomodulating
Antioxidant
Anticancer
Antimicrobial
Antidiabetic
Hepatoprotective
Gastroprotective
This mushroom also has sedative effects and is traditionally used in Chinese medicine to calm the mind and improve sleep. There is emerging scientific evidence to support this use.
Cordyceps
Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis) is another esteemed fungus in traditional Chinese medicine. It is often used as a tonic, with traditional uses including fatigue, weakness, low libido, and Lung and Kidney disorders.
Many of these uses are backed by modern science, and cordyceps has been shown to contain a unique chemical called cordycepin. According to various studies, cordyceps’ benefits may include:
Immunomodulating
Anti-inflammatory
Anticancer
Anti-ageing
Anti-fatigue
Antidiabetic
Hypolipidaemic
Cardioprotective
Spermatogenic
Due to overharvesting, wild cordyceps is now becoming scarce, and most supplements are made using the cultivated species Cordyceps militaris. However, the two contain similar active compounds and are widely considered interchangeable.
Lion’s Mane
Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) is another mushroom with a long history in East Asian medicine and cuisine. As well as polysaccharides, it contains two unique chemical families, erinacines and hericenones, the former being found primarily in the fruiting body and the latter primarily in the mycelium.
Pre-clinical studies suggest that these compounds stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) and have powerful anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Therefore, many lion’s mane benefits involve the nervous system, and it may be helpful in cases of:
Stroke recovery
Parkinson’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease
Depression
Peripheral neuropathy
These effects are most strongly associated with erinacines, and so a good quality lion’s mane supplement should include extracts from the mycelium in addition to the fruiting bodies.
Turkey Tail
Turkey tail mushrooms (Trametes versicolor) also feature prominently in East Asian medical traditions, and their use is still commonplace in China and Japan, where turkey tail extracts are routinely used alongside chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Most research into turkey tail mushrooms has focused on their anticancer properties, and they show promise as a supportive treatment in a wide range of cancers.
The most important active compounds in turkey tails are polysaccharopeptide (PSP) and polysaccharide krestin (PSK). These chemicals support immune function and may also help reduce the severity of certain cancer treatments’ side effects.
Shiitake
Shiitake (Lentinus edodes) is an edible mushroom that is popular in East Asian cuisine, but it has several medicinal benefits, too. It contains numerous active compounds, including lentinan, eritadenine, and AHCC.
Aside from tasting delicious, there are several potential benefits of shiitake mushrooms, including:
Immunomodulating
Antimicrobial
Antioxidant
Anti-inflammatory
Antidiabetic
Hepatoprotective
Cardioprotective
Shiitake mushrooms are generally considered safe, but lentinan can cause a serious allergic reaction, and these mushrooms should be cooked thoroughly before use to denature the lentinan and reduce the risk of side effects.
Maitake
Maitake (Grifola frondosa) is another edible mushroom with medicinal properties. It has been popular in Japan for many years, and now, global interest in its potential benefits has increased.
This mushroom contains high concentrations of polysaccharides and other beneficial compounds, including proteins, phenols, and sterols. One of its key components is known as maitake D-fraction, and this is thought to be responsible for many of maitake’s benefits, which include:
Immunomodulating
Antioxidant
Anti-inflammatory
Antidiabetic
Antihyperlipidaemic
Anticancer
Recent research has shown that maitake extract may also help to induce ovulation in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Chaga
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is native to Northern Europe and Russia, North America, and Japan. It is not technically a mushroom but a sclerotium, a woody fungal mass that grows on birch trees.
Many of chaga’s active compounds derive from the tree on which it grows, and this fungus has many traditional uses, particularly in Siberian folk medicine. Modern research has identified several compounds of interest, including betulin and betulinic acid. Early studies suggest that chaga’s benefits may include:
Anti-inflammatory
Antioxidant
Antibacterial
Antiviral
Anti-tumor
Antidiabetic
Hepatoprotective
Chaga has recently become extremely popular, resulting in overharvesting. This is a big problem, since chaga grows slowly and can take many years to replenish itself, making the expanding chaga market rather unsustainable. Therefore, responsible practitioners reserve this fungus for the treatment of serious conditions only.
Functional Fungi Risks and Side Effects
Functional fungi are generally considered safe, but there are a couple of potential issues to be aware of.
Firstly, many fungi affect blood clotting and blood sugar, meaning that those taking anticoagulant and antidiabetic medication should use them with caution and monitor their conditions diligently. Due to their effects on blood clotting, functional fungi supplements should be stopped two weeks before surgery to reduce the risk of excessive bleeding.
There are also some cautions that apply to specific fungi. For example, cordyceps can affect the production of the steroidal sex hormones and, therefore, should not be used by individuals with hormone-sensitive cancers.
Furthermore, long-term human studies have not been conducted on most species, and research on the use of mushrooms during pregnancy, lactation, and childhood is completely lacking.
As with all supplements, anyone considering using functional fungi should consult a well-trained healthcare professional first to ensure they are safe and suitable for them.
Functional Fungi Benefits: Summary
Functional fungi have many benefits and can help promote wellness and prevent disease when used as part of a healthy lifestyle. Many of these fungi have similar effects, but they also have unique benefits, meaning that sometimes, one is more suitable than another.
To learn more about the most suitable functional fungi for your needs, book a consultation today.
References
Powell M (2014) Medicinal Mushrooms: A Clinical Guide (second edition) - Caric Press Ltd, Merthyr Tydfil