As most of you know I’m a big believer in prevention being better than a cure when it comes to our health.. and this is where medicinal mushrooms step in!
Why does our body need additional support?
With our modern lifestyles we are now under increased pressure and stress, exposed to a chemicals on a daily basis through our environment, diet and the products we use, and often suffering from issues with our endocrine system, energy and overall health because of this. These are some of the reason’s why I incorporate medicinal mushrooms and tonic herbs into my daily routine to support my body and skin health.
Certain mushrooms have been used medicinally in Eastern Medicine for thousands of years to help support healing and bring the body back into a state of balance. They can help to support our body’s immune system, aid better digestion, act as prebiotics for our beneficial gut bacteria, and promote hormonal balance, helping to nourish us from in the inside-out. The results of these mushrooms are ‘bio accumulative’ which means the longer we take them, the better the effects, and there have been many studies in China, Japan and Russia (with the U.S close behind) to support these claims.
Some of the benefits:
Enhance and support our immune system and health.⠀⠀
Support gut health and our microbiome - Chaga and Turkey Tail are my favourites for this.⠀⠀
Support our adrenals and hormone balance - Jing and Reishi. ⠀
Support our neurological function - think better memory, the silicone valley biohackers love Lions Mane for this.
A few of my favourite mushrooms:
Chaga - this has a vanilla undertone, anti inflammatory especially for gut inflammation like Colitis and Leaky Gut (chronic inflammation). Traditionally used for all gut upsets, immune system support and to decrease bacterial, viral, parasitic and fungal infections. Also traditionally used to decrease proliferation of abnormal cells (Russian research), is one of highest anti oxidant foods and is high in melanin - skin protection.
Turkey Tail - Gut support - prebiotics to nourish good bacteria, immune system support, decreases inflammation, stress management, bone health.
Reishi - Liver - cleanser, supports detoxification, gentle liver toner; immune support - white blood cell support (great for fungal infections); calming properties of Triterpene - nervous system benefits, mood boosting, helps to lower anxiety, ease depression, encourages better sleep, increases focus, promotes healing.
Lions Mane - ‘Nootropic’ - shown to improve cognitive and brain function, promotes cerebral circulation; nervous system support and recovery, research suggests increase nerve cell growth and repair; decreases inflammation (brain); digestive tonic - decreases inflammation, increases immune function; can support a decrease in anxiety and depression due to inflammation. In Alzheimers patients - helps reduce amyloid plaque formation in brain - see articles
Tremella - ‘the beauty mushroom’; kidney support, lung support (for dryness, soothes and lubricates, not for anyone with a wet cough), heart, brain, stomach, prebiotic; clears heat and dryness; replenishes fluids and increases hydration; decrease inflammation; constipation; balance blood sugar levels; traditionally used in Chinese Medicine to decrease cholesterol.
Neuroprotective properties (alzheimers support, promotes synaptic growth of essential brain cells). Skin - anti inflammatory, anti allergenic, stimulates vascular endothelial cells; anti oxidant.
Cordyceps - ‘athletes tonic’ - increases blood oxygen levels and therefore oxygen available to cells and increased ATP production = increased energy and stamina.
Supports blood, kidneys, the ability to regenerate and physical endurance. This is also great for the elderly.
Jing Blend - a mix by Superfeast - Eucommia bark, cultivated cordyceps CS-4, goji berry, rehmannia root, cistanche stem, dendrobium stem extract powders - if you are always tired, suffer fatigue, issues with kidney and adrenal health, and hormonal balance. This blend helps promote energy and vitality.
How do I take them?
You can stir these guys into your morning coffee, tea, smoothie or mix them in to your dinner. Just be mindful is you're taking Reishi, it's pretty strong! The rest of the mushrooms are light and can taste a little earthy if you're using higher doses. I don't even notice them in my morning Chai.
Where to get your mushrooms?
I choose to use Superfeast as they are traditionally sourced, pesticide free, pure and high quality (no synthetic ingredients or chemicals just the natural mushroom tonic). Each mushroom offers support for specific issues when it comes to skin health depending on where your body needs added support at the time. This can mean you may cycle the types that you use depending on what is happening in your life. I love them, and am happy to advise you which ones may be best suited to your body (and skin's) needs!
Please feel free to email me if you'd like advice, or if you know what you need:
go straight to Superfeast and you can use my little discount code 'thepreventativecollective' for 10% discount.
Love Shannon x
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