Common Mushrooms That Offer Medicinal Value

While there are hundreds, if not thousands, of types of mushrooms or fungi, there are many common mushrooms that offer medicinal value for our body. Gaining a bit of knowledge about these mushrooms and how they can help us life a healthier lifestyle is important.

A great guide to common mushrooms in most areas is Common Mushrooms of The NorthWest

Below will cover some of the most common mushrooms and discuss how their medicinal properties can us live healthier lives.

White Button

The White Button is the most widely known edible mushroom; thus, making it the most common mushroom on the planet.  Yet, many lack a general understanding of the healing properties within White Button mushrooms.

White Buttons are one of the only sources of natural vitamin D that we can consume in the world. Vitamin D allows our body to absorb calcium better, which can reduce inflammation and help make bones stronger.

The White Button also contains carbohydrates called polysaccharides, which have led to positive results in fighting tumors and other types of cancer. It also has shown promise in helping those predisposed to Type 2 diabetes from getting the disease.

Morel or Morchella

The Morel mushroom is usually foraged from the forest and has a brown, spongy conical cap. Even though a common mushroom, the Morels are extremely beneficial to our health.

Morel mushrooms have the highest amount of Vitamin D concentrated per cap. In addition, their rich mineral content of copper, magnesium, copper, and zinc offer incredible cellular metabolism. These minerals offer enhanced blood flow, boosts our immune system, and can increase reproductive organ growth.

The Morel mushroom also provides a healthy source of B vitamins, which helps for increasing cellular metabolism and overall energy.

Portabella

The Portabella is another very common mushroom that has incredible nutritional value for our body. Not only can Portabellas be cooked several different ways for consumption, they can be used to fight off a myriad of illness, disease, and other dire conditions.

In extract form, Portabellas have shown promising results in fighting cancer and free radicals. The powerful antioxidants found in them are great to combat aging and cognitive diseases. Portabellas work great to prevent headaches and migraines, and have shown promise in regulating thyroid function in many people.

These are just some of the medicinal properties of Portabella mushrooms that can help with living a healthier lifestyle.

Cremini

Cremini is another widely enjoyed common mushroom and they are from the same fungi strain as the White Button. These mushrooms are a great source of nourishment and health in how they provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.

What’s amazing about the Cremini is the unique macronutrients in the form of amino acids that we receive from this mushroom. These acids formulate to provide both antioxidant and immune support throughout the body.

Another unique quality of the Cremini comes in the form of carbohydrates or polysaccharides. These inhibit certain enzymes in our system which help reinvigorate our body at the cellular level. These common mushrooms offer a natural source of macronutrient benefits that most can only find in over the counter supplements.

Shiitake

Shiitake mushrooms are also very common in most countries of the world. They also offer through their consumption vital nutrients and minerals of medicinal value. These serve up a healthy level of antioxidants that fight aging as well different forms of cancer cells.

Some of the benefits of Shiitake mushrooms are as follows:

• Immune system booster, which significantly treats HIV patients
• Its ability to lower cholesterol levels in the blood, which is super for diabetics
• Great of keeping skin healthy against melanoma and eczema
• Antioxidants protects against colds and flu and aging
• Treating breast and prostate cancer, herpes, high blood pressure

As you can see, Shiitake mushrooms are anything but common when it comes to its health benefits. Keeping them in rotation in your diet will only lead to a healthier lifestyle.

Lion’s Mane

The Lion’s Mane mushroom is one of the most unique looking of all the common mushrooms. It has a shaggy exterior, like that of a lion’s mane. Also like a lion being the king of its jungle, the Lion’s Mane is one of the most powerful medical mushrooms of them all.

Some studies have shown that the Lion’s Mane has the ability to stimulate growth of certain brain cells. This has massive implications for any type of degenerative brain diseases. This mushroom offers help to those inflicted with Alzheimer’s and other cognitive impairments.

In extract form, Lion’s Mane has immense anti-inflammatory effects that can aid in fighting depression and anxiety. It also helps to regulate blood pressure to better manage Diabetes symptoms.

Probably the most significant medicinal benefit of Lion’s Mane mushrooms is in its ability to fight cancer. Several studies have shown Lion’s Mane to quickly kill cancer cells and slow the spreading of it in mice.

Reishi

The Reishi mushroom is another medicinal fungus with a long list of beneficial traits common to Asia.  Traditionally, the Reishi has been used to fight most infections. Presently, however, it’s also being used to treat pulmonary diseases and cancer.

With the Reishi’s ability to boost our immune system, it plays a profound role in helping those troubled with fatigue, stress, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and asthma.

Conclusion

There are several common mushrooms with notable medicinal value. Whether one prefers them as an edible, tea, or supplement, these mushrooms can help people fight against a myriad of diseases and ailments. This will undoubtedly lead to a healthier lifestyle. For those living down South in the Florida area, here is one of the best guides for common mushrooms

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