Medicinal Mushrooms are loaded with various nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants, including protein, carbohydrates, fiber, riboflavin, vitamin D, and folates. Therefore, these edible fungi may protect against certain types of cancer, improve heart health, and help manage diabetes.

Not only are mushrooms readily available and easy to shop for, but they also taste great while offering a variety of health benefits. Besides rich nutrient content, mushrooms are a great source of non-nutrient compounds (polysaccharides, indoles, polyphenols, and carotenoids) that have shown antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects in cell and animal studies.

However, if the mushroom taste is unpalatable for you, you may want to take them in the form of supplements. For instance, Onyx + Rose offers a 3-in-1 formula of lion’s mane mushrooms in vegan and third-party tested capsules.

What is mushroom stacking?

Mushrooms have been used for centuries as a part of traditional medicine. The practice of producing mushroom-based supplements for their potential health benefits is called mushroom stacking. This combines multiple kinds of medicinal mushrooms (psychoactive and non-psychoactive) with adaptogens to increase the effects of medicinal mushrooms. Paul Stamets, an American mycologist, is the first to suggest stacking a microdose of lion’s mane and psilocybin mushrooms with vitamin B3 to enhance cognitive functions.

Commonly used medicinal mushrooms in supplements

Mushroom supplements are available on the market. Common mushroom-based supplements are:

• Turkey tail
• Lion’s mane
• Reishi
• Shiitake
• Maitake

Turkey tail (trametes versicolor)

Turkey tail, also known as Yun Zhi, has been used in Asia as a “magic herb.” In Japan, turkey tail has been given to cancer patients as a standard treatment. Mushrooms contain polysaccharides (beta-glucans), which are thought to strengthen the immune system by stimulating immune cells.

The effects of polysaccharide krestin (PSK), an active compound of turkey tail, have been studied in breast, lung, gastric, and colorectal cancer patients. Doctors have given PSK in addition to radiation or chemotherapy in Japan. It is generally considered safe, but few side effects are also reported in clinical trials. Read more: https://bit.ly/3IllAef