Medicinal mushrooms have officially taken over the wellness space and that extends well beyond the magic kind, or even the ones you find on your plate. Health enthusiasts are putting mushrooms in everything from coffee to smoothies to medicine cabinets, and it’s looking like it’s just the start of the mushroom boom.

But not all mushrooms are created equal. Many of them have special (science-backed) properties that are seriously impressive. One of the most beneficial types of mushrooms is called functional mushroom, which are pretty different from the button mushrooms you might add to a pasta dish (although those are good for you too). 

“Functional mushrooms are mushrooms that have benefits that extend past nutritional benefits found in traditional mushrooms we are familiar with from cooking,” says Alana Kessler, a registered dietician. “Functional mushrooms can be taken via capsules, powders, liquids (teas), and sprays,” says Kessler. 

With so many different types of mushrooms out there, how do you know which ones are best for you? And which ones are worth buying in a tincture or supplement versus just cooking and eating them? Keep reading for a complete overview of all of the healthiest mushrooms you can use — from the kind you can eat to those that have health benefits if you take them in a more concentrated supplemental form. 

Medicinal mushrooms basics 

You’ll find medicinal mushrooms in many forms, but one of the most common ways to supplement is with a mushroom powder or extract (more on that later). While many mushrooms are taken in supplements, powders, or other forms, some medicinal mushrooms are also eaten in their whole form. “Mushrooms in general offer up great nutrition and are low in calories. They provide selenium, B vitamins, vitamin D, and potassium — necessary for energy and absorption of nutrients, as well as beta-glucans which are important for lowering inflammation and providing fiber, especially shiitake and maitake,” says Kessler. Read more: https://cnet.co/3DNzeBW