Mushrooms are well known as a tasty addition to many recipes. But they have also been used for centuries for medicinal purposes.
Some species of mushrooms contain cognitive or brain-boosting properties, from helping to protect against Alzheimer’s, to influencing the brain’s circadian rhythm, to helping fight anxiety and depression.
Here are the 3 main mushrooms with brain-boosting properties.
1. Cordyceps or Cordycep mushroom powder
The cordyceps mushroom is more difficult to locate, because it’s found on the larvae of caterpillars in Japan. It’s worth the hunt for this magic fungus, however, as it has many benefits beyond cognitive ones. To make it easier you can also purchase cordyceps mushroom powder.
Cordyceps was used in ancient Chinese medicine to treat many medical conditions, including low sex drive, fatigue, and kidney disease. In modern times, research and anecdotal evidence have indicated that cordyceps may be able to increase your VO2 max, resulting in a better workout.
Cordyceps can also help diabetics by mimicking insulin. It even has antioxidant and cancer-fighting properties.
Your best bet to ingest cordyceps is to purchase it as a supplement. Its rarity means it the best strain has a high price tag. But there is a more affordable, lab-created version that is used in most supplements.
2. Lion’s Mane
This mushroom is good to eat and has multiple medicinal benefits, including cognitive benefits. Lion’s Mane increase cognitive function in older adults with dementia or other cognitive diseases, and help those suffering from depression by reducing symptoms of irritability and anxiety. It’s also been shown to shrink the size of colon tumors and fight off leukemia cells.
Lion’s Mane may also act as a digestive aid, help prevent heart disease, and serve as an anti-inflammatory. While the benefits of Lion’s Mane mushrooms haven’t been widely researched, preliminary studies are promising.
To eat Lion’s Mane mushrooms, cook them over low heat for an extended period of time. Lion’s Mane has high water content, so a long cooking time on low heat helps boil off some of that excess water. It also eliminates the chewy texture, creating a much better tasting, and crunchier mushroom. Also available are Lion’s Mane supplements which allows an easy addition to your diet which will help you reap their full benefits.
>>Check prices on Amazon for other forms of Lion’s Mane Mushrooms:
3. Reishi
Reishi is another mushroom that features a long list of benefits. Its brain-boosting power comes from the fact this “miracle mushroom” can help protect the brain against cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
There’s more.
For diabetics, it can help stabilize blood sugar. Those with high blood pressure can benefit as Reishi can help lower it. Reishi has also been shown to shrink tumors, help regulate the body’s natural sleep cycle, and even regenerate liver cells.
Reishi is not eaten like a traditional mushroom, because it can be extremely bitter, even when sautéed in a little oil or butter. The tips of the cap are more tolerable if you’ do prefer to eat reishi.
Typically, however, reishi is taken in extract form or as a powder. As an extract, droplets of reishi can be placed under the tongue for a few seconds prior to swallowing. As a powder, reishi can be made into a drink or added to soup or a stir-fry. Reishi-based coffee substitutes are also available.
Wrap Up
Reishi, Lion’s Mane, and Cordyceps are three medicinal mushrooms with brain-boosting benefits that you may consider adding to your daily routine. For those people not having access to fresh Cordyceps, there is available cordyceps mushroom powder. Beyond the cognitive benefits, you can also help protect your heart, fight against cancer, and more.
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