What are functional mushrooms?  

Functional mushrooms are packed with nutrients and offer a wide range of health benefits. For thousands of years, they’ve been used both as food and for medicinal purposes.

Various types of functional mushrooms exist, each with distinct health-promoting properties. In general, however, functional mushrooms are known to enhance energy, strengthen the immune system and support digestion. As for their skin-enhancing benefits, functional mushrooms have an abundance of antioxidant properties to help promote natural, healthy, glowing skin. 

Functional Mushroom Nutrients:  

Functional mushrooms are nutrient-dense powerhouses. Mushrooms contain complex carbohydrates, trehalose and mannitol natural sugars, fiber, and polysaccharides such as beta-glucans, glycogen, hemicelluloses, chitin, and pectic substances. 

Mushrooms are a rich source of antioxidants. They contain a range of antioxidants such as beta-carotene, choline, selenium, lutein, lycopene, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E, and polysaccharides. Functional mushrooms contain thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), folic acid (B9), and even cobalamin (B12). 

Mushrooms are packed with essential minerals such as magnesium, selenium, phosphorus, calcium, iron, copper, and potassium.

Research is ongoing into the varied applications of functional mushrooms. Including their anti-inflammatory effects and neurodegenerative conditions, among others.

Fungi-Derived Medications: 

Mushroom extracts have been instrumental in the creation of powerful and life-saving medications such as:

Penicillin: Penicillium fungi produced a compound that developed into this groundbreaking antibiotic. 

Cyclosporine: Cyclosporine is one of the first immunosuppressant drugs to prevent transplant rejection.  

Statins: Statins are cholesterol medications originally formulated with extracts from Aspergillus terreus. 

There are a number of studies that have shown exciting anti-inflammatory benefits of functional mushrooms. These studies have shown mushrooms to be potential treatments for musculoskeletal and inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and joint inflammation. As most anti-inflammatory medications are either NSAIDs or steroids, which carry risks of harm with extended use, it would be of great benefit to people who suffer from these conditions to have a safe alternative medication. As mycological research continues, increasing knowledge and understanding of functional mushrooms is expected to result in increasing support for their use as therapeutic agents.  

Functional Mushrooms in Their Various Forms: 

You can find functional mushrooms in various products such as powders, capsules and gummies (supplements), coffees, skincare, and various topicals.   

Mushrooms & What They Help to Support:

• Agarikon – Oldest and longest living mushroom with a lifespan between 70-100 years, lives on the side of trees or branches of trees, with a very slow growth rate, making them rare and valuable. They support a balanced immune system response, respiratory support, and have many antiviral and antibacterial properties.
• Blazei – These mushrooms thrive in warmer climates, partly sunlit locations, predominantly near forest canopies, and are especially popular in Japan. They are rich in amino acids and packed with nutrition to help support the immune system function, cardiovascular health, and have antioxidant properties.
• Cauliflower – Edible mushrooms resembling a head of cauliflower or a bunch of egg noodles and found at the base of trees in forests across the world. Helps to support the immune system with antimicrobial and antiviral properties, also helps to revitalize and nourish the skin.   
• Chaga – Grow mainly on the bark of birch trees in cold climates, such as Northern Europe, Siberia, Russia, Korea, Northern Canada and Alaska, producing a woody growth or conk looking similar to a clump of burnt charcoal with an orange softcore. Loaded with antioxidants to help support a healthy immune system, and support for normal range cholesterol and blood sugar levels, also promotes skin elasticity  
• Cordyceps – Found all over the world, the rarest kinds found at higher altitudes in the Himalayan regions of China, Nepal, Tibet and India. Helps to reduce inflammation, and help provide immune support, energy and athletic performance also helps rejuvenate and nourish skin.
• Lion’s Mane – Grows on the dead trunks of hardwood trees and are large, white, shaggy in nature resembling the mane of a lion and can be found in much of the Northern Hemisphere, growing throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Help support brain and gut health, concentration, memory, occasional stress, and a positive mood.
• Maitake – Grows wild in Japan, China, and North America under or at the base of oak, elm or maple trees. A source of various phytochemicals which are plant-based bioactive compounds with potential health benefits. This mushroom helps support a positive mood and cellular health & soothes and rejuvenates skin.
• Mesima – A fungus that feeds on the wood of trees such as mulberry, is orange in nature and is shaped like a large hoof, growing across much of the world. Supports the immune system function, has benefits to women’s health and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Oyster – One of the most common types of cultivated mushrooms in the world and look fan-shaped, usually white to light brown with firm, white flesh. They feed on dying or fallen beech or aspen trees in temperate and subtropical forests around the world. They contain powerful compounds and antioxidants that help support cellular health, cardiovascular health, and cognition.
• Poria – A wood-decay fungus with a subterranean growth habit, it grows under the ground and resembles a brown potato or coconut. Helps support cognition, occasional stress, and improved sleep and energy.
• Reishi – A fungus that grows in various hot and humid locations in Asia. Supports vitality, longevity, and immune system response & promotes collagen production and enhances skin’s overall resilience. 
• Shaggy Mane – A common fungus that grows on lawns, along gravel roads and waste areas as well as in the depths of the forests or woodlands in North America and Europe. They have tall and rounded caps and are covered with lacy scales that curve up from the sides. They help support a healthy immune system and have antiviral properties, as well as help to revitalize and nourish the skin. 
• Shiitake – Native to East Asia they’re tan to dark brown with caps that grow between 2-4 inches and grow naturally on decaying hardwood trees. Helps support a healthy immune system and heart as well as enhances skin’s elasticity and combats the signs of aging. 
• Snow – Grow in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. Holds massive amounts of moisture making it an excellent hydrating ingredient. Helps to reduce inflammation, support immunity, as well as deeply hydrate and lock in moisture. 
• Suehiro Take – Widely cultivated across many countries in the world, can grow on diverse substrates like wood, paper, textiles, and decomposing plant material as well as under various environmental conditions. This fan-shaped mushroom features gills that resemble soft tissue paper. A rich source of antioxidants, supports a healthy immune system, supports liver health, cardiovascular health, and has anti-inflammatory properties.
• True Tinder Polypore – Common species of fungus found across Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America. This mushroom species is known for its distinctive, hoof-shaped fruit bodies that can vary in color from silvery gray to almost black, though they often appear brown. They grow on the side of various trees. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.  
• Turkey Tail – Grows on dead branches and stumps of hardwood trees worldwide. Has a fan-like shape and colorful concentric bands. Supports a healthy immune system, and a healthy gut, which in turn supports overall wellness. Also helps to promote a more balanced, radiant, and healthier complexion.
• White Truffle – Found in Southern Europe, the Balkans and Thailand, the flesh is pale cream or brown with white marbling, growing on the roots of certain trees, particularly oak, hazel, poplar, and beech trees. They cannot be cultivated and only grow in the wild, making them incredibly rare and valuable. They have antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory benefits as well as nourishes the skin.

Trusted Mushroom-Focused Brands: 

Charlotte’s Web™ 

Charlotte’s Web™ is the industry leader in the production and distribution of innovative hemp-derived cannabidiol (“CBD”) wellness products, completing their line with mushroom gummies. Unlock the best of nature with these mushroom gummies, crafted to support one’s wellness journey like never before. These innovative gummies are formulated with organic fruiting body extracts at research-supported potencies, ensuring you get the most out of each dose. Our three distinct formulas cater to the patient’s top needs: Focus Support with Lion’s Mane for cognitive enhancement, Stress Support with Reishi & Ashwagandha for relaxation, and Energy Support with Cordyceps & Shiitake for sustained vitality. 

HERBvantage

The brand that harnesses the power of nature with organic herbs and mushrooms. Functional mushrooms are found in HERBvantage products such as the functional skincare line, and Stem & Steep Mushroom Coffee adaptogenic mushrooms including Chaga, Reishi, Cordyceps, Lion’s Mane, and Turkey Tail – have been used therapeutically for centuries for their supportive role in the body’s natural ability to help reduce the effects of stress on the body. Nootropic mushrooms, also found in HERBvantage products, work to enhance brain health and cognitive performance. The top nootropic mushrooms included in the formulas are Chaga, Reishi, Cordyceps, Lion’s Mane, and Maitake.

Host Defense® Mushrooms™

Host Defense® Mushrooms™ was founded by renowned mycologist Paul Stamets with the goal of building a bridge between people and fungi. They specialize in mushroom mycelium-based supplements to support natural immunity and whole-body wellness.  Based near the Olympic Rainforest in Washington state, they are one of the best-documented and longest-standing mushroom supplement companies in the USA.

At Host Defense®, all of the product development and formulation is based on scientifically validated data to ensure the quality and efficacy of the supplements. Their mushroom mycelium and fruit bodies are grown on their farm in Washington state and are certified organic, non-GMO, vegan, and gluten-free. And all of their supplements are verified for identity, purity, composition, and strength by independent labs that use internationally recognized, validated testing methods.

MYCO CLINIC™

MYCO CLINIC’s passion is developing groundbreaking natural and pharmaceutical formulations to alleviate suffering in the world. Today, they have over 20 years’ experience in creating some of the safest and most effective OTC products on the market. The MYCO CLINIC line is the product of that passion, created specifically for HCPs to help alleviate their patients’ suffering. With MYCO CLINIC, they combined their proprietary natural formulations with naturally derived active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and the extraordinary ‘natural-wonder’ properties of functional mushrooms. The result is a new holistic powerhouse formulation with game-changing potency that delivers disruptive pain relief for in-clinic and home use. Popular products such as the MYCO CLINIC Maximum Strength Pain Relief Ointment and Extra Strength Massage Oil delivers powerful pain relief to treat simple backaches, arthritis, strains, sprains, bruises as well as being ideal for use before and after a workout. 

MycoNutri

MycoNutri carefully selects the most active raw materials for their products to ensure the highest levels of efficacy. All of their products contain scientifically produced combinations of the most active components of each mushroom. They are committed to continually researching, developing and producing premium nutritional supplements that deliver the health benefits of medicinal mushrooms to a global audience. They use a combination of hot-water extracts, ethanolic extracts, mycelial biomass, mushroom fruiting bodies, mycelium and synergistic nutrients to deliver the full health benefits of each mushroom and the most effective combinations. The quality of all MycoNutri products is ensured by careful selection of the best raw materials together with individual inspection of all suppliers and rigorous independent laboratory testing of raw materials to ensure they meet the highest standards.

Plant People 

Plant People invests in regenerative organic, biodiverse farming practices. Resulting in chemical-free and absolutely pure plant extracts that are delivered at clinical-grade levels to ensure integrity and performance. They strive to embody sustainability. Like all natural cycles, we endeavor to give back for everything we take, regenerative and organic practices, a responsible (minimal plastic) supply chain and planting trees. 

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. This article and our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.