When trying to determine the most beneficial super foods in the world, medicinal mushrooms, such as reishi, are definitely at the top of the list.

They have been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine to balance the immune system and heal the body from various ailments.  Teas, extracts and powders can all be utilized in order to obtain the beneficial healing properties found in these medicinal mushrooms.

Below is a complete list of the best medicinal mushrooms on the planet!

Reishi Mushroom – Ganoderma Lucidum

Often referred to as The Mushroom of Immortality in Traditional Chinese Medicine, reishi is a powerhouse of medicinal properties that help modulate the immune system.

In fact, this mushroom ranks #1 in Chinese tonic herbalism and is considered safe to take throughout the entirety of one’s lifetime.

Research shows that reishi mushroom extract stimulates natural killer (NK) cell activity and has protective properties against cancer.  Those taking a reishi mushroom extract also report to have a better quality of life than those not taking it (1).

Since reishi mushroom is also an adaptogen, it’s great for lowering stress and creating an overall sense of well being in the body.  Many report to have deeper and more restful sleep when taking a reishi mushroom extract daily.

Chaga Mushroom – The King of Medicinal Mushrooms

Right behind reishi in its ability to modulate the immune system and strengthen the body, chaga has been consumed by ancient Serbians for centuries.  They believed chaga helped them adapt to the cold weather of Russia and that it promoted longevity.

David Wolfe, a prominent leader in the super food and super herb community, believes that an entire immune system can be rebuilt in 6 months when using chaga daily.

One study found that continuous intake of chaga mushroom extract suppressed cancer progression and effetely maintained body temperature in mice (2).

Furthermore, chaga mushroom extract can protect DNA against oxidative damage in those suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) making it great for anyone suffering from digestive issues (3)

Maitake Mushroom

This mushroom was utilized extensively in countries such as Asia and played a prominent role in Asian cuisine.  In fact, the Okinawans of Japan used maitake mushroom extensively in all of their dishes. Interestingly, the Okinawans also have the highest amount of centenarians in the entire world!

A study published in the The Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy observed 21 patients taking a maitake mushroom extract with myelodysplastic syndrome (blood disorder).  After 12 weeks of receiving the maitake mushroom extract daily, patients saw a significant improvement in their condition and researchers concluded that the maitake mushroom effectively modulates the immune system (4).

Further research demonstrates that a specific maitake mushroom extract prevents the formation of breast tumors in mice by more than 60 percent. It also increases the survival rate from 10 percent to 75 percent and protects against lung and liver metastases (5).

For those looking for a high quality maitake mushroom product, we suggest using host defense maitake mushroom.

Cordyceps Mushroom

Cordyceps was made famous by the 1993 China Olympic women’s running team.  The team broke 3 world records that year in the outdoor track and field championships in Germany.  Their secret weapon; cordyceps mushroom.

This is because cordyceps has a positive effect on the lungs and allows for better oxygen uptake and makes it easier to breath.  It’s the perfect supplement for endurance athletes but can also benefit those with asthma and breathing difficulties.

Research suggests that cordyceps mushroom extract has a preventive and therapeutic potential with those suffering from scarring of connective tissue (fibrosis) in the lungs (6).

It has also been shown to improve symptoms in those with moderate-to-severe asthma and improves overall quality life (7).

We’ve found that host defense makes the absolute best cordyceps mushroom product on the market.

Turkey Tail Mushroom

If you’re looking to protect the body against cancer, turkey tail is your go to mushroom.  The properties found in this mushroom are extremely unique and has been proven to kill cancer cells.

A study published in Global Advances in Health and Medicine observed an 83 year old woman diagnosed with advanced breast cancer live a disease free life after using turkey tail mushroom.  Although she continued chemotherapy, she consumed a turkey tail mushroom extract at the same time (8).

Scientists believe that turkey tail mushroom educates the immune system and better equips it to fight cancer.  The immune modulating effects of turkey tail mushroom are impressive and extremely beneficial for the human body.

 Learn More about Medicinal Mushrooms

For those interested in learning more about fungi and how they literally interconnect everything found in nature, the book Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World by Paul Stamets is an excellent read.

Paul is the leading mycologist in the world and his knowledge of fungi is unsurpassed.  He also grows his own medicinal mushrooms under his company, Fungi Perfecti.  His products are sold under the company Host Defense and we highly recommend them for anyone looking to try medicinal mushrooms.