You may have noticed that mushrooms are having a moment. But we’re not talking about flat cap and button mushrooms you find in your local supermarket. Functional mushrooms such as Reishi, Lion's Mane, Chaga, Cordyceps and Turkey Tail contain beneficial compounds that can help to boost immunity, energy, mood and the body’s stress response. And they’re becoming increasingly popular as more Australians seek natural, research-based approaches to health and wellness.
As Australia's most experienced growers and producers, we're here to guide you through the extraordinary world of functional mushrooms.
What are functional mushrooms?
Unlike the common mushrooms you use in cooking, functional mushrooms are specific species that contain bioactive compounds that assist with the body’s own natural function. These mushrooms go beyond basic nutrition to offer unique health benefits, with different mushrooms providing different types of wellness support.
The use of these mushrooms isn’t anything new. Functional mushrooms have been used across the world for thousands of years by traditional healers for everything from gut health and immunity, to focus and energy. These early proponents recognised that each type of mushroom offered specific benefits.
The key benefits of functional mushrooms
Modern research continues to validate what these traditional healers have long understood about the benefits of functional mushrooms. And the more science uncovers about these mushrooms, the more we understand about their remarkable benefits for overall wellness along with treatment for specific conditions.
The key feature of fungi is the high content of bioactive compounds that help modulate our immune function and work to keep our body resilient to stressors. These compounds include beta glucans, triterpenes, phenolic compounds and sterols which have been shown to exhibit anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-diabetic and immune modulatory effects. Further, they can aid with gut health, which is often a precursor to overall health.
The most popular functional mushrooms
While the popularity of certain mushrooms has changed over the years, these are some of the most well-known:
Lion's Mane
Known as the ‘smart mushroom’, Lion’s Mane has gained popularity for its ability to support focus, cognitive functional and mental clarity. Many of our customers report improved focus and concentration when taking Lion's Mane regularly.
Read more about the benefits of Lion’s Mane
Reishi
Reishi is often called the ‘mushroom of immortality’ because of its traditional use to support overall wellness. This mushroom is often used to promote relaxation, with modern studies showing it may help support healthy sleep patterns and assist in managing stress.
Cordyceps
Cordyceps is particularly popular among athletes and active individuals to support energy and stamina. Research suggests it may help maintain healthy energy levels and aid physical performance.
Turkey Tail
Turkey Tail is often taken by people wanting to improve their overall wellbeing by supporting their gut health and immune system. One of the most researched functional mushrooms, Turkey Tail contains two powerful polysaccharides that have been studied for their properties related to immune modulation, gut health, anti-inflammation and oncology treatments.
Take a closer look at Turkey Tail benefits
What to know before buying a mushroom supplement?
When you’re taking a mushroom supplement to support your wellbeing, it’s important to understand how mushrooms themselves are grown.
Fungi are made up of different parts:
- there’s the fruit, which is what you likely imagine when you think of a mushroom. This is where the beneficial compounds are found;
- there’s the mycelium, which is the underground root system that supports the mushroom itself; and
- there’s the spores, tiny seed-like cells that help to spread new mushroom growth far and wide.
While wild mushrooms largely grow on their own without interference, commercial mushroom growing involves a lot of steps. This includes the use of a substrate to grow the mushrooms on. Usually grain, rice or soy bean, this substrate allows the mycelium to form its threads and supports the fruit body as it develops.
However, despite the beneficial compounds being found in the fruit body, a lot of supplements on the market are made from the mycelium itself. This product is sold as a mushroom supplement, even though it doesn’t contain any actual mushroom fruit. They may claim that the mycelium still contains these beneficial compounds. But our own testing shows that very little benefits for a mycelium-based supplement product. Because mycelium is impossible to separate from the substrate, supplements made with mycelium contain high levels of starch.
Supplements made from only the fruit body are guaranteed to contain high levels of the beneficial compounds. Because the fruit body takes longer to grow and has a higher water content, these supplements can be more expensive than their mycelium-based counterparts. But you’re getting more of the beneficial compounds per gram, which means the recommended dose is lower.
At Touchwood Mushrooms we only sell products that contain 100% fruit body because we want people to get all the benefits they can from functional mushrooms. And it’s also why we are so transparent about our products and the industry as a whole.
What to look for when buying functional mushroom
It’s so important to know what to look for when choosing a functional mushroom product. Here’s what to consider:
Ingredients: Look for a product that specifies it contains only 100% fruit body mushrooms. If this is unclear, or there’s a mention of mycelium, it’s likely you’re getting a product that doesn’t contain the highest levels of bioactive compounds
Extraction method: The dual-extraction method is the only way to break down the mushroom cell walls and extract the full breadth of compounds. If the extraction method notes freeze drying and powder extraction, these cell walls will not have been fully broken down.
Organic certification: No matter the country of origin, it’s important that mushrooms are grown only under organic conditions. This ensures the highest quality, without the use of potentially harmful chemicals.
Trusted source: Make sure that you always buy from a brand that emphasises transparency. You should be able to call or email the business to ask questions, and view information about the brand before you buy.
Which is better: single mushroom supplements or blends?
This is such a great question, although it’s not always easier to answer. There are benefits to both, so it’s really about understanding your own health goals.
We created our best-selling 7 Blend Mushroom Liquid to make it easy for people to get the benefits of a broad spectrum of mushrooms, without having to take individual doses each day. It contains an even blend of certified organic Turkey Tail, Shiitake, Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Chaga, Maitake and Reishi. It’s ideal for people who want general support for their health and wellbeing.
Single mushroom supplements are ideal for people with more specific goals around their health and wellbeing. Consider Lion’s Mane – if you were wanting to focus more during work, then you may want to opt for a Lion’s Mane liquid or powder at the start of the day.
If you’re not sure where to get started, we have created a Free Guide to Functional Mushrooms, which has information on the potential benefits.
How to get started with functional mushrooms
If you’re ready to get started, there are several ways to include functional mushrooms in your daily routine.
Mushroom powders and liquids can both be added to drinks and food like porridge, soups and smoothie bowls.
Powder supplements are also great for incorporating into baked goods like biscuits and slices. While liquids can be taken with water, or even just dropped under the tongue for a quick way to take your daily serve.
When you first start, we recommend choosing a blended supplement or one or two single mushroom products that align with your wellness goals. This makes it easier to build into your daily routine and also allows you to observe the changes in your body.
Consistency is important, so consider how you can add your mushroom supplement into an existing part of your daily routine, such as your morning drink.
We have recommended servings for all our products, but you may choose to start with a lower serving size as you get used to it.
Make note of the changes you feel over time. This could be from simple observation or using a daily diary or journal.
While functional mushrooms are generally well-tolerated, it’s important to chat with your doctor or other healthcare provider if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking certain medications or undergoing medical treatment.
Looking Ahead
As Australia's interest in natural wellness continues to grow, functional mushrooms are becoming an increasingly important part of many people's daily routines. At Touchwood Mushrooms, we're proud to be at the forefront of bringing these remarkable fungi to Australian homes, maintaining our commitment to quality, sustainability, and education.