The Chelsea Nutritionist

Medicinal Mushrooms

a.k.a Mycotherapy

Mushrooms are fascinating powerhouses of nutrients and compounds and are one of my favourite tools in the clinic. A single type of mushroom can contain hundreds of beneficial bioactive substances and I have personal and professional experience of their effectiveness for helping address internal imbalances.

Coriolus Versicolor

Yellow Oyster

Mushroom

Oyster Mushroom

Lion’s Mane

Reishi

Hifas da Terra

My Favourite Mushrooms

Reishi

Works as a natural adaptogen to help reduce anxiety, chronic stress and insomnia. It is also a powerful anti-inflammatory and nicknamed the ‘Eternal Youth Mushroom’ – It should be compulsory for everyone over 30!

Lions Mane

Best known for its effect on cognitive health, but it is also remarkable for its strong antibacterial properties and support in rebuilding the good gut bacteria and repairing intestinal barrier integrity. It’s also recommended to those going through menopause as it has been shown to help reduce symptoms such as hot flushes, anxiety and sleep disturbance.

Shiitake

Has significant active compounds including lentinan which is licensed in Japan in the treatment of stomach cancer. The shiitake produces various anti-microbial compounds which have been shown to have hypotensor effects and reduce serum cholesterol.

Maitake

Stimulates the growth of Bifidobacteria beve and Lactobacillus brevis in the colon keeping the gut microbiome balance. It is mainly used in metabolic syndrome and used as a weight-loss protocol due to its efficiency in helping increase metabolic activity.

Cordyceps 

Well known for its revitalising properties which help increase cognitive function, improve mood/sleeping quality, reduce fatigue and enhance athletic performance mainly due to the adenine content. It also acts as an antioxidant and could improve fertility, sexual stamina and helps regulate the menstrual cycle.

Polyporus

This mushroom helps increase the lung capacity by draining the tissue and eliminating mucus. It is recommended for bronchitis, pneumonia and sinus support. It is a safe and natural diuretic and doesn’t affect the Na/K balance.

Backed up by Science

I know what you might be thinking. Taking mushrooms for medical reasons sounds like something that only a ‘hippy’ might do.

But in the last 30 years, thousands of scientific articles and multiple trials have been published in support of the broad clinical application of Medicinal Mushrooms. 

Mycotherapy is a term coined by biotechnology centre Hifas da Terra in 2006 to denote the research and development of mushrooms as nutritional supplements for the maintenance and improvement of both human and animal health.

There is plenty of evidence to show the effectiveness of Medecinal Mushrooms across many different areas of health.

Hifas da Terra Ambassador

Just as with supplements, it’s important to ensure that any mushrooms bought for medicinal purposes are of the best quality in order to truly reap the full benefits. I am a proud Ambassador for Hifas da Terra, a biotechnology centre focused on research and innovation with a high degree of specialization in the development of nutraceuticals from medicinal mushrooms.

Visit Hifas da terra website