Functional Mushrooms 101

by Foria .
Sep 12, 2023

What Are Functional Mushrooms?

Functional mushrooms (also known as medicinal mushrooms or adaptogenic mushrooms) are fungi with fantastic health benefits and therapeutic properties. Functional Mushrooms may seem like a new trend, but they have been used since ancient times in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine to help reduce anxiety and stress, promote relaxation, combat inflammation, improve cognition, and increase energy.

3 FUNCTIONAL MUSHROOMS WE LOVE

1. REISHI

This stress-busting adaptogenic functional mushroom (known as “the mushroom of immortality” in Traditional Chinese Medicine) is our go-to for great sleep.

Botanical Name: Ganoderma lucidum
Type: Adaptogen + Functional Mushroom
Primary Benefit: Stress & Sleep
Ancient Healing Tradition: Traditional Chinese Medicine
What It Does: Helps reduce anxiety and stress and promotes deep, restful sleep.
Find It In: Shuteye Chai, a nourishing spiced latte with certified organic reishi and chaga for restorative sleep.

2. CHAGA

This fortifying functional mushroom that contains over 200 phytonutrients is our go-to for a strong immunity.

Botanical Name: Inonotus obliquus
Type: Adaptogen + Functional Mushroom
Primary Benefit: Stress + Immunity
Ancient Healing Tradition: Multiple indigenous communities
What It Does: A powerful nervous system regulator, this healing adaptogenic medicinal mushroom has been used by indigenous communities for centuries to help the body adapt to stress and wind down after a long day. Chaga is also a natural biological response modifier and a source of over 200 phytonutrients that help boost the immune system.
Find It In: Shuteye Chai

3. LION’S MANE

This brain-boosting nootropic functional mushroom, which has been used by Buddhist monks since ancient times to enhance meditation, is our go-to for clear focus.

Botanical Name: Hericium erinaceus
Type: Adaptogen + Functional Mushroom
Primary Benefit: Brain
Ancient Healing Tradition: Traditional Chinese Medicine
What It Does: Able to cross the blood-brain barrier, the fruiting body and mycelium of this medicinal mushroom help improve neurogenesis, which plays a critical role in repairing brain cells damaged by aging.