^{Laura Chrobok  11.09.2025}

Valued for thousands of years and now rediscovered: medicinal mushrooms are among the most treasured natural substances in Asian, American, and European naturopathy when it comes to supporting the immune system, metabolism, and emotional balance.

What was long considered Far Eastern wisdom is increasingly being confirmed by modern research. In this article, you’ll learn which mushrooms are among the most important representatives and how they affect body and mind. But so you don’t lose sight of the forest for the trees—or rather, the mushrooms for the mushrooms—we’re limiting this to a (still quite impressive) selection.

Therapeutically Relevant Macromycetes – What Exactly Are They?

Medicinal mushrooms (also called healing mushrooms) are specific edible mushrooms with proven pharmacological effects. Their active ingredients—including beta-glucans, triterpenes, polysaccharides, sterols, and secondary plant compounds—affect the immune system, have anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties, and help regulate numerous bodily functions.

Medical Mushrooms – The Most Well-Known Representatives¹

• Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) – In Komi (a Finno-Ugric language in Russia), the word simply means “mushroom.” It is valued in Siberia and Northern Europe as birch medicine—particularly as tea to strengthen immune defenses and aid detoxification.

• Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris) – With its slender, orange fruiting bodies sprouting from a dark, tuber-like base, this mushroom immediately catches the eye. Its name derives from the Greek kordyle (“club”) and ceps (“head”), reflecting its shape. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it has long been prized as a tonic for energy and endurance. Modern research confirms it can enhance oxygen utilization, exert anti-inflammatory effects, and modulate the immune system.

• Hericium (Hericium erinaceus) – The “mushroom of the Yamabushi monks”—also known as “Lion’s Mane” due to its striking appearance—was considered by the ascetic Japanese monks as food for mental clarity. Today, it’s still appreciated for its effects on nerves and the brain.

• Maitake (Grifola frondosa) – It is so rare and valuable that, historically, mushroom gatherers were said to dance happily upon finding it—hence it was given the name“dancing mushroom” in Japan. It strengthens immune defenses and helps regulate blood sugar. It also has immunomodulatory effects.

• Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) – The “mushroom of immortality”—as known in Traditional Chinese Medicine—has been revered for over 2,000 years. “Ling Zhi” symbolizes longevity, spiritual power, and harmony between mind and body. A symbol of vitality—once reserved only for emperors.

• Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) – The name means “mushroom growing on the shii tree” in Japanese. It has been known for centuries in Japan and China not only as a delicacy but also as a medicinal mushroom promoting heart health, immune strength, and vitality.

• Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)– Named so for its fan-like shape and earthy-colored stripes, it was used as a medicinal mushroom against wound infections and also respiratory infections by Indigenous people in North America, long before gaining that status in Japan or Europe.

Mechanisms of Action² ³ ⁴

·       Chaga acts as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cell-protective, and antiproliferative agent. It inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis in human colon cancer cells—effects mainly attributed to specific polysaccharides, polyphenols, and triterpene-like compounds (both secondary plant metabolites).

·       Cordyceps is cytotoxic to cancer cells, anti-metastatic, and immunomodulating. These properties are primarily due to a combination of polysaccharides, nucleoside building blocks, and sterol-like substances. It also influences neurotransmitter regulation—particularly dopamine and serotonin—and has shown antidepressant effects in animal models.

·       Hericium has neuroregenerative, antioxidant, and possibly antitumor properties. It inhibits cell growth in colon cancer cell lines via apoptosis. Responsible compounds include specific fat-soluble aroma substances as well as antioxidant and immune-active polysaccharides. Additionally, Hericium promotes the formation of nerve growth factors (NGF) and has shown anxiolytic and mood-enhancing effects in clinical observations.

·       Maitake is immunomodulatory and antitumoral. These effects are mainly based on high-molecular polysaccharides, especially certain beta-glucans that deeply influence the body’s immune defenses.

·       Reishi has immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and anti-angiogenic properties. It inhibits tumor growth and blood vessel formation in prostate cancer cells. These effects are based on complex polysaccharides and a variety of oxygen-containing triterpene compounds. Traditionally considered a nervous system tonic, modern studies also show calming, anxiolytic, and sleep-promoting effects.

·       Shiitake has immune-boosting, antiviral, and antitumor properties. These are primarily due to specific beta-glucans, sulfur-containing metabolites, and other sugar-protein complexes that regulate the immune system.

·       Turkey Tail is immunostimulatory, antiviral, antitumoral (especially in gastrointestinal cancers), and regulates digestion. The key compounds are complex polysaccharide-protein complexes like PSK and PSP, which have proven immune-modulating and tumor-inhibiting effects.

Notes on Product Quality, Usage, and Safety⁵

Midical mushrooms are typically offered as extracts (highly concentrated) or powders (dried fruiting body). You should look for:

·       certified quality from controlled cultivation (e.g., organic certification)

·       standardized extracts with defined levels of polysaccharides or beta-glucans

·       potential interactions with medications, especially immunosuppressants

Generally, healing mushrooms are considered safe and well tolerated. However, allergic reactions (e.g., skin rashes), nausea, or diarrhea are possible—as with mushrooms in general. Inhaling spores may also cause respiratory issues. Therapeutic use should ideally be discussed individually with a qualified practitioner.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Medicinal Mushrooms

1. When is it beneficial to take them? 

Medicinal mushrooms are particularly suitable for supporting the body during times of increased stress, chronic fatigue, susceptibility to infections, concentration difficulties, or during recovery after illness. They are also commonly used as an adjunct in autoimmune or inflammatory conditions.

2. Can medicinal mushrooms help with mental exhaustion or burnout? 

Yes, especially Hericium and Cordyceps have shown nerve-strengthening and mood-enhancing effects in studies. They support the regeneration of the nervous system and can help stabilize mental resilience – for example in cases of exhaustion, anxiety, or inner restlessness.

3. Which is better – powder or extract? 

Extracts contain a higher concentration of active polysaccharides and are better suited for therapeutic use. Powder is less concentrated but closer to its natural state and well-suited for general strengthening.

4. Are medicinal mushrooms suitable for everyone? 

In general, medicinal mushrooms are well tolerated. However, pregnant or breastfeeding women and individuals with autoimmune diseases or those taking immunosuppressive medication should consult a healthcare practitioner trained in natural medicine beforehand.

5. How long should medicinal mushrooms be taken? 

They are usually taken over a period of 6 to 12 weeks. Depending on the area of application, longer use may be appropriate. What’s important is an individualized approach.

Conclusion: Medicinal Mushrooms are more than just a Trend!

Healing mushrooms form a fascinating bridge between traditional medicine and modern biochemistry. Their immune-modulating, nerve-strengthening, and antioxidant properties are now well documented—whether for boosting immunity, managing stress, or dealing with chronic fatigue. Choosing the right product and using it correctly is key.

You can find detailed information about the mechanisms of action and uses of each specific medicinal mushroom in individual blog posts — uploaded here on a regular basis. And please feel free to visit our online shop, where mushrooms are also featured in volumes of the Codex Humanus and the Medizinskandale series.

Sources:

·       ¹ ² ⁵Hobbs, C. (2021): “Christopher Hobbs’s Medicinal Mushrooms: The Essential Guide – Boost Immunity, Improve Memory, Fight Cancer, Stop Infection, and Expand Your Consciousness”, Storey Publishing.

·       ³Venturella, G. et al. (2021): “Medicinal Mushrooms: Bioactive Compounds, Use, and Clinical Trials”, Int J Mol Sci

·       ⁴Chang, S. et al. (2023): “Medicinal Mushrooms: Past, Present and Future”, Adv Biochem Eng Biotechnol