The Power of Mushroom Tonics and Powders

I’ve always been fascinated by the fact that foods have healing properties. Even more fascinating to me is how our ancestors, across time, culture and religion, would make various types of tonics or teas to remedy and combat disease. Isn’t it just so cool?!

Forgoing taste for health benefits has never been a problem for me. I’ve eaten some pretty weird shhhh in my day, some with awful taste – all so my body could reap the health benefits + healing properties of foods. I like to say that I’ll try anything once (well, almost anything).

Mushroom tonic? No problem.  

The sound of it is weird, sure. But it’s essentially just dried mushroom in powder form, added to warm almond or coconut milk, just like you would a turmeric or matcha latte. Think of it like a soup, in a starbucks cup.

The health benefits and healing properties of mushrooms seem endless once you start to research them. Protein, fibre, B vitamins + so much more.

And as new tonics continue to emerge, as with every fad diet, mushroom tonics have become ubiquitous in most health-centric cafes and restaus.

In an effort to share a more granular level of knowledge with my fellow health-nuts on all things mushrooms, tonics and adaptogens, I’ve enlisted the 15+ years of experience in naturopathy that wellness expert, Anna Martello carries from her journey.

Anna is a Naturopath (recognized and certified in Quebec), Colon Hydrotherapist, a member of ANPQ & CHCC, Chartered Herbalist, and a Chopra Certified Meditation Instructor. Together here, we discuss the common questions we’ve seen when it comes to our favourite fungi.

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What properties make mushrooms such unique superfoods?

Mycology and Fungi: These multicellular, plant-like organisms live by absorbing nutrients from their surroundings. Classified by body structure and type of reproduction, this group includes yeasts, molds, slime molds, and mushrooms.

History: The function of a mushroom, considered a microorganism – specifically a fungus, is to decompose matter (usually dying or dead). Meaning, as acidity begins to increase and overwhelm the body’s tissues/organs, mother nature calls on microorganisms to clean up the “job site”.

I like to consider them our janitors. Without them we would have a very polluted earth where humans would become extinct. Think about where mushrooms grow; broken or rotting wood/trees, and grass with a drop in pH (an increase in acidity). They are present in those areas so as to decompose and restore balance.

In the human body, fungus is produced so as to restore homeostasis.

In the human body, fungus is produced so as to clean up a dirty environment thereby doing their part to restore homeostasis. Mushrooms love moisture, which is why you’ll find them in forests with high moisture levels, sometimes at the base of trees. Moisture can bring about humidity and mold which is where mushrooms are needed to do their jobs. Now while this may not sound appetizing, they do offer important benefits.

Below are some of the unique properties mushrooms hold that make them such unique superfoods.

Herbal Constituents:
A constituent group of mushrooms is carbohydrates, specifically mucopolysaccharides, note – polysaccharides are needed for cellular energy. As well, immunomodulating polysaccharides, beta-1’s, and 3-glucans can be found in tonic mushrooms like Reishi, Maitake, Shiitake, as well as brewer’s yeast.

Mucopolysaccharides:
Mucopolysaccharides and polysaccharide-protein complexes make up the cell walls of various fungi. Their principal bioactive substances are believed the be the ß-D-glucans. The properties of various myco-ß-D-glucans depend on a range of chemical characteristics, such as molecular weight, branching patterns, solubility in water and tertiary structure.

Edible Fungi Rich in ß-glucans:

• Shiitake
• Button mushrooms
• Himematsutake
• Wood ear
• Enoki
• Maitake
• Tremella
• Huitlacoche
• Poria

Medicinal Fungi Rich in ß-glucans:

• Coriolus mushroom (Coriolus versicolor)
• Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)

Maybe most importantly, the mucopolysaccharides may have been found to possess anticarcinogenic, immune-modulating, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, hypoglycemic, anticaries effects, and lipid-lowering (cholesterol lowering) properties. [HD]

“The value of medicinal mushrooms has also been assessed in cancer patients. The results of randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trial indicate that reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) extract (equivalent to 90g/day of mushrooms) may have an adjunct role in the treatment of patients with advanced lung cancer. After 12 weeks of reishi treatment stable disease occurred in 35% of patients, compared to 22% in the control group. A palliative effect on cancer-related symptoms, and an increase in Karnofsky performance score occurred in a greater number of patients receiving reishi. In uncontrolled trials, reishi extract improved the immune function and stamina of debilitated patients and cancer patients undergoing chemo and radiotherapies. Oral lentinan from Lentinula edodes has improved immune function in cancer patients, although it is usually given by injection for this application.”

PSK (polysaccharide-Kurcha aka Polysaccharide-K) is an isolate rich in polysaccharides from the mushroom Coriolus versicolor, approved as an adjunct cancer treatment in Japan. It is usually administered orally at a dose of 3g daily in conjunction with chemotherapy, but also with radiotherapy. Significant improvements in 5-year survival rates in breast, colorectal and gastric cancer have been demonstrated in several controlled clinical trials, and in one meta-analysis that included 8009 patients from eight randomised controlled trials. However, differences are often relatively modest.” [MSBK]

PSK is believed to have the following properties:

• Anti-microbial,
• Anti-viral,
• Anti-tumour,
• Immune-enhancing + immune-boosting

Additionally, it is recently being used in China and Japan to improve the outcomes of patients with GI cancer, breast and lung cancer.

Bonus Q: Why extract the PSK when you can consume the entire mushroom?
Unless an herbalist has extracted it naturally through the process of infusion/tea, tincture, or dried the entire mushroom and created a powder/tablet/capsule, it shouldn’t be consumed through an isolation process conducted in a laboratory nor consumed as a mixture with  synthetic ingredients of any kind. Remember, the more you manipulate or process a food or herb, the further away from nature you find yourself. 

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– Q –

Do health benefits (vitamins and nutrients) differ among varieties of mushrooms?

Mushrooms, like other foods, have many species with some slight differences in each specie, however, they share more similarities than differences. Mushrooms, in general, support the cardiovascular system and immune system and while they have overlapping properties they do also have areas of focus. A Fuji apple compared to a Granny Smith apple may have some differences in vitamins and minerals, but ultimately an apple is an apple.

However, as a naturopath and herbalist, I am very much interested in the differences. Like when choosing herbs, I look to choose the right mushroom/herb for the condition specific to a client. Also contraindications and safety concerns vary and should be noted when choosing a specific mushroom for a specific client. That being said, someone who just likes the taste of a mushroom latte or tea may not care as much or wish to look into the details.

Highest Nutrition Content: Raw is always more nutritious than cooked mushrooms. Once heat is applied, the nutrients begin to be destroyed. The higher the temperature and the longer the heat is applied, the more damage the mushroom undergoes and the less nutrients are available from which to benefit. Throw them in the blender and you consume more than if you would eat them individually. I recommend using a variety of mushroom species in your salads, smoothies, lattes and teas. Why not? We use a variety of mixed greens and vegetables in our salads offering a multitude of vitamins and minerals, so go mushroom crazy!!

Reishi Mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum)
Reishi mushrooms are a remarkably beneficial fungus for the human body. It is a primary supporter of the immune system, as it is believed to enhance white blood cell production, stimulate macrophage (scavenger cells of the immune system), help protect against cancer and work against viruses. It is shown to modify the body’s allergic response.

Reishi mushrooms also provide cardiovascular protection by helping to lower excessively high blood pressure. They help lower cholesterol while increasing the ratio of HDL (good cholesterol) to the LDL (bad) cholesterol. They also inhibit platelet dysfunction (platelets are components of blood that promote clotting). ** And additionally, they protect the liver against damaging agents, and have been seen to have calming and strengthening effects on the nervous system, as they are mildly adaptogenic and antioxidant by protecting the body against free radicals. That’s an herbal ally right there!!! [GJ]

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– Q –

Why do you think mushroom tonics and lattes are so popular right now?

They’re a relatively new diet fad item on the health-market right now, and social media has made them fashionable. It sounds different and impressive to people who may be curious to try, and it’s essentially a novelty for restaurant and cafe menus.

What we often observe is, a study comes out about the health benefits of a food or its ingredient, and voila, we start seeing it everywhere. We read about it, begin to talk about it and then we consume it. Examples with antioxidants, the fat-free craze (which was not a good thing since we need good, healthy fats, and ultimately fat-free meant more food processing), vitamin C supplements, and more.

As a consumer, it’s important to be educated when new diet fads start to occur. More specifically, being able to discern superficial and synthetic ingredients which should really be avoided.

Antioxidants are great for us and needed in the body. Why take a supplement when you can consume the entire blueberry which has constituents in it that complement, trigger and work with the antioxidant portion?

Antioxidants are great for us and needed in the body. Why take a supplement when you can consume the entire blueberry which has constituents in it that complement, trigger and work with the antioxidant portion?

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– Q –

What is the ultimate benefit in taking a mushroom supplement/powder?

When choosing a supplement or powder it is always important to determine if it was picked from nature or if it has ingredients that are isolated or created synthetically, meaning created in a lab. Harvesting and collecting from nature is the only appropriate, healthy choice. Determine if the whole mushroom has been collected (preferably not sprayed with pesticides, insecticides, fungicides) and dehydrated (preferably with a dehydrator or sun dried) that does not destroy its nutrients and enzymes.

Isolated and concentrated ingredients may at times function in the body but they come with risks. These constituents are extracted through a process that manipulates the mushrooms and bottles them in various concentrations, which may trigger an illness or adverse reaction. The beneficial percentage of various constituents are determined by Mother Nature therefore, the likelihood of having an extreme reaction is less likely than choosing a concentrated man-made version.

The beneficial percentage of various constituents are determined by Mother Nature therefore, the likelihood of having an extreme reaction is less likely than choosing a concentrated man-made version.

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Are there risks/concerns to consider before going mushroom latte crazy?

Yes, some mushrooms can be hepatotoxic therefore an individual with a weak liver or dealing with a liver condition should be cautious, see their allopathic or naturopathic doctor and educate themselves.

Not every coffee/tea house uses the same products, and not everyone is educated on the specific grade or quality of ingredients. As a rule of thumb, the more natural, less processed, properly dehydrated (by retaining the mushrooms’ nutrient qualities/quantities), the better the powder or supplement.

In the naturopathic health and wellness world we believe that more steps taken away from a food’s natural state, the less efficient and nutritive it acts in the body. We don’t want a processed food/supplement/powder to damage the body rather than help it.

Sometimes with lattes, come sugar, dairy and synthetic sweeteners…. ingredients we strongly suggest avoiding where possible.

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What are some ways you can start integrating mushrooms into your diet if you don’t like the taste?

Blend, blend, blend! OR add mushrooms to a salad with maple syrup or dates which will sweeten the taste. Try adding fresh coconut or almond milk in the blender to make your own mushroom smoothie!

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What about the kiddos? Texture can be a problem!

Same as the above answer. You can add fresh orange or apple juice, dates, or maple syrup in the blender with fruits to mask the taste. Great if you add leafy green vegetables, too! Mint or basil mask other flavours very well!

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 Anna Martello n.d. is a certified naturopath (recognized and certified in Québec), colon hydrotherapist, chartered herbalist and a Chopra Certified Meditation Instructor. She earned her naturopath degree at Institut le Cenab. She also earned her meditation degree in California at Chopra University with world-renowned author and teacher Dr. Deepak Chopra. She obtained her chartered herbalist degree at the oldest and most famous Herbalist school in North America, Dominion Herbal College. She is presently pursuing her Clinical Herbalist degree at DHC.

Her goal is to empower others in health and wellbeing by teaching others about the body’s ability to heal itself. Her personal experience with Christian Limoges n.d. in 2007 gave her the confidence to take control of her family’s health.

“Allow your body to clean, alkalize and regenerate itself through the power of nature.”

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Nick Joly | Inspired by Nick
#begoodtoyourbody
inspiredbynick.com

 

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Disclaimer

The views expressed in this blog post are the personal views of co-authors, Anna Martello, n.d. and Nick Joly, founder & editor, Inspired by Nick. These views are for informational purposes only, and all content and information shared is done so in good faith. The intention of any and all content produced for this website, and for any related social media channel or platform operated by Nick Joly, is not to be interpreted as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Inspired by Nick is a personal blog, and should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.

 

Important notes:

**Anyone taking blood thinners, who are prone to strokes, are in danger of having a stroke, and/or prone to blood clots should inform themselves and/or see their doctor.

**Always discuss the use of any supplements with your cancer care team before.

 

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References/Bibliography

[BT] – “Bartram’s Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine.” by Thomas Bartram, 1998.

[GT] –   DHC Materia Medica by Teo Goyenko – 2007.

[HD] –  “Medical Herbalism, The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine” by David Hoffman, 2003.

[MSBK] – “Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy” by Kerry Bone and Simon Mills, Second edition, 2013.

[GL] – “Herbal Constituents, Foundations of PhytoChemistry” A Holistic Approach for Students and Practitioners of Botanical Medicine, by Lisa Ganora, 2009.

[GJ] – “The Herbal Medicine-Maker’s Handbook” A Home Manual, by James Green,  First Edition, 2000.

Mushrooms species and their benefits/uses:

http://www.hawkmeadowfarm.com/tinctures.html

Chaga Mushroom in Canada:

http://www.taotealeaf.com/blog/everything-you-should-know-about-wild-canadian-chaga-mushrooms/

 

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photos obtained under a creative commons license