Walking in the woods makes me think about mushrooms! My friend was very patient with me wanting to stop and take pictures of them: but I’m careful not to forage. I know my limitations and one of them is recognizing the poisonous stuff from the good stuff. But let’s spend a moment thinking about the health benefits of mushrooms. (As always, this is not intended to be medical advice nor is it intended to take the place of a 1:1 conversation with a knowledgeable clinician.)

Reishi (Ganoderma lingzhi, Ling Zhi)

I think about this one as a support for you immune system and longevity (by preventing or slowing the things that commonly result in death). The medical literature shows that reishi mushrooms are helpful for reducing inflammation and slowing viral growth while activating immune system function. Reish inhibits tumor growth, improves energy and relieves pain. It also supports liver function, regulates cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and improves brain function (cognition). In Chinese medicine, it is called the “mushroom of spiritual potency” for a reason! I buy dried reishi mushrooms and use them to make tea. There are lots of coffee substitutes these days that use reishi in them: another good way to consume them.

Shiitake (Lentinula edodes, Xiang Gu)

This is another mushroom that is a great support for your immune system: it prevents viral and bacterial infections and is an immune support for treating infections. Similar to reishi, it lowers cholesterol and blood sugar levels. It has also been shown to ease side effects of chemotherapy in cancer treatment and to support liver functions. I make it a point to eat shiitake mushrooms once a week at least. The stems are very woody (and I think unpleasant), so I just eat the caps and the stems that are close to the caps. You should always cook shiitake mushrooms thoroughly because undercooked or raw shiitakes have been associated with a painful skin condition called shiitake flagellate dermatitis.

Cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis (former Cordyceps sinensis), Dong Chong Xia Cao)

If you have every seen this mushroom in the store, you’ll understand why it is called “caterpilar fungus” or “winter worm, summer grass.” It is a ghost moth caterpillar that has been completely digested by the fungal mycelium of ophiocordyceps sinensis: it produces a club-shaped fruiting body that emerges from the head of the caterpillar. Assuming that you are still willing to consume such a thing, this one is a strong tonic in Chinese medicine: it warms you up, increases vigor (sexual, sports, activities, etc.), and boosts energy levels. In conventional medicine. It is also good for chronic kidney disease and chronic lung problems like wheezing and coughs. A similar species, Cordyceps militaris, grows wild in the US east of the Rocky Mountains and is similar in action to O. sinensis. As such it is easier to come by, and the package labeling is more trustworthy. O. sinensis is very precious and expensive, so it is likely to be mislabeled if you think you are finding a cheap deal in an Asian market. I would recommend consuming C. militaris as a tea. Note, if you are on a cyclosporin drug, do not use Cordyceps at all as there can be additional microdoses of cyclosporin in Cordyceps species.