Strong helpers with a long tradition
For thousands of years, especially in traditional Chinese medicine, vital mushrooms have been successfully used to prevent and treat various diseases and symptoms. And for good reason, because the mushrooms are full to the brim with valuable biovital substances.
Due to their diverse uses and positive effects, it is no wonder that vital mushrooms (also called medicinal mushrooms) are becoming increasingly popular in Europe.
What positive properties do vital mushrooms have?
Since the 1990s, the health-relevant use of vital mushrooms has been called mycotherapy. The reason for the many positive properties is the interplay of rich micronutrients such as minerals, amino acids, vitamins and enzymes, as well as the active substances with health-relevant properties that depend on the respective mushroom. These are often specific polysaccharides with immunomodulating, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Another plus point of the vital mushrooms: the consumption of the mushrooms or mushroom extracts is almost free of side effects.
Vital mushrooms are valued above all for their anti-inflammatory, cytostatic and antioxidant properties. In essence, vital mushrooms help the immune system to heal itself. Especially in the reduction of free radicals and oxidative stress, in allergies and as an adjunct in cancer therapies, vital mushrooms are being used more and more successfully in Europe. The use of vital mushrooms over a longer period of time is also often recommended for chronic complaints and autoimmune diseases.
What are the most important vital mushrooms?
The list of vital mushrooms is long, with the following specimens in particular enjoying great popularity:
- Cordyceps sinensis (Chinese caterpillar fungus)
- Reishi (shiny patent fungus)
- Hericium erinaceus (hedgehog spiny beard)
- Agaricus blazei murrill (almond mushroom, sun mushroom)
- Auricularia (Judas ear, Chinese morel, Mu-Err)
- Coriolus versicolor (Butterfly spore)
- Polyporus umbellatus (oak hare)
- Maitake (rattling sponge, leaf spore)
- Pleurotus (oyster mushroom, side mushroom)
- Chaga (slanting iridescent mushroom)
Extract or powder?
Vital mushrooms are usually used as a powder in bulk, pressed into tablets or as a mushroom extract, usually in the form of capsules. The powder is made from dried mushrooms by crushing them and contains all the ingredients of the respective mushroom.
Extracts are obtained from the mushroom powder with the help of a solvent such as water or alcohol. They are about 20 times more concentrated than the powder and their effect on the immune system is correspondingly stronger.
However, extracts only contain the soluble components of the medicinal mushrooms. These include a wealth of active substances, especially the highly active polysaccharides. Nevertheless, this is not the entire mushroom as it is provided by nature. Extracts tend to be used very specifically for serious illnesses. Mushroom powder, on the other hand, is somewhat more difficult for the body to absorb, as the cell walls first have to be "cracked".
Do you have questions about the effect, application or dosage of vital mushrooms? We will be happy to advise you on which mushrooms have the desired effect for you and which dosage is recommended. Just get in touch with us.