How Medicinal Mushrooms Can Help Us Through The Winter Months

You’ve likely heard about the benefits of medicinal mushrooms, but did you know that their health-boosting properties become even more important during the winter months?

Along with festive celebrations, delicious treats, and sparkling decorations, the "most wonderful time of the year" also brings colds, flu, weakened immune systems, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and vitamin D deficiency, to name just a few of the seasonal challenges. On top of that, the holiday season often leaves us stretched thin, with little time to prioritize our own well-being.

Fortunately, nature offers a holistic solution to our winter struggles: mushrooms. It's not just medicinal mushrooms that can provide a boost—everyday culinary mushrooms are essential for maintaining health during the colder months, and even psychedelic mushrooms can offer light in the darkness.

In this article, we'll explore the various types of mushrooms—from culinary to medicinal to psychedelic—that can help us navigate the winter season.

Culinary Mushrooms: The Health Winner You Can Eat For Dinner

Do not underestimate the mushrooms in your local supermarket or Saturday farmer’s market. A recent study found that people who eat 18g of mushrooms a day, have a 45% lower chance of developing certain cancers. Introducing any amount of mushrooms to your diet can be beneficial (you don’t have to have them everyday — unless you really love ‘em!). From shiitake, to oyster, to button mushrooms or porcini, mushrooms are packed full of essential nutrients that can help you through the winter (as well as being delicious). These include:

Beta-glucans & other polysaccharides: Polysaccharides are a form of prebiotic fibre that feeds and fertilizes our gut microbes, which in turn strengthens our immune system. Beta-glucans are also vital for our immune system as they help to increase resistance to infection — essential when a pesky cold is going around!
Vitamins & Minerals: mushrooms are a direct source of potassium, zinc, selenium, and phosphorus. They can also be a source of vitamin D if they are wild-harvested or enriched with ultraviolet light during the growing process. Vitamin D is an essential vitamin, especially during the winter month, with up to half of all people in colder climates being deficient.
Protein and amino acids: mushrooms are a good source of highly digestible plant-based proteins for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. They contain all nine essential amino acids (building blocks of proteins) that our body cannot make itself. Getting enough protein in the winter is vital, as it forms antibodies to support immune function, regulates hormones, and supports muscle movement.

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Medicinal Mushrooms: The Ancient Medicines Making Waves Today

While the culinary mushrooms mentioned earlier can also be considered medicinal due to their many health benefits, the mushrooms we've highlighted in the medicinal section are typically consumed as extracts, teas, or supplements rather than in dishes like omelets. So, who are these wellness wonders?

Reishi Mushroom

Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) has been a staple in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for centuries, earning the title 'mushroom of immortality.' It's known for enhancing immune function, improving sleep quality (perfect for those dark winter mornings!), and is classified as an adaptogen. Adaptogens help the body cope with stress and maintain balance, which is crucial in managing seasonal depression.

Reishi's mood-boosting properties extend beyond stress support. It is believed to have relaxing effects and is an anti-inflammatory agent. Chronic inflammation is often linked to mood disorders, meaning Reishi could indirectly alleviate depressive symptoms.

Lion’s Mane

Lion’s mane is one of the darlings of the medicinal mushroom world right now. The shaggy, alien-looking fungus has gained attention for its cognitive and mood-enhancing properties. And as well all know, during those dark, cold months, a little lightness in your mood is essential.

Lion’s mane contains compounds that stimulate the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF). These both play an essential role in the growth, maintenance, and survival of brain neurons, which can improve brain function and mood.

You ever get that gloomy winter brain-fog feeling? Well lion’s mane has been studied at length due to its cognitive enhancing effects, with findings suggesting that it can support cognitive function, focus, and memory.

Cordyceps

One of the challenges of winter is how drained you can feel, no matter the time of day. Cordyceps, the intriguing parasitic fungus, has been revered for thousands of years for its energy-boosting properties. It helps support the body’s natural production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary source of cellular energy. Like reishi, cordyceps are also an adaptogen, and they enhance our ability to utilize oxygen at the cellular level. This makes them perfect for combating fatigue and encouraging physical activity—something that can feel especially unappealing during the colder months. Incorporating cordyceps can help put a spring in your step until spring actually arrives!

Mushrooms—medicinal, psychedelic, and culinary—provide a natural and holistic approach to making it through the winter. By harnessing the healing properties of mushrooms to boost resilience and well-being, we can overcome the winter blues. Viewing the season as a chance for self-care, reflection, and nourishment can help lead us to brighter days ahead.