Magical Mushrooms

There are so many wonderful medicinal mushrooms that have been used for thousands of years, especially in traditional Chinese medicine. We have selected three of them for you. There are quite a few reasons to include these mushrooms in your diet.

Reishi, with its shiny, reddish-brown cap. Shiitake, with its umami-rich flavor. And the third, a rare wild mushroom called Cordyceps.

Reishi

You would rather not have this mushroom raw on your plate, because it is tough and bitter. However, the bioactive substances in this mushroom are highly desirable. We will mention a few: polysaccharides that activate the immune system, triterpenes that may have anti-inflammatory and liver-protective properties, and peptides and sterols that support antioxidant activity.

Possible health effects
Research (mainly from Asia) suggests that reishi may contribute to:

Immune system modulation: may activate or balance the immune system

Anti-inflammatory effect

Antioxidant effect (helps protect cells from damage)

Potential beneficial effect on blood pressure and cholesterol

Shiitake

This is the tastiest of the three. Delicious in an omelet, risotto, or as the perfect vegetarian satay. But in addition to its culinary appeal, shiitake also has promising health benefits.

Shiitake is rich in B vitamins (B2, B3, B5, B6, folic acid), vitamin D, copper, selenium, manganese, zinc, fiber, and protein.

Possible health effects

Immune system support – thanks to beta-glucans and the substance lentinan

Cholesterol-lowering – some studies show that shiitake contains certain compounds (eritadenine) that can help lower cholesterol

Cordyceps

This amazing fungus is actually a parasite and grows on caterpillars without their consent. It grows wild in Tibet and China. It will come as no surprise that this wild variety is rare and expensive. For these reasons, it is mainly the cultivated version that is sold and used.

A fungus may not sound very appetizing, but cordyceps actually tastes quite good. Mild, slightly sweet—a bit like light mushrooms.

Possible health effects

Research (still partly in the early stages) suggests that cordyceps may contribute to:

Improved oxygen uptake → useful for athletic performance and endurance

Immune system support

Blood glucose regulation (potentially beneficial for diabetes)

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects

These 3 mushrooms are 3 of the 58 special ingredients in our Alka Greens – Multi+. A convenient way to get these mushrooms without eating mushroom omelets every day.

Magical Mushrooms

Reishi

Shiitake

Cordyceps

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