There are hundreds of wild mushrooms and medicinal mushrooms that can be found growing in Canada. Each have their own unique health benefits, which will vary from species to species. An example is Reishi, a popular medicinal mushroom that can boost your immune system and give you more energy. Compared that with Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which can help improve memory, concentration and focus.
In this guide on medicinal mushrooms we aim to teach you about the different health benefits, and characteristics, and how you can add mushrooms to your daily routine!
Many medicinal mushrooms can be found growing in Canada. Mushrooms generally grow best in moist, cool conditions, so forests and fields are great places to hunt for mushrooms.
By now, you may have heard of the medicinal properties of mushrooms, an the health benefits. Everywhere you look mushrooms are popping up. You’ll find them in pop culture, and on the rack at your most awesome grocery stores.
But did you know many medicinal mushrooms are grown here in Canada? You’re in the right place if you’re interested in learning more. In this article, I’ll outline these 4 medicinal mushrooms grown in Canada.
Warning: It is never recommended to consume a wild-grown mushroom unless you are absolutely certain of its identity and edibility. Never attempt to identify a mushroom from photographs alone – and when in doubt, don’t eat it. People with pre-existing health conditions (such as kidney disease) should be mindful on consuming wild mushrooms – always consult your physician.
On The Hunt For medicinal mushrooms...
Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus)
Lion’s mane is a mushroom commonly grown on decaying trees throughout North America. These powerful mushrooms are edible and provide some impressive medicinal benefits. Their unique seafood-like flavour is a favourite among chefs. Not to mention the many health benefits of this potent superfood.
Lots of people are incorporating lion’s mane mushrooms into their dishes now. A taste that’s similar to lobster. You won’t find a plant-based lobster like this anywhere else – and they are delicious!
That being said, they are still relatively uncommon in grocery stores. You could grow your own, sure! But soon enough, they’ll be available in grocery stores all over Canada.
Lion’s Mane has been used as herbal medicine for centuries in East Asia, and for a good reason! The research on lion’s mane mushrooms has determined numerous health benefits to incorporating this mushroom into your diet.
Studies found that lion’s mane may improve cognitive function and protect against dementia, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and even help repair nerve damage. It also has potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-boosting abilities. And antioxidants have been shown to lower the risk of serious illnesses like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Reishi (Ganoderma lingzhi)
Reishi is one of the most well-known of all the medicinal mushrooms. Interestingly, even though reishi are most commonly grown in China – they can also be found growing in the wild all over Canada.
One of the easiest mushrooms to identify, with few poisonous lookalikes, Reishi is safe to consume. However, you don’t want to put these on your BBQ; these are not cooking mushrooms. Reishi has an almost wood-like texture and a bitter taste to accompany it.
Why would I take reishi mushrooms?
For the medicinal benefits! Namely, longevity, but many people report that reishi improves their sleep. All the while, they are sharing in the immune-boosting beta-glucans found in these superfood fungi.
There are many species of reishi mushrooms, and they can be found in various regions worldwide. However, the benefits between species are similar despite regional differences. The medicinal properties of reishi mushrooms are well known, and it’s considered a class of natural medicine referred to as adaptogens. In simple terms, reishi mushrooms help your body manage stress and can reduce stress’s harmful effects on the immune system.
In addition, reishi mushrooms are known to be anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral. When consumed regularly and consistently, reishi mushrooms have positively impacted the reduction of blood sugar and have also been shown to reduce blood pressure. In recent years, reishi mushrooms have been used to treat diabetes.
Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)
The oyster mushroom is a commonly known edible mushroom that can be found growing in Canada – or even grown at home!
They are called ‘oyster mushrooms’ due to their shape – you guessed it, they look similar to an oyster! This particular mushroom is loaded with nutritional and medicinal value. Oyster mushrooms are an excellent source of protein and are high in vitamins, minerals, and fibre… things often lacking in the typical North American diet.
The Medicinal Benefits of Oyster Mushrooms
Oyster mushroom consumption has been linked with a decreased risk of obesity, cancer, and heart disease and can improve the immune system’s overall function. A study conducted in 2015 found supporting evidence that linked the consumption of the dietary fibre found in oyster mushrooms with a reduction in triglyceride accumulation in the liver.
Ultimately, those who consumed higher amounts of this dietary fibre found in oyster mushrooms had lower cholesterol levels. A 2012 study also revealed that oyster mushroom extract could suppress breast and colon cancer growth and spread in human cells.
With just 28 calories per one-cup serving with 1g fat, 2g dietary fibre, and 3g protein, oyster mushrooms are a great addition to any healthy diet, and the light, delicate taste makes them easy to incorporate into various meals! They are high in riboflavin, potassium, vitamin B6, folic acid, magnesium, vitamin C and amino acids.
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)
Chaga mushrooms are non-toxic, edible, and grown naturally in Canada. Primarily they are found growing on living birch trees. Chaga is often found in the colder regions of the Northern Hemisphere, such as Russia, Eastern Europe, Korea, and of course, Canada.
These rare mushrooms are not easy to come by, they can take at least 5 years to mature. They are known to be powerful antioxidants, in fact, they have one of the highest contents of antioxidants than any other herb or fungi in the entire world…pretty impressive!
Canadian chaga mushrooms are considered to be superior to those found in other regions, due to the high concentrations of melanin. The high concentration of melanin equates to more antioxidant activity.
Like the other medicinal mushrooms mentioned above, Chaga mushrooms can be highly beneficial to one’s health, and it’s becoming a popular health supplement.
Our Final Take
Mushrooms have incredible health benefits that can improve physical well-being and longevity. Foraging your mushrooms can be challenging, but luckily, there are other ways to incorporate medicinal mushrooms into your diet.
These superfoods come in the form of powder, coffee and tinctures which can all be used to supplement your mushroom intake. Taking mushrooms in this format is an easy alternative to cooking and can be beneficial to your health in the long run.
However you decide to incorporate mushrooms into your life – we support that!
Take a minute to reflect on this information, perhaps even read it over one more time. Getting a grasp on the benefits of medicinal mushrooms is an important step to a well-balanced natural health program.
