At Karrinyup Wellness Centre, medicinal mushrooms are a regular part of our naturopathic toolkit. Cordyceps, lion’s mane and reishi are three we commonly consider as part of individualised treatment plans, depending on a person’s health history, goals and clinical presentation. In this article, we take a closer look at each one, exploring both their traditional use and the emerging research behind them.
Cordyceps
If you’ve watched The Last of Us, you’ve already met cordyceps — just not the version that we use in clinic. In the wild, this parasitic fungus consumes insects from the inside out, the inspiration for the show’s fungal-zombie premise. The good news: humans aren’t a natural host, so that particular apocalypse stays fictional. In real life, cordyceps has traditionally been used to support energy levels & general wellbeing.
Ophiocordyceps sinensis has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries in relation to energy, vitality and general health, but wild harvesting made it slow, expensive and eventually endangered. The solution is Cordyceps militaris — cultivated at scale on grain substrates instead of insects, with a similar traditional use. Today it is widely used in herbal medicine to support vitality and healthy ageing.
Lion’s Mane
Lion’s mane has a long history of traditional use in supporting cognitive and digestive wellbeing. In Chinese and Japanese medicine, it has traditionally been used to nourish digestion and support overall digestive health. It’s also traditionally used where rest and vitality require additional support — Buddhist monks reportedly drank lion’s mane tea to sharpen focus during meditation.
Interest in lion’s mane has grown rapidly in recent years, with research exploring its potential role in supporting cognitive function & nervous system health. Researchers have also investigated its influence on nerve growth factor (NGF), making it a focus of ongoing scientific research.
Reishi
Known in TCM as lingzhi, or “spirit plant,” reishi has been treasured in traditional herbal medicine for centuries. Traditionally regarded as an adaptogenic mushroom, it continues to attract growing scientific interest for its naturally occurring bioactive compounds and long history of use in supporting general wellbeing. Taoist monks used it to cultivate calm and support longevity, and it was historically reserved for Chinese royalty.
Mushroom Stacking
“Stacking” (which refers to combining medicinal mushrooms with the aim of complementing their traditional uses) is having a moment in Western herbal medicine. A popular combination for focus & cognition pairs cordyceps, lion’s mane and reishi, offering energy, brain health and stress support together; a 2019 systematic review explored the potential role of this combination in supporting cognitive health, although further clinical research is needed.
How These Mushrooms May Be Used in Naturopathic Care
As naturopathic practitioners, the real value of these three mushrooms lies in how they complement each other across different presentations:
- Supporting recovery following illness – Cordyceps may be considered to support energy and general wellbeing during recovery, with reishi sometimes incorporated where additional support is appropriate based on the individual’s presentation.
- Supporting cognitive wellbeing & mental clarity – Lion’s mane is often considered where cognitive wellbeing & mental clarity are a focus, and may be paired with cordyceps where low energy is also a contributing factor.
- Supporting resilience during periods of everyday stress – Traditionally regarded as an adaptogenic mushroom, reishi may be considered for individuals experiencing periods of everyday stress or finding it difficult to unwind.
- Supporting digestive & cognitive wellbeing – Lion’s mane’s traditional use in supporting both digestive and cognitive wellbeing makes it a valuable consideration where these areas overlap.
- Healthy ageing & long-term wellbeing – Depending on the individual, cordyceps, lion’s mane and reishi may sometimes be combined as part of a personalised herbal medicine plan to support vitality, cognitive wellbeing and resilience.
As with all herbal medicines, recommendations are tailored to the individual following a comprehensive naturopathic consultation and may not be appropriate for everyone. If you’d like to explore whether naturopathy or medicinal mushrooms may have a place in your personalised health plan, speak with our team during your next visit or contact Karrinyup Wellness Centre to book a consultation with one of our experienced naturopaths.
