Mushrooms have been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes. The Greek physician Hippocrates used mushrooms for its anti-inflammatory properties. Over the last few decades modern science has been catching up with age old traditions.
Modern research is increasingly uncovering the bioactive compounds responsible for their health benefits. The most studied compounds include beta-glucans, polysaccharides, terpenoids, polyphenols, and other antioxidants that support immune, cognitive, metabolic, and healthy ageing pathways.
History of medicinal mushrooms
In ancient Egypt mushrooms were highly valued and therefore to be consumed by pharaohs only.
In classical Greece Hippocrates used medicinal mushrooms for their anti-inflammatory benefits and for wound care. Aristotle furthered observational studies on the benefits of mushrooms.
Imperial China observed the benefits of reishi mushrooms for the immune system and healthy ageng.
Throughout the Middle Ages mushrooms were used as folk remedies.
In 1928 Alexander Fleming discovered Penicillin from fungi Penicillium, introducing antibiotics.
Modern Research
1. Immune Health Support
The strongest scientific evidence for medicinal mushrooms relates to immune function. Mushroom cell walls contain beta-glucans, complex polysaccharides that interact with immune cells including macrophages, dendritic cells, and natural killer (NK) cells.
Clinical and experimental studies have demonstrated immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects, particularly from mushrooms such as Reishi, Turkey Tail, Shiitake, and Maitake.
About 70% of immune tissue is found in the gastrointestinal tract. Beta-Glucans from mushrooms interact with immune cells via attaching to their receptors and activating intracellular pathways which help to modulate the immune response. Importantly the immune response is modulated rather than just boosted which may play a role in an overactive immune system.
2. Cognitive Function and Brain Health
Among medicinal mushrooms, Lion’s Mane has received the most attention for cognitive health.
Lions’s mane supporting sleep, visual attention and memory
Lion’s Mane contains unique compounds known as hericenones and erinacines that have been shown in laboratory and animal studies to stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF), a protein involved in the growth and maintenance of neurons. Latest research awaiting peer review indicates that adults felt better sleep quality, rested, and improvement in mood as well as visual attention and working memory.
Lion’s mane for ADHD
Emerging research suggests Lion’s Mane may support attention, focus, and working memory—cognitive functions that are often affected in ADHD. However, dedicated clinical trials in people with ADHD are still needed.
Lion’s mane for Depression and anxiety
Several small-scale human trials have found a reduction in depression and anxiety scores after eight weeks of supplementation in different populations such as healthy students, overweight adults and perimenopausal women.
How does Lion’s mane work?
Researchers believe these benefits may be partly due to Lion’s Mane’s ability to influence neurotrophic pathways involving Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), proteins that support neuronal growth, repair and communication.
Lion’s mane has shown anti-inflammatory effects, reducing chronic inflammation. Neuroinflammation is known to affect brain health.
Lion’s mane may also support mental health via the gut brain axis. This mushroom has shown to improve the gut microbiome.
Lion’s mane has shown to support sleep quality which is beneficial for mood and cognitive function.
3. Gut Health
Mushrooms act as Prebiotics
Research has found that the prebiotic benefits of mushrooms have the potential to improve the microbial gut balance through their polysaccharide content. This includes promoting beneficial bacteria such as Akkermansia, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
Mushrooms support Butyrate production
When gut bacteria ferment mushroom fibres, they produce short-chain fatty acids such as Butyrate. Butyrate helps to seal and heal the gut lining, preventing and healing leaky gut among other gut benefits.
4. Mushrooms for healthy ageing
Among medicinal mushrooms, Chaga is often regarded as the antioxidant champion due to its exceptionally high free-radical scavenging activity, while shiitake, and lion’s mane are among the richest dietary sources of ergothioneine, a unique antioxidant linked to cellular protection and healthy ageing. Together, these antioxidant compounds may help protect against oxidative stress, support immune function, promote cognitive health and contribute to long-term wellbeing.”
While scientists are still uncovering the full extent of their benefits, medicinal mushrooms offer a fascinating example of traditional wisdom being supported by modern research. Whether used to support immune resilience, cognitive wellbeing or healthy ageing, these remarkable fungi continue to demonstrate why they have been valued for thousands of years.
