Best mushroom supplements for natural healing

If you are looking for a natural way to boost your energy, improve your focus and more, then you may already be on the lookout for the best mushroom supplements. In recent years, the health and wellness world has witnessed a huge surge in the popularity of functional mushrooms, affectionately known as the 'shroom boom.' These remarkable fungi are no ordinary mushrooms; they are powerful natural healers. Functional mushrooms, also known as medicinal mushrooms, have emerged as a trend and are celebrated for their profound health benefits and the potential to improve our well-being holistically.

Functional mushrooms come in various forms, but one of the most prevalent and versatile is the mushroom powder. This fine, earthy substance encapsulates potent properties. From cordyceps mushroom supplements to reishi, turkey tail, lion’s mane, chaga, and more - each medicinal mushroom possesses unique properties, making them an excellent natural health remedy. However, it's important to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen to ensure it's appropriate for you or any medication you may be on.

The best mushroom supplements at a glance:

• Best mushroom for energy: DIRTEA Chaga Mushroom Powder - View on Amazon UK
• Best mushroom for focus:  Erbology Lion's Mane Mushroom Powder  - View on Amazon UK
• Best mushroom blend: Wellgard Vital Mushrooms Powder - View on Wellgard

At the heart of the fascination with functional mushrooms is their natural healing prowess. Unlike synthetic alternatives, mushroom powders are gifts from the Earth. These mushrooms are rich in beta-glucans, potent compounds sourced from fungal cell walls. They also nourish the microbiome, cultivating a flourishing environment for beneficial gut bacteria, promoting digestive health and cardiovascular well-being, and supporting our immunity.

So, let's dive deeper into the world of functional mushrooms. We are going to explore their potential to heal holistically and have recruited help from DIRTEA- a leading brand in its area - to help us with our product choices. To get the full picture, we spoke to Clarissa Berry, Nutritionist for DIRTEA, so be sure to read her guide below the roundup. So, without further ado, let's take a look at the best mushroom supplements that nourish and heal your body and soul.

Best mushroom supplements UK

Buyer's guide to functional mushrooms

Offering mushroom-infused powders, coffees and cacao super blends for cold and hot drinks, DIRTEA has a range of beautifully branded products to align with every health goal. We spoke to Clarissa Berry, Nutritionist for DIRTEA, on the healing powers of mushrooms, adaptogens and Ayurvedic herbs to naturally enhance your wellbeing. Whether you are looking for a natural powder to boost your energy, immunity, skin, focus, calm or sleep - there is a mushroom for you.

What functional mushrooms are available, and what ones should you take for different health benefits?

'The functional mushrooms that have been most studied include reishi, turkey tail, lion’s mane, chaga and cordyceps', Clarissa tells us. 'Each variety of medicinal mushrooms has unique properties, so choose the right one to suit your particular needs. I usually recommend taking one consistently for at least 1-2 months to experience the benefits, although you may feel some effects immediately.' Here are the different mushrooms for different benefits:

Immunity

'Of all the active components in medicinal mushrooms, beta-glucans are one of the most prominent. They come from the cell walls of fungi and convey incredible healing properties to the body. They can support the health of the immune system, stimulating or calming it where needed. They also feed the good bacteria in our microbiome, which supports gut and cardiovascular health as well as immunity. Reishi, turkey tail and chaga mushrooms supplements are especially rich in beta-glucans, which makes them powerful allies to boost the body’s defences. As one of the world’s most antioxidant rich foods (with more antioxidants in 1 teaspoon than 600 blueberries!), chaga is able to further promote healthy immunity while supporting full-body health and longevity.'

Sleep

'Functional mushrooms give the body tools to better withstand stress and more energy to deal with daily problems. Reishi stimulates the brain to produce calming neurotransmitters, and studies show that it can help soothe anxious feelings and promote healthy sleep. Reishi extract powder is an excellent way to wind down in the evening before bed.'

Energy and focus

'For energy levels and focus throughout the day, I recommend cordyceps and lion’s mane. Lion’s mane can improve memory, focus and cognition by supporting brain function. Taken in the morning before work or during a mid-afternoon slump, it’s a brilliant way to support brain power throughout the day. Cordyceps helps more on a physical level, providing a smooth and sustained, caffeine-free energy boost by improving the body’s ability to use oxygen and supporting cellular energy systems. Many use it pre-workout to enhance their energy, endurance and recovery.'

Gut health

'Functional mushrooms are rich in specific fibre molecules that selectively nourish beneficial microorganisms living in the gut, increasing populations of good bacteria and contributing to improved gut health. Turkey tail, along with reishi and chaga, are especially good for gut health and also help support healthy immunity in the gut, which further supports digestive health. Lion’s mane is another mushroom that can promote healthy digestion, as it has been shown to help rebalance the gut microbiota while offering nervous system support.'

Skin

'While it may seem surprising that mushrooms can support skin health, both chaga and tremella have beautifying properties. Chaga’s abundance of antioxidants neutralises free-radicals, helping to reduce cell damage and slow skin ageing. It is also one of the richest food sources of the skin pigment melanin, which offers UV protection from the inside-out. Tremella, on the other hand, has unique compounds that can stimulate the production of hyaluronic acid in the skin, supporting proper skin hydration levels and a glowing complexion.'

Best mushroom supplements FAQs

How do mushroom supplements work?

When we spoke to Clarissa, she said that functional mushrooms contain specific, unique compounds that support health in various ways. 'For example, by boosting immunity, nourishing healthy gut microbes, improving focus or enhancing skin hydration. Some people experience immediate benefits, but their effects are also cumulative so it is best to take a mushroom supplement consistently over a period of several weeks in order to experience results.'

What is the right serving size?

For the mushroom powders, it is recommended by DIRTEA to use 2g per serving, approximately half a teaspoon.

Best time to take mushroom supplements?

'The best time to take mushroom supplements depends on the effect that you are hoping to experience', says Clarissa. 'Energising mushrooms, such as cordyceps and chaga, are best taken in the morning or before a workout. Reishi is wonderful in the evening to wind down after a long day.'

'Lion’s mane can be taken to boost focus whenever you’re in need of it, for example, first thing in the morning or after lunch to avoid the 3 pm slump. Turkey tail and tremella can help to boost immunity, gut health and skin health taken any time of day.'

How to incorporate mushroom supplements or powder into your diet?

'DIRTEA’s functional mushroom extract powders are entirely heat stable and so can be added to your diet in any number of ways. They taste delicious as a tea, mixed with hot water, and some people prefer to add milk or a little honey. If you don’t like the taste, you can simply blend the mushroom powder into your smoothie, yoghurt bowl, coffee or any other food or drink.'

What makes mushrooms different to other types of supplements?

Clarissa clarifies that most functional mushrooms that we use today (not the psychedelic kind) have been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine to boost immunity, balance hormones, improve sleep and more. 'Functional mushrooms are classed as ‘adaptogens’ such as ashwagandha, which means that they provide the body with tools to better cope with stress and help to bring the body into a state of harmony.'

'This also means that they are very safe to consume, as their role is to strengthen and support the body’s natural processes. Their action is very balanced: they provide a natural energy boost while soothing the nervous system to reduce anxiety and promote focus.'

Ellen Kinsey is a senior health and wellness product writer for Spirit & Destiny, specialising in natural health, beauty, and self-development. She lives and breathes all things spirituality, travel, holistic health and wellness.

Subscribe to the Spirit & Destiny Newsletter to keep up to date with our latest recommendations and wellness trends from the Spirit & Destiny team.