Three Mushrooms for Memory

 I’m always amazed at the diversity of natural products out there, designed by the Great Designer to help with all kinds of ailments. Even though I specialize in homeopathic products and therapeutics, I love to explore other options, especially when they can help with specific issues my ADD/ADHD patients have.

functions such as mood, memory and cognitive capacity.

Cordyceps Mushrooms for Cognitive Capacity

I’d like to focus on the Cordycept Mushroom's mental benefit first. The fungus dilates the airways in the lungs, resulting in more oxygen to the blood, therefore - it promotes oxygenation. This means better cell function, because more oxygen reaches every cell. The energy level is also increased. In fact, it is used as a stimulant when added energy is needed for day-to-day activities. Not only it increases energy but also endurance and stamina. It removes weakness and fatigue… Even in healthy people, when someone is overworked, it alleviates fatigue.

There’s a second benefit which addresses ADD/ADHD people more specifically: It can have an anti-depressant effect and helps clear the mind of brainfog. It improves memory and cognitive capacity.

In certain cases, it is used as a sedative because of its hypnotic action, like a tranquilizer.

How to Eat Cordycep Mushrooms?

I wish I knew how to cook these long mushrooms in a way that would make it appealing to my children, or even myself, but I don’t. Instead, I would recommend supplements. They are sold in a powder form on I-herbs.com and maybe - maybe - in some health store in KS. I wish I could offer the service of providing these health products to my fellow town people, but it’s just not on the agenda yet. Good luck finding them! To give you a boost in motivation, here are some testimonials about using Cordyceps mushrooms powder:

“When I tell you that your energy level will be on 1000% believe me!! I haven’t felt this good since I was a teenager almost 30 years ago! ”

— A customer

“After using it for 2 months, my breath is deeper and I feel increased oxygen uptake and higher endurance level. My energy and stamina are much better.”

— Another customer

Cordyceps are part of a mushroom group called adaptogens. It’s seems like a nice thing to be part of that group, sometimes the doctor will tell you “you need adaptogens”. Now what does he mean by that? Well, now you know - it includes the Cordyceps. What else? Let’s have a look at another adaptogen called Lion’s Mane.

Lion’s Mane, Another Super Mushroom for ADHD (and other things as well)

By the way, the actual definition of an adaptogen is : a natural substance considered to help the body adapt to stress and to exert a normalizing effect upon bodily processes.

So our adaptogen #2- Lion’s Mane- is known as “the Smart Mushroom” because it promotes memory, mood, and cognition.

“This product is the best , no stress, for immunity. Typically I feel brain fog, fatigue and anxiety in my day to day life. High energy but in a natural, grounding way. Focused, creative and clear. No anxiety!"— Happy customer 

Lion’s Mane comes from Vietnam, Japan and China - and it’s a pretty rare mushroom. They call it a powerful superfood adaptogen for the brain and the nervous system, hence his nickname “the Smart Mushroom”. Let’s see a few of its benefits in more details:

• brain and nerve tonic: research has shown that this mushroom can actually regenerate brain and nerve cells. In fact, it is gaining more attention due to its ability to ward off dementia.

• anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and antioxydant properties.

• helps with stomach ulcers and cancers of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum.

• regulates cholesterol levels and blood sugar.

• Strengthens the immune system, stimulates digestion and protects against cancer.

• Lion’s Mane is a potent inducer of brain tissue regeneration. It may benefit adults with mild cognitive impairment.

• Significantly increases cognitive function (in one study, the effect lasted for 4 weeks after taking the mushroom). 

• Helps protect against memory problems (associated in certain cases with Alzheimer’s disease). 

1. May help alleviate depression and anxiety (that’s actually the main reason why people take Lion’s Mane supplements).

1. A study in Japan showed that depression, anxiousness and irritability in a group of menopausal women using the supplement lessened compared to a group using placebos. 

1. It may therefore be an option to avoid antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications to address a mood disorder. For centuries, Lion’s mane mushrooms have been used as a mood stabilizer and memory enhancer.

Lion’s Mane supplements may help older adults experiencing problems in memory retention. As we saw, some components of Lion’s mane supplements have the ability to promote the nerve growth factor in neurons. In a study, Lion’s mane showed protection against memory problems that were caused by an increase in amyloid beta in the brain.

Dayenu! Can we ask for more? Hashem, You put all this greatness and kindness into one mushroom?!

Let’s focus a little more on its action for the brain, since I specialize in ADHD cases:

Also on depression it can have a really positive impact:

What about its effect on memory, can we know more? Of course!

There you have it!

How Much Should I Take?

As usual in life (especially for a homeopath), more doesn’t mean better. A half a teaspoon in your cocoa/cereal coffee or mixed in some food, one to three times per day, and you’re good to go!
Here’s how some customer put it:

I mixed all three powders (Reishi, Lion's Mane and Cordyceps) into a smoothie and it didn’t alter the taste of my smoothie at all!

Or you could mix about 1.5 grams in some water before your coffee, on an empty stomach.

If you want to know whether it’s worth the price, someone did the maths:

So far I’ve only taken small doses and even then the effect is noticeable. Will soon try them on full dose. At the current rate a bottle will last ages. At full dose it should still last about a month.

Reishi Mushrooms

While we're on the topic, let's discuss one more very important mushroom for health, the Reishi type. Here's a picture of the red variety, highly recommended:

Reishi is also an adaptogen (here's the definition again just in case: a natural substance considered to help the body adapt to stress and to exert a normalizing effect upon bodily processes.)
It enhances the immune system, improves blood circulation and even fight the spread of cancer (according to some research). For instance, studies on breast cancer cells have found that combining reishi mushrooms with green tea augments the mushroom's power to retard the growth of cancer cells.
But let's go back to our topic: how does it help with Cognitive Capacity?

For Mental Health

Mind health and stress reduction are two benefits of Reishi Mushrooms. It seems that its relaxing effects come from the triterpenes (those are molecules) helping to control blood pressure and avoid hypertension.
Dr. Murphy (from his Materia Medica) says it's best to make red Reishi part of our daily routine for preventative health. Indeed, red Reishi has been proven to be the most effective in improving one's overall health by enhancing the immune system, many bodily functions and vital organs (as opposed to the other types of Reishi: blue, black etc.)
It is non toxic and can be taken daily without producing any side effects.
I hope that in the future I'll be able to share with you more insights on the benefits of mushrooms, such as Maitake and Shitake!

Smoothie Ideas for All Three Types of Mushrooms

Here are some drinks you can make with the mushroom powder:

MUSHROOM HOT CACAO LATTE

1 tsp mushroom powder
1 tsp maple syrup (or other sweetener of choice, plus more to taste)
1 tsp almond butter (optional // or other nut / seed butter)
2 Tbsp cacao powder (or unsweetened cocoa powder)
1 pinch ground cinnamon
1 pinch sea salt
1 cup dairy-free milk (such as cashew, coconut, or almond milk)

MUSHROOM COFFEE LATTE 1 tsp mushroom powder 1 tsp maple syrup (plus more to taste) 1 tsp cacao powder (optional) 1 pinch ground cinnamon 1 pinch sea salt 1 cup dairy-free milk (such as cashew, coconut, or almond milk) 1 shot espresso, or 1/3 cup strong brewed coffee Instructions

For the hot chocolate:

Add mushroom powder, maple syrup, almond butter (optional), cacao powder, cinnamon, and sea salt to a small blender (we like the NutriBullet). Steam or heat dairy-free milk until hot and add to the blender. Blend on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until frothy and well blended. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding cinnamon for warmth / spice, more sweetener to taste, or more cacao for rich chocolate flavor. Serve as is, or top with coconut whipped cream, cinnamon, and/or cacao powder. Best when fresh. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until hot.

For the coffee:

Add mushroom powder, maple syrup, cacao powder (optional), cinnamon, and sea salt to a small blender (we like the NutriBullet). Steam or heat dairy-free milk until hot and add to the blender along with the espresso or coffee. Blend on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until frothy and well-blended. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding cinnamon for warmth / spice, more sweetener to taste, or more coffee or espresso for a stronger coffee flavor. Serve as is, or top with coconut whipped cream or cinnamon. Best when fresh. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until hot. — Idea from: the Minimalist Baker

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