• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Breaking Muscle

Breaking Muscle

Breaking Muscle

  • Fitness
  • Workouts
    • Best Shoulder Workouts
    • Best Chest Workouts
    • Best Leg Workouts
    • Best Leg Exercises
    • Best Biceps Exercises
    • Best Kettlebell Exercises
    • Best Back Workouts
    • Best HIIT Workouts
    • Best Triceps Exercises
    • Best Arm Workouts
  • Reviews
    • Supplements
      • Best Pre-Workout
      • Best BCAAs
      • Best Testosterone Boosters
      • Best Bodybuilding Supplements
      • Best Creatine
      • Best Supplements for Weight Loss
      • Best Multivitamins
      • Best Collagen Supplement
      • Best Probiotic
      • Best Non-Stim Pre-Workout
      • Best Greens Powder
      • Best Magnesium Supplements
    • Protein
      • Best Protein Powder
      • Best Whey Protein
      • Best Protein Powders for Muscle Gain
      • Best Tasting Protein Powder
      • Best Vegan Protein
      • Best Mass Gainer
      • Best Protein Shakes
      • Best Organic Protein Powder
      • Best Pea Protein Powder
      • Best Protein Bars
    • Strength Equipment
      • Best Home Gym Equipment
      • Best Squat Racks
      • Best Barbells
      • Best Weightlifting Belts
      • Best Weight Benches
      • Best Functional Trainers
      • Best Dumbbells
      • Best Adjustable Dumbbells
      • Best Kettlebells
      • Best Resistance Bands
      • Best Trap Bars
    • Cardio Equipment
      • Best Cardio Machines
      • Best Rowing Machines
      • Best Treadmills
      • Best Weighted Vests
      • Concept2 RowErg Review
      • Hydrow Wave Review
      • Best Jump Ropes
  • News
  • Exercise Guides
    • Legs
      • Back Squat
      • Bulgarian Split Squat
      • Goblet Squat
      • Zercher Squat
      • Standing Calf Raise
      • Hack Squat
    • Chest
      • Bench Press
      • Dumbbell Bench Press
      • Close-Grip Bench Press
      • Incline Bench Press
    • Shoulders
      • Overhead Dumbbell Press
      • Lateral Raise
    • Arms
      • Chin-Up
      • Weighted Pull-Up
      • Triceps Pushdown
    • Back
      • Deadlift
      • Trap Bar Deadlift
      • Lat Pulldown
      • Inverted Row
      • Bent-Over Barbell Row
      • Single-Arm Dumbbell Row
      • Pendlay Row
Healthy Eating

Medicinal Mushrooms: The Ancient Superfood

Did you know mushrooms can help your athletic performance? Learn about these three types of mushrooms that can boost your immune system, your endurance, and your training.

Written by Heidi L. George Last updated on Nov 22, 2021

The first time I was introduced to medicinal mushrooms was due to my love of raw chocolate. (I know, not surprising!) I had just discovered Chocolatl’s Cordyceps-Maca raw chocolate. It is a beautiful blend of the bitter-sweetness of raw cacao and deep earthy-nutty flavor from the cordyceps mushroom. This taste revelation led me on a quest to discover more about the health benefits of medicinal mushrooms.

The first time I was introduced to medicinal mushrooms was due to my love of raw chocolate. (I know, not surprising!) I had just discovered Chocolatl’s Cordyceps-Maca raw chocolate. It is a beautiful blend of the bitter-sweetness of raw cacao and deep earthy-nutty flavor from the cordyceps mushroom. This taste revelation led me on a quest to discover more about the health benefits of medicinal mushrooms.

The use of medicinal mushrooms dates back to the ancient Egyptians and ancient Chinese cultures that used them to promote general health and longevity. The difference between medicinal mushrooms and the ones you order on your “cheat day” pizza are that medicinal mushrooms contain immune activating beta-glucans and other polysaccharides within their indigestible cell walls.

Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrate polymers and come in the form of starch, glycogen, and dextrans. They are stored in the liver and muscles to be converted to energy.

Beta-glucans are naturally occurring polysaccharides and are derived in the form of plant cellulose, the bran of cereal grains, yeast, and medicinal mushrooms.

Mushrooms contain biologically active polysaccharides in the fruit bodies and cultured mycelium (vegetative part of the fungus.). These polysaccharides are of different chemical composition, with most belonging to the group of beta-glucans.

What I find fascinating is that beta-glucans derived from separate sources have some differences in their structures. Mushrooms have short beta-glucan linked branches coming off their backbone and mushroom myceliums are made from an indigestible fiber called “chitin.” Because of this fiber, hot water extraction is the only method for breaking these polysaccharides out of the indigestible cell walls.

Okay, so now we’ve got the science down, but why do you want to take medicinal mushrooms? Because they will help protect and support your immune health. Medicinal mushrooms are also one of the few plant species that are an ‘immune modulator.’

Which means they can either up-regulate or down-regulate natural immune response as needed, and everyone can benefit from a consistent flow to their immune system.

I know that mushrooms do not have the most appealing taste to our pallets, but their unique nutritional compounds and medicinal quality make them an imperative ingredient to any diet. I can speak to this myself as throughout the past six months, I have dealt with some unexpected health challenges due to living in a toxic mold environment.

Because of this, my immune system became compromised and I was contracting one cold virus after another. Through the guidance of my naturopath doctor, I began to add more medicinal mushrooms to my diet on a regular basis.

Prior to the discovery of the toxic mold, I was only using cordyceps, but adding additional mushrooms helped my body build up immunity to toxins and viruses, while sustaining my strength and focus during my workouts.

Below, I have outlined the three medicinal mushrooms I discovered to be the most beneficial for me.

Cordyceps

Cordyceps mushrooms improve your aerobic capacity, endurance, and post-workout recovery. They have important properties in enhancing athletic performance through increasing the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood and increasing the synthesis of ATP – the energy currency of the muscle cell.

medicinal mushrooms, cordyceps, chaga, reishi, mushroom medicine

This, in combination with high-antioxidant levels that counteract the byproducts of exercise, cordyceps enables athletes to train more effectively for longer periods of time, and recover more quickly.

Cordyceps was introduced to the general public during the 1993 National Games in China, when three of their athletes set five new world records in distance running.

They were tested for the use of illegal drugs, but the tests came back negative. Their coach revealed that his secret was adding cordyceps to their diet because he knew its natural benefits to help improve energy, stamina, endurance, support healthy joints and cartilage, and sleep patterns. Improved performance is something we all desire within our sport or at the gym.

Tip: To get my dose of cordyceps each day, I add 1-2 teaspoons (about 100mg) to my morning smoothie.

Chaga

Chaga is highly sought out because of its ability to work with the body to support the immune system, eliminate toxins, stimulate the central nervous system, maintain skin color and elasticity, and promote a youthful look. Chaga is one of the superfoods with the highest level of antioxidants (yes, it even beats out the acai berry), which help protect cells from free radicals.

Chaga is also an important adaptogen, which means its compounds increase the body’s ability to adapt to stress, fatigue, anxiety, inflammation, and changing situations.

If you are planning to enter the CrossFit Open, perform a triathlon, or enter a weightlifting competition, chaga should be a daily staple to your diet. You can purchase chaga in the powder form and make a delicious tea.

Tip: I slightly sweeten mine with liquid stevia to enhance it’s natural vanilla flavor.

Reishi

There are six types of reishi mushrooms, but the most commonly used in the herbal field is the “red reishi.” It is often described as “the mushroom of immortality” because it is a supreme immune tonic.

medicinal mushrooms, cordyceps, chaga, reishi, mushroom medicine

It helps strengthen your immune system to fight off toxins, viruses, and bacteria, and also improves your blood circulation.

Along with cordyceps and chaga, reishi is another powerful adaptogen. Reishi also helps to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. Many Chinese athletes use reishi as a performance-enhancing tonic and mountain climbers use it to combat altitude sickness. This mushroom is great to add to your daily routine, especially in winter when viruses run high. Reishi has a very earthy and bitter-wood taste.

Tip: I currently take it in the form of a tincture, but it can be brewed as a tea if you are brave enough.

Conclusion

Once you learn about all the benefits of medicinal mushrooms, you may be wondering about the best way to add them to your diet. The easiest route is to purchase them in capsule form.

The brand I have used and trust the most is New Chapter LifeShield Mushrooms. I also buy mushrooms in powder form and add them to my protein smoothie or make a tea. There are also various raw chocolate companies that infuse their chocolate with medicinal mushrooms.

If you begin using medicinal mushroom, I suggest taking them in combination because of their synergistic effect. This will enhance your immunity more than taking them separately.

Also, buy organic medicinal mushrooms when possible because mushrooms tend to concentrate pesticides and heavy metals from the soil.

As with any herbal supplement, it is always important to contact your health care provider before you add in multiple herbs to your daily diet.

I hope this article inspires you to play around with medicinal mushrooms and discover more of their magical healing powers. Have you tried medicinal mushrooms? Post your experiences to the comments below.

References:

1. “Medicinal Mushrooms: Information about Reishi, Lingshi, Shiitake, Shitake, Cordyceps, Maitake, etc.” Last modified 2011.
2. “Mushroom Science: Medicinal Mushroom Benefits.” Last modified 2011.
3. “Chaga knowledge: Chaga facts and benefits.” Last modified 2010.
4. “Natural News: Studies show reishi mushrooms benefit people stricken with a variety of aliments, from high blood pressure to AIDS.” Last modified January 25, 2007.
5. “Mushroom matrix: Organic medicinal mushrooms.” Last modified 2012.
6. “Wikipedia: Beta-glucan.” Last modified January 16, 2013.
7. “Wikipedia: Polysaccharide.” Last modified January 25 2013.

Photos courtesy of Shutterstock

About Heidi L. George

Heidi "chocolate puma" George grew up in Ohio, but really found her roots when she moved out to Northern California and adopted the "not-so" hippie lifestyle that is usually associated with her dreadlocks and tattoos.

She has been interested in health and fitness since high school and always found a way to keep this area a constant in her life. Before she discovered CrossFit, she studied and competed in Taekwondo. She won State Championship two years in a row and took Gold at the 2006 AAU Taekwondo National Championships.

It wasn't until 2009 that she became involved with CrossFit which led her to become a CrossFit Level 1 certified trainer. Her love of CrossFit then lead her to dive deeper into Olympic weightlifting and acquire a daily yoga practice at Red Dragon Studios in Marin County, California. Through these various practices, she has been able to deepen her physical and spiritual connection with her mind-body-soul.

In 2014, Heidi became an NASM Certified Personal Trainer and absolutely loves training clients when she isn't working her day job. Her dream is to start her own bootcamp that incorporates "wildness" into their daily workouts. She is also a certified health coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She has her own practice, Maitri Holistic Wellness, where she works with clients to empower them to cultivate unconditional friendliness towards themselves through a deeper connection with their physical, spiritual, emotional, and nutritional well-being.

Heidi currently resides in "the best place on earth!" with her amazing partner and their two loveable cats. They embark together on monthly treks to their local spring to fill up with spring water and both enjoy eating handfuls of raw chocolate on a daily basis!

View All Articles

Related Posts

Meal containers with food
The 20 Best High-Protein, Low-Carb Foods from a Registered Dietitian
Person in gym holding protein shaker bottle
The 10 Most Common Pre-Workout Side Effects
Two people sitting in gym eating food
Nutritionist vs. Dietitian: What’s the Difference Between These Nutrition Experts?
Long-haired person at home drinking protein shake looking at watch
How Long Does Pre-Workout Last? Time Your Boost for Next-Level Performance

Primary Sidebar

Latest Articles

New Year’s Fitness Sales (2025)

XWERKS Motion BCAA Review (2025): A Registered Dietitian’s Honest Thoughts

Assault Fitness AssaultBike Pro X Review (2025): Assault’s Best Bike Yet?

13 Best Exercise Bikes for Home Gyms (2025)

Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine Review (2025): The Key to Post-Workout Recovery?

Latest Reviews

Element 26 Hybrid Leather Weightlifting Belt

Element 26 Hybrid Leather Weightlifting Belt Review (2025)

Omre NMN + Resveratrol, Lifeforce Peak NMN, and partiQlar NMN on a red background

Best NMN Supplement: Fountain of Youth in a Bottle? (2025)

The Titan Series Adjustable Bench on a red background

Titan Series Adjustable Bench Review (2025)

A photo of the NordicTrack Select-a-Weight Dumbbells on a red background

NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbell Review (2025): Are These Value Dumbbells Worth It?

woman lifting barbell

Be the smartest person in your gym

The Breaking Muscle newsletter is everything you need to know about strength in a 3 minute read.

I WANT IN!

Breaking Muscle is the fitness world’s preeminent destination for timely, high-quality information on exercise, fitness, health, and nutrition. Our audience encompasses the entire spectrum of the fitness community: consumers, aficionados, fitness professionals, and business owners. We seek to inform, educate and advocate for this community.

  • Reviews
  • Healthy Eating
  • Workouts
  • Fitness
  • News

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS Feed

© 2025 · Breaking Muscle · Terms of Use · Privacy Policy · Affiliate Disclaimer · Accessibility · About