Mushrooms: The power of mycotherapy in your diet

Mushrooms

Mushrooms are neither plants nor animals; they belong to their own kingdom (Fungi), which holds astonishing biochemical secrets.

Used for more than 2,000 years by Traditional Chinese Medicine, modern science is now rediscovering their medicinal properties to strengthen the immune system, improve mental focus and increase vitality.

What are medicinal mushrooms?

Unlike common mushrooms, medicinal mushrooms contain bioactive compounds that interact with our biological system. Their use originated in Asia, where they are considered the “elixir of immortality”.

Today, we not only include them in cooking, but also use them in the form of concentrated extracts to obtain benefits that the daily diet cannot achieve on its own.

The 5 “Superhero” mushrooms and their functions

Each mushroom has a “speciality”. Here is a summary of the most powerful ones you will find on our blog:

Mushroom	Common name	Benefit
Reishi	Ganoderma lucidum	The mushroom of relaxation and immunity. Helps manage stress
Cordyceps	Cordyceps sinensis	The athlete’s mushroom. Improves oxygenation and energy
Lion’s Mane	Hericium erinaceus	The natural nootropic. Enhances memory and neuronal health
Shiitake	Lentinula edodes	Cardiovascular health and defence support
Maitake	Grifola frondosa	Metabolic support and glucose control

Beta-glucans and polysaccharides

Why do mushrooms work? The secret lies in their beta-glucans. These compounds are a type of fibre that “trains” our immune system to be more efficient.

When reading our articles, you will see that we always highlight the importance of standardised extracts, which ensure a real amount of these active compounds.

Adaptogenic mushrooms and sport

Many of these mushrooms are considered adaptogens. This means they help the body resist physical and mental stress.

Recovery: Mushrooms such as Reishi help balance the nervous system after intense training.
Endurance: Cordyceps increases ATP production (cellular energy), making it key in endurance sports.

Mushroom supplements: powder or extract?

There are many options on the market, but not all of them are the same. At HSN, we focus on quality:

10:1 extracts or higher: This means that 10 kg of mushroom have been needed to obtain 1 kg of pure extract.
Fruiting body: We prioritise the use of the aerial part of the mushroom, where the nutrients are concentrated.