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Writer's pictureDr. Stephanie Bartolotti

Reishi, Maitake & Shiitake: The Super Mushrooms

Updated: Jul 10, 2020


Mushrooms are usually found in the vegetable section of the grocery store; however, they actually belong to the fungi kingdom.

They are very high in antioxidants, vitamins—including vitamin D, minerals, and have powerful cancer fighting properties. They truly are a superfood. However, 3 of them stand out in the crowd: the Reishi, Maitake, and Shiitake.

Let’s take a look at each of these amazing power charged fungi.

The Reishi Mushroom

We will begin with the king. The reishi mushrooms are highly anti-inflammatory and are considered to be the “King of Mushrooms.” This amazing mushroom has been used for its various healing abilities for thousands of years.

Reishi Helps Treat:

  • Inflammation

  • Fatigue - including chronic fatigue syndrome.

  • Frequent infections - urinary tract, bronchitis, respiratory infections, etc.

  • Liver disease

  • Food allergies

  • Asthma

  • Digestive problems

  • Tumor growth

  • Skin disorders

  • Some cancers

  • Autoimmune disorders

  • Diabetes

  • Viruses - including the flu

  • Heart disease, hypertension & high blood pressure high cholesterol

  • Sleep disorders and insomnia

  • Anxiety and depression

The Maitake Mushroom

Maitake means “dancing mushroom” and it has also been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes.

Maitake mushrooms contain polysaccharides that stimulate the immune system. A polysaccharide is a complex carbohydrate made up of smaller sugar molecules. These sugars stabilize blood pressure, blood sugar, and have a positive effect on free radicals.

Health Benefits of Maitakes:

  • Boosts immune system

  • Controls blood sugar

  • Lowers blood pressure

  • Lowers cholesterol

  • Aids in weight loss

  • Helps fight cancer

  • Helps limit development of type 2 diabetes

The Shiitake Mushroom

Shiitake mushrooms are the second most popular and the third most widely cultivated edible mushroom in the world. They have been used for hundreds of years in Asia as a food source, and for their medicinal properties.

Translated from Japanese, "shii" which refers to the tree where these mushrooms originated from, and "také" literally means mushroom. These popular fungi are far more than good in soup. They provide many health-boosting properties that have been discovered over centuries of natural medicine.

Health Benefits of Shiitakes:

  • Help fight obesity

  • Boost immune system

  • Destroy cancer cells

  • Boost brain function

  • Aid in heart health

  • Antimicrobial

  • Boosts energy

  • Great source of vitamins B & D

  • Good for the skin

  • Reduce inflammation

As you can see, mushrooms are far more than produce in your local grocery store. They are power packed with many health benefits.

We carry a supplement in the office that has all three of these incredible mushrooms in it. Please call the office at 321-972-2940 to order and reap all the amazing benefits!

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