Hey Guys!
Today I wanted to share with you the Ayurvedic and healing properties of Mushrooms. As you may know if you follow me, I enjoy living a plant-based lifestyle which includes consuming lots of nutrient-dense super foods. Recently, I've been on a Mushroom kick and have been indulging in delicious elixirs of Mushroom tea. There are many different Mushrooms that provide healing properties, however, today I want to share with you the different Mushroom elixirs I have been enjoying including Lion's Mane, Chaga, Cordyceps and Reishi from the brand Four Sigmatic.
Lion's Mane
Lion's Mane is an edible and medicinal Mushroom. This Mushroom has been used for many years as a brain tonic because of it's abilities to improve memory and cognitive health, boost creativity and the immune system, treat anxiety and depression, help promote good digestion through regulation of gut bacteria and help with concentration by activating the nervous system and brain. I have recently been taking this delicious elixir in the morning right when I get to work before I start my day. I've significantly seen/felt an improvement in my ability to focus throughout the day on certain projects or tasks that I'm working on. On days when I have this elixir, I'm less likely to doze off into a daydream or find myself distracted easily. I absolutely love the appearance of this magical mushroom, it reminds me of a fluffy pillow.
Photo: Google
Chaga
Chaga is a medicinal Mushroom that grows on birch trees in the northern parts of the world and has been used in traditional healing for many centuries. Chaga Mushrooms are most impressive for their antioxidant properties and happens to be the most potent antioxidant on the planet. The Chaga Mushroom holds one of the highest ORAC, Oxygen Radical Absorbent Capacity, values of all foods with a value of 146,700. This means that the higher the ORAC value a food is, the higher the ability to protect the body from disease or free radicals. To put this into perspective, Goji Berries have an ORAC value of 25,000 and Dark Chocolate has an ORAC value of 20,816. Meaning that Chaga Mushrooms have over 7 times more antioxidants than Goji Berries and Dark Chocolate! The many health benefits of Chaga Mushrooms include preventing and treating cancer, stimulating the immune system, slowing the aging process, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties, decalcifying the pineal gland and helping the body deal with stress due to it's adaptogenic properties. I have recently been taking this wonderful elixir on mornings when I wake up with a fever, sore throat or whenever I'm not feeling 100%.
Photo: Google
Cordyceps
Cordyceps are a species of medicinal and edible Mushrooms that are native to the Himalayan Mountains and are harvested off the backs of caterpillars. Cordycep fungus is parasitic because it grows on the backs of caterpillars, eventually consuming the host. Cordyceps are an adaptogen, rather than a stimulant, meaning that they help your body to produce and maintain energy levels. In contrast, Coffee, a natural stimulant, gives you a spike in energy which eventually leads to a crash, whereas Cordyceps, an adaptogen, allows and helps your body produce it's own energy. Cordyceps are known for their healing properties which include regulating healthy immune system, anti-inflammatory properties, speeding up healing time, fighting against disease, helping respiratory disorders, naturally increasing energy levels, improving stamina and athletic performance as well as, acts as a natural aphrodisiac by enhancing libido and reproductive performance. I have recently been enjoying this magical elixir in the mornings to start my day or before a workout. On days when I have this elixir, I have noticed an increase in my energy levels and sustainability of my energy throughout the day. I don't feel as exhausted, fatigued or tired as I normally do.
Photo: Google
Reishi
Reishi, also known as the "Queen or King of Mushrooms" or "Mushroom of Immortality", is an edible and medicinal Mushroom that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for it's healing properties for centuries. The Reishi Mushroom is one of the most studied Mushrooms shown to activate sleep cycles. This ancient Mushroom calms you down and ensures better sleep by naturally regulating the hormonal system and lowering cortisol levels. Cortisol is a naturally occurring hormone that is released in the body in response to stress. The Reishi Mushroom has many different healing properties which include regulating and supporting immune system, reducing inflammation, dealing with the negative effects of stress, restoring hormonal balance by bringing the body back to homeostasis, and improving liver function as well as reducing asthmatic symptoms. Monks, yogis and other spiritual seekers take Reishi Mushroom because it is said to induce feelings of calm and peace in order to help them along their spiritual path. I have recently been indulging in this calming elixir right before bedtime to relax my body and reduce stress for a peaceful nights sleep. On days when I have this elixir, I can definitely feel a decrease in my anxiety and stress levels.
Photo: Google
I hope you guys enjoyed reading this post as much as I did writing it! It amazes me how beautiful our planet is and all of the magical healing medicines that are produced from it.
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With love and happiness,
Bri