Get to Know the Mushrooms That Are Also Adaptogens*
No two mushrooms are exactly alike, but many of them share certain characteristics. All the mushrooms found in the Forager Box and in our Mushroom Market are both edible and functional. Some support endurance or energy, while others promote immunity or performance.* (You can sort all the products we love by benefit if there’s a specific area that interests you.)
A trio of mushrooms falls into an elite group called “adaptogens,” meaning they help the body adapt to occasional stress.* Read on to learn what qualifies these three to be considered adaptogenic mushrooms — and how you can try them for yourself.
What are Adaptogens?
Adaptogens are botanical ingredients that support your ability to adapt to occasional stress.* Adaptogens include both plants and mushrooms, and they can offer support for physical, emotional and environmental stressors.*
Many of the herbs and mushrooms that possess adaptogenic qualities have been used for centuries in traditional herbal practices around the world. They’ve been widely used in places like China, India and Russia. However, the term “adaptogen” was coined by Dr. Nicolai Lazarev, a Russian scientist, back in 1947. In addition to Reishi, Cordyceps and Poria mushrooms, some common adaptogenic herbs include Tulsi (Holy Basil), Ashwagandha, Schisandra, Rhodiola. Eleuthero and Ginseng.
Keep reading to learn more about adaptogenic mushrooms.
Reishi Mushroom
Reishi mushroom is an adaptogen that supports a healthy response to stress.* It is also a tonic that promotes longevity and healthy aging.* Reishi supports healthy sleep and rest, as well as immune health.*
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum or Ganoderma lingzhi) is known as the “mushroom of immortality. It also answers to the name “queen of mushrooms.” It has been used for over 4,000 years in China, Japan and elsewhere!
Want to learn more? We wrote a whole blog about Reishi! Mushroom Spotlight: Reishi, an Adaptogen Known as the Queen of Mushrooms*
Cordyceps Mushroom
Cordyceps is an adaptogenic mushroom that promotes stamina, endurance and energy.* Popular among athletes and those who want to maintain an active lifestyle, Cordyceps’ use dates back to imperial China.* In the wild, these orange mushrooms grow on caterpillars, but today cultivated, vegan Cordyceps are widely available.
Cordyceps sinensis is the wild variety most often used in herbal products, while Cordyceps militaris is the most common cultivated version.
Browse our favorite products that contain Cordyceps mushroom.
Poria Mushroom
Poria (Wolfiporia extensa) doesn’t look like a typical mushroom. It grows under the ground like a tuber. Some people say it resembles a coconut, especially after it has been dried and chopped. Poria grows quite large — up to 30 pounds. Like Chaga, it is a hardened mass called a sclerotium. Poria is a very common ingredient used in traditional Chinese herbalism. This adaptogenic mushroom supports a balanced mood and relaxation.* Poria has also been used to support a healthy mood and the immune system.*
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Want to experience adaptogenic mushrooms and integrate them into your daily routines and rituals? Reserve your Forager Box, which includes this much-loved trio of mushrooms — along with plenty of others!
