Medicinal Mushrooms

By species

• Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum): triterpenoids and β-glucans; traditional immune / adaptogen use.
• Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus): hericenones and erinacines — NGF induction in vitro; small trials for cognitive impairment.
• Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris / sinensis): adenosine and cordycepin — endurance and metabolic claims; modest supportive evidence.
• Chaga (Inonotus obliquus): high antioxidant capacity in vitro; less clinical data.
• Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor): PSK and PSP β-glucans — approved as an adjuvant in Japan for some cancers.

Quality signals

• Fruiting body vs mycelium-on-grain (marketed as "mushroom" but is actually starch + a small amount of mushroom).
• β-glucan quantification (as opposed to unspecified polysaccharide).
• Third-party testing.

Longevity relevance

Emerging area with plausible mechanisms; hard-endpoint human data are limited outside oncology adjunctive use. Diet-level inclusion (culinary mushrooms — shiitake, maitake, oyster) is a low-risk, food-first approach.

Related entries

Fibre and microbiome, Cruciferous vegetables.