Medicinal foods such as herbs, green tea, fatty fish, spices, vegetables, and fungi are readily available. But what doses should be administered?
What’s the right number when it comes to medicinal foods? How much of each anti-inflammatory food, alkaline-forming food, high-antioxidant food, or high-fiber food should be consumed? A medicinal diet is one that is rich in variety, including healthy fats such as seeds, nuts, olive oil, avocado, cream cheese, and coconut oil.
Of course, it’s important to consume low glycemic carbs like nuts and seeds, soaked legumes, and sprouted grains. Fresh fruits always form part of a healthy eating plan. Grass-fed meats such as turkey, fish, beef, and eggs play an integral part in a healthy, well-balanced diet. And don’t forget that organic vegetables are a top-tier item in any medicinal diet. These foods include fresh herbs, squash, asparagus, leafy greens, and the subject of this post, mushrooms.
There is a reason why all of these foods are so important. They directly affect bodily function, including heart health, brain nourishment, energy levels, hormones, blood sugar, and inflammation. When implemented correctly and consistently, healthy eating can have an outsized impact on general health and well-being, preventing many ailments which would otherwise occur.
From the group of mushrooms, The Lion’s Mane mushroom is one of the most important medicinal fungi. While tremendous attention has been dedicated to broad categories of food groups, scant attention has focused on the correct dosage for these healing mushrooms.
What is the Correct Dosage Regimen for Lion’s Mane Mushrooms?
The scientific name for lion’s mane mushrooms is hericium erinaceus. These medicinal mushrooms have been used in Chinese culture for eons. This medicinal food has been touted as a wonder drug in terms of its cancer-fighting abilities. According to leading experts on this topic, lion’s mane dosage typically falls into the following brackets:
- 250-1000mg as a powdered extract.
- 1000-3000mg in tablet form.
- +-5000mg when using the raw fruiting bodies in food.
Naturally, concentrations of active ingredients in Lion’s mane mushrooms play an integral part in the dosing regimen. Regardless, individuals with no allergies to mushrooms tend to tolerate these mushrooms in small or large doses. What’s important to understand about this particular mushroom variant is that its efficacy increases over time. As levels of this compound build up in the body, so it becomes much more effective as part of a daily eating plan.
Dosages will vary according to specific ailments and conditions being treated. The cognitive function requires approximately 250 mg of supplementation with 96% dry powder 3X per day for 16 weeks. Anxiety-related disorders and depression require a concentration of 0.5 g for 4 weeks to see results. After that time, studies suggest there is a notable improvement in general well-being and a reduction in anxiety/depression-related symptoms.
Fungi for Immune System Health
Medicinal mushrooms have been a part of eastern traditional medicine for thousands of years. They are now an accepted alternative and complementary ‘medicine’ in Western culture too. Generally, these mushrooms are best consumed in a powdered form. They are often dosed into cafe lattes, teas, soups, pasta, smoothies, stir-fries, crab cakes, and other food groups. They are incredibly popular accouterments, given their immune-boosting properties. Lion’s Mane mushrooms are great for brain-boosting by allowing for greater mental acuity.
It fosters a bio-protein nerve growth factor, as well as myelin. These are essential elements for promoting brain health. Among the many benefits touted by this medicinal mushroom are improved memory and concentration and its ability to alleviate anxiety and depression in individuals. Other important mushrooms with health-boosting properties include Reishi mushrooms, used for immune system boosting, weight loss, and their ability to combat cancer cells. It’s also a natural healer, thanks to triterpene compounds. Again, the powdered form of Reishi mushrooms is useful for overall health and wellness.
With all medicinal mushrooms, it’s important to consult with an expert regarding dosage. Sometimes, side effects may be felt, especially if mushrooms are consumed for a prolonged period of time or if there are intolerances or allergies to mushrooms.
