What Are the Best Mushrooms for Immunity?

From white buttons to meaty portobellos, mushrooms are cherished by creative chefs. But some kinds, including a few famous in the culinary world, are equally valued in various traditional healthcare systems.

The following mushrooms are considered to be among the best for immune-system support.*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The Colorful History of Cordyceps

If you enjoy zombie stories you’'ll love the cordyceps mushroom: Different species attack different types of insects, eventually taking over their hosts from the inside before sending a long stem outside of the insect’'s body to spread spores among other unwitting victims.

Despite its bizarre lifecycle, the cordyceps has been prized for centuries by practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine, who have used the dried mushroom to help support well-being in all sorts of ways.

Today, researchers have found that cordyceps——now grown using plant-based methods——can promote a healthy immune response. What’'s more, it also believed that this mushroom may help support exercising muscles.*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.^{†The information provided is not an endorsement of any product, and is intended for educational purposes only. NaturesPlus does not provide medical advice and does not offer diagnosis of any conditions. Current research on this topic is not conclusive and further research may be needed in order to prove the benefits described. The conditions and symptoms described may be indicative of serious health problems, and therefore should be brought to the attention of a qualified healthcare practitioner.}

The Shaggy Power of Lion’'s Mane

The lion’'s mane is one of the most unusual-looking mushrooms you’'ll ever run across: The white, hair-like fruiting bodies (the part you see, as opposed to the part that grows underground) were thought to look like the mane of a lion.

The name is apt because this mushroom brings a lion’'s strength to health. It has been found to help support immunity through its action in the intestines, where much of the immune system is located. It may also aid in promoting wellness of the nervous system.*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.^{†The information provided is not an endorsement of any product, and is intended for educational purposes only. NaturesPlus does not provide medical advice and does not offer diagnosis of any conditions. Current research on this topic is not conclusive and further research may be needed in order to prove the benefits described. The conditions and symptoms described may be indicative of serious health problems, and therefore should be brought to the attention of a qualified healthcare practitioner.}

Enjoy seafood? You may want to try lion’'s mane, the flavor of which has been compared to crab or lobster.

The Magic of Maitake

Maitake means “"dancing mushroom”" in Japanese. It got its name after those who found it danced with happiness…—either because of its delicious taste or because the emperor was rumored to deem maitake worth its weight in silver, depending on which old Japanese tale you consult. The mushroom also grows in North America, where it is often referred to as “"hen of the woods”" for its feathery appearance.

No matter what you call it, maitake’'s ability to help promote peak well-being has put a smile on the faces of people in Japan and China for thousands of years.

Today, researchers have found maitake to contain a special type of fiber called beta-glucans, which has been studied in connection with immune support. Maitake is also rich in vitamin C as well as amino acids, copper, potassium and vitamin B.*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The Revered Reishi

Unlike maitake or lion’'s mane, the reishi mushroom doesn’'t come with a stellar culinary reputation. No matter: The fact that it has been celebrated for thousands of years in China as the “"mushroom of immortality”" tells you everything you need to know about its reputation in the world of wellness. It even appears in Chinese paintings, carvings and other art forms.

Like maitake, reishi has been found to contain beta-glucans; this explains why it is best known for its ability to help bolster immune health. It is also believed to help support overall quality of life.*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The Brilliance of Royal Sun

Unlike most of the better-known beneficial mushrooms, the royal sun was first identified in North America before being found in various other locations around the world. It is also known as “"almond mushroom”" because of its almond-like aroma and pleasant taste.

One of the royal sun’'s other nicknames, “"mushroom of life,”" attests to its healthy reputation, and it has become popular by playing a valuable role in immune support.*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The All-Star Shiitake

Shiitake is one of those mushrooms admired for both its culinary and health-support capacities. No wonder it is one of the most popular cultivated mushrooms in the world.

In the kitchen, shiitake offers a delicate fragrance and versatility in the number of ways it can be prepared. It’'s also a healthy food, offering B vitamins, copper, fiber, selenium and even a touch of vitamin D.

However, quality nutrition isn’'t the shiitake’s only health advantage. This mushroom contains a substance called lentinan, which helps support immunity; Japanese researchers are doing extensive studies on other possible benefits.*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The Colorful Turkey Tail

Despite its handsome, feathery appearance, the turkey tail’'s tough texture and indifferent taste means you won’'t be serving it with turkey (or anything else). Not a problem: This mushroom has played a vital role in both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Native American herbalism for centuries.

Modern research has found that the turkey tail contains substances that help support immune health; it also serves as a prebiotic, or something that helps feed the all-important probiotic microbes within the intestines. It has also been found to provide antioxidants, which are substances that help support the body’'s free-radical defenses.*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.^{†The information provided is not an endorsement of any product, and is intended for educational purposes only. NaturesPlus does not provide medical advice and does not offer diagnosis of any conditions. Current research on this topic is not conclusive and further research may be needed in order to prove the benefits described. The conditions and symptoms described may be indicative of serious health problems, and therefore should be brought to the attention of a qualified healthcare practitioner.}