Transitioning back to school can bring new schedules, stressors, and increased learning expectations. Over the next few weeks, we’ll discuss ways in which students and parents can support their overall wellbeing through this back-to-school season.
Mushrooms are incredible immune boosters! With the influx of back-to-school germs, it’s more important than ever to support your immune system so you and your family can stay healthy and active. Mushrooms have been used for medicinal purposes since at least 3000 BCE, and they’re more accessible than ever (1). Current research suggests what our ancestors likely experienced; mushrooms are incredible at supporting immune and neurological functions.
Immune-Supporting Properties
Many of today’s medical treatments come from traditional herbal remedies and plants. While we need additional research to understand exactly how mushrooms fight inflammation, evidence shows they help keep our immune system healthy at the cellular level. “Mushrooms are reported to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular-protective, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and anticancer properties.” (1). Researchers are especially excited about how mushrooms and their natural compounds might help shrink cancerous tumors.
Mushrooms tend to be studied for their immune system modulation, meaning they help provide specific proteins our immune systems need to respond to threats. These proteins communicate with one another to increase or decrease specific immune responses. This provides better protection by encouraging the marking and removal of harmful substances, germs, or unhealthy cells (such as cancer cells), as well as signalling when the immune threat is over and the body can recover (1).
While many researchers are focused on creating medications for high-impact and controlled treatment options in cancer patients, many types of mushrooms are available from a local grocery store and safe to include in your regular diet (1). You can still reap many immune-boosting benefits of mushrooms, even with common white button and portobello mushrooms. Incorporating mushrooms into everyday meals offers an accessible way to support cellular health and overall immunity without needing costly supplements. For the safest mushrooms, stick to your grocery store’s selection. Their trained professionals check to be sure you never risk accidentally eating a poisonous look-alike.
Turkey Tail & Chaga Varieties
Turkey Tail mushrooms stand out as one of the most thoroughly researched medicinal fungi, as they are found globally and have a rich history. Studies consistently demonstrate their potential to help patients with cancer treatments and post-surgical recovery. On a cellular level, they promote lymph node function and aid in the removal of unhealthy cells. These mushrooms may also enhance a patient’s tolerance for aggressive therapies by easing nausea, boosting appetite, and shortening overall recovery time (2).
Chaga mushrooms are rich in cultural and historical medicine as well. They contain specific carbohydrates which might be “used for preventing and treating diabetes, reducing blood fat [bad cholesterol], removing free radicals, protecting the heart, and regulating immune function” (3). For those with immunocompromising conditions or intense treatments for ongoing conditions, Turkey Tail or Chaga mushrooms might be great dietary additions to support recovery.
Please be aware that supplements can interact with your current medications or conditions and it is important to discuss changes with a professional. Salus Integrative Medicine provides whole-body solutions using conventional medicine practices along with highly-effective, and science-based, medical treatments.
Lion’s Mane
If you can get your hands on this bizarre-looking mushroom, with its outer mane of shaggy or string-like spines, you might have found a brain-boosting addition to your soup, gyro, or barbeque. Due to their sponge-like absorbency, consider purchasing organic mushrooms and keeping them away from water unless they are dehydrated and need to be revived. They are often sauteed or roasted, and can even be chopped and pan-fried into “crab” cakes as they have a mild seafood and umami flavor profile (5).
Studies suggest that Lion’s Mane mushrooms might improve cognitive function over time. They are nutritionally dense with many micronutrients and promote healthy gut bacteria growth. Eating them regularly may improve memory, focus, learning capacity, nerve repair, anxiety symptoms, depression side effects, and even support recovery from brain or spinal cord injuries (4).
While more studies are looking to create medicinal treatments, the benefits of edible mushrooms in your regular diet are overwhelmingly positive. Contact Dr. Lisa Mainier to schedule a consultation with personalized plans for recovery, resilience, and overall wellness as the top priority.
Sources:
- Guggenheim, A. G., Wright, K. M., & Zwickey, H. L. (2014). Immune Modulation From Five Major Mushrooms: Application to Integrative Oncology. Integrative medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), 13(1), 32–44. Viewed from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4684115/
- Dan, A., Swain, R., Belonce, S., & Jacobs, R. J. (2023). Therapeutic Effects of Medicinal Mushrooms on Gastric, Breast, and Colorectal Cancer: A Scoping Review. Cureus, 15(4), e37574. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.37574. Viewed from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10183216/
- Lu, Y., Jia, Y., Xue, Z., Li, N., Liu, J., & Chen, H. (2021). Recent Developments in Inonotus obliquus (Chaga mushroom) Polysaccharides: Isolation, Structural Characteristics, Biological Activities and Application. Polymers, 13(9), 1441. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13091441. Viewed from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8124789/#abstract1
- Contato, A. G., & Conte-Junior, C. A. (2025). Lion’s Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus): A Neuroprotective Fungus with Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antimicrobial Potential-A Narrative Review. Nutrients, 17(8), 1307. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17081307. Viewed from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12030463/#abstract1
- Real Mushrooms. (2025, July 7). Lion’s Mane Recipes: 7 Creations Using This Unique Mushroom. Real Mushrooms. Viewed from: https://realmushrooms.com/blogs/rm/lions-mane-recipes.