- Fast and discreet shipping!
- Ordered before 16:00, Shipped today
A strong and functioning immune system is very important for your health. This is evidenced by the events of recent years, when a new disease suddenly emerged. But how can you support your resistance, especially in times of stress, poor sleep and unhealthy eating? This is where the immunomodulatory properties of medicinal mushrooms may play a role. In this blog, we explain what this means and what you can gain from it.
The term medicinal mushroom has become more familiar in recent years, but these mushrooms have been used for centuries. Natural peoples know their healing properties very well, which is why they often consider them sacred. Medicinal mushrooms support resistance, act as an anti-inflammatory and have positive effects on almost all organs, such as the intestines, cardiovascular system and lungs.
Some examples of medicinal mushrooms include Shiitake, Chaga, Cordyceps and Reishi. But then what are these immunomodulatory properties of medicinal mushrooms? Briefly, immunomodulators are substances (natural or synthetic), which affect the immune system. You use them when your resistance is out of balance, when it is overactive or just not working powerfully enough.
Thus, the substances in medicinal mushrooms help regulate the immune system, allowing it to work better. The immunomodulatory properties can thus stimulate or inhibit the immune system. This can prevent inflammatory reactions that really should not occur.
People with autoimmune diseases can benefit greatly from this. Their immune system is overactive, attacking their own body cells. But also with viral infections, cancer and a deficient immune system, the immunomodulatory properties of medicinal mushrooms can come in handy.
Research into how the immune system works is receiving increasing attention from the medical community. In fact, it is one of the fastest developing areas in medical research. Immunomodulatory properties are of great interest and are being explored for use in the treatment of conditions involving inflammation of the skin, respiratory system, joints, intestines or organs.
Furthermore, it is important that in the medical world, infectious diseases are increasingly seen as disorders of the immune system. The cause of tumors and autoimmune diseases are also considered symptoms of a malfunctioning immune system.
One of the properties of medicinal mushrooms, is to stimulate the body’s defense mechanisms. Part of this is the production of cytokines, proteins vital to the activity of other immune cells and blood cells. They act as signal substances, signaling to the immune system that it is time to act.
The special thing about natural immunomodulatory substances, is that they do this in a way that brings the resistance into homeostasis, this is the natural balance. Although these substances are less potent than regular medication, they are also less likely to cause severe side effects. Research shows that the immunomodulatory properties of medicinal mushrooms can be effective in bacterial infections, psoriasis, eczema, cancer and hepatitis B.
In addition to medicinal mushrooms, other substances that have immunomodulatory properties include curcumin, capsaicin (red pepper), the antioxidant resveratrol (found in the skin of blueberries, grapes and peanuts) and moringa.
One of the important characteristics of medicinal mushrooms is that they contain beta-glucans. These are fibers that can affect the immune system by binding directly to immune cells. It is important for people with autoimmune diseases to be careful with substances that have a stimulating effect on their immunity.
But medicinal mushrooms help regulate the immune system. If you have an autoimmune disease, they will provide exactly the stimulus you need. They help balance the system. Medicinal mushrooms can be used for conditions such as multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, lupus and Hashimoto’s disease. Most research has been done on the effects of Reishi.
Other ways medicinal mushrooms can help with autoimmune diseases is through their effect on the gut. They are rich in fiber (they are a form of prebiotic) and these are important for a healthy microbiome, the bacteria in the intestines. There is now a growing body of research suggesting a strong link between microbiome health and immunity.
In addition, medicinal mushrooms help regulate the endocrine system. Several autoimmune diseases also have hormone imbalances, such as Hashimoto’s disease. Medicinal mushrooms may have a positive effect on adrenal function.
These are responsible for the release of various hormones, such as estrogen, testosterone and cortisol, so medicinal mushrooms can bring more balance to this. Finally, these mushrooms can contribute to more energy and less fatigue, a complaint that is also common in autoimmune diseases.
Whether you have an autoimmune disease or other problems with your resistance, medicinal mushrooms with their immunomodulatory properties can help you balance your resistance naturally. These mushrooms have mild effects and support your body exactly the way it needs.
In our shop you will find the most commonly used medicinal mushrooms, such as Chaga, Maitake, Lion’s Mane and Turkey Tail. You can take it in different ways, as a powder (which you can make tea from or incorporate into a smoothie), as an extract or as a capsule. So you can always find a supplement that suits your way of life.
