6 Medicinal Mushrooms You Can Cook

Medicinal mushrooms, mushrooms that are edible and have health benefits,  have been used for thousands of years by many different cultures. These mushrooms contain some of the most potent healing properties in nature and support the body’s overall health in many powerful ways.

While mushrooms are commonly used as herbal teas, supplements, and herbal medicine, certain edible mushrooms can be cooked to  add a unique flavor and texture to soups, casseroles or can be cooked as a main dish.

Here are 6 medicinal mushrooms you can cook as a delicious and healthy dish. Enjoy the bursts of added flavor with powerful medicinal and health benefits.

1.Reishi

Reishi is one of the most widely distributed medicinal mushrooms around. While they are mostly found in supplements, drinks, and capsules, Reishi can be chopped up and added to soups.

Add them to soups:
Soak them overnight, remove from the water, saute with olive oil, add seasoning and chop them up to add to any soup.

Grill them:
You can also grill them and eat them on their own, too. Add seasoning and olive oil, then wrap in a foil. Grill over medium to high heat and grill each side for 5 minutes. Remove from the foil and enjoy. Reishi has long been known to relax and fortify the mind and body. They help the body get rid of toxins, support the liver, reduce cellular damage, and slow down some symptoms of aging. Reishi also supports a healthy inflammatory response, as well as supports our blood pressure staying within a normal range.

2.Morels

Morels are medicinal mushrooms that are sought after by chefs. One of the reasons for this is because these mushrooms have a unique earthy and meaty flavor without being too overpowering. They’re found in the wooded areas of North America and Europe where they grow naturally.

To cook them, chop them up and sautee with olive oil, butter, cream, or wine. This can make for the tastiest sauce and provide you with a plethora of vitamins and minerals.

Some of the nutrients you can get from Morels include calcium, potassium, magnesium, folate, niacin, zinc, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Vitamin B12.

3.Lion’s Mane

Lion’s Mane is also known as Hedgehog or Monkey’s Head, because of how they look. It’s an odd-looking mushroom, shaped like a ball, and distinct for its “hair” or “thread” like surface. They are found naturally on dying and dead trees in China, Japan, Europe, and North America.

These are delicious medicinal mushrooms you can cook; they contain 20% protein. They have a unique taste similar to seafood, such as crab meat, lobster, or shrimp. You can chop up Lion’s Mane and use it as a substitute for actual crab in crab cake dishes. Or, you can make a delicious sauce with a unique seafood flavor. Simply add butter and other seasoning as you sautee Lion’s Mane mushrooms in the pan.

Lion’s Mane is known for supporting cognitive health. They’re ideal for individuals who suffer from symptoms of Alzheimer’s, as they may help repair some damage to the brain. Lion’s Mane could also help to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. It has anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties.

4.Shiitake

Shiitake is another medicinal mushroom that you can cook. It is found in many traditional Japanese dishes and has a complex, rich, and savory flavor.

Also known as Black Forest mushroom, Shiitake is ideally added to soups wherein they enhance the umami flavor of the broth. They’re also great to add to stir fry dishes, adding them a special crunch.

Their medicinal properties include improving blood flow, skin conditions, improved circulation, improves the immune system, helps treat infections, and lowers cholesterol levels. Shiitake is also known to support the liver, triggers good bacterial flora, and is rich in amino acids such as iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, potassium, and B Vitamins.

5.Portabellas

Portabellas have a meaty and hearty flavor that makes it a healthy substitute for ground meat. These medicinal mushrooms are especially popular with vegans who make delicious vegetarian burger patties, substituting ground beef for portabellas.

They’re great to add to soups., casseroles, and stir fry dishes, while they’re also ideal to eat on their own. Add some oil and seasoning, wrap in a foil, and throw them on the grill for a delicious mushroom steak.

Portabellas are known for their cancer-fighting properties as well as their rich content of vitamins and minerals such as copper, selenium and potassium.

6.Cordyceps

One of the most sought-after medicinal and edible mushrooms is Cordyceps. They’re a little pricier than most mushrooms because they’re difficult to harvest. Cordyceps grow on the back of bugs, typically found in Japan. They’re odd-looking and have an exotic taste.

They’re mostly cooked as an added flavoring to soups and stir fry dishes. Cordyceps are highly coveted not just for their rarity but also for their incredible health benefits. They are known to be libido-enhancing, to boosts athletic performance, help manage Type 2 diabetes, improve mood, have anti-inflammatory properties, and may help to fight cancer due to its high antioxidant content.

In conclusion:

Medicinal mushrooms are not only great for your health but they’re a wonderful addition to your dishes, too. They add a unique flavor to your meals while also take care of your health. Give it a try and cook with these medicinal mushrooms.