Happy Shroomsgiving From Dark Side of the Shroom

As the end of November nears and Thanksgiving is right around the corner, we here at Dark Side of the Shroom wanted to take a moment to showcase some of the fantastic fungi we are thankful for. 

Mushrooms have been providing benefits for thousands of years. Not only are they delicious, but they are also enriched with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that could promote a healthy diet. 

Below we’ll highlight these wonderful fungi. We’ll show you some fantastic photos with physical descriptions, give a brief history of each species, explain the benefits of each species, and why we chose these special fungi. 

Coming from the Latin name Hericium Erinacceus meaning “Hedgehog”, Lion’s Mane is known by many other names such as “Mountain Priest”, “Bearded Tooth”, and the “Pom Pom Mushroom”, to name a few. 

Lion’s Mane has been valued in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries to aid in gut health. Buddhist monks also enjoyed this delicious mushroom. Monks are recorded as using powdered Lion’s Mane to help combat a weak “Qi” or “life force.”

Traditionally foraged, Lion’s Mane has been cultivated on a mass scale since 1988. As more people are becoming aware of the benefits of mushrooms, Lion’s Mane is quickly becoming a sought-after fungus. The market is expected to rapidly grow between 2023 and 2030 to meet demand.

We thought it was smart to lead with Lion’s Mane. Pun intended. The reason for this is Lion’s Mane may help with brain function. Lion’s Mane is a great source of both hericenones and erinacines. Studies have suggested a link between these two chemicals and the growth of brain cells.

Lion’s Mane is also packed full of minerals such as manganese, zinc, and potassium. Lion’s Mane is also packed with vitamins such as niacin, thiamine, and riboflavin. 

As mentioned earlier, this mushroom resembles a fluffy, white pom pom or hedgehog. These shaggy mushrooms are typically grown in the Northern Hemisphere, appearing in North America, Canada, Europe, and Asia.

Lion’s Mane, like most mushrooms, can be found on either living or decaying trees or stumps. Lion’s Mane favors beech and oak trees.

Getting their name due to their colorful rings that resemble a turkey’s tail, Turkey Tail is also called the “cloud mushroom” in Japanese culture. 

Turkey Tail has been on the mushroom scene and used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries. First recordings of using Turkey Tail as a tea to help with “Shen“ (spirit) and “Chi” (vital energy) can be seen as far back as the Han Dynasty around 200 B.C.  Turkey Tail is also recorded in the Compendium of Materia Medica (Ben Cao Gang Mu) from the Ming Dynasty during the 15th century. 

Turkey Tail mushrooms are loaded with various antioxidants. Oxidative stress is an imbalance between antioxidants and free radical molecules. Studies suggest that Turkey Tail may help with that imbalance.

Turkey Tail is also loaded with prebiotics. Prebiotics help regulate the balance of bacteria located in the gut by promoting the growth of good bacteria and hindering the growth of harmful bacteria. Turkey Tail is quickly becoming one of the most researched fungi in the medical field. 

Turkey Tail is known to grow in clusters on deciduous trees year-round and can be found worldwide. As their name implies, Turkey Tail mushrooms resemble a turkey’s tail. 

Sporting multi-colored fan-like ringed caps, Turkey Tail mushrooms can resemble a leathery texture with brown or tan colorations. Within the multicolored caps, various colors can be seen such as blue, gray, or green.

Without a doubt the most delicious morsel on our list, Shiitake mushrooms have been gracing our plates for centuries with the earliest recording coming in 1209 during the Song Dynasty in China. Shiitake are the second most cultivated mushroom in the world second only to Agaricus Bisporus, with China being the biggest exporter.

Besides being delicious, some researchers believe that Shiitake may improve immune function. Shiitake are abundant in polysaccharides like lentinans which help your immune system. 

Shiitake mushrooms are also rich in natural copper. The mineral copper supports healthy bones, healthy blood vessels, and immune support. Shiitake mushrooms are also packed full of Vitamin D which also helps support healthy bones. 

Shiitake mushrooms typically are either tan or brown in color. They have umbrella shaped caps that roll down toward their stems. 

Shiitake are native to East Asia but can be seen throughout the world. They typically grow on rotting wood like most mushrooms, but favor chestnut trees, maple trees, and oak.

Both beneficial and delicious, Shiitake have a naturally earthy, smokey flavor. When cooked, these mushrooms take on a buttery, yet rich, meaty flavor.

Paul Stamets, a leading mycologist, and contributor to the Bastyr Integrative Research Center, has said, “Mushrooms have many helpful nutrients, including beta glucans for immune enhancement, ergothioneines for antioxidative potentiation, nerve growth stimulators for helping brain function, and antimicrobial compounds for limiting viruses.” 

We here at the Dark Side of the Shroom are thankful for all our fungi friends not only for their potential health benefits but also for their deliciousness.  We hope you all have a safe and bountiful Thanksgiving!