a single cup of strong chaga tea) packs
the same number of antioxidants as 30
pounds of carrots.
For me, chaga has proven itself to
be a health miracle. I travel extensively
for business, so I am constantly exposed
to diff erent kinds of germs. Whenever
I feel the inkling of a cold coming on, I
double my daily dose of chaga (which is
1,000–2,000 mg of strong chaga extract).
As a result, I haven’t been sick in almost a
decade. I’m not claiming
to be superhuman,
but chaga has been
remarkably eff ective at
protecting me against
the common cold.
Editor’s Product Pick:
North American Herb &
Spice ChagaMax
Cordyceps
(Ophiocordyceps sinensis)
USE CORDYCEPS TO:
k Perform better (both athletically
and in the bedroom)
kIncrease energy
kAlleviate asthma and bronchitis
Cordyceps is valued primarily for its
extraordinary ability to increase energy
and reduce fatigue. It’s been a center-
piece of traditional Chinese medicine
for more than 1,300 years, with the fi rst
known record of its use dating back to
the Tang Dynasty in A.D. 620.
Cordyceps is most notable for its
energizing eff ects, due to its beta-
glucans. Those present in cordyceps, like
all other beta-glucans, deliver oxygen to
the body on a cellular level, which not
only decreases the occurrence of disease
but also increases energy and stamina.
Cordyceps also signifi cantly boosts
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels in
the body. ATP is the body’s main energy
supply source and is required for all
cellular processes. Cells need energy to
activate our muscles and keep us moving.
Because it is so eff ective at increasing
energy and decreasing fatigue, cordyceps
is a popular and eff ective supplement for
the elderly who are seeking to counteract
the lethargy that often accompanies
aging, as well as for athletes who are
looking to perform at peak levels.
Cordyceps’ anti-
infl ammatory properties
mean that it helps with
blood fl ow, overall heart
health, and lowering
cholesterol.
Editor’s Product Pick:
Mushroom Wisdom Super
CordycepsLion’s Mane
(Hericium erinaceus)USE LION’S MANE TO:
kImprove memory
kBoost concentration
k Protect your nervous systemLion’s mane earned its playful moniker
because of its unique appearance. Unlike
the typical shape of most mushroomfruiting bodies (a smooth cap and
stem), lion’s mane looks like a cluster of
cascading white strands. This waterfall-
like “mane” has inspired all kinds of other
fun nicknames for the mushroom, including
“pom-pom mushroom,” “bearded tooth,”
and “monkey head.”
History suggests that lion’s mane was
used in traditional Chinese medicine
specifi cally for treating stomach and
digestive problems, including cancers.
It was also used as a general restorative
due to its anti-infl ammatory, antibacterial,
and immunomodulating properties.
But lion’s mane’s eff ects on the brain
truly distinguish it from other medicinal
mushrooms and make it an utterly
fascinating subject.
Lion’s mane has the ability to repair
and regenerate neurons, resulting in
improved cognitive function, and the
mushroom has been known to mitigate and
even reverse the eff ects of neurological
diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s,
and dementia, among others.
So how does this happen? Your
body contains nerve growth factors
(NGF), proteins that protect existing
neurons and stimulate new neuron
growth. These proteins play a crucial
role in maintaining the viability of the
neurons required for the nervous
system to function properly. Amazingly,
lion’s mane stimulates the synthesis of
NGF. It not only has the potential to
help those suffering from neurological
disorders, but through NGF stimulation,
it can potentially reverse the cognitive
deterioration that creeps up on many
of us as we age. And unlike most
pharmaceutical medicines that are
used for cognitive function, lion’s
mane has no known side effects.
Editor’s Product
Pick:Four Sigmatic
Mushroom
Coffee Mix
Think with
Lion’s Mane &
Chaga(^56) • SEPTEMBER 2017