You might find mushrooms to be a delicious addition to your favorite foods, but have you ever tried them as a way to help treat your lupus symptoms? That’s the question several MyLupusTeam members have asked recently.

One member who’s been using lion’s mane mushroom to manage their symptoms asked, “Has anyone had success with mushrooms for overall immune system regulation and inflammation management?” Another responded, “How’s that working for you? Any lab differences with the mushrooms?”

If you’re considering trying medicinal mushrooms as a complement to your lupus treatment plan, it’s a good idea to find out what they are, how they’re used, and what the science says about them.

What Are Medicinal Mushrooms?

Medicinal mushrooms are mushrooms people consume to help alleviate or prevent diseases or simply as part of a healthy diet. People have used these fungi as a way to help manage their health for centuries, particularly in Asian countries. Many kinds of mushrooms may be eaten for their anti-inflammatory or antioxidant properties, but some of the more commonly used varieties are listed below.

Turkey Tail

If you’ve ever seen a mushroom growing on a dead log, you may be familiar with the appearance of turkey tail mushrooms. They got their name because they have brown rings and grow horizontally out from logs, fanning like the feathers of a turkey tail. There are many mushrooms that grow this way, so it can be difficult to identify the turkey tail without special tests.

This mushroom is often used as part of traditional Chinese medicine, due to its anti-inflammatory effects. It’s typically ground up and mixed with hot water to make a tea or placed in capsules for oral consumption. Studies have shown that turkey tail mushrooms do help the body fight inflammation and that they’re generally well tolerated and safe to use, with few side effects. In Asia, turkey tail mushrooms are often used to help strengthen the immune system as part of a complementary therapy plan for several types of cancer.

Lion’s Mane

Lion’s mane mushrooms are large, white mushrooms that are often used as part of Asian cuisine and complementary medicine therapies in Asia. They have long, shaggy strands that look similar to the way a lion’s mane grows, which is how they got their name.

While some studies suggest eating the mushrooms fresh will provide the best health benefits, dried lion’s mane is also available as a powder that can be consumed after being mixed into water, in liquid drops taken orally, or in capsule form.

Early studies indicate that lion’s mane mushrooms may lower inflammation and could have a protective effect on cognitive (mental) abilities. The mushrooms are generally safe to consume, with few negative side effects, but researchers caution that safety guidelines are needed to ensure that people use the right amounts.

Reishi

Reishi mushrooms grow on live trees and appear brownish-red in color, with a flat top. They’ve been used for years in Asian countries for their medicinal properties, particularly for helping boost the immune system.

Reishi can be taken in liquid, powder, or capsule form. In one animal study, researchers found a combination of reishi and other herbs lowered inflammation in mice with lupus, but no studies have been performed on people with lupus to evaluate the safety of this mushroom. Reishi mushrooms are considered safe to consume, but more research is needed on the appropriate quantities for people with lupus.

Lupus and Mushrooms

Mushrooms, like other dietary supplements, are not as thoroughly regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as other drugs and medicines. Clinical trials are needed to determine whether mushrooms are effective in helping treat lupus symptoms.

It’s unclear how mushrooms will interact with other lupus treatments, so it’s important to seek medical advice before adding mushroom extracts or other alternative medicines to your diet. Speak with your rheumatologist to make sure that adding mushrooms to your wellness plan won’t interfere with any of your medications or other treatments.

Find Your Team

On MyLupusTeam, the social network for people with lupus and their loved ones, more than 223,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who can relate to lupus.

Have you tried mushrooms to boost immune function or to help your lupus symptoms? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.