Healthy Bits · Nutrition & wellness

Medicinal mushrooms in the kitchen

You don't need a capsule to enjoy mushrooms with a long history in traditional medicine. Several are easy to cook with:

  • Shiitake: rich and savory; great in stir-fries and broths
  • Maitake (hen of the woods): roast until the edges crisp
  • Lion's mane: shaggy and mild; slice and pan-sear like scallops
  • Oyster: tender, quick-cooking and easy to find

Mushrooms contain beta-glucans, a type of fiber studied for its role in supporting a healthy immune response, plus B vitamins and minerals like selenium. Cook them well; raw shiitake in particular can cause a skin rash in some people.

Try this: swap half the meat in your next pasta sauce or tacos for chopped mushrooms. If you're considering mushroom supplements, check with your doctor or practitioner first.

Healthy Bits are for general education and aren’t medical advice. Check with your doctor or healthcare provider before making changes, especially if you’re pregnant or nursing, take medication, or are managing a health condition.

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