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Say goodbye to hormone chaos.
Medicinal mushroom benefits for women you need to know about.
“I’m sleeping better, waking up more refreshed, feeling more calm, and I have the libido I had decades ago!”
Sarah, a 38-year-old woman, had been struggling with anxiety and depression for years. She also experienced low libido, irregular periods, and difficulty sleeping.
After trying various conventional treatments with limited success, Sarah began researching natural remedies.
She came across medicinal mushrooms like:
- reishi
- lion's mane and
- cordyceps
and was intrigued by their proven mushroom benefits for women like:
- mood
- hormone balance
- energy
- libido and
- sleep
Have you ever found yourself, like Sarah, frustrated by modern medicine's limited solutions for hormone and mental health challenges?
You're not alone.
As women age, hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can lead to various symptoms, including hot flashes, mood changes, and sleep disturbances (Santoro, 2016).
Many women, especially those of us living with perimenopause and menopause, are turning to alternative healing methods or as a supplement to their modern medicine health regime.
Medicinal mushroom benefits for women, in particular, offer a fascinating world of possibilities if you are experiencing hormonal imbalances, PCOS, and mental health issues.
Nature's Allies for Women's Health: Reishi, Lion's Mane, and Cordyceps Mushrooms
This article will explore how Reishi, Lion's Mane, and Cordyceps can be your best natural allies along your hormonal journey.
Reishi, often called the "Queen of Mushrooms," has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine.
It's renowned for its adaptogenic properties, which help your body adapt to stress and regulate hormone levels.
If you're living with hormonal fluctuations that cause mood swings or anxiety, Reishi can be a calming presence.
Mental health matters
One of the most challenging aspects of hormone-related issues is the impact on mental health.
- anxiety
- depression and
- brain fog
are all too common.
While hot flashes and mood swings are widely discussed, less acknowledged is the intense anger and even rage some women experience during perimenopause.
This can be due to fluctuating estrogen impacting serotonin and other mood-regulating neurochemicals.
Mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, contribute to a higher risk of suicide among women.
While men have a higher completion rate of suicide, women are more likely to attempt suicide, with studies indicating that women attempt suicide 2-3 times more often than men (Tolin & Foa, 2006).
Suicide is the #1 cause of death in the world.
This is where Lion's Mane comes into play.
Named after its striking appearance, Lion's Mane has been shown to support brain health by promoting the growth and repair of nerve cells.
Cordyceps, another medicinal marvel, is known for its energy-boosting properties.
If you've been feeling fatigued or struggling with low libido, Cordyceps can provide a much-needed lift.
This powerful mushroom enhances stamina and resilience, helping you feel more energized and vibrant.
Supporting PCOS with Medicinal Mushrooms
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) can be a daily struggle, affecting everything from weight to fertility.
Women with PCOS have reported a higher prevalence of anxiety and depression, with studies suggesting that 50-80% of women with PCOS exhibit some form of psychological distress (Naderpoor et al., 2015).
Further, around 70% of women with PCOS have insulin resistance, which significantly contributes to their metabolic complications.
A meta-analysis by Kahal et al. (2020) revealed that women with PCOS are more likely to experience sleep disturbances, including obstructive sleep apnea, compared to women without PCOS.
Reishi, Lion's Mane, and Cordyceps each offer unique mushroom benefits for women managing PCOS symptoms.
Reishi's balancing properties can help you sleep and regulate your hormones, while Lion's Mane provides the mental clarity and focus you need to navigate the challenges of PCOS.
Cordyceps, with its energy-enhancing effects, can help alleviate fatigue, making it easier for you to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Reishi, Lion’s Mane, and Cordyceps have all been shown in studies to help with insulin regulation.
Remember Sarah from the beginning of this article?
After consulting with a naturopathic doctor, she started incorporating a blend of these mushrooms into her daily routine.
She immediately noticed a shift in her energy and her sleep quality.
Within a few weeks, she embraced a notable shift in how she felt overall.
Her anxiety lessened, and she felt a renewed sense of calm.
She was sleeping better and waking up feeling more refreshed.
Over the next few months, Sarah observed further improvements.
Her menstrual cycle became more regular, and she experienced an increase in her libido.
She felt more balanced overall and even noticed an improvement in her focus and concentration, which she attributed to the Lion's Mane mushroom.
A review by Gore et al. (2015) discusses how exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in most beauty, skincare, and cleaning products can affect hormone-sensitive systems, including the reproductive system, thyroid, and metabolism.
I love incorporating medicinal mushrooms into my practice as a Medical herbalist specializing in women's health. I find the synergy between fungi, medicinal herbs and their effect on hormone balance very powerful natural medicine.
medical herbalist specializing in women's health
Consider the earthy comfort these mushrooms can bring into your life.
If you're concerned about skin health during hormone transitions, mushroom benefits for women can help here, too.
The antioxidants in Reishi promote skin regeneration, giving you a radiant glow that boosts your natural beauty.
A personal story from my journey through perimenopause
Perhaps you're skeptical of pharmaceuticals and Western medicine, and you're eager to find natural solutions.
I was too.
That’s when I started working with Brandee. She is a holistic women's health nutrition practitioner, and a friend.
She helped me fine tune my hormonal challenges with a nutrition lifestyle that works for me.
When I first started working with Brandee, I was intermittent fasting (a BIG no-no for women hormonally), not eating enough calories and pretty much feeling miserable and crazy.
I grew up with a mother who drilled it in my head hormone replacement therapy was the work of the devil…and rightfully so a few decades ago.
When my symptoms of perimenopause became too much for just diet and medicinal mushrooms, with Brandee’s guidance, I found a functional medicine provider that has helped me with safe prescribing of bio identical hormones.
Ladies!
Even if you have been against HRT, now is the time to open your mind and consider hormones…it is just the nice thing to do for you and your family.
And learn from my experience!
I cannot stress the importance of educating your husband, loved ones and friends about your hormonal journey.
It is important they know you are not losing your mind!
Because they AND YOU will start to wonder!!!
Fear not, with the help of knowledgeable nutrition and functional medicine practitioners, there is a way to feel more like yourself during these challenging and beautiful years.
Lion’s Mane can also be cooked and eaten as a replacement for meat. When cooked properly, it tastes like lobster!
If you're interested in mushroom cultivation, growing your own medicinal mushrooms can be a fulfilling experience.
Not only are you nurturing your health, but you're also engaging in a mindful practice that connects you to the earth.
It's a hands-on way to deepen your wellness journey and feel a sense of accomplishment in cultivating your health.
Let’s wrap this up...
The benefits of mushrooms for women are plentiful, particularly Reishi, Lion's Mane, and Cordyceps.
Whether you're living with hormonal imbalances, PCOS, or mental health challenges—or maybe all of the above—these mushrooms offer a natural and nurturing solution.
So why not give them a try?
You might just find the natural boost you've been looking for on your wellness journey.
Read this article about the medicinal mushroom supplement company I use and recommend (I'm a dietitian).
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