The Concept of Combining Natural Remedies
Natural remedies and herbs have been used for thousands of years to promote healing and prevent disease. They are often considered to be safe and effective alternatives to conventional medicine, and many people prefer them because they are natural and have fewer side effects.
When it comes to health and wellness, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Different people have different needs, and what works for one person may not work for another. This is why combining natural remedies and herbs can be a good approach to promoting overall health and well-being.
Natural remedies and herbs work in a variety of ways to support the body's natural healing processes. For example, some herbs have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation and swelling in the body. Others have antimicrobial properties that can help fight off infections and promote healing.
Functional mushrooms are also on the list of “herbal remedies,” even though technically not herbs. Each has their own properties and health benefits. When combined with other natural remedies, lifestyle habits, and stress-reducing techniques, adding in functional mushrooms can have an even greater impact on overall health.
Common Natural Remedies and Their Benefits
- Herbs
Herbalism is the practice of using plants for medicinal purposes. This practice has been around for thousands of years, and is still widely used today in many cultures around the world. From La’au Lapa’au in Hawaii to Traditional Chinese Medicine, you’ve probably heard of some herbal remedies. Aloe vera for sunburns, turmeric for inflammation, and ginger for digestion are just some of the widely known herbal remedies. It’s important to note that even though these are classified as herbal ‘remedies,’ many of them are used for preventative measures. For example, strengthening your immune system to prevent sickness.
- Vitamins and minerals
Consuming vitamins and minerals are perfect examples of preventative medicine. With most vitamins and minerals, the key is consistency over time. A common misconception is that taking high doses of vitamin C will help you get over a cold quicker. In reality, you should be consuming vitamin C everyday in moderate doses. And taking vitamins and minerals doesn’t mean taking a supplement in the form of a pill. We get the majority of the nutrients we need from food. However, in some cases, we need extra “supplementation” when our diets can’t fulfill all our nutrient needs. This is especially true with today’s modern diets that are high in processed foods.
Each vitamin and mineral plays an important role in our bodily processes. B vitamins are known to enhance cardiovascular health and boost energy levels. Magnesium is known for its benefits to mental health and reduced stress. Calcium and vitamin D are known to support bone and teeth health. This is only scratching the surface. Without vitamins and minerals, life would not be possible.
- Probiotics
Probiotics are known for boosting gut health. What many people don’t realize is that gut health dictates many other bodily functions, so having good gut health is crucial for overall health. Probiotics are bacteria. Bacteria get a bad reputation, because they can cause infection and illness. However, many strains of bacteria are beneficial and necessary for survival.
Supplementing with probiotics is a great way to keep your gut health in check, as many things can disrupt our gut flora like antibiotics, stress and bad diet. When there is a lack of good bacteria in the gut, it allows for overgrowth of bad bacteria and fungi. This can cause a whole host of health issues which is why supplementing with additional probiotics benefits many people. Try to find a probiotic supplement with a range of different probiotic strains. Eating fermented foods is also helpful, but you generally only get a few probiotic strains from them.
How Mushroom Supplements Can Complement and Enhance the Effects of These Remedies
Functional mushroom supplements are known for their spectrum of health benefits. These include immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antioxidant properties to name a few. When taken in combination with other remedies, mushroom supplements can complement and enhance their effects in several ways. Here are a few examples.
Immune Support
Mushrooms such as Reishi, Turkey Tail, Chaga, Shiitake, and Maitake, have been found to boost the immune system's function. When taken alongside other immune-boosting remedies, such as vitamin C, zinc, or echinacea, mushroom supplements can provide additional support to the body's defense mechanisms. As mentioned earlier, the gut has a lot to do with the immune system. Turkey Tail mushrooms are known to enhance gut health because it has prebiotic compounds. This means that it feeds healthy bacteria in the gut. When the gut microbiome is in a balanced state, less disease and inflammation occurs in the body.
Anti-inflammatory Effects
Certain mushrooms, such as Lion's Mane, Turkey Tail and Cordyceps, have been found to have potent anti-inflammatory effects. When taken in combination with other anti-inflammatory remedies, mushroom supplements can help reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms of inflammatory conditions. Turmeric is a well-known anti-inflammatory due to its active ingredient, curcumin. Curcumin has been found to inhibit the activity of several pro-inflammatory enzymes and cytokines. To enhance absorption, it is suggested to take black pepper with turmeric. Combining a mushroom supplement with turmeric and black pepper is a great way to reduce chronic inflammation in the body and prevent future inflammation.
Antioxidants
Many mushrooms contain high levels of antioxidants. Chaga is one of the highest antioxidant-containing foods on the planet. Antioxidants help protect the body from oxidative stress and damage. When taken alongside other antioxidant-rich remedies, such as green tea or vitamin E, mushroom supplements can provide additional protection against free radicals and support overall cellular health. Even consuming mushrooms that aren’t considered ‘functional,’ will give your diet an antioxidant boost.
Stress relief
Reishi mushroom is known for its stress-relieving properties, and there are several herbal supplements that can be taken alongside it to enhance its effects. Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine to help the body adapt to stress. Studies have found that ashwagandha can help reduce anxiety and improve overall well-being, making it an excellent complement to reishi for stress relief. Holy basil is another adaptogenic herb that has been traditionally used for stress relief. Like reishi, it has been found to have anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties, in addition to stress relief.
Blood Sugar
Mushrooms, such as Reishi, Chaga, Cordyceps, and Lion's Mane, have been found to help regulate blood sugar levels. Maintaining stable blood sugar levels is important for overall health, as fluctuations in blood sugar can lead to a range of health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome. Research has found that certain functional mushrooms may be beneficial for regulating blood sugar levels in several ways. One is Improving insulin sensitivity. Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels by allowing cells to absorb glucose from the blood. Insulin resistance is a key factor in the development of type 2 diabetes. Studies have found that some functional mushrooms, such as Reishi and Cordyceps, may help improve insulin sensitivity. In addition, Chaga and Lion's Mane have been found to lower blood glucose levels which is not just beneficial for people with diabetes, but helps with overall longevity. When combined with natural blood sugar stabilizers like cinnamon, fenugreek and ginger, the effects are even more pronounced.
Safety precautions and potential interactions to be aware of
There are very few precautions and interactions with functional mushrooms but the same isn’t to be said about herbal remedies. Some have interactions with medications, so before using any new herbal supplement, research precautions or drug interactions associated with them. One precaution with functional mushrooms is its ability to lower blood sugar. If you are on diabetes medication or predisposed to hypoglycemia, be cautious of taking high doses of Reishi, Chaga or Lion’s Mane. Some mushrooms may also interact with blood clotting, so those with bleeding disorders should check with their healthcare provider before taking functional mushrooms.
Conclusion and recommendations for incorporating multiple natural remedies into your wellness routine
Overall, mushroom supplements can be a valuable addition to a holistic wellness routine and complement the effects of other remedies when used together. Finding a quality mushroom supplement is important as well. Mālama Mushrooms Functional Mushroom Extract is an easy to use powder that you can incorporate into your tea, coffee, smoothies, or even baked goods! They are made from 100% mushroom fruiting bodies, meaning there is no filler in the product unlike the majority of the mushroom supplements in the market. Some of the products even incorporate herbal remedies. The Goldenmylk Chocolate Bar has turmeric, ginger, and black pepper, along with 8 different functional mushroom extracts. You could call it the ultimate anti-inflammatory treat. The Mushroom Cacao Mix has organic ceylon cinnamon and functional mushrooms which are great for lowering blood sugar.
Adding these products into your everyday routine is an easy, natural and effective way to prevent disease and keep you healthy. We’ve only scratched the surface of functional mushroom health benefits, but combining them with other natural remedies is one of the best ways to optimize your health and wellness!