Explore Our Mushrooms

Each unique mushroom species offers specific benefits for body, mind, and spirit. Your wellness entourage just got a little smaller and spongier.

Chaga (Inonotus Obliquus)

The mushroom of the body.

As Healer: Given the name “Mushroom of Immortalityˮ by Siberian shamans (chaga means mushroom in Russian) this charred-looking fungus is not actually a mushroom at all, but a compacted mass of mycelium. Folk healers in Eastern Europe picked up on their healing properties early on, using chaga in (super bitter) teas.

Chaga contains a remarkable concentration of betulinic acid, a compound derived from birch trees thatʼs known for its anti-inflammatory effects.¹⁹ This can help reduce swelling and oxidative stress from a less-than-perfect diet or hard workout. Chaga also contains loads of vitamin D to help us get through long winters.

As Guide: In the wild, chaga grows on birch trees that have been wounded, protecting them from further infection.²⁰ When the tree grows too old to thrive, the fungus will consume it. Some say chagaʼs relationship with the tree is parasitic, while others argue its symbiotic. The lesson: We all need a balance of companionship and solitude to thrive.

Lionʼs Mane (Hericium Erinaceus)

The mushroom of the mind.

As Healer: Revered by Buddhist monks for its spiritual and cognitive powers. This furry white mushroom is considered a nootropic for its ability to stimulate nerve growth.²¹ Hericenones, found in the fruiting body, and erinacines found in the mycelia, can help reduce neurodegeneration²² due to poor diet, lack of sleep and prolonged stress.

As Guide: Thereʼs a reason why Buddhist monks allegedly used Lionʼs Mane to increase focus during meditation: This mushroom is a literal invitation to level-up our collective consciousness – and it loves to teach us about the potentials of the human brain.

Cordyceps (Cordyceps Militaris)

The mushroom of movement.

As Healer: The everyday athleteʼs perfect companion. Cordyceps enhances blood flow through vasodilation and increases oxygen absorption,²³ making your metabolism more efficient. While cordyceps can maximize your workout, in ancient Taoist traditions it's considered best-suited to playing the long game – promoting longevity and easy, graceful aging by building foundational strength in the body.

As Guide: Cordyceps are interspecial: part caterpillar, part fungus. As a parasite, they take over the bodies of insects like caterpillars and ants. The fruiting body snatches that of its host, sprouting forth. You can liken this to a more powerful version of yourself taking over in time. Though they may not look as graceful as a butterfly, they teach us about transformation – even in unexpected situations – and our potential for rebirth.

*We only use cultivated, not parasitic, cordyceps. Rest assured, no caterpillars were harmed in the making of your mug of Madre ;)

Himematsutake (Agaricus Blazei)

The mushroom of immunity.

As Healer: Also known as the Sun Mushroom, this immune-boosting medicinal edible fungus is native to Brazil and deeply embedded in Amazonian healing practices. Agaricus Blazei contains a particularly potent cocktail of beta-glucans – starches known for their immunomodulating properties.²⁴ This, coupled with himematsutakeʼs antimicrobial properties, works to help your body to fight off infection.

We also love himematsutake for its adaptogenic qualities. It helps the body respond to everyday stressors and promote resilience. Consider himematsutake your best friend in winter time, when your immune system needs a little more love.

As Guide: Native to the sunny, lush rainforests of Brazil, this mushroom teaches us a thing or two about learning to find the light peeking through the storm clouds. A natural symbol of vitality, Agaricus Blazei reminds us that, even during the rainstorm, thriving is always within our power.

Turkey Tail (Trametes Versicolor)

The mushroom of the gut.

As Healer: Turkey tail is well-regarded for its superpower of immunomodulation – meaning it can crank up or crank down the immune systemʼs response to threat depending on what is needed to achieve balance. This is especially true in the gut, where turkey tail may help reduce inflammation in the GI tract.²⁵

As Guide: This small, flexible polypore fungus that is an important part of the forest ecology as a recycler of dead and dying trees in forests throughout the world. Itʼs a potent symbol of the inevitability of death, and our potential for rebirth.

Maitake (Grifola Frondosa)

The mushroom of balance.

As Healer: Maitake is unique for the D-Fraction polysaccharides it contains, which helps regulate blood sugar levels and promote metabolic health.²⁷ Maitake mushrooms also change the good bacteria in your gut, which helps to control the genes that manage fat and cholesterol in the liver.

As Guide: Often referred to as the "Dancing Mushroom," maitake teaches us about balance, interconnectedness, and resilience. Maitake, like many of the mushrooms, embodies harmony between the individual and the collective. It symbolize how personal well-being contributes to the health of the larger community.

Functional Mushrooms

While we love our culinary mushrooms, functional mushrooms go beyond basic nutrition delivering a whole host of health benefits that can be felt with continued daily consumption.

Though functional mushrooms appear newer to the Western market, their technology is ancient, and traditional Eastern medicines (like Traditional Chinese Medicine - TCM) and Ayurvedic Medicine) have been using them for centuries to create a state of optimal health and well-being.

Functional mushrooms contain bioactive compounds—natural substances that have an affect our bodies—such as beta-glucans, which are polysaccharides that boost immunity; triterpenes, which have antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties; and ergosterol, a precursor to vitamin D2 that contributes to the anti-cancer properties of many functional mushrooms.²⁹

Fruiting Body

The peculiar-looking part of the fungus that sprouts up from underground. Fruiting bodies contain the most nutrients of the fungus and the highest concentration of bioactive compounds. Ours are air-dried to preserve their bioactivity. We take a whole foods approach to wellness, avoiding extracts in favor of using the whole, dried, fruiting bodies.

Mycelium

Though the fruiting body of the mushroom is more eye-catching (and identifiable) that doesnʼt mean it should get all the attention – there is a vast body of scientific literature supporting the health benefits of mushroom mycelium,³⁵ which is why we choose to include both parts of the fungi in our blends.

Mycelium is the underground portion of the fungus. Itʼs the brains behind the whole fungal operation. It consists of a network of long, hair-like structures called hyphae that branch off as they propagate in search of nutrients.

Mycelium plays an important role in facilitating communication and resource-sharing amongst trees and other plants. Some even refer to mycelium as the “wood-wide web.ˮ

Myceliated Grain

Myceliated grain, also known as “myceliated biomassˮ is a combination of mushroom mycelium and the grain used as its food source during the fermentation process.

We use an organic, gluten-free oat substrate. Through the process of fermentation, the converted oats become a completely new active ingredient that can complement the health benefits of the mycelium – similar to the process used to make other fermented foods like tempeh or kombucha (but with oats!) ³⁵