Key takeaways
- Mushroom use is thousands of years old.
- Reishi features in ancient Chinese texts.
- Cordyceps was an imperial tonic.
- Chaga tea is a Siberian tradition.
- Modern research studies beta-glucans and more.
Long before supplements and science labs, people across the world turned to mushrooms for strength and wellness.
A timeline of mushroom wellness
| Era | Milestone |
|---|---|
| ~3300 BCE | Ötzi the Iceman carries birch polypore fungus in the Alps |
| ~200 BCE–200 CE | Chinese materia medica describes reishi (lingzhi) |
| ~1000 CE | Shiitake cultivation recorded in China |
| 1400s–1700s | Cordyceps prized at the Chinese imperial court; maitake valued in Japan |
| 1600s–1800s | White button mushroom cultivated in caves near Paris; chaga tea in Siberia |
| 1960s onward | Scientists study beta-glucans and other mushroom compounds |
Famous mushrooms and their stories
Reishi, the mushroom of immortality
Rare in the wild and reserved for emperors and nobility, reishi symbolized long life.
Cordyceps, the Himalayan treasure
Herders noticed their animals became lively after grazing on it.
Chaga, the gift from God
Siberian families brewed it as a daily tea.
Maitake, the dancing mushroom
Foragers kept their finding spots secret.
Tradition meets science
Today, research focuses on compounds such as beta-glucans, triterpenes, hericenones and antioxidants. Menovelle brings together 10 of these time-honored mushrooms to support hormonal balance, mood and a healthy weight during menopause.
Note: traditional use does not guarantee safety for everyone. Avoid mushroom supplements if you are allergic, and check with your doctor if you take medication.
Sources
- Wasser S.P. – "Medicinal mushroom science: history, current status, future trends," International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 2011.
- Peintner U. et al. – "The Iceman's fungi," Mycological Research, 1998.
- Wachtel-Galor S. et al. – "Ganoderma lucidum (lingzhi or reishi)," Herbal Medicine, 2nd edition, 2011.
Common questions
How long have mushrooms been used for wellness?
For thousands of years, across Asia, Europe and beyond.
Which mushroom was called the mushroom of immortality?
Reishi, or lingzhi.
What do scientists study in mushrooms today?
Compounds such as beta-glucans, triterpenes and antioxidants.