Benefits

• An Auricularia aricula-judae mushroom is a great source of the B vitamins, amino acids, fiber, copper, and pantothenic acid.
• Has antioxidant activity

Where it grows

The Auricularia aricula-judae mushroom is generally found on elder trees (but not exclusively) in temperate forests in India, Asia, Australia, Africa, and the UK.

Fun Fact:

The Auricularia aricula-judae is also nicknamed 'Judas' ear' or 'Jew's ear' because it is generally found on the elder tree, the tree where the biblical Judas Iscariot was thought to hang himself.

Where it grows

Black hoof fungus is found mostly on birch trees, but also oak hardwoods in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America.

Fun Fact:

Black hoof fungus got its name because it looks like a hoof sticking out of a tree.

Benefits

• Trametes Versicolor improves immune function by stimulating cytokine production, increasing natural killer cells and other immune-boosting functions.
• Trametes Versicolor contains one of the highest amounts of beta-glucans of all mushrooms to help keep our immune systems healthy when used over an extended period of time.

Where it grows:

Trametes Versicolor can be found on dead or wounded hardwood trees like oak in the US, Canada, and UK.

Fun Fact:

Trametes Versicolor got its pseudonym because of its many colors that makes it look like a Trametes Versicolor.

Benefits

• Flammulina velutipes mushrooms (Flammulina velutipes) are rich in a variety of nutrients and have many therapeutic properties such as supporting heart health, improving brain function, enhancing immunity, and Inflammation.

Where it grows:

Commercial Flammulina velutipes is typically cultivated, however it can be found in the wild on dead elm (and some other broadleaf trees) trees in Britain, Ireland, Europe, North Africa, Asia ,and North America.

Fun Fact:

A study of Flammulina velutipes farmers in Japan found that the farmers had lower rates of cancer deaths than others not involved in the mushroom farming.

Benefits

• Relieve Mild Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety.
• Speed Recovery from Nervous System Injuries.
• The mushroom contains ergothioneine, a thiol compound with antioxidant properties.

Where it grows:

Shaggy mane grows naturally in disturbed grounds, grass, wood chips, and hard-packed soil; most commonly in Britain and Ireland.

Fun Fact:

Shaggy mane is also called 'lawyer's wig' because it looks like a 'peruke,' the headpiece British judges and barristers wear in the courts for formality.

Benefits

• Pleurotus ostreatus mushrooms contain several substances thought to influence health. Pleurotus ostreatus mushrooms are rich with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants such as Niacin, Vitamin D, Iron, Riboflavin, Potassium, Vitamin B6, B Vitamins, Folic acid, Magnesium, Vitamin C, Pantothenic acid.
• These substances provide Pleurotus ostreatus mushrooms effectiveness in ability to lower cholesterol, promote heart health, support better immune function, improve metabolic health, encourage healthy blood sugar control, provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Where it grows:

The Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom can be found in multiple temperate and subtropical forests throughout the world, although it is most known as a WWI staple in Germany.

Fun Fact:

The Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom has been used for alternative leather, mycelium bricks, mycelium furniture, and other textiles.

Benefits

• Ganoderma lucidum mushroom is used to help enhance the immune system, reduce stress, improve sleep, and lessen fatigue.
• Ganoderma lucidum was listed as the most cherished among the superior herbs - with more than 400 bioactive compounds in it -  that are considered to prolong life, prevent aging, boost IQ, and make the body light.

Where it grows:

Ganoderma lucidum can be found growing on trees in temperate and subtropical climates in Asia, Europe, South America and North America

Fun Fact:

The reishi mushroom was so revered in ancient China that it was reserved only for royalty.

Benefits

• Snow Mushroom has the ability to generate a flexible hydration film that helps to restore dry skin to its optimally hydrated state.
• Snow Fungus is rich in polysaccharides, compounds which have potent immune boosting qualities.

Where it grows:

The snow fungus mushroom is a parasitic mushroom found on hypoxylon growing on dead wood in largely tropical and subtropical Asian and North American regions.

Fun Fact:

The snow fungus mushroom contains up to 500 times its weight and is full of collagen, making it a popular alternative to hyaluronic acid.

Benefits

• Cordyceps militaris has been described as a treasure in old Chinese medical books and Tibetan medicine. Traditional healers have recommended the medicinal fungus as a powerful tonic because it improves energy, appetite, stamina and endurance.
• The Cordyceps militaris mushroom is an incredible energy-boosting fungi because of its ability to increase ATP production. Cordyceps militaris is recommended when it comes to physical performance.

Where it grows:

Natural Cordyceps militaris sinensis can be found growing on caterpillars in the high mountains of East Asia, however commercial Cordyceps militaris are grown on rice.

Fun Fact:

A Chinese women's distance running team attributed taking cordyceps with their record-setting speeds in the 1993 National Games in Beijing, China.