Maple Medicinal Mushroom Concoction is an ebony brew enriched by the mushrooms’ deep earthiness and the hearty sweetness of cinnamon and maple syrup. The long boiling process effectively extracts one of the primary components of these mushrooms’ medicine: their immunomodulating long-chain polysaccharides.

The medicinal use of mushrooms dates back thousands of years across many cultures. The earliest known record is a 5,000-year-old East Indian medical text. Additionally, the famous “Ice Man” found in the frozen Alps (preserved for 5,000 years!) was carrying two fungi in a pouch, one of which was birch polypore (Piptoporus betulinus), likely valued for its medicinal properties. Much of what we know about the healing potential of fungi comes from long-standing traditions in Asian cultures. In the past two decades, extensive research has validated these historical uses, particularly in cancer treatment and prevention.

Compared to medicinal plants, mushrooms often share more overlapping therapeutic properties. While each fungus is unique, many offer similar health benefits.

Common Actions of Medicinal Fungi:

• Immunomodulation (balancing the immune system)
• Liver support (hepatic)
• Antitumor
• Antiviral
• Antibacterial
• Antioxidant
• Lowering LDL cholesterol (hypocholesterolemic)
• Anti-inflammatory

Because of their overlapping medicinal properties, you can substitute other medicinal mushrooms for the ones listed in the recipe. For instance, say you have lots of turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) and no reishi (Ganoderma tsugae or G. lucidum)—you could use turkey tail in place of the reishi. I recommend using several different species in the recipe, as multiple mushrooms in a formula are more effective than any single mushroom species used alone.

Maitake, or Hen of the Woods
(Grifola frondosa, Meripilaceae)

Maitake is a large, gray, fleshy polypore that typically grows in clusters at the base of hardwood trees. In addition to being a cherished medicinal mushroom, it’s also enjoyed as a wild or cultivated edible—known for its tender texture and delicious flavor. Its common name, Hen of the Woods, comes from its fanciful resemblance to a hen’s tail.

The Japanese name, maitake, meaning “dancing mushroom,” has an interesting origin: it’s said that maitake was so valuable, it could be traded for its weight in silver, enough to make anyone dance with joy! Foragers who found this treasure in the woods were understandably thrilled. In fact, there’s a legend that maitake hunters would guard the location of their prized patches—since it grows back in the same spots year after year—only revealing the secret to their children on their deathbeds.

These days, maitake is widely cultivated, making it accessible and affordable. It’s known for its liver-supporting and immunomodulating properties, and research has shown it to have antitumor effects. Maitake also helps lower blood sugar, blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol levels. You can find it through various commercial suppliers or check with local mushroom growers. Fresh maitake mushrooms are sometimes available at specialty grocery stores and farmers’ and health food markets.

Shiitake
(Lentinula edodes, Marasmiaceae)

Shiitake is the second most widely consumed mushroom globally, following the common button mushroom. Cultivated in China for nearly a thousand years, it has since gained popularity in the West. Fresh shiitake mushrooms are available at health food stores, specialty grocers, and farmers markets, while dried shiitakes can be rehydrated for cooking or added directly to soups. They’re also one of the easiest mushrooms to grow at home, often sold in pre-inoculated kits.

Shiitake mushrooms are prized for their numerous health benefits, particularly for supporting cardiovascular and immune health. They have antioxidant properties and are used as a preventive measure against cancer. In traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine, shiitake is revered as a tonic for boosting stamina, improving circulation, and easing arthritis.

Hemlock Reishi, or Varnished Artist’s Conk
(Ganoderma tsugae, Ganodermataceae)

This brilliant, shiny red shelf mushroom grows on the wood of conifers, most commonly the hemlock tree (Tsuga spp.). Its white undersurface permanently darkens when rubbed with a fingernail or a sharp point. Feel free to substitute G. lucidum for G. tsugae in this recipe.

Reishi and hemlock reishi can be used as tonics to support the immune system, both for underactive immune responses and overzealous immune activity.

Allergies and asthma are examples of an overactive immune system, as is autoimmunity. Many herbalists, myself included, use reishi as a tonic remedy for these conditions. Reishi is a traditional Chinese liver, heart, and lung tonic. Finally, reishi is a premier remedy for anxiety; it is very balancing and grounding.

How often and how much of a mushroom concoction is recommended?

The usual adult dosage is 1 teaspoon (5 ml) to 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) twice daily. Children should take smaller doses based on weight. Consult with your healthcare provider before starting this protocol.

Those with cancer and autoimmune conditions might want to consider taking even higher doses—up to 2 Tablespoons (30 ml), three times a day. Again, check with the person’s oncologist before commencing any new herbal protocol.

Note that this higher dosage will deliver a little over ½ an ounce (18 ml) a day of alcohol—the equivalent of half a glass of wine (see below).

If someone is going to take higher doses like this, consider this option: Follow all the steps outlined above, but omit the alcohol. Instead, freeze the mushroom tea in individual dosages in ice cube trays to thaw and ingest, as needed.

Note that 1 teaspoon (5 ml) will have 1 dropperful of alcohol. One Tablespoon (15 ml) will have 3 droppersful of alcohol. You can add the mushroom concoction to hot tea or water and let sit uncovered for ten minutes to evaporate some of the alcohol (only about half of the alcohol will evaporate).

Where can I buy medicinal mushrooms?

Before you start shopping, please note the difference between (1) fungi and fungal medicine sold as mycelium (with the growing medium) and (2) fungi and fungal products made with the fruiting body (what we commonly think of as a “mushroom”). This recipe calls for the fruiting body, not the mycelium or growing medium. I believe that the fruiting body of medicinal fungi is more potent than the mycelium, and they (mushrooms, or the fruiting bodies of fungi) are the traditional part of the mushrooms that our ancestors used. You can find bulk herb and mushroom sellers on our Herbal Resources Page in addition to the ones below:

• Mycomedicinals/Fungi Perfecti – Medicinal mushroom capsules, tinctures, etc., available for sale. Information/studies/scientific papers on medicinal mushrooms.
• Mountain Rose Herbs – In addition to selling bulk organic herbs, spices, and essential oils, Mountain Rose also carries a variety of medicinal mushrooms.
• Mushroom Harvest – Medicinal mushroom powders, extracts, and capsules. Based in Ohio.
• Mushroom Mountain – Mushroom cultivation supplies, classes, instructional video and mycoremediation. Tradd Cotter lives and lectures in the southeastern United States.

Read through all the directions carefully before making the Maple Medicinal Mushroom Concoction, as there is a narrow window for the alcohol percentage.

References

Hobbs, C. Medicinal Mushrooms: An Exploration of Tradition, Healing, and Culture. (Botanica Press, 2002).

Stamets, P., and Yao, C. D. W. Mycomedicinals: An Informational Booklet on Medicinal Mushrooms. (MycoMedia, 2002).

Winston, D., and Maimes, S. Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief. (Inner Traditions/Bear & Co., 2007).