30 Jan SIBO & Mushrooms
It seems like every year there is a new food that gains popular status because of it’s healing properties.
In 2017 Matcha Tea 🍵 became a household staple.
In 2018 we saw the healing benefits of celery juice.
🍄Mushrooms🍄 were set to rank as one of 2019’s Top 10 Superfood trends.
2020 has been all about Coronoavirus (COVID-19) . . . and while there is no no scientific data to suggest that mushrooms can help help with the virus here is a link for more information.
I am seeing mushrooms everywhere! There is mushroom coffee, mushroom cocoa, mushroom tea,mushroom broths, mushroom jerky, mushroom skin care… the list goes on!
What does this mean for those of you who have SIBO?
In this blog post I share my thoughts on SIBO & Mushrooms, if they are right for you, and how to incorporate them into your lifestyle.
MY THOUGHTS ON SIBO & MUSHROOMS
📢 #1 Mushrooms are HIGH FODMAP⛔️
For many of you that’s enough said, I know.
However there are others who are curious and others who may be having an epiphany right now. Could my oh so fabulous mushrooms be causing my gut imbalance?!
Ahhh…possibly😁
I’m all about adaptogens and love when you can incorporate them in many ways such as in a smoothie, or as a morning beverage vs taking a capsule. Not that there is anything wrong with taking a capsule, I do! I just also appreciate how many options we have. And sometimes having too many choices can be overwhelming.
It’s when you’re not gung-ho about your adaptogen and/or you are wondering if it is helping OR you may be even looking past it contributing to the situation.
You may just need to pause in order to properly assess. I just learned recently that I was not meant to stop my adaptogens (for 3 weeks and none of them are mushrooms) however I thankfully bounced back within a week of resuming them.
For me personally ever since I’ve realized with my history of growing up in a rainforest in southeast Alaska, that made a solid connection to having yeast / fungi / mold issues, I’ve asked myself if I should be mindful of how much is too much of a good thing.
Perhaps my body may not react as I would hope, reading all of the benefits, because of this history and/or could it trigger an imbalance in my gut? I’m loving where I am right now so I believe my hesitation is warranted. Now mind you, this is just my theory. I’m sharing the inner thoughts of Dr. Keller and why I’m treading lightly and trying samples vs my usual “all in” approach with fungi.
For those of you excited to incorporate mushrooms we’ve put together some information and ways for you to be creative. A big thanks goes out to Karylin for helping me write this blog and her fabulous skincare contributions!
INCORPORATING MUSHROOMS INTO YOUR DAILY LIFESTYLE
CORDYCEPS: ENERGIZE
Cordyceps have shown success being used as a stimulant, or adaptogen to increase energy, stamina, athletic performance, and reduce fatigue. Aside from supporting energy, Cordyceps have been studied for their strong antioxidant properties. They have also been used to treat sexual energy and oxygenation of the whole body.
Ways to incorporate Cordyceps:
• Cordyceps Mushroom Powder (Organic) by Sun Potion *single ingredient product
Mix 2 grams (1/2 tsp.) in warm water or tea. 1-2 times daily. Great Added to Soups, Smoothies and/or Raw Chocolate.
• Cordycepts Mushroom Elixir Mix by Four Sigmatic *multi-ingredient product
Ready to drink with hot water, blend with your favorite nut milk, or add to your morning coffee or afternoon tea.
LIONS MANE: BRAIN / MMC
Lion’s Mane is most researched in its use for cognitive function. It also provides digestive and circulatory support.
Ways to incorporate Lions Mane:
• Lion’s Mane (Organic) by Sun Potion *single ingredient product
Add 1/2 teaspoon to your water, tonics, coffee, or tea. Makes an excellent, adaptogenic ingredient in broths, soups, salad dressings, sparkling elixirs, smoothies, shakes, or raw chocolate.
• Lion’s Mane Mushroom Elixir Mix by Four Sigmatic *multi-ingredient product
Ready to drink with hot water, blend with your favorite nut milk, or add to your morning coffee or afternoon tea.
CHAGA: IMMUNE SUPPORT
Chaga mushrooms are rich in many vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.
According to Sun Potion’s website: “Chaga has high levels of B-Vitamins, flavonoids, enzymes, minerals, and phenols and contains some of the highest known concentrations of antioxidants of any food, such as Melanin. Chaga is also a rich source of Zinc, an essential nutrient for cell growth, differentiation and survival as well as Germanium.”
Ways to incorporate Chaga:
• Chaga Mushroom Powder (Wildcrafted) by Sun Potion *single ingredient product
Sun Potion recommends simmering Chaga at a low temperature for 6-8 hours. Once the time is reached, strain and enjoy as a tea, hot or cool. For those on-the-go, it is appropriate to place a tsp. of Chaga in your warm beverage of choice.
• Chaga Mushroom Elixir Mix by Four Sigmatic *multi-ingredient product
Ready to drink with hot water, blend with your favorite nut milk, mix into coffee or chai, add to black tea for real chaga tea, or add to smoothied/shakes/soups.
REISHI: REBUILD
Reishi is one of the most potent adaptogens available. It has many healing properties including anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, immune strengthening, stress relieving, and antioxidant (for the full list of benefits please see Sun Potions website).
Ways to incorporate Reishi:
• Reishi Mushroom Powder (Organic) by Sun Potion *single ingredient product
Mix 2 grams (1/2 tsp) in warm water or tea. Excellent addition to soups, smoothies, raw chocolates, and more!
• Reishi Mushroom Elixir Mix by Four Sigmatic *multi-ingredient product
Ready to drink with hot water or add a nut milk and/or sweetener of your choice. Sip 1 hour before going to bed and/or double dose during a stressful day.
INCORPORATING MUSHROOMS INTO YOUR SELF CARE
If you’re not ready to use mushrooms internally, there are some great ways to benefit from them externally.
FACE MASK
Celeste Thomas, RN, known for her blog The True Spoon, created a DIY “Inflammation-Banishing Reishi Mushroom Mask” to reduce inflammation and redness. The instruction from her blog are as follows:
Ingredients
1 teaspoon powdered reishi mushroom elixir
*I use the Four Sigmatic packets bc they’re the perfect teaspoon CLICK HERE
1 teaspoon Manuka honey, room temp
1/4 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Method
-Mix all ingredients together in a tiny bowl until well-combined.
-Over a sink, apply mask mixture to clean facial skin, avoiding eye area.
-Let the mask penetrate into your skin for 10 to 15 minutes
-Rinse the mask off with warm water; use a wet washcloth to remove all of the honey residue if necessary.
-Pat skin dry and apply your normal a.m. or p.m. skin care products, depending on when you decided to soothe your skin with this delightful mask.
-Repeat 2 to 3 times a week to reveal calm beautiful skin.
If you’re feeling creative, you can also use Sun Potion’s Mushroom powders for DIY face masks. If you’re not the “DIY” type, just this month Four Sigmatic released their own line of skin care which includes the“Mushrooom Mask & Tonic” which you can not only use as a face mask but can also drink as a tonic!
According to their website the full edible ingredient list includes: “Organic cacao powder, organic cinnamon powder, organic Reishi extract, organic Chaga extract, organic nutmeg powder, activated charcoal powder, panax ginseng root, organic gotu kola root, organic ginger root powder, citric acid, and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)”
SERUM
In addition to their new face mask, Four Sigmatic also introduced their “Superfood Serum”. It too has the calming effects of Reishi as well as other edible ingredients to hydrate your skin for a glowy complexion. They state that you can also use this internally as a wellness supplement (note: please always consult with your physician before taking any new supplements).
According to their website the full edible ingredients list includes: “avocado oil, organic olive fruit oil, Reishi spore oil, tsubaki seed (camellia japonica seed) oil, grapefruit peel oil, frankincense (boswellia carterii) oil, honeysuckle flower essence, Japanese honeysuckle flower extract, tocopheryl, jojoba seed oil”
Moon Juice also offers a serum, although please note that it is not edible! According to Moon Juice, the Beauty Shroom Plumping Jelly Serum is meant to plump and lift to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while also hydrating the skin. The mushrooms at work in this serum are the Silver Ear Mushroom and Reishi Mushroom.
EXFOLIATION
Moon Juice also offers the Beauty Shroom Exfoliating Acid Potion. According to their website: “This Exfoliating Acid Potion is like skin magic — a quickie facial that resurfaces and restores to reveal tighter, brighter, smoother skin. Our potent AHA and BHA 5-acid complex features Glycolic, Lactic, and Salicylic Acid to help encourage natural cellular turnover, unclog and minimize the appearance of pores, and visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin B3 pairs with adaptogenic Reishi and Tocotrienols to help boost hydration, combat the signs of oxidative stress, and fortify the skin’s natural barrier.”
THE TAKEAWAY ON MUSHROOMS
If you’re wanting to experiment with this years superfood trend just remember to start slow and listen to your body. I know that all of the marketing out there can be *tempting* but just because it’s a superfood doesn’t mean it’s going to agree with you and your personal health needs. If you find that you don’t do well with mushrooms internally and you’re wanting to incorporate them into your lifestyle give them a try externally, or vice versa. The key is to be mindful of any changes (good or bad) and honor those changes for yourself as you see fit. And, as always, be kind to yourself in the process 🙏
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