<ul class="summary-list"><li>Functional <keyword id="12169655" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="mushrooms" source="Orion">mushrooms</keyword> are a multi-billion dollar cash cow for the wellness industry.</li><li>Functional mushrooms include lion's mane, <keyword id="13568984" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="reishi" source="Orion">reishi</keyword>, <keyword id="13568985" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="turkey-tail" source="Orion">turkey tail</keyword>, cordyceps, and chaga. </li></ul><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/18/t-magazine/mushrooms-wellness.html">More and more Americans are turning to</a> "functional mushrooms," or fungi said to help treat diseases and improve cognition, as <keyword id="11894571" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="health" source="Orion">health</keyword> supplements.Functional mushrooms, also called "medicinal mushrooms," come with claims of healing properties alongside nutritional benefits. Functional mushrooms do not, however, have psychoactive properties, which separate them from "<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/magic-mushrooms-psilocybin-psychoactive-drug-brain-denver-legal-2019-5">magic" mushrooms</a>. <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/11/15/2334409/0/en/Global-functional-mushroom-market-to-reach-19-33-billion-by-2030-Allied-Market-Research.html">Allied Market Research</a> estimates the global functional mushroom market generated $7.98 billion in 2020, and may reach $19.33 billion by 2030. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/reviews/out?u=https%3A%2F%2Fgoop.com%2Ffour-sigmatic-lion-s-mane-mushroom-elixir-mix%2Fp%2F%3Fcjevent%3Da3854417b5c911ec816801900a82b821%26utm_source%3Djunction%26utm_medium%3Daffiliate%26utm_campaign%3DSkimlinks_https%253A%252F%252Fgoop.com%252Ffour-sigmatic-lion-s-mane-mushroom-elixir-mix%252Fp%252F%26cjdata%3DMXxOfDB8WXww">Goop</a> and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/reviews/out?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gnc.com%2Fmushroom%2F466708.html%3Futm_source%3Dcj%26utm_medium%3Daffiliate%26utm_campaign%3Dafl_cj_b-evgn_pf-none_pb-none_pdc-none_lowf_cx-none_p-none_t-none_g-usnat_d-alla_aflp-3861930%26utm_term%3D3861930%26utm_content%3Daff-none%26cjevent%3Db7a69c90b5c911ec823d9c350a82b832">GNC</a> offer functional mushroom supplements that claim to increase energy and support the immune system. <a href="https://www.kineuphorics.com/products/dream-light?irclickid=wiYwMIR4lxyIRJD1nQ0hPWO1UkGVW2wJWwk7ww0&amp;irgwc=1&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_source=adgoal%20GmbH&amp;utm_campaign=mediapartner_Online%20Tracking%20Link&amp;utm_content=ONLINE_TRACKING_LINK__">Kin Euphorics</a>, Bella Hadid's <a href="https://www.insider.com/bella-hadid-kin-euphorics-adaptogen-benefits-side-effects-2021-9">buzzy beverage startup</a>, infuses reishi mushrooms in an alcohol alternative drink to help "strengthen the adrenal system and balance your body's reactions to stress."Though traditional cultures in Asia, Europe, and North America have used functional mushrooms as a natural remedy for a variety of diseases, few human studies have been done testing functional mushrooms as medicine.Wellness drinks and supplements contain many different ingredients, but five major functional mushrooms come up again and again: lion's mane, reishi, turkey tail, cordyceps, and chaga. <h2>Lion's mane</h2><div type="image" title="lion's mane mushroom growing on a tree" height="2847" width="3797" msid="90711271" hostid="261"></div>Lion's mane (hericium erinaceus) grows on old or dead broadleaf trees and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years, according to the <a href="https://restorativemedicine.org/journal/neurological-activity-lions-mane-hericium-erinaceus/">Journal of Restorative Medicine</a>. The mushroom gets its name from its thin, hair-like structure.Lion's mane has traditionally been used to promote digestion and treat <keyword id="6355291" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="cancer" source="Orion">cancer</keyword>. Animal studies <a href="https://www.alzdiscovery.org/uploads/cognitive_vitality_media/Lion's-Mane-UPDATE.pdf">suggest</a> consuming the mushroom may protect against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, but there is little data on Lion's mane's effects on humans.Some companies are experimenting with lion's mane as an <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/functional-mushroom-supplement-promises-focus-with-lions-mane-2022-2">alternative to coffee or Adderall</a> due to its potential cognitive properties. A <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18844328/">2009 study</a> with 30 elderly participants — one of the only non-animal studies on lion's mane — suggested people who consumed three grams of lion's mane extract for 16 weeks performed slightly better on cognitive tests than a placebo group. <h2>Reishi </h2><div type="image" title="Lingzhi mushrooms can be seen at a stand at the Biofach organic food trade fair in Nuremberg, Germany, 15 February 2017." height="3644" width="4859" msid="90711274" hostid="261"></div>Reishi mushrooms (ganoderma lucidum) are found in hot and humid conditions all over the world. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92757/">Wild reishi mushrooms are rare</a>, and farmers cultivate the mushroom using grain, sawdust, wood logs, and cork residues. Reishi mushrooms were used in traditional medicines in East Asia to prevent aging and increase energy, according to the <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/mushrooms-pdq#_51">National Institutes of Health,</a> and they're used in China to strengthen the immune system of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy.Scientists are still testing reishi for anti-tumor effects. One Japanese study of 225 patients with benign colorectal tumors found tumor size decreased in participants who took reishi supplements for a year compared to a control group, according to NIH.The Food and Drug Administration has not approved reishi mushrooms to treat cancer or any other medical condition.<h2>Turkey tail </h2><div type="image" title="turkey tail mushroom growing on tree" height="2057" width="2736" msid="90711278" hostid="261"></div>Turkey tail (trametes versicolor) is a concave, cup-shaped mushroom that grows on fallen logs or living trees in wet, shady areas of North America, Asia, and Europe, according to <a href="https://www.macalester.edu/ordway/biodiversity/inventory/turkeytailfungus/">Macalester College</a>. The mushroom has a high concentration of the protein <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12168863/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">polysaccharide-K,</a> which has been <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/krestin">used to treat cancer and infectious diseases</a>. Turkey tail may help treat <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/mushrooms-pdq#_3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stomach cancer and help immune cells damaged by chemotherapy</a> recover to normal function, according to the National Cancer Institute. <h2>Chaga </h2><div type="image" title="Mike Bell holds a Chaga mushroom. Mike Bell, of Bern Township, hunts for mushrooms near the Blue Marsh Lake Stilling Basin parking lot in Bern Township Thursday afternoon October 9, 2014" height="3690" width="4920" msid="90711281" hostid="261"></div><a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318527">Chaga mushrooms</a> (inonotus obliquus) are found on birch trees in cold climates in the Northern Hemisphere, and the outer layer is rich in antioxidants.The antioxidants in chaga can decrease inflammation in the gut, which contributes to irritable bowel syndrome, according to the <a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/chaga-mushroom-benefits/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CBy%20having%20these%20antioxidants%2C%20chaga,can%20also%20fight%20harmful%20bacteria.">Cleveland Clinic</a>.Animal studies suggest the mushroom may inhibit melanoma cell growth and have anti-inflammatory effects against colitis, but there are no human clinical trials that have assessed chaga's safety or use in treating disease, according to <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/chaga-mushroom">Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center</a>. <h2>Cordyceps</h2><div type="image" title="Product shots of caterpillar fungus (HIMALAYA CORDYCEPS)" height="3840" width="5119" msid="90711284" hostid="261"></div>Caterpillar <keyword id="13568982" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="fungus" source="Orion">fungus</keyword> (cordyceps sinensis) is found in the soil of Chinese prairies at elevations of 3500 to 5000 meters, according to <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92758/">Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects</a>. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/caterpillar-fungus-expensive-most-valuable-parasite-2019-3">The rare fungus</a> sells for $63,000 per pound, and the value skyrocketed in the 1990s and 2000s due to the growing Chinese economy. The fungus has become increasingly rare lately due to both climate change and increased demand from the wellness industry, per <a href="https://www.insider.com/as-chinese-mountains-get-hotter-hunt-for-cure-all-fungus-gets-harder-2019-6">Reuters</a>.Dubbed "The Viagra Of The Himalayas" by <a href="https://www.npr.org/2011/10/09/141164173/caterpillar-fungus-the-viagra-of-the-himalayas#:~:text=Caterpillar%20Fungus%3A%20The%20Viagra%20Of%20The%20Himalayas%20It's%20known%20as,a%20status%20symbol%20in%20China.">NPR</a>, the fungus has been used to treat erectile dysfunction in traditional Chinese medicine. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4791983/">A 2016 paper showed</a> caterpillar fungus may help increase sperm count and serum testosterone.

5 'functional' mushrooms the wellness industry is obsessed with, from lion's mane to turkey tail

<ul class="summary-list"><li>MycoWorks makes alternative leather from mycelium, the network of fungus that can become a mushroom.</li><li>The company will open its first commercial plant in September to supply luxury brands like Hermès.</li><li>Fashion brands are investing in materials that don't use animals or plastic to meet climate goals.</li></ul>The humble mushroom could be the next must-have accessory.The San Francisco startup MycoWorks makes leather from mycelium — the weblike fungus that can become a mushroom — and it's set to open its first commercial-scale plant in September in South Carolina.The factory will produce millions of square feet of mycelium a year, MycoWorks said. Customers include the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://newsletter.businessinsider.com/click/32354516.11796/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubXljb3dvcmtzLmNvbS9pbnRyb2R1Y2luZy1zeWx2YW5pYS1ieS1oZXJtZXM_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJmVtYWlsPWNib3VkcmVhdSU0MGluc2lkZXIuY29tJng9ODEyOGUyOWUzMDdkOGMyNjIyODcwYzQzZDJlODMxYTIyY2U1MDA5MjU1YTE1MGQ1NDcxNzAzNWU4Y2IwZDBhNg/628bdf90094963f5ad0eef3eBe692db31">luxury brand Hermès</a>, the high-end home furnisher Ligne Roset, and General Motors, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://newsletter.businessinsider.com/click/32354516.11796/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucHJuZXdzd2lyZS5jb20vbmV3cy1yZWxlYXNlcy9teWNvd29ya3Mtc2VjdXJlcy1zdHJhdGVnaWMtaW52ZXN0bWVudC1mcm9tLWdtLXZlbnR1cmVzLXRvLWRldmVsb3AtZmluZS1teWNlbGl1bS1tYXRlcmlhbHMtZm9yLXN1c3RhaW5hYmxlLWF1dG9tb3RpdmUtaW50ZXJpb3JzLTMwMTY1MTQ4My5odG1sP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09bmV3c2xldHRlciZlbWFpbD1jYm91ZHJlYXUlNDBpbnNpZGVyLmNvbSZ4PTgxMjhlMjllMzA3ZDhjMjYyMjg3MGM0M2QyZTgzMWEyMmNlNTAwOTI1NWExNTBkNTQ3MTcwMzVlOGNiMGQwYTY/628bdf90094963f5ad0eef3eB497106eb">which is exploring the use of leather alternatives for its vehicles</a>. "The commitments we have from these partners enabled this factory to be built," Matt Scullin, the CEO of MycoWorks and a materials scientist, told Insider. He added that the factory will help the company penetrate the fashion and luxury industries "in a real way."Many fashion brands have set climate goals and are searching for sustainable substitutes to animal- or plastic-based leather and other textiles with high carbon footprints. The brands' push has spurred investment <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://newsletter.businessinsider.com/click/32354516.11796/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXRlcmlhbGlubm92YXRpb24ub3JnL3JlcG9ydHMvMjAyMi1zdGF0ZS1vZi10aGUtaW5kdXN0cnktcmVwb3J0LW5leHQtZ2VuLW1hdGVyaWFscy8_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJmVtYWlsPWNib3VkcmVhdSU0MGluc2lkZXIuY29tJng9ODEyOGUyOWUzMDdkOGMyNjIyODcwYzQzZDJlODMxYTIyY2U1MDA5MjU1YTE1MGQ1NDcxNzAzNWU4Y2IwZDBhNg/628bdf90094963f5ad0eef3eBc43fc055">in more than 100 startups</a> developing these alternatives, according to the Material Innovation Initiative, an industry think tank. <div type="image" title="An Hermès bag made of plant-based leather" height="1577" width="1184" msid="102623648" hostid="261" sizebytes="168394"></div>Startups focused on so-called next-generation materials raised some $457 million in 2022, though that was a drop from 2021 in part because of higher interest rates. MycoWorks' shift to a commercial-scale operation has been decades in the making, Scullin said. The company has raised $187 million in funding, a spokesperson told Insider.Yet even with MycoWorks' milestones, the new production will only account for a sliver of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://newsletter.businessinsider.com/click/32354516.11796/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2NpZW5jZWRpcmVjdC5jb20vc2NpZW5jZS9hcnRpY2xlL2Ficy9waWkvUzAwNDU2NTM1MjAzMDk5Nzg_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJmVtYWlsPWNib3VkcmVhdSU0MGluc2lkZXIuY29tJng9ODEyOGUyOWUzMDdkOGMyNjIyODcwYzQzZDJlODMxYTIyY2U1MDA5MjU1YTE1MGQ1NDcxNzAzNWU4Y2IwZDBhNg/628bdf90094963f5ad0eef3eB7ba27c09">estimated 23 billion square feet</a> of leather produced globally each year, much of which is used for footwear. The alternative-materials industry still faces headwinds. Bolt Threads halted production of its alternative leather, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://newsletter.businessinsider.com/click/32354516.11796/aHR0cHM6Ly9ib2x0dGhyZWFkcy5jb20vdGVjaG5vbG9neS9teWxvLz91dG1fbWVkaXVtPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImZW1haWw9Y2JvdWRyZWF1JTQwaW5zaWRlci5jb20meD04MTI4ZTI5ZTMwN2Q4YzI2MjI4NzBjNDNkMmU4MzFhMjJjZTUwMDkyNTVhMTUwZDU0NzE3MDM1ZThjYjBkMGE2/628bdf90094963f5ad0eef3eB2f5c0f7d">made from mycelium and minimal plastics</a>, this year even after landing high-profile partnerships with Stella McCartney and Adidas and raising more than $300 million since 2009. CEO Dan Widmaier <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://newsletter.businessinsider.com/click/32354516.11796/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudm9ndWVidXNpbmVzcy5jb20vc3VzdGFpbmFiaWxpdHkvc3RlbGxhLW1jY2FydG5leS1iYWNrZWQtbGVhdGhlci1hbHRlcm5hdGl2ZS1teWxvLWhhbHRzLXByb2R1Y3Rpb24tYm9sdC10aHJlYWRzLWtlcmluZy1nYW5uaS1hZGlkYXMtbHVsdWxlbW9uP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09bmV3c2xldHRlciZlbWFpbD1jYm91ZHJlYXUlNDBpbnNpZGVyLmNvbSZ4PTgxMjhlMjllMzA3ZDhjMjYyMjg3MGM0M2QyZTgzMWEyMmNlNTAwOTI1NWExNTBkNTQ3MTcwMzVlOGNiMGQwYTY/628bdf90094963f5ad0eef3eB7602f2f3">told Vogue Business</a> that funding had dried up but the company is open to selling the technology to make sure its material gets to market. Yet such challenges haven't deterred all investors. A startup called Ecovative that's making mycelium-based bacon, textiles, and packaging recently said it <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://newsletter.businessinsider.com/click/32354516.11796/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYnVzaW5lc3N3aXJlLmNvbS9uZXdzL2hvbWUvMjAyMzA2MDYwMDU0MTcvZW4vRWNvdmF0aXZlLVJhaXNlcy1PdmVyLTMwLU1pbGxpb24tRnVuZGluZy1HbG9iYWwtRGlzdHJpYnV0aW9uLW9mLVBsYW5ldC1GcmllbmRseS1GYXNoaW9uLWFuZC1Gb29kP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09bmV3c2xldHRlciZlbWFpbD1jYm91ZHJlYXUlNDBpbnNpZGVyLmNvbSZ4PTgxMjhlMjllMzA3ZDhjMjYyMjg3MGM0M2QyZTgzMWEyMmNlNTAwOTI1NWExNTBkNTQ3MTcwMzVlOGNiMGQwYTY/628bdf90094963f5ad0eef3eBadf23c68">attracted more than $30 million</a> in a funding round. Anne Higonnet, an art-history professor at New York's Barnard College who teaches a popular course on clothing and the rise of sustainability, told Insider that most technological advances in fashion have required loads of capital and experimentation. She sees a luxury fashion house like Hermès as an ideal pioneer for alternative leather because the brand's status is based in part on scarcity. "Hermès makes the single most desirable handbag on the planet — the Birkin — with legendary wait times," Higonnet said. "The hope is that with their approval and financing, experimental companies can slowly scale up and produce viable leather substitutes that eventually wean us off of both leather and plastic simultaneously."Scullin sees a future where MycoWorks' material, called Reishi, is available beyond the luxury market. He said Reishi is different from its competitors for two reasons: its quality and production process that grows sheets of mycelium in small trays. "People fall in love with Reishi for the way it feels and the way it looks," Scullin said. "Sustainability is part of our story, but it is not the story. That's been a strategic difference between our approach and that of our competitors. Consumers don't want to sacrifice quality for sustainability, and brands know that."

Handbags and hats made of mushroom leather could become the next luxury items for brands like Hermès

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Lion's mane is a type of mushroom that's become popular on social media.</li><li>Some research shows that lion's mane could boost cognition, and improve anxiety and depression.</li></ul>To boost cognition and reduce ADHD symptoms, celebrities and social media users are increasingly turning to a bulbous fuzzy white mushroom found on old or dead broadleaf trees.Lion's mane is a type of "<a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/what-functional-mushrooms-do-reishi-chaga-lions-mane-turkey-tail-2022-4">functional mushroom</a>," a category of mushroom thought to help treat various diseases and improve cognition. Other types of functional mushrooms include reishi, turkey tail, cordyceps, and chaga. Functional mushrooms do not have hallucinogenic properties the way magic mushrooms do.The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/what-functional-mushrooms-do-reishi-chaga-lions-mane-turkey-tail-2022-4">functional mushroom industry</a> is booming. Allana Akhtar previously reported that the industry generated <a target="_blank" href="https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/11/15/2334409/0/en/Global-functional-mushroom-market-to-reach-19-33-billion-by-2030-Allied-Market-Research.html">$7.98 billion in 2020</a>, and is estimated to reach $19.33 billion by 2030.While lion's mane shows tentative promise in boosting cognition and improving mental health amongst other health benefits, it is still largely <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/diet-nutrition/lions-mane-mushroom">under-researched in humans</a>.Here's what we know so far about lion's mane and its therapeutic effects.<h2>Small studies show it may improve cognition in some populations</h2>Lion's mane may boost cognitive functioning in older adults.A <a target="_blank" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18844328/">small 2009</a> study in Japanese adults found that taking four 250 milligram tablets of lion's mane three times daily boosted performance on tests of cognitive functioning over the 16 week study.But these changes weren't permanent."Within four weeks of stopping supplementation, mental function declined," Colleen Spees, PhD, RDN, associate professor in the division of medical dietetics at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/diet-nutrition/lions-mane-mushroom">previously told BI</a>.A <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7283924/">2020 study</a> found that taking one gram of lion's mane mushroom daily for 49 weeks significantly improved cognitive test scores in people with mild Alzheimer's disease compared to people who received a placebo.Finally, a small study published <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/24/5018">this month</a> found that taking a one gram capsule of lion's mane sped up healthy adults' reaction time two hours later. However, this study was partly funded by a supplement company.While these studies are exciting, most research into lion's mane's effects on cognition has been done in animals or in test tubes, so more research in humans is needed, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/lions-mane-mushroom#depression-and-anxiety">Healthline reported</a>.<h2>Lion's mane might reduce anxiety and depression</h2>Early research suggests that lion's mane may improve anxiety and depression symptoms.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6500611/">A small 2019</a> study found that lion's mane reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression in participants who were overweight or obese. Participants in this study took three capsules daily for eight weeks, and each capsule contained 400 milligrams of lion's mane mycelium, and 100 milligrams of the fruiting body. Additionally, a <a target="_blank" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20834180/">2010 study</a> in menopausal women found that eating cookies containing lion's mane reduced self-reported feelings of irritation and anxiety.In another small <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/24/5018">recent study</a>, researchers found that one gram capsules of lion's mane improved subjective ratings of happiness among participants 60 minutes after consumption. The effect lasted until two hours after taking the capsules.As with cognition, more studies in humans are needed to determine whether lion's mane can actually help with anxiety and depression.<h2>It's unclear whether lion's mane could help with ADHD</h2>Lion's mane is also marketed by wellness start-ups, like the Toronto-based company Gwella, as a feel-good, healthy <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/functional-mushroom-supplement-promises-focus-with-lions-mane-2022-2">alternative to coffee or Adderall</a> — especially for those with ADHD.But no evidence exists to support the use of lion's mane in reducing ADHD symptoms or improving concentration, according to Healthline.One small <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9762243/">2022 study</a> of lion's mane in college-aged healthy adults didn't find any effect of lion's mane on cognition — even at high doses, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.verywellhealth.com/lions-mane-for-adhd-8405247#:~:text=Lion's%20mane%20is%20not%20recommended%20for%20ADHD%20because%20there%20aren,or%20people%20diagnosed%20with%20ADHD.">Verywell Health</a>.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.additudemag.com/lions-mane-psychedelics-caffeine-adhd-treatment-alternatives/">ADDitude Magazine</a> also reported that there's no research that shows lion's mane has any effect on dopamine, one of the key <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/mental-health/types-of-adhd">neurotransmitters involved in ADHD</a>.For now, lion's mane may be better served up as a delicious <a target="_blank" href="https://www.verywellhealth.com/lions-mane-benefits-and-nutrition-profile-7498004">high-fiber</a> vegan sub for crab meat or lobster, or as part of a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/lions-mane-mushroom#preparation">risotto, pasta, or soup</a>.

Lion's mane is all the rage for cognition and mental health. Here are the mushroom's actual benefits.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Chris Mirabile is 39 but says his "biological age" is 26.</li><li>He puts this in part down to good nutrition, including a daily protein smoothie.</li></ul>Chris Mirabile is committed to living younger for longer.After surviving a life-threatening seizure caused by a brain tumor at the age of 16, Mirabile devoted himself to healthy aging, which led him to found Novos, a longevity-supplements company.Mirabile, 39, now claims he has a "biological age" of 26 and has <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://slowmyage.com/biological-age-test-epigenetic-horvath-test-longevity/">slowed his aging by 37%</a>. As Insider <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-biological-age-is-reverse-aging-possible-2023-2">previously reported</a>, some experts are starting to say it's possible for a person to have different biological and chronological ages — but being able to pinpoint a specific biological age is still up for debate.Mirabile told Insider he credits being "biologically" 26 to a range of factors — regular <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.insider.com/strength-training-women-benefits-lift-weights-celebrity-personal-trainer-2023-1">strength training</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.insider.com/weight-lifting-and-cardio-may-help-you-live-longer-study-2022-9">cardio</a>, good sleep, and a balanced diet being three key components.But while aiming to eat healthily most of the time, Mirabile still wants to enjoy his life, so he doesn't deprive himself of the things he enjoys, such as a plate of pasta at the weekend or a glass of wine at a celebration.Most of the time, however, Mirabile <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.insider.com/avoid-these-intermittent-fasting-mistakes-for-weight-loss-researcher-2023-3">intermittently fasts</a> and focuses on eating a nutritious, whole-food diet.<h2>Mirabile drinks a protein smoothie every day</h2>Every morning, Mirabile drinks a postworkout <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/smoothie-mistake-spiking-blood-sugar-healthy-recipes-dietitian-2023-1?r=US&amp;IR=T">smoothie</a>, which contains:<ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.insider.com/milk-nutritional-differences-dairy-oat-almond-soy-calories-protein-chart-2022-4">Nondairy milk</a> such as hemp or coconut</li><li>Vegan protein powder made from a blend of pea and hemp protein</li><li>Mushroom powder mix</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/diet-nutrition/benefits-of-spirulina">Spirulina</a></li><li>Chlorella</li><li>Carrot</li><li>Celery</li><li>Strawberry or peach nondairy <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/diet-nutrition/what-is-kefir">kefir</a></li></ul>Mirabile says while the smoothie may not sound incredibly appetizing, the fruity kefir adds some sweetness that makes it taste good while also providing probiotics.He prefers dairy-free products because he believes <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="c-link" href="https://novoslabs.com/why-milk-accelerates-aging/">cow's milk accelerates aging</a>. (This, however, has not been proved.)Mirabile deliberately chooses a vegan protein powder that uses a blend of plant-based protein sources in order to provide a complete amino-acid profile, which he says will help his muscles repair after workouts.Vegans sometimes need to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-eat-enough-protein-lose-fat-build-muscle-vegetarian-vegan-2020-6">combine foods</a> to ensure meals provide <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.insider.com/difference-between-incomplete-complete-protein-2019-1">"complete" proteins</a>, meaning they provide all nine essential amino acids. Most plant-based protein sources are not complete on their own, but when you combine them, they tick all the amino-acid boxes. Ways to do this in meals include eating rice with beans or chickpeas with couscous.Mirabile's mushroom powder contains maitake, lion's mane, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.insider.com/the-last-of-us-creator-cordyceps-fungus-danger-real-2023-1">cordyceps</a>, reishi, shiitake, turkey tail, and chaga. Mushrooms like lion's mane <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/diet-nutrition/lions-mane-mushroom">have been linked with improved digestive health, metabolism, and cognition</a>, though more research is needed.Correction: August 11, 2023 — An earlier version of this story misstated Chris Mirabile's age. He claims to have a "biological age" of 26, not 27.

A 39-year-old who says his 'biological age' is 26 shares his protein smoothie recipe 

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A woman went to the ER with abdominal pain, and found out her herbal tea was toxic to her liver.</li><li>The woman, 45, drank the tea daily for three days "to improve immunity" before she got the pain.</li></ul>A woman who went to the emergency room with "severe" abdominal pain was told the herbal tea she had been drinking had damaged her liver, according to a report. The unnamed woman, 45, drank the tea daily for three days to try to "improve immunity" before she experienced pain in her upper abdomen and felt nauseous, doctors wrote in a case report published on January 11 in the <a href="https://www.cureus.com/articles/116391-herbal-supplement-induced-liver-injury-a-case-report">Cureus Journal of Medical Science.</a>Blood tests suggested that her liver was getting damaged, they said.<h2>Herbal tea is a rare cause of liver disease </h2>The doctors, who work in the US, said that herbal tea is a "rare" but "often overlooked" cause of liver disease. A 2015 <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2374373517706612">survey</a> suggests that more than a third of US adults use herbal supplements.According to the report, the tea contained 23 ingredients including: <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-functional-mushrooms-do-reishi-chaga-lions-mane-turkey-tail-2022-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reishi mushroom</a>, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-15-million-aloe-vera-leaves-are-harvested-a-week-2021-10?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">aloe vera,</a> and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-ginseng-is-so-expensive-2021-12?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Siberian ginseng.</a><h2>The woman fully recovered after she stopped drinking the tea</h2>The woman was hospitalized for five days and stopped drinking the tea during her stay.After three days, blood tests showed that her liver function had improved, and she no longer had symptoms. When she was discharged, the doctors told her not to start drinking the tea again. After three months, the woman's liver blood tests were normal, the doctors said. <h2>Herbal ingredients aren't regulated in the same way as other drugs</h2>Herbal ingredients aren't regulated in the same way as medications, so research regarding side effects is generally lacking, the authors of the report said. In terms of the ingredients in the woman's tea, the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548634/?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=transaction">National Library of Medicine</a> states that oral forms of aloe vera have been linked to a dozen cases of liver toxicity since 2005. Symptoms, like abdominal pain or yellow skin, have resolved on stopping the supplement and no-one has gotten sick or died, it states. Meanwhile, reishi <a href="https://www.insider.com/top-wellness-trends-in-2022-shrooms-supplements-sobriety-2022-12">mushrooms</a> have caused liver damage in two people, according to<a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0168827804002582"> research.</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/black-hairy-tongue-vitamin-d-overdose-flu-symptoms-sex-2022-12">Clinicians publish case reports</a> in scientific journals about unusual or rare things that happen to patients to inform their peers without needing to do comprehensive research, which can be time-consuming and expensive.The doctors writing this report urged other clinicians to familiarize themselves with herbal <a href="https://www.insider.com/supplements-you-should-or-should-not-take-2022-9">supplements</a> so they can speak to their patients and educate them on potential side effects.

A woman went to the ER with 'severe' abdominal pain and discovered herbal tea had damaged her liver

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="12004883" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="herbs" source="Orion">Herbs</keyword> that may benefit the immune system include echinacea, garlic, ginseng, and reishi mushrooms.</li><li>Ginseng can help your immune system by regulating immune cells that help your body fend off threats.</li><li>Garlic is also beneficial for immunity since it contains allicin, an antibacterial compound.</li></ul>Whether you're facing <a href="https://www.insider.com/common-cold-symptoms-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cold</a> and <a href="https://www.insider.com/when-is-flu-season" target="_blank" rel="noopener">flu season</a> or simply trying to stay healthy in general, it's crucial to keep our immune system robust. The immune system is responsible for preventing and fighting off infections, and when your immune system is strong, you're more likely to be able to ward off sicknesses. It's important to note that you won't be able to rely on herbs exclusively to fight sickness. To have a <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-boost-immune-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener">strong immune system</a>, you need to get certain vitamins, eat healthy, sleep well, and exercise. And of course, the best way to reduce your risk of illness is to <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-long-should-you-wash-your-hands" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wash your hands frequently</a> and avoid contact with people who may be sick. But on top of those recommended practices, some herbs may carry additional immune benefits. Here are four herbs recommended by experts to help you boost your immune system.<h2>How herbs can benefit the immune system</h2>Many herbs are antagonistic to pathogens, meaning they actively fight microorganisms like viruses, bacteria, worms, and bugs, says <a href="http://www.markfrost.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mark Frost, MSTCM, L.Ac.,</a> Herbal Medicine Department Chair at <a href="https://www.actcm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine</a>. And it's not just those experts in the field of traditional Chinese medicine who say herbs have these immune-boosting powers. Those who practice Western medicine are also in favor of adding herbs to a healthy diet. <a href="https://www.dukehealth.org/find-doctors-physicians/deborah-ann-ballard-md-mph" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Deborah Ann Ballard, M.D., M.P.H</a>., Internal Medicine Doctor at <a href="https://dukeintegrativemedicine.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Duke Integrative Medicine</a>, says that she recommends using a variety of herbs and spices in cooking to promote consumption. "Incorporating them regularly into a healthy diet has a very low risk of harm and a reasonable chance of helping our immune system fight off infections," says Ballard.<h2>1. Echinacea</h2>Echinacea is an herb with many uses. According to <a style="font-size: 15px;" href="https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/echinacea" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mount Sinai</a> Hospital, it has properties that can relieve pain and reduce inflammation, in addition to having antiviral and <a style="font-size: 15px;" href="https://www.insider.com/what-are-antioxidants-good-for" target="_blank" rel="noopener">antioxidant</a> effects. This makes it an ideal herb for supporting your immune system and boosting its function. A 2006 systematic review published in <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD000530.pub2/abstract" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cochrane Library</a> determined that taking echinacea after cold symptoms like runny nose and congestion, can help reduce both the duration of how long you're sick and the severity of the cold. However, the researchers said that results were not consistent throughout all of the studies they analyzed. Additionally, a 2020 systematic review published in <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7395221/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Advances in Integrative Medicine</a> determined that echinacea can be beneficial for acute respiratory infections if the herb is taken at the onset of symptoms. This is because it can decrease the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines that are associated with inflammation and respiratory infections. Frost says if you feel like you've been exposed to a lot of people and potential germs, or you feel like you might be getting sick, try taking echinacea two or three days in a row. Follow the dosing instructions on the packaging of the echinacea product you're consuming, or consult a herbalist. You can put some in tea or use it as a tincture.<h2>2. Garlic</h2>Garlic is a powerful antimicrobial herb, especially for the gut, says Frost. In fact, it is believed to be <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4103721/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">antibacterial, antiviral, and antiprotozoal</a> (meaning it can fight parasites). Ballard says these properties can help fight off chest infections and respiratory infections.Garlic contains allicin, and this is believed to be the compound that makes garlic antibacterial. According to a 2014 review published in <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4103721/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine</a>, this makes it possible for garlic to fight bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli, which are <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-bacteria-causes-food-poisoning#:~:text=Four%20types%20of%20bacteria%20that,coli%2C%20and%20listeria." target="_blank" rel="noopener">bacteria that cause food poisoning</a>.On top of this, Frost says garlic is ideal for strengthening the digestive system. This makes it a good choice for treating parasites or worms in the gut. The <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4103721/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine</a> review also references a study in which garlic was used to treat giardiasis, which is an infection caused by a parasite. Patients' symptoms resolved after 24 hours, after garlic was administered either through a 1mg/mL liquid extract twice a day, or a 0.6 mg/mL garlic capsule. Additionally, garlic has been found to help fight the common cold with its antiviral properties. A 2014 review published in <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6465033/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cochrane Library</a> discussed one study that gave participants either garlic supplements with 180 mg of allicin daily over the course of 12 weeks or a placebo. The researchers found that those who received garlic were less likely to get a cold, and if they did get sick, they were sick for less days than those in the placebo group. However, more research is needed.<h2>3. Ginseng</h2>According to one study, this herb <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5628357/#:~:text=Ginseng%20regulates%20the%20hypothalamic%E2%80%93pituitary,of%20several%20genes%20%5B21%5D." target="_blank" rel="noopener">strengthens the HPA axis</a> — the hypothalamic, pituitary, adrenal axis — which is responsible for regulating the immune system's response to stress. <a href="https://www.insider.com/can-stress-make-you-sick" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chronic or severe stress can weaken the immune system</a>, so it's important that you have a strong HPA axis to help manage the effect stress has on your immune system. By strengthening the HPA axis, you are strengthening the immune system, Frost says. Ginseng can also <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3659612/#" target="_blank" rel="noopener">keep the immune system balanced</a> by regulating various types of immune cells — including T cells, B cells, natural killer cells, and macrophages — which identify threats to the body and fight them off. There's even evidence that <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/6/2/517" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ginseng can fight off Influenza A</a> in mice, although human research is needed. Frost says ginseng is very strong, and if you're considering incorporating it into your regimen, you should consult a herbalist. You can consume ginseng by making a tea with fresh ginseng root, or you can take ginseng capsules.<h2>4. Reishi</h2>Reishi, also known as Lingzhi, is a type of mushroom. <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/mushrooms-pdq" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reishi mushrooms</a> contain beta-glucans, which are believed to stimulate different types of cells in the immune system, including monocytes, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells. By stimulating these cells, they are better able to detect and fight off infections. There's even some evidence that the beta-glucans in reishi can have anti-tumor effects, stopping the growth of cancer cells, according to the <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/reishi-mushroom" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center</a>. However, more research needs to be done to further understand the benefits of resihi mushrooms. You can buy reishi powder or capsules to consume. <h2>Insider's takeaway</h2>Before you start taking any of these herbs, you should consult with your doctor to make sure that they will not negatively interact with any medications you're taking. You should also make sure that you get an accurate diagnosis if you are sick — it's worth visiting a doctor to see which treatments they recommend before you try herbal remedies. If you want to try these herbs, speaking with a qualified herbalist or traditional Chinese medicine practitioner can help you figure out which herbs might work for you, as well as the best way to take them. They can also help you determine where to buy the herbs to make sure you are using quality products.

4 herbs that may help boost your immune system naturally, according to experts

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Herbs that may benefit the <keyword id="31457" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="immune-system">immune system</keyword> include echinacea, garlic, ginseng, and reishi mushrooms.</li><li>Ginseng can help your immune system by regulating immune cells, like T cells, that can help your body fend off threats.</li><li>Consuming garlic is also beneficial for the immune system, since it contains allicin, a compound that has antibacterial properties. </li><li>This article was reviewed by <a href="https://health.tamu.edu/experts/jason-mcknight.html">Jason R. McKnight</a>, MD, MS, a family medicine physician and clinical assistant professor at <a href="https://medicine.tamu.edu/">Texas A&amp;M College of Medicine</a>. </li></ul>Whether you're facing <a href="https://www.insider.com/common-cold-symptoms-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cold</a> and <a href="https://www.insider.com/when-is-flu-season" target="_blank" rel="noopener">flu season</a> or simply trying to stay healthy in general, it's crucial to keep our immune system robust. The immune system is responsible for preventing and fighting off infections, and when your immune system is strong, you're more likely to be able to ward off sicknesses. It's important to note that you won't be able to rely on herbs exclusively to fight sickness. To have a <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-boost-immune-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener">strong immune system</a>, you need to get certain vitamins, eat healthy, sleep well, and exercise. And of course, the best way to reduce your risk of illness is to <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-long-should-you-wash-your-hands" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wash your hands frequently</a> and avoid contact with people who may be sick. But on top of those recommended practices, some herbs may carry additional immune benefits. Here are four herbs recommended by experts to help you boost your immune system.<h2>How herbs can benefit the immune system</h2>Many herbs are antagonistic to pathogens, meaning they actively fight microorganisms like viruses, bacteria, worms, and bugs, says <a href="http://www.markfrost.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mark Frost, MSTCM, L.Ac.,</a> Herbal Medicine Department Chair at <a href="https://www.actcm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine</a>. And it's not just those experts in the field of traditional Chinese medicine who say herbs have these immune-boosting powers. Those who practice Western medicine are also in favor of adding herbs to a healthy diet. <a href="https://www.dukehealth.org/find-doctors-physicians/deborah-ann-ballard-md-mph" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Deborah Ann Ballard, M.D., M.P.H</a>., Internal Medicine Doctor at <a href="https://dukeintegrativemedicine.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Duke Integrative Medicine</a>, says that she recommends using a variety of herbs and spices in cooking to promote consumption. "Incorporating them regularly into a healthy diet has a very low risk of harm and a reasonable chance of helping our immune system fight off infections," says Ballard.<h2>1. Echinacea</h2>Echinacea is an herb with many uses. According to <a style="font-size: 15px;" href="https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/echinacea" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mount Sinai</a> Hospital, it has properties that can relieve pain and reduce inflammation, in addition to having antiviral and <a style="font-size: 15px;" href="https://www.insider.com/what-are-antioxidants-good-for" target="_blank" rel="noopener">antioxidant</a> effects. This makes it an ideal herb for supporting your immune system and boosting its function. A 2006 systematic review published in <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD000530.pub2/abstract" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cochrane Library</a> determined that taking echinacea after cold symptoms like runny nose and congestion, can help reduce both the duration of how long you're sick and the severity of the cold. However, the researchers said that results were not consistent throughout all of the studies they analyzed. Additionally, a 2020 systematic review published in <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7395221/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Advances in Integrative Medicine</a> determined that echinacea can be beneficial for acute respiratory infections if the herb is taken at the onset of symptoms. This is because it can decrease the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines that are associated with inflammation and respiratory infections. Frost says if you feel like you've been exposed to a lot of people and potential germs, or you feel like you might be getting sick, try taking echinacea two or three days in a row. Follow the dosing instructions on the packaging of the echinacea product you're consuming, or consult a herbalist. You can put some in tea or use it as a tincture.<h2>2. Garlic</h2>Garlic is a powerful antimicrobial herb, especially for the gut, says Frost. In fact, it is believed to be <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4103721/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">antibacterial, antiviral, and antiprotozoal</a> (meaning it can fight parasites). Ballard says these properties can help fight off chest infections and respiratory infections.Garlic contains allicin, and this is believed to be the compound that makes garlic antibacterial. According to a 2014 review published in <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4103721/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine</a>, this makes it possible for garlic to fight bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli, which are <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-bacteria-causes-food-poisoning#:~:text=Four%20types%20of%20bacteria%20that,coli%2C%20and%20listeria." target="_blank" rel="noopener">bacteria that cause food poisoning</a>.On top of this, Frost says garlic is ideal for strengthening the digestive system. This makes it a good choice for treating parasites or worms in the gut. The <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4103721/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine</a> review also references a study in which garlic was used to treat giardiasis, which is an infection caused by a parasite. Patients' symptoms resolved after 24 hours, after garlic was administered either through a 1mg/mL liquid extract twice a day, or a 0.6 mg/mL garlic capsule. Additionally, garlic has been found to help fight the common cold with its antiviral properties. A 2014 review published in <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6465033/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cochrane Library</a> discussed one study that gave participants either garlic supplements with 180 mg of allicin daily over the course of 12 weeks or a placebo. The researchers found that those who received garlic were less likely to get a cold, and if they did get sick, they were sick for less days than those in the placebo group. However, more research is needed.<h2>3. Ginseng</h2>According to one study, this herb <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5628357/#:~:text=Ginseng%20regulates%20the%20hypothalamic%E2%80%93pituitary,of%20several%20genes%20%5B21%5D." target="_blank" rel="noopener">strengthens the HPA axis</a> — the hypothalamic, pituitary, adrenal axis — which is responsible for regulating the immune system's response to stress. <a href="https://www.insider.com/can-stress-make-you-sick" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chronic or severe stress can weaken the immune system</a>, so it's important that you have a strong HPA axis to help manage the effect stress has on your immune system. By strengthening the HPA axis, you are strengthening the immune system, Frost says. Ginseng can also <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3659612/#" target="_blank" rel="noopener">keep the immune system balanced</a> by regulating various types of immune cells — including T cells, B cells, natural killer cells, and macrophages — which identify threats to the body and fight them off. There's even evidence that <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/6/2/517" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ginseng can fight off Influenza A</a> in mice, although human research is needed. Frost says ginseng is very strong, and if you're considering incorporating it into your regimen, you should consult a herbalist. You can consume ginseng by making a tea with fresh ginseng root, or you can take ginseng capsules.<h2>4. Reishi</h2>Reishi, also known as Lingzhi, is a type of mushroom. <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/mushrooms-pdq" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reishi mushrooms</a> contain beta-glucans, which are believed to stimulate different types of cells in the immune system, including monocytes, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells. By stimulating these cells, they are better able to detect and fight off infections. There's even some evidence that the beta-glucans in reishi can have anti-tumor effects, stopping the growth of cancer cells, according to the <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/reishi-mushroom" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center</a>. However, more research needs to be done to further understand the benefits of resihi mushrooms. You can buy reishi powder or capsules to consume. <h2>The bottom line</h2>Before you start taking any of these herbs, you should consult with your doctor to make sure that they will not negatively interact with any medications you're taking. You should also make sure that you get an accurate diagnosis if you are sick — it's worth visiting a doctor to see which treatments they recommend before you try herbal remedies. If you want to try these herbs, speaking with a qualified herbalist or traditional Chinese medicine practitioner can help you figure out which herbs might work for you, as well as the best way to take them. They can also help you determine where to buy the herbs to make sure you are using quality products. <h1>Related stories:</h1><ul><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-boost-immune-system">How to boost your immune system through diet and lifestyle changes</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-long-should-you-wash-your-hands">You're probably not washing your hands long enough, and it could be making you sick</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/can-you-sweat-out-a-cold">You can't sweat out a cold, and trying to could make it harder for you to recover</a></li></ul>

4 herbs that may help boost your immune system naturally

<ul class="summary-list"><li>I tried a "functional-mushroom" supplement containing a fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine.</li><li>Gwella's founder said he began experimenting with mushrooms to create an alternative to Adderall.</li></ul>As <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/psychedelics-industry-growth-pitch-deck-ipo-ceo-interviews">psychedelic mushrooms</a> continue to gain interest from investors and researchers, some companies are experimenting with "<a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/adaptogenic-mushrooms#what-they-are">functional mushrooms</a>," fungi with properties <a href="https://www.escoffier.edu/blog/culinary-arts/what-are-functional-mushrooms-and-how-can-they-be-used/#:~:text=What%20makes%20a%20mushroom%20functional?,health%20benefit%20beyond%20providing%20nutrition">beyond just nutrition</a>, such as reducing stress or increasing focus.<a href="https://www.gwellamushrooms.com/">Gwella</a>, a Toronto-based <keyword id="12046488" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="wellness" source="Orion">wellness</keyword> startup founded in 2020, is one such company. Last year, Gwella launched a gummy derived from ingredients in <a href="https://www.insider.com/lions-mane-mushroom">lion's mane</a>, one of a handful of functional mushrooms used in traditional Chinese medicine along with <a href="https://www.insider.com/herbs-for-immune-system">reishi</a> and <a href="https://www.insider.com/mushroom-benefits">turkey tail</a>.Peter Reitano, the founder of Gwella, said he's been growing functional mushrooms for about a decade. He said Gwella's chief <keyword id="11896083" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="science" source="Orion">science</keyword> officer, Daniel Sanders, began experimenting with lion's mane while he was in school to replace <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-does-adderall-do">Adderall</a> as a "study aid." It gave them the idea to explore the potential of lion's mane as a natural alternative to improve cognition and increase focus, Reitano added.Adderall is a widely prescribed drug that combines amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, two stimulants, to improve focus for people with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. While stimulants seem to be effective <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/11766-attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd-stimulant-therapy">for about 70% of patients</a>, Adderall can come with serious risks like addiction and worsening of existing heart conditions. "We wanted to create a really healthy product that had short-term benefits — i.e., focus, cognition, energy — but also had these long-term compounding benefits with regular use through functional mushrooms like lion's mane," Reitano said in an interview with Insider.I tried Gwella's gummy product, called Mojo, to see if it would help my focus, and asked an external expert to assess whether they thought the short-lived effects I felt were caused by the lion's mane, other ingredients, or a placebo effect. <h2>Research is limited, but appetite is big for functional mushrooms</h2>Gwella is a newcomer in the growing functional-mushroom industry, which generated $7.98 billion in 2020 and could reach a whopping $19.33 billion by 2030, according to a <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/11/15/2334409/0/en/Global-functional-mushroom-market-to-reach-19-33-billion-by-2030-Allied-Market-Research.html">November report</a> from Allied Market Research.Other big players include Bella Hadid's new "functional beverage," <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kin-review-i-tried-bella-hadid-signed-adaptogen-drink-2021-9">Kin</a>, a nonalcoholic spritz that uses <a href="https://www.kineuphorics.com/products/dream-light">reishi mushrooms</a>, and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/reviews/out?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmoonjuice.com%2F">Moon Juice</a>, a buzzy Los Angeles-based wellness company that started as a single juice shop in 2012 and now makes <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moon-juice-amanda-chantal-bacon-2021-12">$20 million in annual sales</a> on products including powdered <a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/chaga-mushroom-benefits/">chaga mushrooms</a>. Research on the effects of mushroom-derived <keyword id="11911136" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="supplements" source="Orion">supplements</keyword> like adaptogens are <a href="https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/do-adaptogens-work-science">inconclusive</a>, but Chris D'Adamo, an epidemiologist and assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine who studies wellness and dietary supplements, described lion's mane as the "all-star" of functional mushrooms due to its positive effects in <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/lions-mane-mushroom#:~:text=Several%20animal%20studies%20have%20found,26%20%2C%2049%20%2C%2050%20).">animal</a> studies and some small human studies.<div type="image" title="Reporter Allana Akhtar takes Gwella functional mushroom gummy" height="768" width="1024" msid="89976757" hostid="261"></div>A <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18844328/">2009 study in Japan</a> with 30 elderly participants suggested people who consumed 3 grams of lion's mane extract for 16 weeks performed slightly better on cognitive tests than a placebo group, but the study has not been replicated. <a href="https://www.drugs.com/npp/lion-s-mane-mushroom.html">Multiple studies in mice</a> have suggested lion's mane improved short-term memory.According to D'Adamo, while more research is needed on the effects, the appetite for functional mushrooms is propelled by the long tradition of mushroom use in Chinese medicine. "If you look at mushrooms, in particular, there are a tremendous amount of studies and thousands of years of history on utilizing and capitalizing on the medicinal properties that they have," D'Adamo said in an interview. Gwella also adds about 90 milligrams of <a href="https://www.insider.com/nootropics">nootropics</a> to the functional-mushroom gummies. Nootropics are substances that potentially improve cognitive functioning and are found in caffeine, tea, and <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-lower-creatinine-levels">creatine</a>. <a href="https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/people/david-merrill/">Dr. David A. Merrill</a>, a psychiatrist and director of the Pacific Neuroscience Institute's Pacific Brain <keyword id="11894571" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="health" source="Orion">Health</keyword> Center at Providence Saint John's Health Center near Los Angeles, <a href="https://www.insider.com/nootropics">previously told Insider</a> nootropics provide the most benefit when a person is already having trouble focusing. Furthermore, Merrill said factors like sleep, stress, diet, and exercise might have greater long-term effects on cognitive functioning, <h2>I took my first Mojo gummy at 11:30 a.m.</h2><div type="image" title="Screen grab of functional mushroom company Gwella's website" height="1148" width="2872" msid="89976758" hostid="261"></div>According to Gwella's website, the functional-mushroom gummy takes about one hour to begin having an effect. The company told Insider the timeline comes from its in-house science team, which used third-party research and data from community product testing. The company did not share details of the people and sample size involved in those studies.On the Mojo label, the company recommends taking half of a gummy to start. Unfortunately, I skimmed the instructions and assumed one gummy was the starting dose. The taste was bearable, but I wouldn't say I particularly enjoyed it. It was a "wild strawberry and zesty tangerine" flavor, but it left an aftertaste in my mouth for about 15 minutes that felt like an artificial sweetener.About 45 minutes in, I started to feel relaxed, not shaky or panicky as if I've had too much coffee but still focused and able to work. While I have never taken Adderall, users <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326219#side-effects">typically feel</a> "energetic, focused, excited, or self-confident" immediately after taking the pill, according to Medical News Today. I felt only slightly more focused and didn't notice any other changes to my mood or attention. <h2>12:30 p.m.: I felt a bit more focused</h2><div type="image" title="Mojo functional mushroom gummy packaging" height="2274" width="3024" msid="89976759" hostid="261"></div>That slight buzz I felt went away within 10 minutes. I was left still feeling focused, but I couldn't feel any other sensation. The focused feeling was slight, and I wondered whether it had come from the tea I drank. When I described my experience taking Mojo to D'Adamo, the epidemiologist said it's "probably likely" Mojo had a subtle effect on my increased focus. People can feel the effects of Red Bull or coffee more intensely than they would feel the effects of lion's mane, D'Adamo added, but he said there is some evidence that extended use of lion's mane can result in increased focus in the long term. D'Adamo said consumers would need to take at least 3 grams of lion's mane to get the short-term cognitive benefits from the mushroom. Gwella said there is 52.5 milligrams in each gummy, or just 0.05 of a gram — far less than D'Adamo's suggested dose.At about 10 minutes into the second hour, I felt a slight sensation on my tongue, as if it were going a bit numb. Then I felt the tingling sensation return even stronger, and I felt it in my fingertips. I would describe the sensation as a dulled-down version of the 15-minute tingling I get from a pre-workout 300-milligram caffeine supplement. Gwella said this is not a common reaction to the gummy, based on the company's research.<h2>1:30 p.m.: I ate lunch and could no longer perceive any effects of Mojo</h2><div type="image" title="Peter Reitano, Founder of Gwella" height="2087" width="2778" msid="89976760" hostid="261"></div>I ate around this time to see how that would affect my experience. Usually after lunch, I feel fatigued and am in a slump and need at least 30 minutes to get productive again, but today I was able to get to work right away after I ate. I'm not sure whether it's because of the mushrooms or if I got good sleep the night before, but D'Adamo said while sleep is an important factor in cognition, the lion's mane could have had a subtle effect on my improved focus.<h2>2:30 p.m.: The perceived effects of Mojo had worn off completely</h2>Whatever effects I felt I had were over by now, so I took two more just to see what would happen. Gwella recommends taking between a half gummy to two when dosing because users will react to the mushroom differently.I was pleasantly surprised at my focus in the hour after I had my first gummy but disappointed that the effects seem to have dissipated rather quickly. I hoped that by taking two I would feel the effects longer and stronger.I felt the same effects taking two Mojo gummies compared with one: I felt slightly more focused 45 minutes after consuming the supplement, but the feeling went away within an hour after that.Overall, I would say I enjoyed my experience taking the Mojo gummy and would use it again if I had a big deadline coming up as an alternative to a cup of coffee.

I tried gummy shrooms without psychedelics that promised to get me focused like a natural Adderall. Here's what it was like.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>During the pandemic, many people have turned to home <keyword id="6374745" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="gardening">gardening</keyword> to grow their own food.</li><li>One company said sales of introductory mushroom-growing supplies had risen by 400% over the past year.</li><li>Growing kits make the at-home farming experience more accessible while promoting <keyword id="49089" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sustainability">sustainability</keyword>.</li></ul>During the pandemic, interest in home <keyword id="6355888" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Garden">garden</keyword>ing bloomed. Sales in Home Depot's indoor and outdoor garden departments <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/pamdanziger/2021/04/04/how-home-depot-and-lowes-will-grab-share-in-the-burgeoning-33-billion-outdoor-living-market/?sh=633600f027e2">rose by nearly 30% in 2020</a> from the previous year, according to Forbes. This momentum is expected to continue this year as more people build on their experience and desire to be outdoors. Since 2019, interest in <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/11/style/tropical-plants-rare.html">house plants</a> has also exploded, with four-figure price tags and specialized Instagram accounts for tropical varieties.There's something super satisfying about seeing something change over time. For people like me who don't have a green thumb or access to a yard, growing kits have been a way to make the at-home farming experience more accessible. They also help more people understand the labor involved in producing food, while using materials like wood waste that might have otherwise gone to landfills.For the past few weeks, I've been using <a href="https://backtotheroots.com/products/mushroom-grow-kit">Back to the Roots kits</a> to grow two types of oyster <keyword id="28531" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="mushrooms">mushrooms</keyword> on my kitchen counter. (The edible component is actually the fruit, and the fungus decomposing the material is known as mycelium.) The kits come with detailed instructions, a mini spray bottle, and encouragement to post the results on Instagram to donate a kit to a classroom. These kinds of purchases and the photos on social media have helped fuel sales - North Spore, a US seller and supplier, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/07/style/growing-mushrooms.html">recently told The New York Times</a> that sales of its introductory mushroom-growing supplies had increased by 400% during the pandemic from the previous spring.Observing the daily growth was incredibly satisfying. It's also an experience that has proved popular enough that mushroom-kit companies have sprouted in several countries, with some offering varieties like lion's mane and reishi. Even the director Lulu Wang said she <a href="https://twitter.com/thumbelulu/status/1390327046870495232?s=20">grew a box</a>.While searching for growing tips, I also learned that mushrooms are part of a growing number of sustainability initiatives. Sawmill waste and coffee grounds are used to make growing kits. Startups are developing mycelium-based products as greener alternatives to <a href="https://www.theverge.com/22257120/mushroom-bricks-mycelium-sustainable-building-materials">building materials</a>, plastic foam, bacon, and <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/02/fashion/mylo-mushroom-leather-adidas-stella-mccartney.html">leather</a>. And <a href="https://www.discovermagazine.com/environment/how-mushrooms-can-save-the-world">decades' worth of research</a> has examined varieties that could be used to clean up oil spills, toxic waste, and even bug infestations.Often, sustainability is about figuring out how to reduce or deal with waste efficiently and cheaply. It turns out the secret might have been through nature all along, waiting for its chance to rise to the surface.

From spore to table: How home gardening and growing kits support sustainability efforts

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="12094908" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="bella-hadid" source="Orion">Bella Hadid</keyword>'s <keyword id="11936449" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="drinks" source="Orion">drinks</keyword> brand Kin Euphorics sells non-alcoholic adaptogen-infused seltzers.</li><li>The drinks claim to help people focus, de-stress, and improve all round wellbeing.</li><li><keyword id="12094909" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="dietitian" source="Orion">Dietitian</keyword> Tai Ibitoye told Insider there isn't enough evidence to back up these claims.</li></ul><ul class="summary-list"></ul>In early September, Bella Hadid <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTSO-MZg2kJ/?utm_source=ig_embed">announced</a> she's co-founder of a new drinks brand, Kin Euphorics.Kin's canned drinks are non-alcoholic adaptogen-infused seltzers, branded "the first braincare beverage."The Kin Spritz drink claims to "enhance clarity, stimulate creative freedom, and drive focus so you can find your center," while the Lightwave claims to "mellow you out, help you to transcend stress, and open a portal to peace," according to <a href="https://www.kineuphorics.com/">the website</a>.<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kin-review-i-tried-bella-hadid-signed-adaptogen-drink-2021-9?r=US&amp;IR=TIR=T">Insider's Allana Akhtar tried the Kin Spritz</a> and found it enjoyable, tasting like "a watered-down, fizzy orange juice," but didn't experience the supposed calming effects.Adaptogens are herbs and mushrooms that may help with stress reduction. They're often added to drinks for more palatable consumption. They have been used in Eastern medicine for 100s of years, dietitian Alix Turoff told <a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/all-about-adaptogens-definition-functions-sources-risks-more/">Everyday Health</a>, but have become more popular in the Western world in recent years.Even so, dietitian Tai Ibitoye told Insider there isn't enough research to support Kin Euphorics' claims about the drinks' benefits.<h2>More research is needed to back up the brand's claims, Ibitoye said</h2>There is <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3991026/">research</a> to suggest that adaptogens and some of the active ingredients in the drinks, including amino acids L-theanine and L-tryptophan and flowering herbs like Rhodiola rosea, may have beneficial effects, Ibitoye said.L-theanine, which occurs naturally in black and green tea, was associated with decreased stress in a small <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6836118/">study</a>.Essential amino acid L-tryptophan plays a part in the body's production of serotonin, the "happy hormone" which helps manage mood. One small<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4393508/"> study</a> suggests it could reduce anxiety and depression.Rhodiola rosea is an herb often taken as a supplement, and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5370380/">a study</a> suggests it may help people deal with symptoms of burnout.But there isn't enough evidence to say for sure."There needs to be more research that is well-controlled, high-quality, and involves more human participants to ensure robust and reliable evidence to support these claims," Ibitoye said. "There also isn't any standard dosage recommendation on these active ingredients and how much is required to notice any beneficial effects."<h2>There isn't enough evidence to prove the safety of adaptogens, Iitoye said</h2>The Kin website says not to consume their products if you're under 18, breastfeeding, pregnant or may become pregnant, or are taking SSRIs (widely used antidepressants).<blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px); data.width~540;"><div style="padding:8px;"><div style="background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:62.4537037037% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"><div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTSO-MZg2kJ" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank"></a> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Bella (@bellahadid)<time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime=""></time></div></blockquote>The reason pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid the products is that they may affect hormones, according to Ibitoye.She said people taking certain medications should also steer clear of the drinks as there could be drug-nutrient interactions."For example, reishi mushrooms - which is the active ingredient in the Kin Inner Peace Lightwave drink - have been known to potentially interact with blood pressure and anti-coagulant medicines," Ibitoye said.Kin Euphorics did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.<h2>A healthy diet is the best way to boost your wellbeing, Ibitoye said</h2>Staying hydrated is a healthy <keyword id="11893304" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="lifestyle" source="Orion">lifestyle</keyword> choice, and Kin Euphorics could help people do this.But Ibitoye said eating a balanced diet of carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals - like B vitamins, iron, selenium, zinc and omega 3 - is a proven way to improve overall mood and mental wellbeing.Ibitoya said she's concerned people with mood disorders might think the drinks could provide some sort of "cure" or "management.""If people have any <keyword id="11902572" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="mental-health" source="Orion">mental health</keyword> issues they should seek professional help," she said. "People need to beware of trendy buzzwords like 'mood-boosting ingredients' as it is more for marketing purposes rather than nutritional reality."

Bella Hadid's 'braincare beverage' claims to reduce stress and improve focus. Here's what to know about the ingredients.

<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/insiderpicks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Insider Picks</a> writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><a href="https://fave.co/2P6PlCL" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5cae4631775bc707467f845b-1200/bspj.jpg" border="0" alt="bspj" data-mce-source="Remi Rosmarin / Moon Juice" /></a>Remi Rosmarin / Moon JuiceThe Moon Juice Beauty Shroom Serum uses adaptogens to plump and hydrate skin.</div></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>The <a href="https://fave.co/2P6PlCL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Beauty Shroom Plumping Jelly Serum</a> ($58) is an intensly-hydrating serum from popular wellness brand Moon Juice.</li><li>The serum combines powerful adaptogens and potent moisturizers, like reishi mushrooms and hyaluronic acid, and claims to to visibly reduce fine lines and wrinkles for skin that looks plump and fresh.</li><li>I've been using the serum for a few weeks and my skin hasn't felt this soft and smooth in ages.</li></ul>Even if you haven't heard of <a href="https://fave.co/2InOxbm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Moon Juice</a>, you've probably heard some of the buzz around the brand's signature "dusts." Yes, you read that right: dusts - otherwise known as powdered supplements. Each "dust" is a proprietary blends of adaptogenic herbs that you can stir into smoothies, coffees, or even just water. Supposedly, they work to improve your skin, focus, energy, and sleep from the inside out. As a skeptical but always intrigued consumer, I was always interested in the brand from afar - the $40 price tag for the small jar of powder is what kept me at arms length. So, when I got the opportunity to try some Moon Juice skin-care products, I was excited, if a little wary.After testing it out for a few weeks, I think the brand's standout product is the <a href="https://fave.co/2P6PlCL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Beauty Shroom Serum</a>.Although I had never heard of this particular product before I started testing it, I can't imagine my skin-care routine without it now. <h2>What is Beauty Shroom serum?</h2>Moon Juice's Beauty Shroom is a serum that works to plump, fill, lift, and smooth skin. It's a powerful tonic made with classic hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, and the secret sauce in most of Moon Juice's products, adaptogens. According to Moon Juice, <a href="https://fave.co/2v4p6nb" target="_blank" rel="noopener">adaptogens</a> are "Superherbs and Supermushrooms that help expand your body's capacity to handle mental, physical and emotional stress." <a href="https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-10589/adaptogens-101-what-they-are-how-they-can-help-with-your-stress-fatigue.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adaptogens</a> have been used in Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic medicine for centuries and today are revered for their ability to help improve the health of one's adrenal system, which manages our responses to stress. If adaptogens are supposedly this good for the inside of our bodies, it makes sense that they may also do wonders for the largest organ we all have: our skin.The <a href="https://fave.co/2P6PlCL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Beauty Shroom Plumping Jelly Serum</a> combines hyaluronic acid with tocos (a potent vitamin e), silver ear (a hydrating mushroom), and reishi (an anti-inflammatory adaptogen). The consistency of the serum is that of a lightweight jelly and just a few drops morning and night kept my skin ultra-hydrated.Moon Juice claims this product will not only hydrate skin, but it will also plump, reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, and protect skin from environmental stressors of the day. While those are some big claims, I've been using the serum for a few weeks now and in my personal experience, the hype is real. <h2>My experience using Beauty Shroom</h2>Moon Juice suggests you rub a few drops of the <a href="https://fave.co/2P6PlCL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Beauty Shroom</a> serum onto clean skin morning and night. You can follow up with a thicker moisturizer if you desire.It takes a while for most skincare products to yield noticable results, but after using the Beauty Shroom Serum just once, my skin felt noticeably softer and looked much healthier. I don't really have issues with serious fine lines or wrinkles, but a coffee habit, usual lack of sleep, and just living in New York City have all definitely contributed to my skin typically looking dry and dull. After massaging two generous drops onto my face one morning, I was surprised to see my skin instantly looked bouncier and brighter - it was as if I had just drank a liter of water and slept for 12 hours. What surprised me even more is that when I came home after work, my skin still felt so hydrated. Usually, by the end of the day my skin has given up to the elements - it gets red, dries out, and loses most of the moisture I lathered on in the morning. Yet, hours later my skin felt supple with no signs of any end-of-day dullness.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><a href="https://fave.co/2P6PlCL" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5cae4847c57fa607d55d3728-1200/shroom.jpg" border="0" alt="shroom" data-mce-source="Moon Juice" /></a>Moon JuiceThe lightweight consistency of this serum works well for all skin types, at all times of year.</div></div></div>After a great first impression, I began incorporating this serum into my routine more often - now I use it every day, morning and night. The lightweight jelly consistency feels great and seamlessly absorbs into my skin, visibly smoothing out fine lines I never even really noticed before until they were gone. My makeup just glides on and looks much more natural. Even without any makeup on, my skin looks refreshed all day thanks to the combination of super-hydrating and skin-protecting ingredients. In the mornings, I've been layering sunscreen on top of this serum, but other than that, on most days I've decided to forgo any extra moisturizer. <a href="https://fave.co/2P6PlCL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This product</a> is so hydrating and leaves such a nice, smooth feel, that I don't even feel the need to use anything else. If your skin is particularly dry or you have any special creams you always use, layer away. <h2>Bottom line</h2>After spending money on relatively expensive skincare products that don't always live up to their claims one too many times, I've become pretty discerning when it comes to curating my skincare collection. While the $58 price tag is high, <a href="https://fave.co/2P6PlCL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this serum</a> has earned a permanent spot in my skin-care routine. When this bottle runs out, I am without a doubt buying another one, because I don't think I can go on without having this now that I know it exists. Of course, everyone's skin is different and what works for me may not work for you and vice versa. But, if you're looking for a really hydrating product, and if it's in your budget, I think this serum is worth a try. The clean list of ingredients means it'll work for all skin types. amd the hydrating boost it delivers is perfect for warm-weather skin care, and getting that natural, dewy summer glow.<h3>Get the Moon Juice Beauty Shroom Plumping Jelly Serum, $58, available at <a href="https://fave.co/2P6PlCL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Moon Juice</a> and <a href="https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=EHFxW6yx8Uo&amp;mid=2417&amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sephora.com%2Fproduct%2Fbeauty-shroom-tm-plumping-jelly-serum-P432831" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sephora</a></h3><h3><a href="https://fave.co/2InOxbm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shop all Moon Juice products</a></h3><figure id="img-609522" contenteditable="false" data-type="img" data-e2e-name="image-figure-image" data-media-container="image"><a href="http://shrsl.com/1jo1x" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a></figure><a href="http://e.businessinsider.com/join/ci/insider-picks">Subscribe to our newsletter.</a> Find all the best offers at our <a href="https://coupons.businessinsider.com/">Coupons page</a>. Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/insiderpicks">Insider Picks</a> team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com.

Moon Juice, the wellness startup both mocked and beloved for its $40 'dusts', now makes a hydrating serum that costs $58 - and I have to say, it's incredible

The <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/insiderpicks">Insider Picks </a>team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><a href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=841453&amp;u=1088116&amp;m=64681&amp;urllink=www%2Edaily%2Dharvest%2Ecom%2Fapp%2Fmarket%2Fcookies&amp;afftrack=biip%5F110918%5Fdaily%2Dharvest%2Dcookies" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5be593f3110d4c13f9256bfc-900/product-shot-33x.jpg" border="0" alt="Daily Harvest holiday cookies review" data-mce-source="Daily Harvest" /></a>Daily Harvest</div></div></div><figure id="img-311601" contenteditable="false" data-type="img" data-e2e-name="image-figure-image" data-media-container="image"><a href="http://uncommongoods.sjv.io/c/196318/483884/8444?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.uncommongoods.com%2Fproduct%2Fgreen-herbal-tea-kit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a></figure><ul class="summary-list"><li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=841453&amp;u=1088116&amp;m=64681&amp;urllink=www%2Edaily%2Dharvest%2Ecom&amp;afftrack=biip%5F110918%5Fdaily%2Dharvest%2Dcookies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daily Harvest</a> has gone from smoothies to soups to <a href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=841453&amp;u=1088116&amp;m=64681&amp;urllink=www%2Edaily%2Dharvest%2Ecom%2Fapp%2Fmarket%2Fcookies&amp;afftrack=biip%5F110918%5Fdaily%2Dharvest%2Dcookies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cookies</a>, and I couldn't be happier about it.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;">These aren't the rich, decadent cookies that you associate with a sugar coma and an unsettled stomach, but rather a health-conscious approach to decadence.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;">Whether you eat the dough raw or bake them into bite-sized cookies, these are treats that you'll want to treat yourself to every day, and thanks to their nutritional benefits, you actually can. </li></ul>You should never feel bad about eating a cookie, but if you're looking to feel better about it, then Daily Harvest can lend a helping hand. Until now, the superfood subscription seller has been filling our freezers with <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/daily-harvest-smoothie-subscription-box-review" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ready-to-blend smoothies</a>, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/daily-harvest-lattes-review-healthy-energy-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ready-to-heat soups and lattes</a>, and most recently, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/daily-harvest-bowls-review-2018-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ready-to-heat savory harvest bowls</a>, but now, it's adding the most important part of a meal - dessert. <a href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=841453&amp;u=1088116&amp;m=64681&amp;urllink=www%2Edaily%2Dharvest%2Ecom%2Fapp%2Fmarket%2Fcookies&amp;afftrack=biip%5F110918%5Fdaily%2Dharvest%2Dcookies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dubbed Holiday Cookies</a>, these sweets are just as delicious as everything else Daily Harvest offers, and somehow, just as healthy. Really, I just wish they were bigger. The cookies from Daily Harvest, like the other products from the trendy treat purveyor, don't come to you entirely ready-made. Instead, you'll receive small packets of frozen cookie dough, all of which are gluten-free, and made with plant-based ingredients. Be warned - if you're hoping for a Pillsbury chocolate chip cookie, this isn't it. But if you're looking for the 21st-century answer to guilt-free dessert, then consider this your promised land. <a href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=841453&amp;u=1088116&amp;m=64681&amp;urllink=www%2Edaily%2Dharvest%2Ecom%2Fapp%2Fmarket%2Fcookies&amp;afftrack=biip%5F110918%5Fdaily%2Dharvest%2Dcookies" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5be59011e4218a05cc395406-800/cookies-header.jpg" border="0" alt="Daily Harvest cookies review" style="color: #000000;" data-mce-source="Daily Harvest" />Daily Harvest</div></div></div></a>The frozen dough arrives in a limited-edition gift box, and includes three boxes of 12 cookies for 36 total treats. There's Chocolate Chia, an all-chocolate dessert that is meant to evoke memories of a fudge brownie. But instead of depending upon boatloads of butter and sugar, this cookie instead leverages avocado and cashew butter, along with chia seeds and - believe it or not - adaptogenic reishi mushroom in order to add a protein punch to your indulgence. Of course, as much as you'd like a wholly healthy brownie to taste the same as the brownies of your childhood, the Chocolate Chia cookie won't do quite that. While I was pleasantly surprised by the richness and decadence of the baked good, and it did taste extremely fudge-y, it's not nearly as sweet as your traditional brownie, and there's a particularly nutty taste that I've come to associate with all healthful food. Then, there's the Coconut Lemon cookie, a personal favorite of mine, which tastes an awful lot like a coconut macaroon both in terms of flavor and texture. There are also added notes of ginger and lemon for a bit more complexity, making this the most interesting cookie that Daily Harvest offers. The dough is made of coconut and cassava flour, and incorporates a healthy dose of lemon as well as flaxseed so that you're getting your daily fiber intake. Finally, there's the classic Cacao Nib, Daily Harvest's take on a chocolate chip cookie. Made of chickpea flour, sunflower seed butter, pumpkin, cassava flour, cacao nibs, and superpower adaptogenic maca root, this may just be the fanciest chocolate chip cookie you'll ever eat. Much like the Chocolate Chia cookie, this guy tastes quite nutty thanks to sunflower seed butter, and the cacao nibs also add a great, crunchy textural component. Alas, cacao nibs won't melt in the oven or in your mouth quite the same way that a chocolate chip might, but if you're looking for a guilt-free alternative, this is certainly one of the better (and better for you) imitations that I've found. While all these cookies bake up easily at 375 degrees in your oven, I've found that my favorite way to enjoy them is raw, straight out of the freezer. Thanks to their plant-based ingredients, you won't have to worry about getting yourself sick by foregoing heat treatment. And honestly, it's easier to forget that you're not eating the real thing when you're just eating the dough.A word to the wise - these cookies don't spread much (if at all) when baking up, so don't expect your little cookie dough drops to become large, pancake-like monsters in the oven. Just keep an eye on them while they're baking, and don't leave them in for longer than 18 minutes. <a href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=841453&amp;u=1088116&amp;m=64681&amp;urllink=www%2Edaily%2Dharvest%2Ecom%2Fapp%2Fmarket%2Fcookies&amp;afftrack=biip%5F110918%5Fdaily%2Dharvest%2Dcookies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Holiday Cookies will only be available from November 9, 2018, through the end of the year</a>, and may just make the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-funny-white-elephant-gifts-2018-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">perfect under-$50 gift</a> for the health nut in your life.<h3><a href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=841453&amp;u=1088116&amp;m=64681&amp;urllink=www%2Edaily%2Dharvest%2Ecom%2Fapp%2Fmarket%2Fcookies&amp;afftrack=biip%5F110918%5Fdaily%2Dharvest%2Dcookies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buy Daily Harvest Holiday Cookie Dough in 3 flavors - get 36 cookies for $48</a></h3>Find the best holiday deals on our <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/black-friday-deals-2018">Black Friday Deals</a> and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cyber-monday-deals-2018">Cyber Monday Deals</a> page. <a href="http://e.businessinsider.com/join/ci/insider-picks">Subscribe to our newsletter.</a>. Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/insiderpicks">Insider Picks</a> team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com. Find all the best offers at our <a href="https://coupons.businessinsider.com/">Coupons page</a>.

I tried Daily Harvest's new plant-based holiday cookies to see how they stack up to the real deal

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/56b500666e97c631008b54b0-1200-900/screen%20shot%202016-02-05%20at%203.04.23%20pm.png" alt="Beauty Dust" data-mce-source="Instagram/Moon Juice" data-link="https://www.instagram.com/p/9yoJhADBYO/?taken-by=moonjuiceshop"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/9yoJhADBYO/?taken-by=moonjuiceshop">Instagram/Moon Juice</a></img></div></div></div>A popular California&#xa0;health food store is selling bottles of "dust" that promise to improve skin and health for between $55 and $65 per bottle.&#xa0;The bottles of Brain Dust, Beauty Dust, Sex Dust, and others are available at&#xa0;<a href="https://www.moonjuiceshop.com/" target="_blank">Moon Juice</a>, which is "Hollywood's favorite juice bar," according to&#xa0;<a href="http://www.elle.com/beauty/health-fitness/a28600/amanda-chantal-bacon-moon-juice-food-diary/" target="_blank">Elle.</a><a href="http://www.elle.com/beauty/health-fitness/a28600/amanda-chantal-bacon-moon-juice-food-diary/" target="_blank"></a>According to <a href="https://www.moonjuiceshop.com/our-story" target="_blank">its website</a>, Moon Juice "represents a holistic lifestyle that goes far beyond juices, milks, and snacks. It's a healing force, an etheric potion, a cosmic beacon for those seeking out beauty, wellness and longevity." Aren't we all looking for that cosmic beacon?Some of Moon Juice's goods are standard healthy-person fare (<a href="https://www.moonjuiceshop.com/shop/2076/goodness-greens-and-lemon/2077/" target="_blank">a $9 green juice</a>, for instance, and full-throttle <a href="https://www.moonjuiceshop.com/cleanses" target="_blank">cleanses</a> for the brave). There are raw snacks, chocolates, fermented foods&#xa0;and nut cheeses, fancy versions of pantry staples like <a href="https://www.moonjuiceshop.com/shop/1499/gluten-free-raw-and-activated-mulberry-overnight-oats/1500/" target="_blank">$15 oats</a>, and almond milks.But the most unique offerings&#xa0;are&#xa0;the <a href="https://www.moonjuiceshop.com/shop/category/tonics-dusts" target="_blank">tonics and dusts</a>.The shop sells "dusts," such as Brain Dust ($55), Goodnight Dust ($55), Action Dust ($55), Sex Dust ($60), Beauty Dust ($65) and Spirit Dust ($65). &#xa0;You can collect them all for $340, or you can purchase any one of these dusts in a liquid tonic form for $8.But what do these dusts do?According to Moon Juice's website, <a href="https://www.moonjuiceshop.com/shop/1870/action-dust/1871/" target="_blank">Action Dust</a> contains astragalus, ginseng, schisandra, eleuthro, rhodiola, and stevia. Per the website, it's "an&#xa0;ancient elite formula to support your peak performance, stamina and longevity, while aiding in healthy recovery. Imbibe this athletic, adaptogenic, potion to regulate the body's vital energy, healthy metabolic function and maximize your ability to withstand stress and injury."It instructs users to "add one teaspoon to 8oz of any hot or cold liquid. Delicious with nut milk water or tea. Makes approximately 25 servings depending on taste and desired level of potency. Don't be afraid to double dose!"<div><iframe src="//instagram.com/p/-4C-gTDBSe/embed/" width="658" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe></div><a href="https://www.moonjuiceshop.com/shop/988/beauty-dust/1003/" target="_blank">Beauty Dust</a> promises "glowing supple skin, lustrous shiny hair and twinkling bright eyes, are holistically bestowed from the inside out." <a href="https://www.moonjuiceshop.com/shop/990/brain-dust/1005/" target="_blank">Brain Dust</a> swears it will give you "superior states of cognitive flow, clarity, memory, creativity, alertness and a capacity to handle stress." <a href="https://www.moonjuiceshop.com/shop/987/spirit-dust/1002/" target="_blank">Spirit Dust</a>&#xa0;is "alchemized with adaptogens known to promote awareness, creativity and joy for a peaceful mind and expanded existence." <a href="effectively%20lull%20you%20into%20your%20naturally%20inherent%20nocturnal%20rhythms." target="_blank">Good Night Dust </a>"effectively lull you into your naturally inherent nocturnal rhythms."&#xa0;You know what sex dusts will do.<div><iframe src="//instagram.com/p/9v8ug5jBV3/embed/" width="658" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe></div>The owner of the Moon Juice shop, Amanda Chantal Bacon, told <a href="http://www.elle.com/beauty/health-fitness/a28600/amanda-chantal-bacon-moon-juice-food-diary/" target="_blank">Elle</a> last May how she&#xa0;incorporates some of these ingredients into her daily routine.Here are some highlights that she shared with Elle:"At 8am, I had a warm, morning chi drink on my way to the school drop off, drunk in the car! It contains more than 25 grams of plant protein, thanks to vanilla mushroom protein and stone ground almond butter, and also has the super endocrine, brain, immunity, and libido- boosting powers of Brain Dust, cordyceps, reishi, maca, and Shilajit resin.""At 9:30am, I drink 16 ounces of unsweetened, strong green juice, which is my alkalizer, hydrator, energizer, source of protein and calcium, and overall mood balancer. It's also my easy, 'lazy,' and delicious skin regime. I also take three tablespoons of bee pollen. I love Moon Juice's soft and chewy bee pollen-it's a creamy, candy-like treat that gives me my daily B-vitamin blast, and also helps feed my skin and aids hormone production. I'll also grab a handful of activated cashews. I try to get these in every day for their brain chemistry magic. I chase this with a shot of pressed turmeric root in freshly squeezed grapefruit juice.""If I'm home around 3pm, I always reach for coconut yogurt with cardamom, dried figs, walnuts, and apricots from a weekend farm visit-and a chunk of raw dark chocolate."This makes <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/sakara-life-victorias-secret-diet-review-2015-12" target="_blank">Sakara Life</a> and its beauty water look tame. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/burger-king-extra-long-buttery-cheese-burger-fast-food-2016-2">We tried the new extra long, buttery cheeseburger from Burger King</a></h3> <div> <div> <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script> <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="dsYTVvMDE6eCZPw6XVfbUiVlU_vSwJt-" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div> <script> if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; } RunFunctions.push(function() { var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', 'dsYTVvMDE6eCZPw6XVfbUiVlU_vSwJt-',{ autoplay: 'false' }); }); </script> <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div> </div> <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script> </div>

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