Mushrooms - A Pregnancy Superfood

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When you think of healthy foods to add to your diet during pregnancy, you’re probably not thinking about mushrooms. But did you know that medicinal mushrooms are packed with nutrients and bioactive compounds that support healthy immune function?

Beta Glucans: Healing Nutrients in Medicinal Mushrooms

Medicinal mushrooms are a group of mushrooms known for their health benefits and often consumed as a supplement for their therapeutic properties.

Some well-known medicinal mushrooms include:

  • Reishi

  • Chaga

  • Shiitake

  • Lion’s Mane

  • Cordyceps

  • Turkey Tail

One of the key components in medicinal mushrooms that make them particularly beneficial during pregnancy is beta-glucan. Beta glucan is a type of soluble fiber found in the cell walls of these mushrooms that has a wide range of health benefits such as boosting the immune system and improving cholesterol levels [1]. For pregnant women, beta-glucan’s immune boosting properties can be especially valuable for protecting both mother and baby from illness.

Beta-glucan has also been linked to an increase in milk supply for breastfeeding mothers. By stimulating the production of prolactin (the hormone responsible for lactation), beta-glucan can help provide nursing mothers with an ample supply of breast milk for their infants.

Reishi for Buddha Babies

The Reishi mushroom is known for promoting a sense of calm and relaxation. They have a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine for their calming effects on the mind and body. 

Have you heard of the term “Reishi Babies?”

Herbalist Ron Teegaurden has observed over the years that mothers who include reishi mushrooms in their diet give birth to babies who are calm and zen, almost like “little Buddhas.” This calm and easygoing nature often follows them into childhood [2]. 

Not only does reishi bring a sense of peacefulness to babies, but their mothers also receive these benefits [3]: 

  • Calmer during pregnancy, labor, and birth

  • Balanced mind, body and spirit

  • Stronger immune system and cardiovascular system

  • Packed full of nutrients

  • Anti-inflammatory properties

  • May help balance blood sugar levels

  • Better quality of sleep

Whether you’re looking to enhance immune function, increase milk supply, or create a sense of calm for yourself and your baby, medicinal mushrooms - particularly reishi mushrooms - are a valuable source of bioactive compounds that boost health during and after pregnancy.