Harmonic Mycology 5 Pack Bundle

This Bundle contains all 5 of our products offering a broad range of benefits to the mind and body when used in conjunction with each other. Below is more information on each mushroom, the benefits and when and how to take them.

Chaga: Known as the King of mushrooms, Chaga is a potent mushroom with a long history of traditional use and a long list of reported health benefits, maybe even too long for us to list here. Chaga is not a typical bracket fungus or stem-and-cap mushroom, instead, it is a large mycelial sclerotium known as a canker that looks like a woody, charcoal-like growth coming from the trunk of birch trees. Its use in Siberia and Asia dates back centuries and its supplemental use in Russian sports was often kept secret by athletes who believe its energy and vitality giving potential would give them the competitive edge needed to win.

As with all mushrooms, we’ve only just started to study and understand the depth of potential they offer for nourishment and healing. Chaga is no different and so far studies suggest Chaga be very effective at slowing, treating and preventing certain types of cancers. Helps with blood-sugar regulation and lowers LDL cholesterol.
Chaga is also one of, if not the highest natural source of antioxidants known to man. Exceeding that of blueberries, goji berries and raw cacao.

We use Chaga to boost energy, recovery, vitality, athletic performance and to promote longevity. This mushroom is a nutritional powerhouse with many beneficial nutrients. Chaga is known to be a great source of antioxidants, including the potent antioxidant superoxide dismutase(SOD). This mushroom is also used to lower inflammation, improve adaptability, immune system function and cardiovascular health. Chaga is a good source of melanin and polyphenols, which is clear when we look at the liquid extract. Melanin nourishes skin, hair and nails.

It’s also packed with its polysaccharides and beta-glucans: special dietary fibres that stimulate a modulated immune response and helps keeps our immune systems strong and ready.

Other benefits may include anti-inflammatory properties and improved circulation

When to take Chaga?

Chaga is best taken first thing in the morning with Lion’s mane to benefit from its “life-force giving” potential. Chaga can be taken any time of the day really, it can also be effective after intense physical activities to help with recovery by reducing inflammation and supporting the endocrine system. A little bit of Chaga in your evening tea is never a bad idea and why not combine it with Reishi while you’re at it! “More mushrooms, fewer problems”
We do however recommend that you take a break from Chaga now and then. This is because of the soluble oxalates in Chaga (and some other mushrooms like oyster varieties and dark leafy green vegetables) that may accumulate when consuming large quantities for extended periods, although there are no reports or studies that link the long term use of Chaga to kidney stones. This can also easily be countered by consuming calcium-rich foods to limit the absorption of soluble oxalates if you need to continue using Chaga for a specific treatment protocol.

Cordyceps: Cordyceps is known as the most expensive fungus on the market today. That is the wild harvested cousin of C. militaris, Ophiocordyceps Sinensis, found in the Himalayan mountain foothills and fetches over $20 000 per kilogram.

Luckily for us, commercial strains of Cordyceps militaris has been bred and developed to be cultivated commercially on a variety of grains under certain conditions that don’t only allow for it to be available at a lower price but also be produced with higher levels of Cordycepin and adenosine. These two compounds are part of what makes Cordyceps so interesting, especially for athletes and people looking to overcome low libido, low energy and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Scientific studies have shown Cordyceps to be very effective at improving endurance and energy levels by increasing ATP synthesis and oxygen utilization, helping athletes perform better at explosive strength and endurance-based sports.

Cordyceps is also used as an aphrodisiac for both men and women and has been shown to increase libido and fertility.

We use Cordyceps for long-lasting, sustained, adaptogenic energy that promotes a healthy immune response, endocrine function, and improved endurance. This mushroom is also used as a natural anti-inflammatory and liver tonic. We recommend taking this mushroom before exercise, surfing, hiking or any physical activity.

Other benefits include immuno-modulating effects, improves circulation, cardiovascular health and cognitive performance.

When to take Cordyceps?
The short answer and personal preference is every day! Before exercise, training and any physical activity is a great time to consume Cordyceps. That being said, we can all benefit from sustained, adaptogenic energy in our work and everyday life. Imagine all we can do with seemingly limitless energy and faster recovery between sets, sessions and (life)cycles?

Lions Mane: Lion’s mane is an amazing fungus with a long history of use in traditional medicine practices. It has grown extremely popular in recent years since hitting the mainstream market as a safe, natural and effective nootropic (cognitive enhancer)

Research has found Lion’s mane may protect against neurodegenerative diseases, reduce mild symptoms of anxiety and depression and help repair nerve damage.
The two main groups of compounds responsible for stimulating the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) are Hericenones, found in the mushroom fruit body and Erinacines, thus far only found in the mycelium. If you are taking Lion’s mane mainly for nerve regeneration, memory, focus etc. Make sure your supplement includes some form of mycelium from this fungus. For us, the inclusion of mycelium is very important, especially with Lion’s mane.

Lion’s mane is also great for gut health and possibly treating and preventing stomach ulcers. It has been shown to actively prevent H. pylori overgrowth, a bacterial strain naturally present in the gut microbiome, that can cause damage to the stomach lining when levels become imbalanced.

We use Lion’s mane daily for improved memory, focus, learning and mental clarity. This mushroom and mycelium stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF), the primary protein responsible for the growth and repair of nerves and neurons. Lion’s mane is also used to improve digestion, reduce inflammation, reduce lactic acid build-up in muscles and for its ability to combat oxidative stress. People who consume this mushroom regularly for a sustained period report increased benefit.

Other benefits include immune-modulating effects, a potent antioxidant, improved cardiac health and blood-sugar regulation.

When to take Lion’s mane?

We prefer to take Lion’s mane first thing in the morning, combined with Chaga. Since it supports cognitive performance, mental clarity and memory, why not start your day at your best? Lion’s mane, as any mushroom can be taken any time of the day. It mainly depends on your preference. Since the long term benefits of Lion’s mane is really what we’re after, it doesn’t necessarily matter what time of the day it is taken, as long as it’s taken frequently.

Turkey Tail: Turkey tail is the most researched and studied medicinal mushroom in western medicine for its potential as an adjunctive treatment for cancer therapy. This is because two novel polysaccharides found in turkey tail know as polysaccharide peptide(PSP) and polysaccharide Kristin (PSK) first found and isolated from mycelium cultures.
In Japan, Turkey tail and cancer therapy go hand-in-hand. The immuno-modulating effects of Turkey tail assist in keeping the immune system strong during chemotherapy while offering anti-viral and antibacterial properties to keep patients from getting sick during treatment. Turkey tail has also become popular in recent years for its ability to revive and balance the gut-microbiome and for protecting the integrity of the intestinal walls.

Other benefits of Turkey tail include high antioxidant levels, improved athletic performance, anti-inflammatory properties and improvements in insulin resistance.

When to take Turkey tail?

There is no right or wrong answer here, if you are not treating something and taking it as a daily dietary supplement then we would recommend taking it first thing in the morning with your cup of tea or coffee to benefit from the energy and blood-sugar regulating properties throughout the day. Otherwise, it can be taken throughout the day whenever you feel it’s needed, or if you are like us and sometimes forget to take your morning Turkey tail dose, add it in with your Reishi in the evening to benefit from its restorative effects during a good night’s rest.

Reishi: Reishi is known for its ability to help combat stress, promote calmness, improve sleep, improve recovery from exercise and a busy work schedule while improving mental clarity, liver function and overall vitality.

Reishi may also help with mild allergies and act as an antihistamine while keeping our body’s defences sharp, without overstimulating the immune system.

We use Reishi to promote a calm but focused mind, assist in stress management, relaxation, inflammation and improved sleep and recovery. Reishi is revered as the number one tonic herb in TCM and has been used for millennia to promote mental, spiritual and physical well-being and to induce meditative states. This mushroom has also been used to balance hormones, improve adaptability, reduce inflammation and oxidative stress and build a strong immune system.

Other benefits of Reishi includes powerful anti-inflammatory properties, improved circulation, cardiovascular health and endocrine support.

When to take Reishi?
We prefer to take Reishi in the late afternoon and evenings to help with recovering after a long day at work and after strenuous exercise, so we can wake up feeling well-rested and ready for action. Some people report energizing effects from Reishi. This speaks to Reishi’s adaptogenic abilities and how this mushroom tailors its effects to the individual’s needs. If you are new to Reishi try it in the morning, afternoon and evening to see what it does for you.

What’s in the box
1 x 50ml Chaga Tincture
1 x 50 ml Cordyceps Tincture
1 x 50 ml Lions Mane Tincture
1 x 50ml Turkey Tail Tincture
1 x 50ml Reishi Tincture

Disclaimer
DISCLAIMER: This product may be a complementary medicine and/or not have been evaluated and verified by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority for its quality, safety or intended use. Use of this product is therefore not intended to compensate for diagnosis, treatment, cure, or mitigation of medical conditions and must not substitute the obtaining of medical advice from a registered health professional for any health or health-related conditions.