Mushrooms can be a tasty addition to your eating plan, but have you ever tried using them to help manage your lupus symptoms? They have been used in traditional medicine for a long time to help with inflammation and support the immune system. Today, many people wonder if some types could calm an overactive immune system or ease inflammation that comes with lupus.

One member of MyLupusTeam asked, “Has anyone had success with mushrooms for overall immune system regulation and inflammation management?” Another responded, “How’s that working for you? Any lab differences with the mushrooms?”

If you’re considering mushrooms as medicine, talk to your healthcare provider first. It’s important to understand how they may help or hurt your autoimmune condition — that’s when the immune system, which normally protects the body from illness, mistakenly attacks healthy tissues.

What Are Medicinal Mushrooms?

Many mushrooms have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. People have used mushrooms for centuries to support their health, especially in parts of Asia. Here are some of the most common types of mushrooms used as medicine.

Turkey Tail

If you’ve ever seen a mushroom growing on a dead log, you may be familiar with turkey tail mushrooms. They got their name because they have brown rings and grow horizontally out from logs, fanning like the feathers of a turkey tail. However, lots of mushrooms grow this way. Without testing, it’s hard to know exactly what type of mushroom you’re looking at in the wild.

Turkey tail may be dried, ground up, and mixed with hot water to make a tea. It can also be sold in capsules. Studies show that turkey tail mushrooms may help lower inflammation, support the immune system, and help with healthy digestion.

However, there’s no clinical research showing how safe or effective turkey tail is for people with lupus. Supplements that affect the immune system can be risky, especially if you have an autoimmune condition like lupus because they can make your immune system more active or change how your lupus medicines work. You should never assume they’re OK to take without your doctor’s approval.

Lion’s Mane

Lion’s mane mushrooms are large, white mushrooms. They’re popular in Asian cuisine and traditional Eastern and Native American medicine. Lion’s mane has long, shaggy strands, which is how it got its name. You can find lion’s mane in capsules or as a raw, dried, or cooked food product.

Some studies show that lion’s mane is good for the brain. It may boost mood and reduce stress. It also has wound-healing properties.

However, like turkey tail mushrooms, lion’s mane may affect the immune system. While this may help with some other autoimmune conditions, more research is needed before people with lupus try it. Always talk to your lupus specialist before trying lion’s mane mushrooms.

Reishi

Reishi mushrooms grow on dead or dying hardwoods and stumps (and can sometimes infect living trees). They are brownish-red, with a flat top. In one animal study, researchers found that a combination of reishi and other herbs lowered inflammation in mice with lupus. However, no studies have tested reishi mushrooms in people with lupus to see if they’re safe. Reishi is generally considered safe for people without other health conditions.

The way reishi affects the immune system could be risky for people with lupus and might even trigger a flare. In addition, because people with lupus often use medications that suppress the immune system, it’s not clear if these medicinal mushrooms could lead to unwanted interactions. The same is true for supplements that contain reishi. Because supplements aren’t closely checked for quality, what’s in them can vary — and some could cause problems, especially at high doses.

Can People With Lupus Eat Mushrooms?

Mushrooms can be a healthy addition to anyone’s diet. Mushrooms have nutrients that may help keep your brain, heart, and immune system healthy and may even help protect against cancer.

To stay safe, always talk to your lupus specialist about which mushrooms are safe to eat. Be sure to rinse mushrooms well and only buy them from reputable grocery stores. Eating wild mushrooms you pick yourself can be deadly and isn’t worth the risk.

Are Medicinal Mushrooms Safe?

Mushroom supplements aren’t reviewed or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety or effectiveness before they’re sold, unlike prescription drugs. More research on people is needed to know if mushrooms can safely help with lupus symptoms.

It’s unclear how mushrooms will interact with other lupus treatments. Ask your rheumatologist for medical advice before taking mushroom extracts or other alternative medicines.

Mushrooms may be “natural,” but that doesn’t mean they’re safe. Supplements come with various side effects, including potential bleeding risks and liver damage. These effects can be unpredictable, especially for people whose immune systems don’t work normally because of lupus. People with lupus should be cautious before seeking health benefits from mushrooms.

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