Quick Read:
- Certain mushrooms contain bioactive compounds that support the body’s natural defenses and improve quality of life during and after breast cancer treatment—and for the rest of your life!
- The 8 mushrooms listed below will help boost your immune system, lower inflammation, improve quality of life during treatments, energize your body, and provide many other benefits.
- Mushrooms can be consumed via powders, supplements, tinctures, and our delectable recipes below.
Flashier fruits and trendier greens have long overshadowed mushrooms. But don’t let their humble, earthy vibe fool you. These little fungi powerhouses are brimming with potent breast cancer healing potential.
Traditional medical systems have long revered the healing properties of mushrooms. Now, modern science, particularly in the context of cancer healing, is finally catching up. This is because certain mushrooms contain bioactive compounds that support the body’s natural defenses and improve quality of life during and after breast cancer treatment—and for the rest of your life! Eat them in delicious meals, drink them via teas and powders, or consume them via strategic supplements—just make sure mushrooms are making their way into your immune and other healing systems.
Mushrooms are rooting for your recovery, and so are we. So, invite the medicinal mushrooms discussed below into your healing protocols.
Top Medicinal Mushrooms for Breast Cancer Support
This is by no means an exhaustive list, just eight options that our coaches [1] recommend to your fellow wellness warriors. Additionally, most mushrooms contain Beta-Glucan, an integral part of a mushroom’s ability to boost your immune system, lower inflammation, regulate blood sugar, and much more. You can take it directly as a trustworthy supplement from our shop. [2]
1. Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor): Improves radiation and chemotherapy outcomes.
Turkey tail mushrooms are rich in polysaccharide-K (PSK), a compound that has been studied for its immune-modulating effects. Recent clinical trials found that breast cancer patients taking turkey tail supplements experienced improved immune recovery, better response to chemo and radiation treatments, and improved quality of life. Please read this study [3] to learn more.
General Benefits:
- Boosts your immune system and gut health
- Reduces inflammation
- Enhances vitality
- Supports wound healing
2. Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum): Inhibits the proliferation of breast cancer cells
Reishi mushrooms, typically used in Chinese medicine (powders, capsules, extracts, and teas), contain triterpenoids and polysaccharides that provide anti-cancer properties, such as inhibiting the proliferation of breast cancer cells and inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death) in vitro.
General Benefits:
- Boosts your immune system and gut health
- Reduces fatigue and increases energy levels
- Lower inflammation
- Improves mood and your ability to manage depression and anxiety
- Supports a strong and healthy heart
- Prevents cellular damage with antioxidants
3. Maitake (Grifola frondosa): Immune system booster & TNBC reducer
Maitake mushrooms are known for their beta-glucan content, particularly the D-fraction, which has been shown to reduce the viability of triple-negative breast cancer [4] (TNBC) cells and decrease their ability to metastasize. (Study [5]) Maitake also enhances your body’s immune system and other defense mechanisms against cancer cells, so all women on a healing journey should consider taking it.
General Benefits:
- Boosts your immune system and gut health
- Improves insulin sensitivity and regular blood sugar levels. (Discover why testing blood sugar should be part of your healing plan here. [6])
- Protects from oxidative stress and free radical damage (DNA damage)
- Reduce inflammation
4. Shiitake (Lentinula edodes): Supercharges your immune system & improves quality of life during chemotherapy
Shiitake mushrooms aren’t just delicious and the second most commonly used mushroom in the world—they’re loaded with healing power. One of their star compounds, lentinan, is known for its ability to stimulate the immune system and enhance your body’s natural defenses against cancer cells and tumors. Additionally, many women report that eating and taking shiitake mushroom supplements during chemotherapy helps ease common side effects like nausea, fatigue, and vomiting.
General Benefits:
- Boosts your immune system and gut health
- Protects against DNA and cellular damage
- Reduces inflammation
- Increases white cell production
- Powerful source of nutrients, such as: magnesium, vitamin D, amino acids, and B vitamins
- Helps with cholesterol management
5. Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris): Turns on energy and turns off breast cancer cells
Cordyceps mushrooms, another Chinese medicine herb, can inhibit the growth and metastasis of tumor cells by inducing cell death (including apoptosis and autophagy), cell-cycle arrest, and angiogenesis inhibition. (Study [7]) People also use cordyceps to enhance energy levels and support overall vitality, both immensely helpful benefits, especially during treatments.
General Benefits:
- Boosts your immune system and gut health
- Increases energy and improves endurance
- Supports strong kidneys
- Reduces inflammation
6. Chaga (Inonotus obliquus): A potent antioxidant that protects your mind and body from inflammation and oxidative stress
Chaga mushrooms are rich in antioxidants, including melanin and superoxide dismutase, which may help protect cells from oxidative stress. While research is ongoing, chaga’s antioxidant properties suggest potential benefits in supporting cellular health during cancer treatment.
General Benefits:
- Boosts your immune system and gut health
- Lowers inflammation
- Enhances energy levels
- Protects against oxidative stress and free radical damage (DNA damage)
- Helps regulate blood sugars
- Supports healthy digestion
- Provides neuropotective properties that reduce inflammation in your brain
7. Sun Mushroom or Almond Mushroom (Agaricus blazei): The “Mushroom of the Gods” that balances your immune system and helps fight tumors
Originally cultivated in Brazil and revered in Japanese integrative medicine, Agaricus blazei is known as the “mushroom of the gods” for good reason. This powerful medicinal mushroom contains unique
[8] polysaccharides like β-glucans and α-glucans that help modulate immune function, reduce chronic inflammation, and inhibit tumor growth.
Additionally, studies [9] show that supplementing with Agaricus blazei during chemotherapy may improve immune markers, reduce side effects, and enhance quality of life. That’s why we offer Agaricus Bio in our store [8]—a trusted, high-quality form of this remarkable mushroom.
General Benefits:
- Boosts your immune system and gut health
- Reduces inflammation throughout the body
- Enhances natural killer (NK) cell activity
- Supports detoxification and liver health
- Helps regulate blood sugar and metabolic health
- Protects against oxidative stress and free radical damage (DNA damage)
8. White Button (Agaricus bisporous): The most common mushroom is the best at preventing and stopping cancer
We saved the most surprising one for last! White button (portobello and crimini are its mature forms) are the most common types of mushrooms sold in grocery stores…yet they ranked highest for anti-cancer and tumor suppression activity! (Study [10]) They do their best work in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer, especially in postmenopausal women. We suggest eating them cooked (not raw) for the best results.
General Benefits:
- Boosts your immune system and gut health
- Lowers inflammation
- Protects against oxidative stress and free radical damage (DNA damage)
- Helps regulate blood sugars
Notice any commonalities?
If you’ve spent time exploring our blog and website, you’ve likely noticed a few powerful themes woven throughout our approach to healing: restoring immune function, nurturing gut health, reducing inflammation, balancing blood sugar, and protecting your body from oxidative stress and DNA damage. The medicinal mushrooms we’ve explored above align with these foundational principles. Each one offers unique healing properties that support your body’s terrain, creating an environment where cancer is no longer welcome.
Boosting your immune system and gut health.
About 80% of your immune system lives in your gut, so your body’s defence system and gut health are deeply connected. A strong gut is especially important during a healing journey because an unhealthy, inflamed gut causes breast cancer to become much more invasive and spread more quickly to other parts of the body. To learn more about your immune system and gut health, please review this blog post on gut health [11] and this one on the microbiome and breast cancer [12].
Lowering Inflammation.
About 95% of ALL cancers have inflammation in common, and it impacts all stages of tumor development, including initiation, progression, and metastasis. Chronic inflammation also creates an inviting environment for cancer (and most major dis-eases) to develop and grow due to immunosuppression. Clearly, inflammation is something you should be hyper-aware of when on a healing journey—and it IS something you have control over! Click here to learn more about the inflammation and cancer connection via this blog post. [13]
Managing blood sugar levels.
High blood sugar leads to insulin resistance and can also make breast cancer cells more resistant to chemotherapy and other immunotherapies, as well as hormone therapies. To learn more about why testing blood sugar should be part of your healing plan, click here. [6]
Protecting against oxidative stress and free radical damage.
We live in a toxic and stressed-out world overflowing with processed food, chemicals, and electropollution that cause oxidative stress and free radical damage, which leads to DNA damage—a main cause of cancer. However, you have control over your body, and you can choose to prevent and heal cancer by repairing your DNA. Please read this blog post to learn more about DNA repair [14].
As you can see, healing is not about just removing the lump. It requires a complete mind and body restoration that starts in each of your cells.
Breast Cancer Conqueror’s Library of Mushroom Recipes
While some mushrooms are most accessible via supplements or powders, below are several ways to delightfully enjoy mushrooms in your meals. 
[15]
- Hearty Salisbury Grass-fed Steak & Mushrooms [16]
- Superfood Broccolini and Mushrooms [15]
- Portobello Fries [17]
- Dairy Free Cream Of Mushroom Soup [18]
- Garlicky Mushrooms [19]
- Tom Kha Soup [20]
- Miso Chicken Soup [21]
- Grass-fed Beef and Mushroom Stew [22]
As you have uncovered, mushrooms are fierce allies in supporting your immune system, calming inflammation, and helping your body find its way back to balance, health, and vitality. Healing from breast cancer isn’t about a single magic treatment. It’s about layering powerful forms of integrative care and lifestyle changes for a plan that’s uniquely yours—and mushrooms may just be the little heroes your body has been waiting for.