Traditional Asian medicine has used mushrooms for longevity and health benefits (source).  In communities with a high consumption of certain types of mushrooms, the cancer rate is statistically lower.  Some attribute their longevity and health to the use of mushrooms, particularly reishi in teas.

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Although evidence of their benefits is anecdotal, many people use cordyceps to increase vigor and heart health  (https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cordyceps-benefitssource).  

 

Lion’s Mane Mushrooms

Lion's Mane mushrooms may hold the key to treating or curing dementia, as they’ve been shown to help neural regeneration in mice: Functional Recovery Enhancement Following Injury to Rodent Peroneal Nerve by Lion's Mane Mushroom, <i>Hericium erinaceus</i> (Bull.: Fr.) Pers. (Aphyllophoromycetideae) - International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, Volume 11, 2009, Issue 3.  

 

Turkey Tail Mushrooms

Turkey Tail mushrooms show promise as both preventative and treatment of certain cancers, particularly breast cancer,  in conjunction with traditional pharmaceutical approaches.  The mycelium of the Trametes versicolor (Turkey tail) mushroom and its fermented substrate each show potent and complementary immune activating properties in vitro.  These mushrooms grow prolifically in many wild environments.  

 

Enoki Mushrooms

Enoki mushrooms are known from Japanese cohort studies to be associated with lower rates of cancer.  Agronomic and environmental factors affecting cultivation of the winter mushroom or Enokitake: achievements and prospects.  These mushrooms also possess anti-inflammatory properties.  

 

Nameko Mushrooms

Nameko mushrooms have some efficacy against cancer in mice.  Mushroom extracts and compounds with suppressive action on breast cancer: evidence from studies using cultured cancer cells, tumor-bearing animals, and clinical trials  They also have antiviral properties https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Bipasha-Chakravarty/publication/233735019_Trends_in_Mushroom_cultivation_and_breeding/links/0fcfd50ae7f263f50f000000/Trends-in-Mushroom-cultivation-and-breeding.pdfwell

 

Untapped Potential

Penicillin was originally derived from a type of fungus we would recognize as mold.  This is one example of the potential that other fungi might hold to prevent, treat and cure disease and improve overall health and longevity.