Fungi are straight-up bizarre—and it's one of the many reasons why we love them. These strange, otherworldly organisms keep surprising us with their fascinating, almost alien abilities. They decay living material, spread diseases and produce powerful toxins, but also have the potential to heal the body, filter water, and remediate ecosystems. And get this: even with all we know, over 90% of fungi species are still a mystery.
Mushrooms can often appear anthropomorphic, with their fleshy, sometimes "bloody" limbs stretching out from the forest as if to steal you away to the netherworld. From the uncanny Wood Ear and animal-like Lion's Mane to the mind-controlling Zombie Fungus (Cordyceps) that takes over insects, fungi can invoke unsettling feelings of disgust, fear, and awe. It's no wonder that mushrooms have been a significant inspiration in folklore and religion throughout human history.
But beyond their looks, fungi are wellness warriors. Packed with the promise of health-boosting properties, they’re more than just curiosities—they’re nature’s recyclers and healers. Let’s explore some of the weirdest, wildest, and most wellness-packed mushrooms around!
Cordyceps: The Energy-Saving "Zombie Fungus"
If there’s a mushroom to give you both the creeps and a boost of energy, it’s Cordyceps. This parasitic fungus literally takes over the bodies of insects, turning them into "zombies" before killing them and sprouting from their corpses.
Wellness Benefits: Despite its grisly life cycle, Cordyceps is a superstar when it comes to wellness. Known for its ability to increase energy, enhance athletic performance, and improve lung function, Cordyceps is often used by athletes and anyone looking for a natural energy boost. It helps your body use oxygen more efficiently, making it perfect for those with an active lifestyle.
Lion's Mane: The Shaggy Brain Protector
Lion’s Mane might look like something out of a deep-sea documentary with its long, shaggy tendrils, but this peculiar mushroom is making waves in the world of brain health.
Wellness Benefits: Lion’s Mane is prized for its potential neuroprotective properties. Studies show that it may improve memory, cognitive function, and even help regenerate nerve cells. If you’re looking to boost focus, mental clarity, or even mood, Lion’s Mane is a natural nootropic that could enhance your brainpower.
Chaga: The Gnarly Antioxidant King
Chaga doesn’t even look like a mushroom (and technically it's a schlerotium)—it looks like a charred piece of wood or blackened charcoal growing out of birch trees. But within this rugged exterior is one of the most antioxidant-packed fungi in the world.
Wellness Benefits: Chaga is renowned for and been historically used for its ability to support immune health, reduce inflammation, and fight oxidative stress, making it a powerful anti-aging and wellness ally. Its antioxidant content makes it especially useful for protecting your body from free radicals, unstable atoms that can damage cells, causing illness and aging.
Reishi: The Sanguine Steps of Immortality
With its shiny, lacquered surface and vibrant colors, Reishi looks almost alien. This “mushroom of immortality” has been a staple in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years.
Wellness Benefits: Reishi is an adaptogen, meaning it helps your body adapt to stress. It’s often used to reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and enhance overall longevity. Reishi also supports the immune system, making it a holistic wellness staple.
Morel: The Forest’s Wrinkly Gem
Morels are funky-looking with honeycomb-like caps, extremely hard to grow, and a bit tricky to find. But these weirdos are totally worth the hunt! Morels are packed with vitamins like B and D, which are great for your energy and keeping your bones strong.
Wellness Benefits: Morels are also loaded with antioxidants, which help fight off those pesky free radicals that can make us sick. On top of that, they’re high in fiber, which is good news for your digestive system. While their nutty, earthy flavor is a culinary favorite, they also contain ergosterols which promote immune function, liver health, and overall well-being.
Black Trumpet: The Dark Delicacy
Black Trumpets are named for the fact that they resemble dark horns poking out of the forest floor. In Spanish and French, their name translates to "trumpet of death." Though a bit macabre in appearance, these mushrooms are a prized edible, with a smoky, earthy flavor, and often compared to truffles.
Wellness Benefits: Black Trumpets are full of health benefits and exhibit effects that support the immune system, nerve and heart health. They’re also rich in Vitamin B12, which helps with blood health and boosts your energy levels, and they’re a great source of protein, making them a solid option for plant-based diets.
Bleeding Tooth Fungus: The Dripping Healer
Straight out of a horror movie, Bleeding Tooth Fungus looks like it’s literally oozing blood. Red droplets seep from the white, sponge-like surface of this fungus, giving it an eerie, gory appearance.
Wellness Benefits: Though its appearance may turn your stomach, Bleeding Tooth Fungus contains antimicrobial and anticoagulant properties that could support overall health. While it’s too bitter to be commonly consumed, its bioactive compounds hold promise for managing specific neurodegenerative conditions, spatial learning, and memory.
Witch's Butter: The Slimy Skin Saver
Named from Swedish and Scandinavian folklore, this bright yellow gelatinous fungus looks like goo clinging to tree branches in a strange, slimy display.
Wellness Benefits: Witch’s Butter may be odd-looking, but it’s been used for its hydrating properties. Rich in polysaccharides, it helps retain moisture and supports skin regeneration, making it a natural addition to skincare routines focused on hydration and healing. In traditional Asian medicine, it has been used for its ability to improve circulation and respiration.
Wood Ear: The Fleshy Flavor Soaker
Wood Ear mushrooms sometimes look like an acutal ear—they’re thin, rubbery, and ear-shaped, often found growing on rotting wood. But don’t let their creepy looks fool you—these fungi have some surprising health benefits! They’re traditionally used in Chinese medicine for their ability to improve circulation and support heart health. They were thought to cure sore throats, sore eyes and jaundice, and used as an astringent.
Wellness Benefits: Wood Ears are full of fiber and plant-based collagen, making them great for your digestive system and your skin. Plus, they contain antioxidants that help protect your body from harmful inflammation. While their jelly-like texture might seem strange, they’re actually mild in flavor, soak up the taste of other ingredients and add a fun, chewy bite to soups and stir-fries.
Veiled Lady Mushroom: The Lacy Detoxifier
Also known as the “bridal veil stinkhorn,” this edible mushroom looks like it’s wearing a delicate, lacy bridal veil. Its ethereal, haunting beauty makes it one of the most visually striking mushrooms out there.
Wellness Benefits: Used in traditional Chinese medicine, the Veiled Lady mushroom is believed to help detoxify the body, improve digestion, and boost immune function. It’s a staple in wellness practices that focus on cleansing and internal health.
Spooky Bonus: Fly Agaric, The Toxic Beauty
The Fly Agaric is perhaps the most iconic mushroom in popular culture, with its bright red cap and white spots. Though it looks straight out of a fairy tale, its toxic and hallucinogenic properties give it macabre edge.
Wellness Benefits: Despite its toxicity, Fly Agaric has been used in some traditional medicinal practices for pain relief and relaxation when processed properly. It’s also known for its psychoactive properties, historically used in shamanic rituals across northern Europe and Asia.
From zombie fungi to mushrooms that ooze blood, the world of strange and unusual mushrooms is as fascinating as it is beneficial. While their bizarre appearances may scare some off, these fungi are packed with wellness-boosting properties that have been used in both traditional and modern medicine.
Whether you’re looking to enhance brain function, boost your immune system, or simply add some nutrition to your diet, some of these "weird" mushrooms are powerful natural remedies that can be a part of your wellness routine.