mushroom tea has recently made waves at health food stores and cafes alike. Crafted with functional fungi such as Reishi, Chaga or Lion’s Mane fungus, these beverages may help promote cognitive function as well as provide various potential wellness benefits.

As there are so many mushroom tea varieties to try, each provides unique benefits – for instance reishi may help to ease stress while cordyceps could support focus.

Reishi

Reishi mushroom is revered for its healing properties, including improving immune function, relieving stress and fatigue, improving sleep quality, protecting against oxidative damage and helping with circulation health – as well as its calming, balanced state-of-being properties. When selecting an extract of Reishi mushrooms it is essential that it contains no fillers or additives so as to maximize all the potential benefits this mushroom provides. Reishi tea can be made either from whole mushrooms or extract. When selecting an extract it is vital that all its benefits can be maximized so as not miss any benefits that this powerful mushroom provides.

Reishi extracts can be found in many rooibos and green tea blends, from morning wake-up beverages to helping focus during the day or winding down in the evening. Many contain lemongrass, hibiscus or other ingredients that add an aromatic note. Reishi is also available as capsule supplements, making this option accessible and hassle-free.

Reishi tincture offers another great way for those wishing to incorporate this mushroom into their diet: easily mixing with water and taking daily as a supplement. Reishi can even be combined with other adaptogens such as Lion’s Mane or Cordyceps in order to produce a tea that provides both energy and relaxation support.

Most commonly, mushroom tea refers to hot beverages infused with the Ganoderma lucidum fungus, also known as Reishi or Lingzhi, that can be used as general tonics or blended with herbs and spices to produce a variety of flavors. Popular recipes for Reishi tea include Oolong tea with Ginseng/Echinacea herbal blends as well as Chai.

Before drinking any type of tea or mushroom extracts, it is wise to consult your physician. This is especially important if you are taking medication or have preexisting health conditions. Reishi is generally safe; however it should be avoided while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Chaga

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus), more commonly referred to as black mass or cinder conk, grows atop hardwood trees in northern climates. Although its appearance and flavor differ significantly from traditional mushrooms, chaga is packed with antioxidants and has similar attributes such as coffee with vanilla notes compared to its edible cousins. Chaga may help enhance immune system functioning, reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels, improve respiratory health and boost energy. Furthermore, it acts as an adaptogen which reduces stress during transition periods and ease transition periods between transition periods.

Chaga contains beta-glucans, an effective fiber that lowers cholesterol levels and can prevent heart disease, while protecting arterial walls. Plus, its nutrients support healthy cells while increasing antioxidant levels within your body – all while fighting inflammation through its antiviral, antibiotic, and cancer fighting properties.

Chaga can be purchased as tea, capsules or tincture and should be introduced slowly into your diet in consultation with a healthcare practitioner as it may interfere with other medications and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration to ascertain its safety during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Chaga can be enjoyed either strong or lightly brewed and re-steeped to produce a deep earthy tea experience. We suggest trying our Birch Chaga Tea made with cinnamon, ginger and birch syrup or Cold Citrus Chaga with lemon, orange and birch honey; each 4-oz package produces enough strong brew or many cups of light infusion to fill two gallons!

Lion’s Mane

Lion’s mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) is an edible and medicinal mushroom commonly found throughout Asia, which has been shown to possess neuroprotective effects and may help treat TBI-related conditions like Parkinson’s disease. This mushroom’s constituents include unique hericenones, erinacein terpenoids, beta polysaccharides, lectins, proteins, fatty acids sterols and multiple minerals and vitamins; although its exact mechanism remains unknown. Erinaceins have been demonstrated to cross blood-brain barriers in rats as well as stimulate nerve growth factor production and speed recovery after an ischemic injury.

Lion’s mane can be safely consumed in short term doses without adverse side effects such as serum enzyme elevations or episodes of clinically apparent liver damage in humans during long-term trials. If you are allergic to mushrooms or taking anticoagulants/blood thinners it is recommended that prior to consuming Lion’s mane you consult with a healthcare provider first.

Recent research on lion’s mane and coriolus versicolor mushroom, two popular treatments for TBI, showed both to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress associated with TBI as well as provide significant neuroprotective actions against subsequent neurodegeneration that often occurs as a result.[2]

Studies show that taking lion’s mane extract for 16 weeks improves symptoms of cognitive impairment among elderly individuals, particularly due to increasing nerve growth factor levels in the brain. A placebo-controlled trial conducted in Phytotherapy Research concluded this finding by reporting on adults over 50 who took it and experienced better scores on cognitive function scales compared with a control group due to its increase of nerve growth factor levels in their systems.

Antioxidants conducted a 2021 study which suggested that Lion’s Mane and Coriolus versicolor could aid in halting degeneration in the brain caused by Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Their neuroprotective properties may help halt neurodegeneration associated with loss of motor skills, memory loss and dementia – as well as providing effective treatments against TBI.[7] These two herbs could be combined as an effective TBI therapy solution.

Adaptogens

Adaptogens are an unparalleled group of herbs and mushrooms that promote wellness on multiple levels by helping the body respond appropriately to physical, emotional, and environmental stressors. These adaptogens have numerous health benefits such as stress-relief, immune-support, anti-inflammatory relief and antioxidant benefits – increasing resistance to stress while decreasing fatigue levels while increasing mental alertness and mental focus. Examples of adaptogens include Reishi, Chaga, Lion’s Mane & Tulsi as adaptogens.

As with other functional teas, mushroom tea is made by steeping a mixture of ingredients in hot water to extract their beneficial compounds. While water extraction processes are commonplace for mushroom tea production, others use alcohol-extraction processes for specific polysaccharides such as beta-glucans that give mushrooms their immune-boosting and gut-healing abilities.

Tea enthusiasts are increasingly turning to mushroom tea’s rejuvenating and healing powers in place of coffee or green tea for daily enjoyment. Not only is mushroom tea healthier, it can also support immune health, boost energy levels and provide beauty benefits like natural glow!

Mushroom tea comes in various flavors and options to meet the needs of different lifestyles. Reishi mushroom tea is often considered soothing and relaxing; while lion’s mane helps reduce brain fog and increase focus. Cordyceps helps improve oxygen uptake and endurance for those aiming to enhance athletic performance.

How you select the ideal functional tea depends on what results you hope to attain. Each species of mushroom provides specific advantages; so it’s essential that your desired outcomes be taken into account before purchasing mushroom tea. When purchasing mushroom tea, be sure to buy from a reputable and organic brand with sustainable and ethical sourcing practices in mind; when looking online for mushroom blends free from such additives.