Mushroom tea is a hot water beverage prepared with dried mushrooms steeped for several minutes to release their functional, adaptogenic fungi with health-promoting properties.

Mushroom tea sales have seen tremendous growth. Reported health benefits including immune support, anti-ageing effects and blood sugar management drive sales of this beverage.

Teas are made using various functional mushrooms such as chaga, reishi, lion’s mane and cordyceps.

Chaga

Chaga mushrooms are one of the best-known medicinal mushrooms, known for their robust energy, antioxidant properties, immune system support and cardiovascular benefits. You can make tea or tinctures from it or use it to create edible products like coffee and baked goods using it as an ingredient. Their flavor resembles very mild coffee (without caffeine) as well as roasted chicory or dandelion root when prepared properly – offering unique mushroom experiences!

Chaga contains numerous active compounds and has long been utilized as medicine in northern regions of the world. Woodland Cree of Canada call the fungus Wesakechak’s Scab after hearing of its medicinal uses; according to legend, an accidental throw against a Birch Tree produced the protective protection.

Studies have revealed the health benefits of chaga as an antioxidant-rich food to protect the body against cancer, heart disease and other illnesses by reducing inflammation. Chaga boasts high concentrations of b-d-glucans which may inhibit tumor growth as well as cell proliferation; additionally it contains polyphenols with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties as well as several polyphenols with potential anticancer properties.

Chaga is an extremely popular beverage among indigenous populations due to its natural immunity- and energy-enhancing properties, making it a staple food among many of Russia’s and Alaska’s northern tribes. Chaga can also provide numerous minerals and vitamins – including Vitamin D.

Studies have demonstrated the power of chaga to help manage an immunosuppressive state caused by chemotherapy treatments. A study published by Immunopharmacology demonstrated how water extract from chaga can reverse damage done to mice’s bone marrow and restore it back to normal, as well as activate numerous important cellular processes which regulate cytokines such as AMP-activated protein kinase, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, mitogen-activated protein kinase P38 mitogen activated protein kinase and nuclear factor Kappa-light-chain enhancer of activated B cells.

Reishi

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) has long been valued as an ancient health aid in China, Japan and Korea. Depicted as the “mushroom of immortality” in art and literature, Reishi is thought to strengthen immune systems, boost energy levels and protect against various diseases – while being touted for anti-aging benefits as well. Reishi has even shown promising cancer-fighting potential according to various studies.

Reishi mushroom is one of the most powerful medicinal mushrooms available; yet few Westerners use it regularly. As more research demonstrates its efficacy for immune boosting and treating various conditions like heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and AIDS; its popularity is slowly growing among Westerners.

Reishi, otherwise known as Ling Zhi or “herb of spiritual potency”, has been used in Chinese herbal treatments for over 4,000 years to treat fatigue, coughs, asthma and liver ailments as well as increase longevity. Studies on animals and cells indicate Reishi may help protect kidneys and livers against disease while killing cancer cells quickly, reducing inflammation levels quickly and increasing immunity levels significantly.

Reishi can be consumed in many forms: powders, capsules and tinctures as well as tea brewed from mycelia mycelii, spores or fruiting bodies. Boiling the tea allows your body to better absorb its water-soluble compounds more readily.

Reishi tea should be prepared by boiling 3-5 grams of dried Reishi per cup of water for at least an hour before straining out any debris and adding honey or another sweetener if desired for optimal flavor and enjoyment.

Reishi is an effective natural sedative and may help ease anxiety and insomnia, boost energy for those coping with chronic fatigue or cancer treatments, decrease blood pressure and sugar levels in those with high cholesterol, as well as treat autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis or excessive thyroid function, usually when combined with Auricularia.

Lion’s Mane

Lion’s Mane mushrooms are an effective supplement to combat brain fog, increase mental clarity and boost focus. Furthermore, its hericenones and erinacines content is thought to support nervous system health, potentially protecting from neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, its use may promote healthy moods while relieving mild symptoms of depression – likely thanks to stimulating production of neuronal growth factor which protects brain cells while increasing cognitive performance.

Research suggests that Lion’s Mane may improve spatial memory and speed of learning in mice. Further studies are necessary to validate these findings, although alternative treatments have already been tried out for anxiety, depression and MS, as well as heart disease and digestive issues (in one case Hericium erinaceus extracts were shown to reduce Helicobacter pylori levels within the stomach, one major cause of ulcers).

As the FDA does not regulate dietary supplements like it regulates drugs, it’s wise to be wary of claims made by marketers. When purchasing supplements from third-party organizations it would be ideal.

Lion’s Mane has been shown to have neuro-regenerative effects and is frequently prescribed to treat nerve trauma in dogs. Additionally, it may help repair myelin sheath damage caused by conditions like degenerative myelopathy or prolapsed discs; Krysta Fox recently recommended it to her pug Bruce with Pug Myelopathy; the supplement has helped him remain playful while rebuilding nerves damaged by spinal cord injury.

Lion’s Mane can be purchased in tea form, capsules and dried powdered form – making it easily accessible in stores or online. Growing conditions vary, as mushrooms grown on logs may take longer but boast sweeter and more delicious mushrooms than those cultivated on sawdust.

Cordyceps

Cordyceps is a unique blade-shaped fungus that grows on caterpillars and used as an anti-ageing and immunomodulating tonic. Studies have reported it having numerous health benefits that make it widely utilized in traditional Chinese medicine – these include anti-inflammatory effects, lipid reduction, blood sugar management and improved immunity functions. Cordyceps has also proven useful for the treatment of respiratory, renal, liver diseases as well as low libido and high blood pressure conditions.

Studies have confirmed the traditional belief that Cordyceps extract Cs-4 is an anti-aging herb, supporting its traditional use as an anti-ageing herb. This effect is attributed to its ability to enhance antioxidant enzyme activity such as glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase while simultaneously suppressing lipid peroxidation and reverse age-related changes in gene expression.

Animal and human studies have also demonstrated several other effects of cordyceps, such as its lipid-lowering properties; inhibition of tumor growth; prevention of atherosclerosis; and anti-diabetic effects. Furthermore, it’s been discovered to protect cells against oxidative damage, making cordyceps an attractive candidate for treating both aging and cardiovascular diseases.

Studies on the Cordyceps genus have revealed its beneficial properties, with fruiting and mycelium bodies of this mushroom containing various bioactive compounds, such as polysaccharides and cordycepin, that exhibit antihyperglycemic activity in rats treated with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, while fermented mycelium of C. sinensis also displayed similar benefits when fed nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats.

Cordyceps may offer additional potential advantages in improving physical performance. A human study revealed that its consumption can increase lactate clearance, allowing athletes to perform for longer and better, and may improve recovery quality after exercising.

Cordyceps has long been used in Chinese medicine as a tonic, often helping treat respiratory disorders, liver and kidney issues, high blood pressure, low libido, hyperlipidemia and more. Cordyceps can be taken as a supplement in powder form, capsules tablets or tea bags; please check with a healthcare practitioner before starting on this regimen as some medications may interact negatively with cordyceps intake.