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5 Types of Mushroom Tea
Mushroom tea is an innovative beverage made of functional mushrooms and flavorful herbs for an enjoyable tasting experience. Mushroom tea comes as loose leaf or pre-portioned tea bags.
There are various varieties of mushroom tea available for you to try, such as reishi, cordyceps and turkey tail varieties – each offering distinct benefits.
Chaga
Chaga mushroom, commonly compared to an unappetizing combination of burnt marshmallow and an oversized scab, has long been used in Northern climate dynasties for health and healing purposes. Chaga is a dense black mass of mycelia that grows on birch trees, known for boosting immune function, treating cancer and providing anti-ageing properties; in addition, it can balance blood sugar levels while aiding digestion.
Chaga polysaccharides have been demonstrated to inhibit an enzyme that degrades starch. By slowing digestion of carbs, Chaga may help balance blood sugar levels thereby providing natural remedies for diabetic conditions. Studies suggest it as potential natural treatments.
Researchers have demonstrated that Chaga can inhibit oral cancer cell progression by suppressing glycolysis and mitochondrial membrane potential, increasing autophagy and decreasing expression of p-STAT3 which has been linked to cell proliferation and tumor growth.
Chaga tea offers an earthy and woodsy taste when brewed as tea, making it the ideal accompaniment to honey or your preferred sweetener. In addition, Chaga extract forms such as tincture or powder are available.
Many people enjoy sipping mushroom tea as part of their morning routine, to improve energy, focus, and clarity. Other varieties such as Lion’s Mane and Reishi mushrooms contain adaptogenic properties to reduce resilience to stress. As their effectiveness depends on dosage and usage frequency, always consult a trained health care provider prior to starting any new supplement regimens.
Reishi
Reishi (Lingzhi in Chinese and Ganoderma lucidum in Latin), has been used for millennia to promote health and boost energy. Reishi has long been practiced in Eastern medicine traditions to boost immunity, treat chronic illnesses such as cancer and cardiovascular disease, enhance quality of life and enhance overall quality of life. Reishi supplements are available in multiple forms for easy consumption.
Reishi mushrooms contain polysaccharides to promote cell health and protection. Their rich array of antioxidants may provide additional cellular defense mechanisms. Reishi is known to reduce oxidative stress, which has been linked to aging and may contribute to health conditions that develop later.
Study results revealed that Reishi extracts may help to modulate the immune system by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines and increasing natural killer cells. Reishi is therefore considered a potential therapy for people suffering from inflammation-based conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis; and could even prevent neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s by increasing nerve growth factor production.
Studies suggest that Reishi mushrooms could provide potential advantages to heart health by helping regulate blood sugar levels and decreasing cholesterol and triglycerides levels, while also supporting liver health by decreasing fat build-up in the liver.
Reishi is an ingredient found in herbal supplements, including powders, capsules and liquid products. Individuals should seek advice from healthcare providers familiar with herbal remedies to determine the optimal dose for themselves – for instance, some individuals might experience digestive discomfort while others might not notice any side effects at all.
Lion’s Mane
Lion’s Mane mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus) contain distinctive properties that have been demonstrated through numerous studies to be beneficial to the nervous system. Studies have demonstrated its anti-inflammatory and cognitive-enhancing qualities; its anti-diabetics potential; blood sugar regulation benefits in diabetics; its regenerative qualities have also shown to assist healing of nerve injuries post-injury making this mushroom an indispensable component of any wellness routine, particularly among individuals suffering from neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and MS.
Studies have also demonstrated Lion’s Mane’s ability to enhance focus and concentration among healthy individuals while simultaneously decreasing long-term stress and depression. This may be attributable to its mood-enhancing, immune-boosting properties or reduced brain oxidation effects; additionally it has shown antibacterial and antiviral activity in lab experiments suggesting it could potentially help treat infections like colds or the flu.
Lion’s Mane can be consumed in numerous forms, from capsules and tinctures to powder. When selecting your supplement, make sure it contains whole mushrooms rather than just powder for maximum effectiveness. Select products utilizing mycelium over fruiting bodies as they contain higher concentrations of the active component erinacines. Prior to making any dietary or supplement changes, be sure to speak to your physician or registered dietitian first, especially if you have preexisting conditions or take medications such as immunosuppressants. While rare interactions exist between Lion’s Mane and antihypertensives or immunosuppressants and immunosuppressant therapies – avoidance is still encouraged whenever possible.
Maitake
Maitake mushrooms grow in clusters and from far away resemble light brown cauliflower or fluffy chicken sitting on its nest. Like all mushrooms, maitake are highly versatile, adaptable enough to take on flavors from other ingredients it’s cooked with like garlic and soy sauce while still keeping its earthy savouriness – making Maitake an excellent addition to soup or stew recipes while providing high amounts of protein, vitamin D and potassium!
Maitake mushrooms are popularly used in Japanese and Chinese cuisine, such as miso soup and other vegetable and meat dishes, such as miso. Grilling gives it an irresistibly delicious smoky flavor that adds even more depth of flavour. Maitake extract has been shown to improve immunity by stimulating immune system response against cancerous cells; also activate Interleukin-2 production which further helps your body fight tumour cells more effectively.
Maitake has also been shown to reduce inflammation associated with chemotherapy treatments and lower both blood pressure and cholesterol levels, potentially making it beneficial for individuals suffering from ulcers, Crohn’s disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Maitake can be enjoyed in multiple forms, from capsules and gummies to liquid extracts, making it convenient to incorporate into one’s daily regimen. Before adding maitake into your diet, however, be sure to consult a healthcare provider as it may interact with certain medications – especially immunosuppressants prescribed after organ transplants or for autoimmune disorders – and could also potentially harm pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, people with bleeding disorders and liver conditions and those who are taking immunosuppressant therapy medications.
Turkey Tail
Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) is an exquisite and vibrant bracket fungus that thrives near trees. As with other functional mushrooms, Turkey Tail contains powerful antioxidants and is well-known to boost immunity. Furthermore, it can serve as an effective liver tonic, supporting its function alongside that of liver, lungs and spleen. Turkey Tail also boasts adaptogenic properties which help the body combat stress and anxiety by stabilising cortisol levels while improving immune response while simultaneously relieving symptoms of fatigue and improving athletic performance.
Turkey tail contains protein-bound polysaccharides known as Polysaccharopeptides or PSPs that have been shown to stimulate both innate and adaptive immune responses in preclinical studies (7), acting as biological response modifiers that provide non-specific immunosupportive agents and help balance out immune system by not targeting specific cells.
Turkey Tail’s phenolic compounds have also been demonstrated to inhibit DNA damage, possibly by reacting with free radicals and mitigating their harmful effects (1). This is especially beneficial to cells which are vulnerable to free radical damage more so than other macromolecules.
Turkey Tail has long been used in traditional medicine to address conditions like coughs, respiratory issues, haemorrhoids and joint pain. Studies have demonstrated its efficacy at protecting livers from damage caused by excessive alcohol intake (2). Furthermore, other research shows it to be useful in mitigating side-effects associated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments such as nausea, fatigue and decreased appetite (3); making this supplement ideal to use while going through cancer treatments as it supports immune defense mechanisms while protecting healthy cells in your body.