Mushroom teas are enjoying an upward trajectory in terms of popularity among consumers who recognize its healthful benefits.

Mushroom tea blends often feature an assortment of various mushrooms, such as reishi and cordyceps for calm energy and endurance, or to aid concentration and clarity at work.

1. Reishi Mushroom

Reishi mushrooms have long been revered herbs in traditional Chinese medicine as symbols of health and longevity, being valued for over two millennia as powerful adaptogens that support body’s ability to handle stress while providing benefits to sleep quality, immune functioning and immunity.

Reishi mushrooms have antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties as well as stimulating white blood cell production that combat infection and disease. Reishi may help lower cholesterol and triglycerides to improve heart health though further research may be required. They’re also renowned for bolstering immunity by activating natural killer cell activity within your immune system to defend against free radical damage in your body.

Reishi mushrooms are an abundant source of beta-glucans, which provide vital support for immune system cellular health. According to early research, Reishi may increase white blood cell count and function, as well as reduce inflammation. Reishi has also been demonstrated as being useful during cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, helping mitigate side effects associated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy treatments.

Studies suggest that Reishi may help mental health by decreasing anxiety, depression and stress levels while helping people sleep more soundly and remain calmer. Reishi interacts with GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric acid), an aminobutyric acid chemical which regulates neural activity to lower nerve activity and promote sleep.

Reishi can be enjoyed as both a traditional tea and an additive to smoothies or other drinks, or the powder can even be ground into food supplements for quick and easy administration. Along with general benefits, Reishi may help protect liver function and boost metabolism for increased energy levels at all times.

2. Chaga Mushroom

Chaga Mushroom, famed for its unusual appearance (like burnt marshmallow stuck to a tree) and long history of medical use, boasts numerous health benefits as one of the richest antioxidant-rich fungi on Earth. Used extensively throughout traditional medicine for centuries to fight infection and tumors alike, as well as boost your immunity, Chaga has strong antiviral, antibiotic, anticancer, antiinflammatory, and antitumor properties and is said to boost immune systems significantly.

Betulinic acid present in chaga mushrooms has been suggested to aid in relieving chronic inflammation caused by arthritis and diabetes, providing additional vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for an added health boost. Chaga is also an excellent source of protein.

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus), commonly found on birch trees in cold climates, is revered for its immune-enhancing properties. Packed with beta-glucans and polysaccharides known to strengthen immunity systems, Chaga has been used as an effective therapy against tuberculosis, cancer, poor circulation issues, among other conditions.

Harvesting chaga should take place between late autumn and winter when its nutrients have had time to absorb from birch trees. Larger growths tend to contain more nutrition.

Chaga can be cut into small chunks or ground into powder for medicinal use. When buying it, look for one made with good ingredients that has been extracted to ensure you receive maximum amounts of active compounds and are uncontaminated by other substances like sugar or caffeine. Lastly, be sure to brew it on low heat for 30-60 minutes so as to extract all its potential health benefits.

3. Lion’s Mane Mushroom

Lion’s mane is currently garnering much interest in health circles as an effective supplement for cognitive function. It may work by stimulating adult brain stem cell production, helping improve memory retention and stave off Alzheimer’s disease.

Lion’s mane mushrooms may also provide anti-aging benefits due to the high concentration of beta-glucans found within them, which have been linked with improved blood flow and reduced inflammation. Studies have also demonstrated their ability to alleviate anxiety and depression by supporting healthy levels of serotonin production.

For an interactive experience with these intriguing fungi, cooking them may be the way to go. They have an appealing texture which some liken to lobster or crab meat, making them an excellent option for vegetarians and vegans looking for alternatives to shellfish products.

Alternately, Lion’s Mane mushroom tea or adding it to your favorite herbal recipe are both excellent ways to use Lion’s Mane mushrooms. Furthermore, Lion’s Mane can even be included as part of your skincare routine by applying it as a facial mask or using its essential oils in an oil infusion for glowing skin.

When purchasing Lion’s Mane mushrooms, look for ones with pale white hue and are firm to the touch. Any that are soft or wilted have likely gone bad; in such instances it’s best to use or freeze immediately or store in an airtight container along with some packets of food-grade silica crystals so as to minimize moisture build-up and improve texture. For optimal results try placing some packets of food-grade silica crystals inside for moisture control purposes.

4. Cordyceps Mushroom

Cordyceps fungus has long been revered in Traditional Chinese Medicine and other healthcare systems for its myriad health benefits, particularly its role as a performance enhancer for athletes. Studies have shown it to reduce fatigue while increasing strength and endurance, while it can also act as an adaptogen, helping the body manage stress more effectively and even inhibit tumor growth. Cordyceps has even been found to have anti-inflammatory properties as well as inhibit tumor development!

Consuming cordyceps as tea is the most popular method of consumption. Wild species tend to have tough texture that needs to be broken down by hot water in order to extract its nutrients, while synthetic cultivation techniques make sourcing premium-grade dried cordyceps easier. When selecting cordyceps products it is crucial that only superior-grade varieties are purchased as lesser grade varieties may contain contaminants like pesticides and heavy metals which could pose potential health hazards.

Studies demonstrate how cordyceps can enhance physical performance by increasing lactate energy metabolism and oxygen utilization within cells, as well as increase male mice virility while improving female mice sexual function and prolong lifespan through inhibiting oxidative stress mitigation. It has even been demonstrated to extend fruit fly lifespan by inhibiting oxidative stress inhibition.

Cordyceps mushroom tea is easy and delicious way to start the day right! Blend into smoothies or consume as a caffeine-free replacement to coffee – the taste almost indetectable makes this the ideal addition for any recipe! Try our Cinnamon Vanilla Cordyceps Mushroom Latte as a great way to start your day off right, featuring adaptogenic herbs such as Ashwagandha that helps support body’s response to stress while relieving adrenal fatigue!

5. Enoki Mushroom

Enoki mushrooms (Flammulina velutipes) are a type of edible fungus (famously found in Japanese cuisine) known for their long, thin stems and popular inclusion as an ingredient in Japanese, Chinese and Korean dishes – typically sold in small clusters for use as part of dishes like soups, noodle dishes, stir fries and rice bowls. With mild flavoring and crunchy texture that make these mushrooms versatile enough for use raw or lightly sauteed. They add crunchy crunchiness that works perfectly when added into soups, noodles dishes stir fries and rice bowl dishes alike!

Enoki mushrooms are popularly used as garnish for sushi and spring rolls, and to prepare enoki you simply need to rinse each individual mushroom stem under cold water to rinse away dirt or debris and trim any slimy or discolored stems before patting dry with paper towels. You can then season enoki to bring out its mild sweetness or mix them in with soy sauce, ginger garlic sesame oil miso seaweed as desired.

Enoki mushrooms are an excellent source of potassium, an essential mineral essential to maintaining muscle function and blood pressure levels. Furthermore, they contain vitamin C, E and selenium – nutrients which promote cell health while fighting free radical damage – plus high amounts of fiber that help lower bad cholesterol, lower blood sugar and protect the heart.

Fresh enoki is readily available at most grocery stores that specialize in Asian foods as well as farmers markets and specialty grocers around the world. To keep it fresh for up to one week in storage, place it in a paper bag and keep in the main part of the refrigerator rather than the crisper drawer of the fridge.

Fresh enoki can also be found online retailers and health food stores. Look for firm stems with bright green colors that don’t shrivel or discolor easily if they aren’t found locally – ask the produce manager if special orders can be placed for these varieties!