Medicinal mushroom teas offer the perfect wellness party in every sip! Traditional teas such as yerba mate and rooibos host their mushroom friends–Chaga, Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail and Cordyceps- to enhance flavor and wellness benefits.

Mushrooms contain immune-stimulating beta-glucans and polysaccharides which are indigestible until brewed into tea form, providing for more controlled dosing of these immune boosters.

Chaga

Chaga, also referred to as Black Gold, The Diamond of the Forest and Mushroom of Immortality is an impressive medicinal mushroom found on boreal birch trees in North America. Long revered as an anti-cancer and antioxidant treatment by foragers and folk healers, many consider Chaga an answer for everything from cancer to cold symptoms. Although its claims have yet to be fully supported by science, it does boast powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties as well as many health promoting compounds.

Whoever wishes to try this unique healing fungus can easily make their own tea using boiling water and steeping for four to five minutes, then sweeten with honey, maple syrup or brown sugar for an enjoyable and healthful beverage that does not succumb to bitterness like some herbal teas do when over-steeped.

Once upon a time, plants and fungus provided much of our medicine outdoors. Now this ancient wisdom is making a comeback as people search for ways to live healthier lives while countering effects from modern living. Chaga has long been revered by indigenous populations living in North American Arctic environments for its abundance of health benefits; native tribes have used it for generations as part of their traditional medicines for detoxification, digestive support, immune support, liver support, skin protection, liver protection, liver protection as well as skin health maintenance.

Chaga contains high concentrations of phenolic acids which may offer protection from cancer and cardiovascular disease, while betulinic acid sterol may provide antiviral and antibiotic properties. Furthermore, the black outer portion of chaga fungus houses unique forms of melanin which may act as powerful anti-aging agents when found in extracts of chaga.

Chaga melanin may help protect skin against UV damage by absorbing free radicals. Furthermore, wild harvested chaga is said to promote collagen production and create radiant complexions; further studies suggest consuming melanin-rich food or beverages like chaga tea may reduce wrinkles and fine lines, hydrate dry skin areas more effectively, and give an overall youthful appearance.

Reishi

Reishi (Lingzhi in Chinese), is commonly referred to as the mushroom of immortality and considered one of nature’s true adaptogens. Long revered for its ability to restore balance, promote calm and increase stamina; furthermore it may have beneficial effects on liver toxicity levels and support normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Reishi contains an abundance of naturally sedative triterpene compounds (triterpenes) which work in sync with our nervous systems to promote natural, restful sleeping patterns and increase both quality and quantity of restful restful slumber. Studies have also demonstrated its positive influence on something known as GABA pathway which acts like brakes on neural activity to promote relaxation in our minds and bodies.

Reishi has many soothing properties, as well as being an effective immunomodulator which supports normal immunity responses in the body and serves as an anti-inflammatory. Furthermore, studies have demonstrated its hepatoprotective benefits which enable more efficient liver detoxification processes.

Reishi mushrooms are powerful tools, so it is recommended that only high-quality products be used in order to gain the maximum amount of active ingredients possible. At Real Mushrooms, all our reishi products come from fruiting bodies of mushrooms containing beneficial triterpenes whereas some manufacturers utilize mycelium grown in labs which doesn’t provide all these beneficial triterpenes.

Another essential consideration for taking reishi is how much you take. There is no specific recommended dosage; how much reishi you need will depend on factors like your age and health conditions.

Reishi can best be enjoyed when consumed as a tea: combine 1/4 to 1 teaspoon of powder with hot water and simmer for 15 minutes before sipping hot or cold as per preference. You could also try pairing it with energy-boosting herbs like turmeric, gotu kola, boswellia, milk thistle or bacopa to boost energy. Please consult your healthcare practitioner prior to adding supplements into your diet plan.

Lion’s Mane

Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) mushrooms have long been used in traditional Asian medicine practices. Recently, researchers have utilized modern techniques to assess how these mushrooms may benefit brain health; results are promising. Lion’s mane is thought to encourage nerve cells to repair and grow more freely – this may help improve conditions such as multiple sclerosis; an autoimmune disorder which attacks nerves by attacking their protective layer and leaving them exposed and vulnerable. Research indicates that one bioactive compound found within lion’s mane called erinacein may promote nerve growth and repair in multiple sclerosis cases.

Recent research has demonstrated that mice fed lion’s mane mushroom extract showed improved memory when tested in a maze, likely due to its ability to stimulate nerve cell regeneration and improve communication between brain cells, both of which may be affected by certain neurological disorders. Though further trials will need to take place, preclinical trials offer great hope of positive outcomes in human trials.

Lion’s mane is an edible mushroom found at farmers markets or gourmet vendors. Available both fresh and dried forms, its mild lobster or crab-esque flavors make it an excellent shellfish alternative. When cooked it becomes tender with some bounce; popular dishes in Taiwan include scallion lion’s mane soup or chowder with this ingredient.

Lion’s mane is an effective natural way to support your nervous system and ease depression or anxiety, providing significant anti-inflammatory and mood balancing properties. While taking supplements should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional before use, especially when combined with medications or taken during pregnancy/lactation; additionally it could interact with blood-thinning agents that shouldn’t be taken during this period either; the best way to reap its benefits of Lion’s Mane is incorporating it naturally into your diet; just add fresh or dried leaves directly as part of tea as necessary – adding it can really do just that!

Cordyceps

Cordyceps, like reishi and lion’s mane, is considered an adaptogen – meaning that it naturally helps your body cope with stress by restoring normal hormonal balance and can even assist with mood regulation. Like its cousins ashwagandha, ginseng, and lion’s mane, cordyceps may help increase energy levels and stamina, boost immunity levels and ensure healthy liver and kidney functions.

Cordyceps can also boost ATP production and oxygenation within the body, making it an excellent pre-workout supplement that supports muscle energy and endurance during exercise. Cordyceps is also beneficial to respiratory health as it increases oxygen levels within blood, aiding with detoxification by expelling toxins out of circulation more efficiently.

Although not often found at your local supermarket, cordyceps mushrooms can still be easily found at natural food stores and herbalists. Most often sold in dehydrated powder form that you can rehydrate in hot water to create tea, or added into other herbal or coffee drinks (for instance mushroom tea with lemongrass or chai spice for an exciting taste experience!).

Cordyceps differs from most mushrooms by growing in nature by parasitizing insects that host it. Its spores infiltrate caterpillars and other insects’ bodies and cause them to expand and eventually break free of their host’s head – this process makes cordyceps pricey as it requires extensive effort for self-growth.

There are various species of cordyceps mushrooms, but the one most frequently seen today is C. sinensis – first recorded by Wang Ang in 1694’s classic book Ben Cao Bei Yao. Thanks to modern cultivation techniques, large amounts can be grown at once.

Cordyceps is a highly effective immunomodulatory, helping to enhance T lymphocyte and B lymphocyte activity and increase cellular immunity. Furthermore, it may reduce infection frequency and severity in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Studies indicate it also increases testosterone levels and sexual function among both males and females while improving sperm quality while protecting against oxidative damage to testes.