Adaptogenic mushrooms such as chaga, cordyceps, reishi and turkey tail can provide short-term stress management as well as immune-enhancing benefits to protect against seasonal colds and flu viruses.

Mushroom tea can also provide a source of natural energy boost. By including cordyceps mushrooms in a tea blend like Firebelly Tea’s Green Means Go, adding cordyceps will provide an instant energy boost that’s both safe and sustainable.

Chaga

Chaga mushrooms are rich in B-complex vitamins, Vitamin D and minerals such as potassium, calcium, iron and zinc. Furthermore, these mushrooms contain powerful antioxidants which have been found to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels significantly. Chaga mushroom can also act as a natural immune booster by increasing white blood cell activity to fight off viruses, bacteria, fungal infections and mold; modulating immune systems helps those suffering from autoimmune diseases balance their responses more easily and reduce inflammation.

Inflammation is an integral part of our bodies’ response to injury or infection, yet too much inflammation can be hazardous. Chaga is an effective natural remedy for this, particularly beneficial for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis as it promotes the production of cytokines – proteins which stimulate white blood cells to attack harmful microbes – to regulate this response and maintain good health.

Anti-inflammatory properties of chaga may also help your heart. One animal study concluded that regular consumption of chaga decreased LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and total cholesterol in rats-three key indicators of cardiovascular disease.

Chaga mushroom supplements also can provide the skin with extra protection by increasing melanin production – a naturally occurring pigment found within our bodies, but which chaga mushroom supplements can increase. Melanin acts as a block against UV radiation and helps keep skin healthy and wrinkle free. Melanin production occurs within our bodies on its own but these mushroom supplements can boost its production further.

To maximize Chaga’s benefits, try making alcohol extract or dual-extract tea from it. Simply place block-like pieces of Chaga into a mason jar and fill it with alcohol so that it covers it completely while leaving some breathing space at the top. Leave the jar sitting for up to one month, shaking it every couple of days, so as to release all of its beneficial water-soluble compounds from the fungus. For best results, use a strong blender or grinder (coffee grinder, vitamix or mortar and pestle are great options for this task), to grind the chaga into fine powder before brewing – this will ensure that you extract its maximum potential benefits before adding it into a favorite Firebelly tea blend!

Reishi

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is an adaptogenic fungus which promotes relaxation, mental clarity and anxiety relief. Additionally, Reishi is an immune booster which can help you fight off infections and bolster energy levels; studies have also demonstrated its anti-inflammatory properties while helping increase humoral and cellular immune systems.

Studies have demonstrated that Reishi can help regulate cortisol levels and is therefore effective against chronic stress and anxiety. Furthermore, it has also been known to improve sleep quality by helping individuals fall asleep more easily and remain asleep throughout the night, lower blood pressure levels and improve heart health.

Reishi can be found in teas, capsules and dried form for home infusion. With a range of tea blends to meet both taste and wellness goals – some including other adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha or lion’s mane – finding one tailored to you is likely easier than ever!

Studies have indicated that Reishi can help manage your mood by elevating serotonin levels and acting as an antidepressant. Furthermore, Reishi’s natural anti-inflammatory properties are reported as hindering production of pro-inflammatory compounds within the body, and supporting proliferation of T and B lymphocytes, splenic mononuclear cells, NK cells as well as increasing overall immunity cellular immunity are all additional benefits of taking Reishi supplement.

Eastern medicine has long relied upon cordyceps as a cure-all to address various conditions, from supporting adrenal glands and relieving fatigue, to helping regenerate liver cells and balance your yin and yang energies. Cordyceps is often combined with cordyceps in herbal tea blends designed to increase energy and stamina.

Mushroom teas offer an ideal alternative to caffeine-heavy beverages that can trigger anxiety. In addition, mushrooms teas can also provide natural energy without the caffeine crash that comes with coffee consumption.

Lion’s Mane

Lion’s Mane mushrooms have quickly become one of the more beloved functional mushrooms, not only due to their striking resemblance of a flowing mane of a lion but also because studies show it to improve focus, concentration and brain health. Hericenones and erinacines present in Lion’s Mane stimulate nerve growth factor production which in turn helps people with cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s or MS regrow lost connections in their brains.

When selecting a lion’s mane supplement, opt for one that uses both mycelium and fruiting bodies of the mushroom. Folk traditions have long employed this form of treatment while current studies demonstrate it contains 10-30 times more active compounds essential to making this mushroom effective. Be wary of products using mycelium-based powder mixed with fillers like oatmeal; this doesn’t correspond to traditional log-grown, organic lion’s mane used historically and scientifically.

Although lion’s mane has shown promise in small clinical trials, more research needs to be conducted in order to verify its positive effects on cognition and depression. Still, many find that drinking a cup of lion’s mane tea or taking an extract helps them stay calm throughout their day and better handle stress than without it.

Outside of chaga and reishi, there are other adaptogenic herbs and mushrooms which can be added to tea for extra benefits, including schisandra, rhodiola, tulsi and Siberian ginseng. All of these products can be found at health food stores as supplements.

If you’re looking to switch up your tea routine, add some chaga or reishi or lion’s mane as an ingredient. These natural supplements can help boost your mood while staying hydrated – just remember they shouldn’t replace other forms of treatment such as therapy or exercise! If you are dealing with anxiety, depression or chronic health conditions seek medical help immediately and follow standard guidelines such as getting enough sleep, eating healthily and managing stress accordingly – these will only aid your wellbeing!

Turkey Tail

Turkey Tail (Tracetes versicolor), is an adaptogenic fungus often included in tea blends for its immune and gut health benefits. As with our other favorite functional mushrooms such as Chaga, Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps, turkey tail contains IP’s which act like long sugar chains that modulate our bodies immune systems; two such IPs found in Turkey Tail are PSK and PSP which have been extensively researched as immunity boosters; PSK was even approved as cancer treatment supplement in Japan!

Turkey tail not only enhances immunity but it has anti-inflammatory and stress relieving properties as well as being an excellent antioxidant, helping to lower cholesterol levels. Furthermore, turkey tail has also been proven to improve metabolic function; mice given turkey tail extract had reduced obesity risks as well as improved glucose tolerance levels and lower triglyceride levels after receiving the treatment.

Turkey Tail also contains prebiotic nutrients that nourish beneficial bacteria in your gut and have an indirect positive impact on overall health due to their vital role in supporting immunity.

Some studies indicate that turkey tail can help fight viruses such as herpes and HIV, such as HIV. One such research paper found that turkey tail mushroom extracts could block some of the molecules used by viruses to replicate themselves – something which may eventually lead to an antiviral medication being created from them.

As with other mushrooms, turkey tail is safe when taken in small doses as a supplement. As always, consult your physician prior to adding new supplements to your diet and enjoy responsibly unless specifically advised by them. Our favorite way to include turkey tail in our herbal energy tea blends like Tiger’s Breath or Energy Fusion blends; combine it with cordyceps for even greater performance during workouts and recovery afterward!