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Is Mushroom Tea Good For You?
Mushroom tea is a beverage composed of several edible mushroom varieties steeped in hot water for several minutes to release their therapeutic and nutritional properties into the liquid. As they simmer, their therapeutic and nutritional qualities seep into the beverage, creating an aromatic infusion.
Reishi provides stress relief, Chaga supports heart health and Lion’s Mane can reduce brain fog. Drinking these teas regularly as part of a wellness ritual can help regulate your blood sugar level, strengthen immunity and even regulate mood swings.
Reishi
Reishi mushroom tea has long been associated with Chinese medicine as the “mushroom of immortality”, making it one of the top sellers at health food stores and cafes. Reishi works as an adaptogen, helping manage stress while increasing immunity, lowering blood pressure, helping regulate sleep cycles, supporting detoxification processes, and supporting gut health.
Studies demonstrate the health benefits of Reishi to include anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties as well as its anti-tumor properties. Reishi’s beta-glucans help curb tumor growth while aiding immune cells to combat cancer cells more efficiently; additionally it promotes the function of white blood cells which fight viruses and bacteria as well as help treat genital warts effectively.
Reishi contains polysaccharides and triterpenoids with antioxidant effects, so as to combat free radicals that damage cells and tissue. Furthermore, Reishi stimulates natural killer cell activity to eliminate cancerous and abnormal cells within the body.
Reishi mushrooms can not only boost immune systems but can also provide energy without overburdening adrenal glands like caffeine does. According to studies, reishi may help improve fatigue for those suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome and may ease depression or anxiety while also decreasing irritability.
Reishi can help keep you feeling healthy and fulfilled every day. It can be found at many health food stores or independent tea brands such as Moon Juice, Buddha Teas Terrasoul Superfoods Cap Beauty which stocks Four Sigma Foods Reishi mushrooms. Make your own Reishi Tea by mixing ground or powdered Reishi with boiling water and steeping for 15 minutes, before straining so as to eliminate mushroom chunks in your tea. Enjoy it hot or iced; Reishi can even be combined with other herbs and spices for added flavor! Try your own homemade Reishi tea by mixing lemon, ginger, turmeric or cinnamon into it to customize its taste for you. Blending with green or black tea creates an unmatched herbal experience! And making your own allows you to adjust its strength according to your own personal needs!
Chaga
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) has long been used as a folk remedy in Russia and Northern Europe for cancer, tuberculosis, and diabetes. This parasitic fungus grows on birch trees to form hard masses resembling burnt charcoal that are chopped up and boiled into tea as medicine; or sold as capsules, powders, liquid forms. Chaga can even be found in skin care products to reduce inflammation or redness – naturally caffeine-free with non-stimulating effects calming the body without stimulating effects or stimulation!
Chaga can significantly boost immunity thanks to the beta-D-glucans it contains; these large molecules may help activate our own natural immunity systems and balance blood sugar levels while simultaneously lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels in our bodies. Beta-D-glucans may even play a part in helping balance blood pressure.
Chaga can also help protect the body through its powerful antioxidant properties. Polysaccharides found in Chaga have the ability to neutralize reactive molecules known as DPPH that damage cells; additionally it contains triterpenes which bind with superoxide free radical molecules and neutralize them effectively.
Chaga mushroom is not only known for its antioxidant effects; it’s also an anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-microbial agent with significant potential to destroy cancer cells and inhibit their spread. Furthermore, the high melanin content helps provide protection from UV radiation and other oxidants.
Studies have also demonstrated that chaga extract can restore bone marrow function of chemical-treated mice, increasing both granulocytes and erythroid burst-forming units while attenuating immunosuppressive conditions caused by chemical damage to their marrows.
Chaga may offer incredible health benefits, yet most research on it has been conducted with lab animals. If you are taking medication such as blood thinners or glucose management treatments, consult with your healthcare provider before beginning to take Chaga supplements as they could interact negatively with them and alter how your body metabolizes glucose, and thus cause issues for those taking them.
Lion’s Mane
Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) mushrooms have long been revered in Asian medicine as powerful superfoods with many reported health benefits, and have even earned them the name “The Smart Mushroom”. Studies have demonstrated their power to boost cognitive function, prevent nerve damage, and enhance the myelin sheath covering brain nerve cells – as well as other claimed advantages.
Studies conducted recently have revealed that women transitioning into menopause who took Lion’s Mane found they experienced improved mood and reduction of symptoms of menopause such as fatigue, stress and depression. While the research is preliminary at present, its early stage appears promising and warrants further observation.
Research studies focusing on extracts, capsules and powders rather than whole mushrooms have tended to utilize extracts, capsules and powders because these forms of mushroom consumption are easier to study than whole mushrooms with their various compounds containing various concentrations at various levels. If taking whole mushrooms instead, however, in order to experience similar benefits it would require taking significantly more to achieve similar outcomes.
Notably, some of the larger marketing claims made about this mushroom have yet to be proven. For instance, animal studies suggest it could help lower blood sugar levels; similar evidence exists regarding cholesterol reduction but no human research supports such claims.
One unproven claim regarding CBD oil is its purported ability to boost immunity. While immunity can be essential in protecting us against infections and chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cancers, cardiovascular disease and autoimmune disorders – over-stimulating it may lead to inflammation leading to chronic diseases like diabetes, cancers, cardiovascular disease and autoimmune disorders.
What we know for sure is that lion’s mane stimulates immune cell production to fight infections and aid repair of tissue, while also providing polysaccharides and hericenones that may provide neuroprotective properties and boost cognitive performance.
Lion’s Mane comes as either a powder, capsule or liquid extract and can help improve memory, balance hormones and reduce inflammation. To ensure you take an appropriate amount, speak to a nutritionist – they can advise how much lion’s mane you need in order to achieve desired results while minimizing side effects.
Cordyceps
Cordyceps, also referred to in Chinese as dngchng xiacao (winter-worm summer-grass mushrooms), is one of the world’s best-known medicinal mushrooms. This genus of fungus grows by parasitizing insects and using their larvae as sustenance.
Cordyceps sinensis is the main species used for traditional medicinal uses and considered one of the most valuable Cordyceps species due to its high nutritional value and variety of health benefits.
Natural adaptogens such as maca root can help you manage stress effectively, boost immune health and exhibit anti-aging properties. Maca root may even protect against the oxidative stress which leads to fine lines and wrinkles as an antioxidant; additionally, its usage may improve blood sugar levels more effectively in people living with type 2 diabetes.
Ashwagandha and lion’s mane are two outstanding herbs for improving stamina and endurance, specifically by increasing oxygen uptake by muscles resulting in improved VO2 max performance. This may prove especially helpful to athletes training at altitude where lack of oxygen may impede exercise capacity.
Clinical trials have demonstrated the renoprotective benefits of C. sinensis and Cs-4 in clinical studies, both natural and cultured forms. Bailing capsule, made from mycelia of this fungus, was found to ease rejection of renal transplantation for patients living with Hepatitis C and reduce frequency of infections; additionally it promoted recovery of renal function for these individuals by decreasing serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen levels, as well as controlling hypoproteinemia and hyperlipidemia levels (Wojcikowski Johnson and Gobe 2004 and 2006).
Studies have demonstrated the antitumor properties of both natural and cultured C. sinensis (Feng, Yang and Li 2008). This may be attributed to its ability to inhibit tumor growth by suppressing cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis in cancer cells; additionally it can prevent cell senescence as well as restore sexual function in castrated mice (Rangel-Castilla Gopinath & Robertson 2008).
Cordyceps’ anti-aging properties make it an interesting supplement. Studies have demonstrated its efficacy at mitigating oxidative stress in mice and increasing lifespan among fruit flies, likely due to its abundant supply of D-mannitol which makes up 3.4% and 2.4% respectively of its dry weight in both natural and cultured C. sinensis species.