Lion’s mane mushroom tea has long been touted for its brain-boosting capabilities, drawing rave reviews from Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow herself and many others alike. It has amassed a cult-like following thanks to its health benefits – with many bioactive compounds touted by practitioners as helping reduce stress, improve memory retention and energy levels as well as alleviate depression. But is it actually good for us? Here’s everything you need to know about this trendy beverage which has been linked with everything from lowering cancer risks to helping microbiome function!

Though there are countless ways to enjoy mushrooms, mushroom tea remains one of the easiest and most traditional ways. Mushroom tea consists of simmering several types of functional mushrooms in hot water to produce an earthy infusion of flavor; usually dried and ground into powder form for this purpose, giving each type its unique texture and signature flavors when steeped in hot water.

Tea made from mushrooms such as shiitake, maitake, reishi, chaga cordyceps and lion’s mane can help your body regulate its natural response to stress, making you less irritable and more focused in stressful situations. The latter has even been known to calm nervous systems.

Chaga mushrooms may also provide potential brain-enhancing properties, and have been found to contain beta-glucans – an organic compound which can lower cholesterol and regulate blood sugar. Chaga is also believed to help improve mood-enhancing qualities by decreasing anxiety and depression symptoms.

As well as their potential mental health benefits, mushrooms used for mushroom tea may also provide immune support by acting as anti-inflammatory agents that can combat inflammation and promote overall wellbeing.

Mushrooms contain B vitamins, vitamin D and choline – essential components of maintaining strong immunity systems. Many types of mushrooms used for mushroom tea (shiitake, maitake, Reishi, Lion’s mane and cordyceps among them) contain potency antioxidants to neutralize free radicals in the body and protect it against free radical damage.

There is an infinite variety of mushroom tea blends to suit every individual’s needs, making it simple and straightforward to discover one that meets them all. Experiment with different blends specifically formulated to achieve certain outcomes–for instance lion’s mane and reishi to provide adrenal support during hectic days, or chaga and ashwagandha to ease tension and promote relaxation.

Although research on mushrooms is expanding rapidly, it’s wise to consult your physician before beginning any new supplement regime. This is particularly true of medicinal mushrooms which may interact with certain medications or increase bleeding risk during pregnancy or breastfeeding; pregnant or nursing women should avoid them altogether as consuming medicinal mushrooms increases bleeding risk significantly. With proper guidance however, mushroom beverages can make for an excellent addition to a wellness routine!