Mushroom teas combine functional mushrooms with other ingredients for an enriching beverage that’s both healthy and soothing. You can find these blends as loose leaf or pre-portioned tea bags for ease of preparation and enjoyment.

Mushroom tea has quickly become an acclaimed health trend that not only tastes good, but also contains healing properties and immune-enhancing benefits. Mushrooms such as chaga, reishi and lion’s mane are often included as ingredients in mushroom tea blends.

Chaga

Chaga is a hard, branch-like fungus found on some birch trees. It is widely recognized for its medicinal benefits, including relieving cancer symptoms, viral infections, inflammation conditions and heart disease. Chaga may also help strengthen immune systems, slow aging and promote longevity while increasing energy levels. Chaga contains many antioxidants — such as b-glucans and betulinic acid — making it one of the most potent anti-aging foods on the market today.

Chaga extracts contain compounds with cholesterol-reducing properties, including betulinic acid. By inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase enzyme activity in the liver, betulinic acid helps reduce cholesterol production synthesis – an important feat considering cholesterol is precursor for blood triglycerides that increase risk for coronary heart disease and other cardiovascular issues. Studies also indicate its effectiveness for managing gastrointestinal issues by helping decrease ulcers and gastritis outbreaks.

Chaga mushroom extracts were recently found to be effective at suppressing oral cancer cell growth in another study, by inhibiting glycolysis and mitochondrial membrane potential. Glycolysis inhibition results in lower ATP levels that trigger autophagy; blocking STAT3 phosphorylation causes cells to undergo autophagy; as well as blocking its phosphorylation process which triggers autophagy; all leading up to cell apoptosis resulting in its death resulting in autophagy or even apoptosis resulting in autophagy and autophagy apoptosis apoptosis – something the authors believe could provide additional treatments for oral cancer patients suffering from oral cancer patients in need of additional treatments.

Chaga extracts not only promote cell apoptosis but can also activate the p38 MAPK and NF-kB pathways to increase chemotherapy drug effectiveness by increasing cell death, as well as inhibit stemness of oral cancer cells by diminishing sphere-forming capacities and stemness of stemness of these pathways.

Chaga can be utilized medicinally by grinding it into a powder or taking capsule form, often combined with cordyceps for enhanced efficacy. Chaga can also be taken before meals as a mealtime beverage. Chaga’s distinct flavor makes it suitable as an alternative to coffee or tea; however, when prepared incorrectly it can cause stomach upset.

Reishi

Reishi is a potency adaptogen, capable of relieving stress, encouraging restful sleep and supporting immune health. Reishi’s key benefit lies within its impact on GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric acid) pathways which act like brakes on nervous activity to promote deep sleep and allow relaxation of nerve pathways leading to calmness. Furthermore, Reishi acts as an antioxidant reducing free radical damage and improving cellular health.

Reishi has long been used in traditional medicines throughout China and Japan for thousands of years, specifically to combat tumor growth. Lab research has demonstrated its immunostimulatory and antitumor properties; lab research indicates it can slow tumor growth as well as stimulating white blood cells that kill cancer cells directly.1

Reishi has also been found to increase cellular respiration and liver fatty acid production, helping improve oxygen flow throughout the body and flushing toxins out. Furthermore, its anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties may help alleviate chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms2.2

Studies have also demonstrated the positive benefits of Reishi for people living with HIV/AIDS, cold sore healing time reduction and treating herpes/HPV infection (Human Papilloma Virus). Reishi mushroom extract combined with herbs and nutrients was proven effective at decreasing side effects while improving quality of life in lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment.3

Studies have also indicated that Reishi-derived b-glucans can increase T-lymphocyte populations and natural killer cell counts while improving CD4/CD8 ratios, strengthening immune response against bacteria and viral infections.

Reishi has minimal risks of side effects when taken as directed and is generally safe for most people when taken according to instructions. As it can interact with certain medications, it is always a good idea to consult a healthcare practitioner prior to beginning any new herbs or supplements – they will advise any possible interactions or provide alternatives – Reishi may inhibit blood clotting drugs like warfarin from being absorbed properly, thereby decreasing side effects significantly.

Lion’s Mane

Lion’s Mane fungus has long been used to improve focus, mood and overall well-being. Recent research indicates it may also support heart and gastrointestinal health. Furthermore, its natural plant chemicals promote balanced release of stress hormones while modulating monoamine neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine to create mood-boosting effects and further boost overall well-being.

Studies on Lion’s Mane have mostly involved intervention trials with subjects taking daily supplements for short durations (up to 12 weeks). Results indicate that it can improve cognitive function as well as increase happiness and wellbeing, yet more research needs to be conducted on its efficacy.

Animal trials demonstrate that Lion’s Mane can effectively reduce amyloid plaque and enhance NGF, BDNF, and GDNF levels in the brain, which provide neuroprotective compounds necessary for improved neural communication, memory retrieval and learning. Furthermore, Lion’s Mane may stimulate nerve growth and repair making it a promising candidate for use as regenerative medicine in treating conditions like stroke and spinal cord injury.

Lion’s Mane contains erinacines and hericenones which can penetrate the blood-brain barrier to provide beneficial effects for neurons, such as inhibiting oxidative damage and inflammation, thus protecting their integrity while stimulating cell growth. Furthermore, these substances stimulate production of neurotrophic factors to encourage brain development and plasticity.

Lion’s Mane has also been found to help alleviate diabetic symptoms, including decreasing glucose levels and protecting pancreatic cells. Its bioactive compounds improve blood sugar metabolism and insulin sensitivity while its antioxidants prevent complications associated with diabetes.

Lion’s Mane can be enjoyed safely when consumed as food or supplements; however, some individuals may experience mild digestive discomfort. Pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers should consult with a medical provider prior to consumption. It can be found both locally in herbal stores as well as online – available fresh, dried, powdered or pre-packaged supplement forms; you can brew tea from it, add it smoothies, soups sautes etc with these mushrooms for delicious results!

Cordyceps

Many athletes have reported increased endurance and energy after taking cordyceps. It may help boost ATP production, leading to improved oxygen utilization during exercise as well as reduced lactate buildup during workouts. Furthermore, cordyceps may help prevent cardiovascular disease by lowering triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels and suppressing NF-kappaB gene expression; also helping combat inflammation conditions via suppression.

Cordyceps has many medicinal applications, with one of its primary functions being treating respiratory infections and improving lung function. According to studies, cordyceps can increase pulmonary ventilation and therefore alleviate symptoms associated with bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD).

Research indicates that cordyceps has an adaptogenic effect, helping reduce stress and fatigue – two major contributors to poor performance in health and fitness. Cordyceps also serves as a powerful immune booster by activating both innate and adaptive immunity, activating more NK cells while activating phagocytosis in splenic lymphocytes; furthermore it regulates T-cell distribution cytoplasmically while inhibiting tumor growth (Swaminath 2008).

Researchers found in a recent study that acute supplementation with Cordyceps sinensis and C. militaris mushrooms improved lactate clearance, enabling athletes to perform more strenuous anaerobic exercises. Furthermore, chronic supplementation further increased performance levels.

Cordyceps also has the capacity to help protect against liver disease. It can boost hepatic cell functions, lower serum liver enzymes and inhibit proliferation of hepatic stellate cells in rats with chronic hepatitis B or liver cirrhosis.

Cordyceps is an exceptionally potent anti-oxidant, offering protection from free radical damage while stimulating antioxidant enzymes like glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase to increase activity in your body and assist your natural detoxification processes – perfect for treating an array of illnesses!