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Mushroom Tea For Gut Health
Mushrooms have long been touted for their immune-enhancing benefits, yet they’ve also proven beneficial to gut health. Mushrooms contain both insoluble and soluble fiber which feed your good bacteria while aiding regular bowel movements.
Gut health affects more than just your digestive tract – it also influences immunity, mood, and skin condition. Mushrooms found in tea can help heal leaky gut and fight candida overgrowth which causes symptoms like thrush, bloating and fatigue.
Reishi
Reishi can help your body’s healthy bacteria thrive, with its beta-glucans supporting probiotic growth for optimal gut health and an effective immune system. Reishi’s beta-glucans promote this growth of probiotics which in turn form part of a robust microbiome; essential elements to good health and strong immunity.
Reishi mushroom contains polysaccharides known to possess antitumor and immunostimulatory properties as well as relieving fatigue and stress. According to research, Reishi has enhanced white blood cell activity while supporting body’s natural defenses; furthermore it stimulates production of key immune compounds like interleukin-4 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha as well as having antiviral and hepatoprotective qualities.
Research on Reishi has demonstrated its efficacy against cancer in various ways, including increasing natural killer cell cytotoxicity. Reishi may also help block the formation of melanomas cells as well as restrict cancer cell growth overall.
Reishi can also help improve the integrity of the gut lining, and is believed to provide relief from ulcers caused by H.pylori bacteria. Reishi has also been proven to restore balance to gut bacteria populations and protect against experimentally induced gut dysbiosis.
Reishi mushrooms possess anti-inflammatory effects and can decrease levels of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma in your colon, helping prevent diseases like colitis. Furthermore, its antimicrobial properties reduce bacterial infections in your stomach. Studies have also indicated an increase in beneficial bacteria as well as decrease in levels of inflammatory enzymes in your liver.
Studies have also demonstrated its use as an effective natural sleep aid, helping users fall asleep faster and remain asleep throughout the night. Furthermore, it has been proven to support healthy brain function, relieve depression and lower cholesterol levels to protect against cardiovascular disease.
Reishi has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine. It was first mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing herbal collection from Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD). Additionally, Reishi is well known for its sexual benefits; specifically in relation to prostate health. Reishi may boost vitality and enhance libido in men.
Chaga
Chaga mushroom lives up to its name as “King of Mushrooms,” providing powerful benefits for gut health. Commonly found growing on birch trees in cold climates, its black, charcoal-like exterior conceals an array of health promoting compounds – from beta glucans which support energy and digestion health to polysaccharides which balance immune function and reduce inflammation; plus plant sterols like inotodiol and betulinic acid with antiviral and antioxidant activity as well as plant sterols like inotodiol which help overcome stress more effectively – truly making it an adaptogen, helping the body adapt to stress more effectively as a result enhancing overall resiliency.
Chaga’s anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties also serve to keep your internal environment free of parasites that might otherwise wreak havoc, particularly within your gut – a potential breeding ground for bad bacteria or fungal infections that could contribute to issues like leaky gut syndrome, IBS or more.
Chaga contains non-digestible polysaccharides and melanin that act as prebiotics, feeding beneficial bacteria in your gut to thrive and ensuring a balanced ecosystem that may have positive ramifications on both your mood and mental wellbeing. * Incorporating it into daily meals could be especially helpful.
Studies have demonstrated that chaga is one of the strongest mushrooms for antioxidation, boasting the highest ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) score among all of them. This can be attributed to its high levels of melanin and inotodiol fiber which have both been proven to reduce production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the brain.
For optimal results, choose a supplement with a dual extraction process, which combines water-soluble and alcohol-soluble compounds for maximum efficacy. Turkey Tail and Chaga may best be enjoyed via tinctures while Lion’s Mane should be consumed as tea.
Lion’s Mane
Lion’s Mane mushroom is an adaptogenic mushroom with remarkable benefits for digestive health. According to studies, it may help improve digestion, ease symptoms of IBS and reduce inflammation within the gut.
Mushrooms are naturally prebiotic, meaning they feed friendly bacteria that inhabit our gut, as well as providing an important source of fiber to maintain health in our digestive tracts. All of this contributes to creating a robust and balanced microbiome; an abundant microbiome can extract vitamins from food while producing short-chain fatty acids that boost metabolism and act as clean sources of energy.
Lion’s Mane can not only improve digestion and reduce inflammation, but it may also be effective at slowing age-related cognitive decline and may even have therapeutic potential in treating Alzheimer’s disease. Hericenones and erinacines found within this substance promote brain cell development to enhance cognitive performance. Furthermore, its use may even slow age-related cognitive decline by delaying its effects and even be an antidote against Alzheimer’s.
Lion’s Mane has been shown in multiple studies to increase levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), an essential compound which promotes survival of neurons and improves mental function. Furthermore, research indicates it may even have antidepressant properties, and help alleviate stress and anxiety for better mood management.
Digestive problems are all too often the result of diet, antibiotic use and autoimmune conditions such as colitis or ulcerative colitis. Such issues can damage the lining of the digestive tract resulting in symptoms like reflux, IBS or gastric ulcers – and Lion’s Mane has proven highly effective at both preventing and alleviating digestive disorders by stimulating intestinal cell proliferation, decreasing inflammation levels and creating an ecosystem in the gut that promotes healing.
When purchasing Lion’s Mane powder, always verify its purity and potency through third-party testing. Cook the mushroom first as raw Lion’s Mane can be difficult to digest and may contain toxins. Furthermore, select only high quality products without fillers, synthetic ingredients or contaminants as this will ensure optimal performance and long-term safety.
Shiitake
Ancient East Asian cultures revered Shiitake mushrooms as the “elixir of life”, thanks to their vast supply of immune-enhancing nutrients and powerful antioxidants that combat oxidative stress and inflammation that contributes to chronic conditions, such as digestive issues, allergies or even cancer.
Mushrooms contain high amounts of soluble fiber, acting as a prebiotic to support gut microbiome and digestive function. Furthermore, mushrooms offer calcium and vitamin D which is necessary for building strong bones as well as improving immunity. They may also help lower cholesterol and studies have revealed Lentinan (found in Shiitake mushrooms) to promote bone formation while keeping blood sugar under control.
An efficient digestive system is central to overall wellbeing. When digestion is compromised, the body cannot absorb all of its essential nutrients – leading to weight gain and other health concerns. Furthermore, leaky gut can cause deficiencies leading to symptoms ranging from bloating and diarrhea to fatigue and depression.
Functional mushrooms contain natural fungi with anti-inflammatory properties that may also improve digestion by encouraging good bacteria in your gut and making you feel your best.
Shiitake mushrooms contain spores which have long been recognized for their immune-regulating effects by suppressing production of proinflammatory proteins and helping reduce cholesterol. Furthermore, these mushrooms may even offer cancer prevention benefits; one study published in Nature Communications demonstrated this. A diet rich in Shiitake can impact gut microbiomes positively while simultaneously improving immunity.
Many health and wellness trends come and go, yet mushroom tea remains a staple part of many people’s daily lives. From adding it to soup to taking them as supplements – mushroom tea’s healing and immune-enhancing powers make them essential to anyone looking to be their best. Be sure to consult with a healthcare provider prior to making changes to your diet; start slowly when beginning any new supplement regimens.