Mushroom tea has quickly transitioned from being an emerging “trend” into an effective health beverage that promotes immunity. The brewing process releases medicinal and healing properties found within various mushroom species into boiling water for consumption.

As with any nutritional supplement, mushroom tea should be taken regularly in order to reap maximum benefits and form a habit that will strengthen your immune system over time. This will also provide regular support.

1. Reishi Mushroom

Ganoderma lucidum, commonly referred to as Reishi or Lingzhi in Eastern traditions for millennia, has long been revered as an anti-tumor and longevity totem. Additionally, Reishi may possess anti-tumor, immunity stimulating, hepatoprotective and even adaptogenic properties which assist the body’s response to stress.

Reishi may help prevent and contain cancerous growths due to its beta-glucans, which have been proven to help inhibit cancer cell proliferation. Furthermore, Reishi also stimulates white blood cells that target abnormal cells to help detect them and stop any further growths from happening. Furthermore, Reishi may reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and chronic fatigue syndrome and may reduce their symptoms; studies are still ongoing but Reishi is considered safe when consumed at recommended dosage levels.

Recent studies indicate that Reishi may help improve sleep for people living with insomnia, reduce anxiety and stress levels and may even have beneficial cardiovascular effects by helping lower blood pressure and increasing good HDL cholesterol levels while simultaneously decreasing bad LDL and triglyceride levels.

Reishi is widely believed to have antiviral properties and can help combat genital herpes and cold sores, according to animal studies. Furthermore, animal research suggests it has hepatoprotective benefits; some evidence indicates reishi can even help manage diabetes by helping decrease blood sugar levels.

Reishi mushroom products such as powder, supplements and tea can all contain two main compounds – polysaccharides and triterpenes – found in mushrooms. Four Sigmatic offers what’s said to be the strongest Reishi supplement available: they source their product from southeast China where they boil it for 12-24 hours in water and alcohol before passing it through a spray-dryer that uses pressurized hot air to remove liquid.

2. Lion’s Mane Mushroom

Lion’s mane mushroom, commonly referred to as Hericium erinaceus or deer’s head mushroom, is an exquisite edible fungus. Commonly found within the Hericium family of mushrooms, it resembles hedgehogs in appearance with long soft spines adorning its fruiting body – perfect for adding meaty notes into soups, stews and stir fries for an unexpected umami boost!

These mushrooms contain beta-glucans to boost our immune systems and hericenones and erinacines that stimulate Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), an essential factor for cognitive health by increasing cell signalling between nerves, as well as protecting from oxidative stress.

Hericenones and erinacines were recently shown in a lab study to cause neurons in the hippocampus – which is responsible for memory formation – to expand and form new connections, likely one of the key mechanisms underlying its neuroprotective properties and ability to improve mental clarity and cognition.

Hericenones and erinacines found in mushrooms are known to inhibit cancer cells while increasing natural killer (NK) cell activity, two key components of its anti-cancer benefits. Studies have also demonstrated its potential against chemotherapy agents, tumor growth inhibition, and reduced inflammation.

Lion’s Mane can be found in many forms, from supplements and powders to drinks or recipes containing its powder for easy dosing with hericenones and erinacines, to mushroom tea. You may even be able to cultivate your own Lion’s Mane mushrooms at home – an engaging gardening experience with potential wellness benefits!

3. Cordyceps Mushroom

Traditional Chinese Medicine utilizes Cordyceps as an adaptogenic herb to assist the body with dealing with stress and promote resistance against illness.

Studies indicate that Cordyceps contains many bioactive compounds with diverse pharmacological effects. These include polysaccharides (such as Ergosterol and Cordycepin), peptides, fatty acids sesquiterpenes and other metabolites. Studies have demonstrated the many positive outcomes from these bioactives such as increased oxygen consumption during exercise sessions, increased ATP production within cells and stimulating cell growth.

These bioactives have been demonstrated to effectively defend against memory-related neuronal degeneration through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic activities. Furthermore, they possess anti-AChE activity, stimulate neurite outgrowth and neurotrophic growth factors as well as increase remyelination, motor function improvement and boost synaptic plasticity – qualities all essential in combatting degeneration of neuronal networks.

Cordyceps’ beneficial properties also extend to its renoprotective effects. Mycelia from C. sinensis used to produce Bailing capsule has been reported as being effective at mitigating rejection of renal transplant, repressing hyperlipidemia and hypoproteinemia and increasing hemopoietic activity (Wojcikowski et al 2004 & 2006).

Studies conducted using the more prevalent C. militaris strain have demonstrated that supplementing with a mixture of C. militaris and CS-4 mycelia can significantly enhance physical endurance. While the research conducted was over an acute three-week period, chronic supplementation may produce even greater benefits; further investigation will need to take place in order to establish optimal dosage and duration in improving human performance.

4. Turkey Tail Mushroom

Turkey Tail Mushroom (Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor) is an unassuming fungus that grows on dead logs and stumps of deciduous trees worldwide, such as oak, birch and pine. It gets its name from its fan-shaped fruiting body resembling an outspread turkey tail (1). Although its appearance might not warrant mention, turkey Tail fungi have long been used in Chinese medicine as functional medicinal fungi (2); more recently they’ve made waves as health supplements (3); as research suggests turkey Tail extract can balance immune systems while providing antioxidant support (3)

Scientists attribute the therapeutic effects of turkey tail mushroom to molecules called polysaccharide peptides (PSP and PSK). Studies have revealed their positive influence on various systems within the body and could even help prevent or treat certain diseases, including cancer (4).

Turkey tail may help inhibit tumor growth by activating the natural immune response – this is important because cancerous tumors often become resistant to conventional treatment due to immunosuppression (5). Furthermore, turkey tail may protect DNA by neutralizing free radicals which could otherwise damage it (6).

Because it offers such an abundance of health benefits, Turkey Tail mushroom should be considered by anyone looking to improve their life. In particular, its powerful anti-inflammatory effects may make it particularly helpful for those experiencing ongoing stress or chronic illness; furthermore it boosts energy levels, promotes liver health, strengthens respiratory tract and supports digestion/circulation processes (8); it has even been found helpful for relieving symptoms related to allergies/asthma/coughing (9). For optimal results it should be taken either in capsule form, powder form or liquid form/tincture form.

5. Chaga Mushroom

Chaga mushroom, commonly referred to by its scientific name Inonotus obliquus, grows on the bark of birch trees in northern climates around the globe and has long been utilized in traditional medicine due to its potency as an anti-inflammatory and immunostimulatory agent as well as being an excellent antioxidant. Available as teas and extracts.

Researchers believe the soluble components found in chaga mushroom may inhibit cancer cell growth by hindering mitochondrial activity and suppressing glycolysis, and by activating Akt/mammalian protein kinase and decreasing proinflammatory cytokine levels.

Chaga mushrooms possess antimutagenic properties that may impede DNA replication and transcription, as well as immunostimulatory activities that enhance specific immune responses while decreasing proinflammatory cytokines that can arise during viral infections.

Chaga extract was investigated using human oral cancer cells (HSC-4). Results demonstrated that Chaga significantly inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner and also significantly decreased glycolysis process and capacity within HSC-4 cells, and activated both MAPK/NF-kB pathways to induce apoptosis.

Chaga can be extracted by boiling it briefly in water. As with other medicinal mushrooms that are ground down into powder, chaga is best prepared as a tea using small pieces of the fungus; Jennifer and Alan use a ping-pong ball-sized piece each morning in their tea pot, steeping it for 15 minutes with some maple syrup for optimal results.