Mushroom tea is an enjoyable and versatile drink to help support immunity, improve cognitive performance, or increase energy. Many enthusiasts blend different varieties to achieve various health goals – for instance combining lion’s mane’s mental clarity benefits with cordyceps’ physical performance advantages.

Mushroom tea is made by steeping mushrooms or powdered mushrooms in hot water to extract various beneficial compounds, including beta-glucans and triterpenes. Here are five popular varieties.

Chaga

Chaga is a parasitic fungus found in cold circumboreal forests of northern temperate and subarctic regions worldwide, where it has long been used as folk medicine in Eastern Europe, Russia, Siberia, and Northern Canada. Harvested either living or dead trees – but for optimal results best harvested when it has grown alongside its host tree over many years – the black-colored exterior has firm bark-like texture with an orange interior, while its firm surface can look similar to charcoal with firm texture that looks like black charcoal exterior surface has firm bark-like surface texture with firm bark-like texture that features firm bark-like textures while having woody orange interior.

Chaga fungus is an abundance of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, including antioxidants that support immune system function, heart health, digestion health and even cancer prevention. These benefits may be attributable to its high concentrations of betulinic acid, inoculum and polyphenols; these compounds have been found to reduce inflammation while strengthening immunity systems. Chaga is sometimes known as the true “tinder conk,” since its ability to start fires with just a spark is legendary.

Chaga can be purchased as either dried powder or chunks and sold in tea bags, supplements and other products. Tea made from chaga is dark in hue with an earthy, coffee-like flavor profile reminiscent of black tea or coffee beans. Chaga tea can be consumed alone or combined with other herbs such as rooibos or hibiscus; either hot or chilled beverage variations are suitable.

Chaga tea is packed with vitamin C and packed with polyphenols, beta-glucans and other bioactive substances such as polysaccharides. Additionally, it helps manage blood sugar levels and decrease inflammation in the body. Recent research is exploring its use to combat cancer; possibly in reducing tumor growth while simultaneously lowering cholesterol. Moreover, researchers believe it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties as well.

Reishi

Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms, commonly referred to as lingzhi or reishi in traditional medicine circles, have long been used to treat fatigue, asthma and cough while simultaneously increasing longevity. Referred to as the “herb of spiritual potency”, they can be found throughout Eastern traditions including Chinese herbalism and Japanese traditional medicine practices.

Reishi is an herb rich in polysaccharides that contains various compounds, such as triterpenoids and peptidoglycans, that provide numerous potential health benefits. Not only can Reishi strengthen the immune system but its molecules may also act as antioxidants to guard against free radical damage to promote overall wellness.

Reishi can be taken in capsules, tablets, extracts or powder form as a dietary supplement. When combined with other mushrooms such as Shiitake or Hoelen mushrooms it can provide additional health benefits.

Studies indicate that Reishi may provide numerous health benefits, including immunostimulatory, anticancer and hepatoprotective benefits. One research paper demonstrated this by increasing natural killer cell activity to kill cancer cells more effectively; another demonstrated its ability to increase chemotherapy treatment efficacy as well as boost immunity naturally against infections.

Reishi has also gained great interest for its ability to enhance mental and emotional well-being. Studies suggest it can reduce stress, anxiety and depression symptoms while improving sleep patterns – possibly due to acting as an adaptogen helping the body adapt better in stressful situations and encouraging relaxation.

Early research indicates that Reishi may help people living with Fibromyalgia by improving mood and quality of life; however, this evidence requires further testing before definitive results are known.

Reishi has been associated with reduced cholesterol levels and is an effective way of managing inflammation conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Reishi can also help lower blood pressure and has shown positive results for heart health, but users must be wary when using it due to possible liver toxicity or potential additive hypotension when combined with certain medications (notably antihypertensives). It is best to begin slowly, monitor health regularly, and educate individuals on potential side effects and interactions.

Lion’s Mane

Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) is an effective medicinal mushroom often utilized in traditional Chinese medicine. This fungus boasts numerous health-promoting bioactive compounds including polysaccharides, beta-glucans, hericenones and erinacines which may promote overall wellness. One small clinical trial found evidence of neuroprotective properties which may aid treatment for Alzheimer’s disease – people taking 3.2 grams daily of Lion’s Mane for 12 months saw improvements in cognition as well as activities of daily living but more extensive tests would need to confirm these results.

Lion’s mane, which resembles a shaggy beard of tightly packed spines, originates in the Himalayan Mountains of China and Japan and can be cultivated into teas, tinctures or other products for consumption. Lion’s mane has a mild yet naturally sweet taste with tender textures similar to shellfish such as scallops or crab meat and is frequently included as an addition in seafood dishes.

Lion’s Mane Mushroom is an extremely versatile ingredient and is commonly available at supermarkets, farmers markets and gourmet grocery stores. While you can use it in similar ways to other mushrooms, its raw texture adds something special – use it to top a crab louie salad, make vegan surf and turf or top your hearty polenta plate with grilled chicken!

Ensure the mushrooms you purchase at the grocery store look bright white with firm but shaggy surfaces, light in weight and plump or fluffy appearances. Too-dried-out mushrooms may lead to digestive issues; so store them in either paper bags or airtight plastic containers in the refrigerator for up to one week for optimal storage conditions.

Although lion’s mane supplements are generally safe, more research needs to be conducted into their long-term effects and dosage recommendations. If you suffer from serious illness or take medications that impair immune function medications before beginning taking them as there may be side effects such as stomach upset and bloating which require medical advice before using.

Cordyceps

Cordyceps is a nonpoisonous fungus which parasitizes insects by growing on their exoskeleton and penetrating their tissues, also known as “zombie fungus.” Producing beneficial compounds such as adenosine, b-glucans and cordycepin that may offer numerous health benefits; cordyceps has earned itself the moniker “zombie fungus.”

C. militaris is the most frequently utilized cordyceps species used in wellness products. Unlike its wild-caught cousin, however, C. militaris is grown on vegan substrate in controlled environments instead. While not as potency-packed, its benefits still offer substantial health advantages.

Although Cordyceps supplements may be taken by mouth, it’s important to keep in mind that not all are of equal quality or composition – quality and ingredients vary, so research your purchases prior to making your selection. Furthermore, supplements are unregulated like drugs so it may be hard to identify an ideal dosage for any given situation.

Studies demonstrate Cordyceps’ antitumor activity against cancer cells through modulation of immune system responses and reduction of cell growth (Yang et al. 2009). Furthermore, studies show it stimulates natural killer cell activity as well as increasing monocyte concentrations, thus possibly having antiinflammatory properties as well.

Cordyceps is an effective antidiabetic agent. Studies have demonstrated its efficacy at lowering blood sugar levels and increasing thymus weight in diabetic mice, and in one such study fermentations of cordyceps mycelia reduced fasting glucose and triglyceride levels among nicotinamide- and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

Evidence indicates that Cordyceps may help protect neuronal damage due to oxidative stress, inflammatory signaling and glutamate excitotoxicity, providing potential benefits for those living with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis or ALS. Although promising therapies have yet to be developed for these conditions more research needs to be completed on Cordyceps therapy for these illnesses.