Fresh mushroom tea is an aromatic beverage made by steeping mushrooms or mushroom powder in hot water for several minutes and drinking it to relieve stress and boost immunity.

Mushroom teas make for an excellent morning coffee alternative or healthy energy drink alternative, and are even becoming increasingly popular among athletes looking to increase stamina and endurance.

Reishi

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), is an age-old Eastern tradition and well known for its healing properties and symbolism of longevity. Reishi may help strengthen immune function to fight off diseases more efficiently while improving overall health; its use has even been found to decrease anxiety, stress and fatigue in certain individuals.

Reishi is an effective antioxidant that protects cells from damage while slowing the aging process, as well as increasing activity of enzymes that manage harmful oxidants like superoxide dismutase and catalase. Reishi can also act as an excellent natural sleep aid by inducing deep sleep for longer. You might even wake up feeling refreshed.

Animal and cell studies have demonstrated the anti-tumor, immunomodulatory, antiviral properties of Reishi as an antitumor agent, while also being antiinflammatory and having antidepressant properties. Reishi has also been demonstrated to help combat chronic fatigue syndrome through increasing white blood cell count which improves body’s ability to fight infection or inflammation.

Studies on people are limited, with mixed results. Some small studies with weak designs have suggested that Reishi might help ease symptoms associated with varicella-zoster (chicken pox). Other research indicates it might treat breast cancer or alleviate fatigue associated with chronic fatigue syndrome; and yet other research indicates it could lower blood sugar and improve cholesterol levels in those suffering from either.

Reishi may be considered generally safe when taken by mouth for short periods, however it’s wise to consult your healthcare provider if you have a health condition or are taking other medications. High doses of reishi may cause digestive issues and interfere with certain drugs that inhibit blood clotting (for instance aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, clopidogrel (Plavix), ticlopidine (Ticlid), or pentoxifylline (Trental). Additionally reishi might reduce blood pressure in some people, though this could potentially pose risks if your pressure is already low enough compared with normal.

Chaga

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is a large parasitic fungus found on northern climate birch trees that looks similar to a dark mass of charcoal on its exterior, and light caramel colors on its interior. Chaga has long been used in folk medicine – particularly Russia and Canada – due to its many health benefits.

Chaga may help strengthen immunity, reduce inflammation and cholesterol intake, as well as help lower blood sugar. Furthermore, some studies suggest it has cancer-fighting properties as well as promote digestion and liver health benefits. In laboratory settings it has even been demonstrated to kill or slow the growth of certain cancer cells but more human research needs to be conducted before conclusive conclusions can be drawn from clinical data.

Chaga can be purchased in various forms. These include loose tea, powder, capsules or tinctures – though for optimal results we suggest selecting multiple forms, as each provides unique health benefits.

Chaga tincture can be created by soaking chunks of chaga in alcohol – strong vodka is ideal, though other spirits such as rye or brandy may work too. Once mixed, this liquid supplement can be taken or mixed into beverages like coffee and tea for use as an additional health boost.

To create a chaga tincture, place the chaga in a glass jar filled with vodka. Close and store in a cool, dark location for at least a week before using as desired.

Alternately, chaga can be ground into a fine crumble with the aid of a mortar and pestle. Since its hard black exterior is difficult to grind by hand, pounding with a hammer until it reaches this state is often necessary to reduce to fine crumble form – this process should take approximately 15-30 minutes on a tabletop or counter surface as long as its fragile components are protected from breakage. Steeping time typically ranges between two minutes for best results and some people may continue re-steeping until no further usable for making tea altogether!

Lion’s Mane

Lion’s Mane Mushroom is an exquisite white mushroom with long, shaggy tendrils resembling its namesake, the lion. While native to hardwood trees, today it can be grown both wild and domestically using either spores or log inoculation kits. Recent research studies have demonstrated its brain-boosting benefits including relieving depression and anxiety among midlife women.

This fungus boasts an abundance of bioactive compounds such as polysaccharides, sterols and glycoproteins as well as volatile and phenolic substances like hericenones and erinacines which have been proven to improve neuron function while protecting them against damage. Lion’s mane has also been demonstrated to stimulate new nerve cell development while improving spatial memory – remembering where things were placed relative to you.

Scientific studies have revealed that certain chemicals can aid in reducing dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have demonstrated this by helping reduce amyloid plaque build-up, improve cognition and increasing nerve growth factor production – factors which prolong neuron processes into other areas of the brain.

Other research indicates that lion’s mane may be beneficial in treating mild depression as well as supporting immunity, lowering blood pressure and protecting against certain cancers – all qualities touted by proponents as natural alternatives to pharmaceutical antidepressant medications. For these reasons, its natural antidepressant qualities have led many people to consider it an antidepressant medication alternative.

One small trial revealed that people taking 3.2 grams of lion’s mane per day for 12 months saw improvements in their cognitive scores, though larger trials will need to confirm these findings.3

Lion’s mane is generally safe for healthy adults when consumed in moderation as food, provided it is cooked; mushrooms contain chitin protein which may cause stomach upset if consumed raw. As with medicinal drugs, foods and supplements contain hundreds of chemical constituents at various concentration levels that may interact in unpredictable ways with each other and ultimately have unpredictable side effects.

Turkey Tail

Turkey tail mushrooms can provide immune-enhancing support to those suffering from chronic conditions or diseases like arthritis and other forms of inflammation, while also acting as prebiotics that balance gut bacteria to address digestive issues such as leaky gut, gastrointestinal distress and candida.

At its core, turmeric is an adaptogen, helping the body adapt to stress and regulate hormone balance. Furthermore, its immunomodulatory properties strengthen immune defenses against chemotherapy and radiation treatments by bolstering immunity while decreasing side effects; furthermore it has also been demonstrated to boost cancer-fighting enzymes and enhance existing treatments’ efficacy.

Turkish Tail mushrooms have long been used as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Studies have also demonstrated its positive effects on heart health and weight loss by decreasing fatty acid absorption. They’ve even been found to lower blood sugar levels for those suffering from diabetes; improve athletic performance by reducing lactate production, thus decreasing fatigue levels; as well as help fight certain viruses like herpes, shingles, or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).

Research indicates that turkey tail mushrooms contain polysaccharide peptides (PSP and PSK), which help strengthen immune systems. PSP has been found to improve outcomes of various cancer treatments and may prevent recurrence; studies also demonstrate reduction of symptoms and improved survival rates among patients suffering gastric cancer, though more research needs to be conducted for other forms of cancer.

As with chaga and lion’s mane, turkey tail has been shown to have antiviral and antioxidant properties that may aid in treating herpes, shingles, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) as well as HIV infections by blocking enzymes used by viruses to function properly.

Your own turkey tail tea can be made at home by mixing powdered or sliced turkey tails, astragalus root, and ginger in a glass jar with enough vodka to submerge them all. Allow this mixture to steep for several weeks while regularly shaking it gently – this will produce a robust yet flavorful and healthy beverage suitable as either an energy boost or as an antidote for numerous illnesses.