Medicinal mushroom teas have become an increasingly popular component of holistic wellness. These fungi are revered for their anti-inflammatory, immune system boosting, and stress relieving properties. You can consume medicinal mushroom tea on its own or combine it with other herbs, spices and fruits for flavor or added health benefits. This article covers everything you need to know about making tea at home: from choosing varieties to creating the ideal cup.

Mushroom tea can be prepared using various mushrooms, including chaga, reishi, turkey tail, and lion’s mane. However, the term “magic mushroom tea” often refers to those made with psychoactive compounds present in psilocybin mushrooms which contain psychoactive effects and may be illegal in various jurisdictions; medicinal mushroom teas made using non-psilocybin varieties do not produce hallucinogenic effects.

Start by filling a clean pot with filtered water to filter out chlorine or any other chemicals that could interfere with the beneficial compounds present in mushrooms. Bring the water to a boil before gradually decreasing heat until a gentle simmer has been achieved. Temperature matters here: most mushrooms prefer being exposed to full boil temperature initially in order to break down their cell walls more efficiently and extract compounds more efficiently, but some varieties such as Reishi require longer steeping times at lower temperatures such as these ones.

Once your water has come to a simmer, add your chosen mushrooms and let them steep for 10-15 minutes in either an infuser, tea bag, or directly in the hot water for a stronger decoction. Finally strain and enjoy!

Mushroom flavors range from mild to bitter with woody notes. To enhance their flavors, many people add sweeteners, spices and flowers such as chamomile or lavender for additional aroma and taste. Some tea enthusiasts even perform multiple extractions to produce more complex and balanced extracts of mushrooms.

While you can certainly create mushroom tea using only one type of mushroom, many enthusiasts enjoy mixing custom blends tailored to specific health goals. For example, pairing the cognitive support provided by lion’s mane with cordyceps’ energy-boosting properties may help promote physical and mental clarity. When creating your own blends, always start out slowly until your body adjusts.

Most medicinal mushrooms can be taken safely by healthy adults; however, consult your healthcare provider if any underlying conditions exist. Some varieties such as Reishi have mild blood-thinning properties which could interfere with certain medications; it’s recommended to start slowly increasing dosage as your body adapts.