Mushrooms are an incredibly nutritious source with myriad health advantages. Elixirs contain concentrated mushroom extract drinks to provide all their healthful properties in one beverage form.

Adaptogenic mushroom elixir teas such as Chaga, Reishi and Turkey Tail are known for their immune-enhancing, stress-relieving and cognitive enhancement properties. You can enjoy them either straight up as herbal tea or incorporate into coffee and other dishes for additional benefits.

1. Chaga

Chaga mushrooms, commonly referred to as the “hideous black lump” or the “cancer of the birch,” are prized among North Americans and Eurasians as foraged products. Although their exterior may appear ugly, closer inspection reveals an intricate interior adorned with orange, yellow and brown swirls.

Chaga can be consumed several different ways; most commonly it’s consumed as a tea; it can also come in powder form and used in coffee blends, supplements and tinctures. Most people opt to purchase from reliable suppliers who have performed an extraction process to maximize bioavailability – the best approach being dual extraction that uses both alcohol and heat (i.e. creating a tincture and steeping it in hot water) which gives an optimal blend of medicinal compounds that cannot be extracted with either cold or hot water alone.

When purchasing chaga, read through and inquire about its label to ensure you’re receiving pure product. Some sellers will conduct independent tests to guarantee it’s free from contaminants and get an idea of its antioxidant content.

Chaga is widely recognized as one of nature’s most powerful anti-inflammatory plants. With 25-50 times greater anti-oxidant capacity than blueberries and can even outshone other vitamins, herbs, ginseng and superfoods when measured for ORAC (oxygen radical absorption capacity), chaga provides significant amounts of B vitamins complex as well as D & C vitamins potassium iron zinc copper selenium magnesium essential micronutrients that support its healing powers.

Inflammation is a natural response of the immune system to infection or injury; however, chronic inflammation can be harmful and even lead to cancer development. Chaga may help reduce inflammation naturally by suppressing tumor growth and helping prevent cancer cells from forming.

Tommy enjoys drinking chaga tea after an active day dog sledding or trapping, believing it helps relieve muscle cramps, joint pain and boost his immune system while simultaneously helping regulate his blood sugar, protect his liver and fight viral infections.

2. Reishi

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is an Asian mushroom used medicinally. It is purported to strengthen immunity, aid detoxification, reduce fatigue and depression, enhance general wellbeing, as well as being revered in Eastern traditions for centuries and now being studied scientifically for potential benefits. Reishi grows naturally in temperate and subtropical forests with traditional use dating back centuries, but can now also be purchased commercially as capsules, extracts, powders or teas as supplements due to difficulty finding it wild.

Reishi contains over 400 bioactive compounds, particularly polysaccharides and triterpenoids, that contribute to its health-supportive properties. These substances may stimulate key immune cells such as natural killer and T-cells while increasing cytokine production for overall cell health and immunity benefits.

Research indicates that Reishi can have antitumor and immunomodulatory activity in animal models, potentially inhibiting tumor growth while stimulating cell differentiation. Furthermore, Reishi may protect livers and kidneys against Cisplatin-induced toxicity while increasing immune response in those receiving chemotherapy therapy for cancer treatment.

Reishi may or may not have similar effects in humans due to limited and often conflicting double-blind studies, although test tube studies do demonstrate immunomodulatory properties; it remains uncertain if this actually strengthens one’s immunity system.

Reishi is generally safe when taken at recommended doses, though it may interact with certain medications and increase blood pressure. People with low blood pressure should consult their healthcare providers prior to starting any reishi products, beginning with lower dosages to assess tolerance. Regular monitoring of both your blood pressure and liver function are recommended, especially if taking higher dosages over an extended period. Furthermore, individuals should be educated about potential side effects and interactions as well as reporting any adverse reactions immediately.

3. Lion’s Mane

Lion’s Mane mushrooms are well known functional fungi which aid cognition, focus and creativity – they feature as key components in many popular supplements and health food products.

Lion’s Mane has long been revered in traditional medicine – both Native American traditions and Traditional Chinese medicine alike – for its ability to boost cognitive function, increase immunity system health and aid digestion. Furthermore, studies have demonstrated its anti-inflammatory properties.

Lion’s Mane mushroom contains beta-glucans which stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF), aiding neuroprotection and brain health by increasing NGF production – responsible for growing new neurons while repairing damaged ones – as well as being high in antioxidants which fight oxidative stress, one of the main factors contributing to aging and disease, while being packed with ergosterols which have been shown to alleviate anxiety/depression symptoms as well as provide anti-inflammatory benefits.

Lion’s Mane can come in various forms, but for optimal results it should come from real fruiting bodies. An ideal Lions’ Mane extract should contain specific concentrations of beta-glucans and polysaccharides; in addition to herricenones and erinacines – this standard serves most clinical trials and research projects.

Choose an organic and log-grown brand that uses only Lion’s Mane extracted from fruiting bodies sourced directly, without mycelium on grain fillers, with dual extraction techniques using water and alcohol, for optimal quality and potency. This will guarantee the best experience and the strongest product.

Quality supplements should not cause any known side effects; however, those allergic to mushrooms should consult a healthcare professional prior to using lions’ mane as it could interact with certain medications they’re on. As with any new supplement, start small and increase gradually until you’ve seen how your body responds; if unsure, consult with a nutritionist or health coach for assistance; they can recommend the right dosage and show you how best to utilize mushroom tea capsules or elixir tea as part of a wellness regime.

4. Cordyceps

Cordyceps sinensis has long been recognized for its peculiar and captivating behavior as one of the world’s most potent medicinal mushrooms in traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Living inside other species and parasitizing their larvae until eating all, mummifying corpse and growing into fruiting bodies before producing its “sclerotium”, Cordyceps sinensis is amongst some of the best-known and potency medicinal mushrooms known to mankind.

This adaptogenic mushroom is commonly used to combat fatigue and improve athletic performance in Western cultures. Additionally, it may support immune health and lung wellness; cordycepin, its active ingredient, increases oxygen utilization and blood flow throughout the body for improved oxygen delivery throughout. Extract is available as capsules, tinctures or teas.

There are several species in the Cordyceps genus found naturally, each producing its own set of bioactive compounds. Of those studied most thoroughly are C. sinensis and C. militaris, often combined together in commercial products, while their cultivar strains are frequently employed within pharmaceutical research as they produce large amounts of their bioactive constituents.

Chinese medicine has utilized these fungi for centuries, and modern research is supporting some of their traditional uses. They appear to modulate immune function by increasing production of signaling molecules known as cytokines; additionally they appear to enhance energy metabolism by activating enzymes responsible for producing ATP, the main source of cell energy production.

Further research needs to be conducted on mushrooms to better understand how they work and which benefits they provide. Individuals should always consult a licensed healthcare provider prior to taking any natural product; this article should only be used for educational purposes and does not replace advice provided by physicians or qualified health care providers; any action you take as a result of reading this article are solely your own responsibility; please read our Disclaimer page for more details.