Functional mushrooms have become increasingly popular due to their purported health benefits. Tea made from chaga, lion’s mane and reishi mushroom powder has seen increased demand due to its immune-enhancing qualities.

One such teahouse can be found in an upper middle-class Denver suburb and features walls covered with plants and abstract paintings on its interior walls.

What is Mushroom Tea?

mushroom teas have made quite the comeback in today’s age of functional beverages, and consumers seem eager to add mushrooms into their morning rituals. As mushroom sales soar, this market should grow exponentially.

Mushrooms are known to be chock-full of antioxidants and have long been recognized in Eastern healing traditions as medicinal herbs for their immune boosting, stress reducing and neuro-cognitive benefits. Recently however, tea containing functional mushrooms such as Chaga, Lion’s Mane or Reishi has seen a marked upsurge in sales due to their purported health advantages.

Chaga mushroom is one of the most widely used for tea use, native to Siberian birch tree forests and offering an abundance of vitamins and minerals such as D, potassium, rubidium and fiber. Chaga has also been proven to reduce stress, boost immunity and promote cardiovascular wellbeing.

Four Sigmatic teas combine organic Arabica coffee beans with lion’s mane mushroom, reishi mushroom, and cordyceps mushroom – three powerful mushrooms which promote productivity and creativity without producing jitters or fatigue. Enjoy it hot or cold; this versatile blend re-steeps well, making it ideal for busy office environments or trips out-and-about!

Maitake (Grifola frondosa), another widely consumed tea fungus, has long been noted for its ability to calm nervous system tension and alleviate stress levels. Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), an adaptogenic mushroom known for enhancing immunity function and providing anti-ageing benefits, is another popular adaptogenic mushroom used for tea making.

Reishi and chaga can also be purchased as loose-leaf teas, powder form for smoothies or stirred into soups, and as supplements made using an innovative processing method involving far-infrared heating and special roasting that helps preserve nutrients.

The teas offered by this company are inspired by kodential, a Norwegian word which describes feelings of comfort, generosity, and coziness. Their teas feature ingredients like chamomile, hawthorn berry, rosehips, turmeric and cinnamon that invoke these qualities and promote feelings of warmth within you – helping people focus their energies where it matters most – for maximum productivity in life.

Chaga

Chaga is an unusual-looking plant with large, tough-looking growths that resemble burnt blisters or, according to Cree legend, “scabs”. It features a coal-black exterior with golden-brown cork-like interior that makes up its core. Chaga can be taken either brewed into tea or eaten raw; its most common use however is as a medicinal supplement, thought to prevent cancer, support heart health, enhance immune function, fight infections and even lower blood sugar levels.

Chaga is packed with nutrients like calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, iron copper and zinc. Additionally, it serves as a natural source of antioxidants to protect against free radical damage; and its anti-inflammatory properties help ease chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease. Furthermore, animal and test-tube studies have confirmed Chaga’s beneficial impact on immunity by stimulating production of beneficial cytokines which serve as chemical messengers in our bodies that fight bacteria and viruses.

As demand for Chaga grows, more companies are offering it in supplement and tea form to consumers. Some focus on sustainable and ethical sourcing while others utilize advanced processing methods like far-infrared heat and special roasting to maximize nutrient bioavailability.

Chaga extracts have shown impressive results in combatting various types of cancer. Chaga can prevent cancer cells from spreading further and prompt their death through apoptosis, an anti-cell death process. Furthermore, it may help protect livers and kidneys against oxidative stress as well as improve cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

Chaga may offer many health advantages, yet it should be remembered that this medicinal mushroom is not FDA-approved and should not be used to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease. Therefore, before adding Chaga powder, tea or capsules to your diet it is advisable to speak to your healthcare provider first – particularly if any preexisting conditions or medications need to be managed first. Should you decide to try supplements containing Chaga as this could influence dosage recommendations accordingly.

Lion’s Mane

Hericium erinaceus, commonly referred to as the Lion’s Mane mushroom, is an edible species from the Hericiaceae mushroom family that can be found all throughout Northern Hemisphere growing on hardwood trees in late summer and fall. This mushroom gets its name due to its long white cascading spines which resemble those seen on lion’s manes. Lion’s Mane mushroom, commonly referred to as bearded tooth fungus and hericium americanum, is an adaptogenic mushroom which helps support cognitive function and nerve health. Hericenones and erinacines, bioactive compounds found in Lion’s Mane, have been shown to stimulate brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) production, leading to improved mental clarity and focus-increasing properties. Furthermore, these bioactive compounds help balance gut microbiome balance as well as cognitive wellness because it contains prebiotic compounds.

Studies suggest that lion’s mane could be effective in treating depression and anxiety. It may work by helping maintain a healthy balance in gut microbiome as well as modulating neurotransmitter activity; further research should provide more answers. Although more study needs to be conducted, lion’s mane has the potential of becoming an effective natural supplement for people experiencing mild-to-moderate levels of depression or anxiety.

Lion’s mane mushrooms can be enjoyed fresh or dried in tea or as supplements. When purchasing from the grocery store, look for bright white mushrooms with firm shaggy surfaces that appear plump with no bruises or blemishes; fresh aroma and no bruised surfaces should also be present. They should then be stored for several weeks in your refrigerator in an airtight paper bag or linen towel to preserve moisture content and avoid air exposure.

Lion’s mane can be taken as a supplement in capsules, tablets or powder form; dosage amounts vary depending on which form is taken. Psychonutritionist Shawn Talbott PhD CNS LDN recommends starting off slowly as higher dosages could cause stomach irritation.

Lion’s mane supplements that offer optimal performance typically utilize high-potency fruiting body extract instead of mycelium powder, which may contain pesticide residues and should therefore be avoided. One such supplement is Lion’s Mane Premier which offers cognitive clarity and nerve health support while boasting hericenones and erinacines in high concentration for maximum effect.

Reishi

Reishi is often called the Mushroom of Immortality and can be found in tea, capsules, tablets or powder form. With roots dating back to Eastern traditions and being studied as potential health benefits in modern science. Reishi features an eye-catching fan shape and comes in various colors (most often red) – most often hardwood substrates such as hardwood flooring. Reishi mushrooms have adaptogenic properties believed to reduce stress levels and promote restful sleep as well as stimulating white blood cells, fighting inflammation and detoxifying livers.

Reishi contains numerous polysaccharides and triterpenes, such as ganoderic acids, lucidumol and ganoderma lucidum that are thought to play an essential role in its antitumoral, antimicrobial, immune-supportive properties. Studies indicate that reishi can alter how white blood cell genes work – possibly helping fight cancer; while others claim reishi can support production of natural killer cells that help kill tumors or abnormal cells.

Reishi has long been used in traditional medicine to treat cardiovascular disease, hepatitis, high cholesterol levels and more. Additionally, Reishi may provide psychological benefits such as improving mood and relieving anxiety or depression – making it a popular supplement among those looking to increase general vitality.

Reishi has shown some promise as an antiviral treatment, particularly against coronavirus infections. Reishi extracts contain an active compound which blocks coronavirus replication within human cells – although further research needs to be conducted in order to ascertain whether its beneficial properties apply to actual infections in patients.

Reishi can be taken in doses up to 6 grams daily as a dietary supplement, and is generally safe and well-tolerated; however, some medications may interact with reishi. Before beginning any supplement regiment that contains reishi, consult with a healthcare practitioner first as they will explain what dosage would best fit you based on wellness goals and personal response. It’s recommended that low doses be introduced gradually until reaching optimal wellness goals or reaction.