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Mushroom Tea is More Than Just a Health Food Trend
Mushroom tea is more than just another health food trend – it is an infusion of functional mushrooms with incredible medicinal and health benefits. Enjoy relaxing reishi before bed or stimulating chaga for focus during your morning commute; mushroom tea provides an easy and delicious way to appreciate these ancient fungi!
Mushroom blends can subtly energize or relax both mind and body depending on their variety, with effects becoming most evident through continued daily consumption.
1. Reishi Mushroom Blend
Reishi mushrooms have long been considered one of the cornerstones of Traditional Chinese Medicine and revered as the ‘Mushroom of Immortality”. We’ve combined it with cinnamon and rooibos to produce an adaptogenic blend that preserves its potency while providing a deliciously soothing flavor experience.
Reishi is an adaptogen, meaning it helps the body regulate stress hormone release and promote a balanced state of mind and nervous system. Reishi mushrooms have also been proven to interact with a pathway called the GABA inhibitory neurotransmitter system which aids relaxation leading to natural, deep sleep. When combined with triterpene compounds found within Reishi extracts this makes this an excellent extract to take before bedtime.
Reishi’s antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties make it an excellent way to help fight off infections while strengthening immunity and supporting healthy metabolism. Reishi can even increase lymphocyte activity – helping white blood cells destroy cancerous cells more efficiently.
Reishi mushroom extract, commonly referred to as the “Queen of Mushroom Kingdom,” is one of the most potent adaptogens available, helping promote a balanced state of mind and healthy nervous system. Reishi is widely known for its sedative/hypnotic effects which make sleeping easier while its stress balancing properties help support immune health, making Reishi an excellent extract to take before bedtime.
Reishi has long been recognized as an adaptogen, supporting healthy testosterone levels and encouraging balanced menstrual cycles in women. Furthermore, Reishi contains potent antioxidants which may help fight free radical damage and reduce inflammation throughout the body.
Ganoderma lucidum, more commonly known by its names Reishi or Lingzhi mushroom, is an uncommon and special species of mushroom used extensively in Traditional Chinese Medicine for its balance-inducing effect on internal bodily systems, particularly immune function. Furthermore, this unique medicinal mushroom provides healthy sleeping benefits while acting as an excellent tonic to strengthen cardiovascular systems.
2. Chaga Mushroom Blend
Chaga Mushroom Powder (Ionotus obliquus), widely considered an adaptogen and superfood, features in this blend. Renowned for its powerful antioxidant properties, this orange tree-dwelling fungus can promote healthy energy levels, reduce stress and anxiety levels, boost immunity levels, fight inflammation effectively, and more. Made from organically sourced chaga mushrooms that have been milled into an easy-to-use powder form.
Chaga mushroom, commonly referred to as the “candlewood of the woods” or the “cancer of the birch,” has quickly become one of the most highly prized foraged fungi in the Northern Hemisphere and continues to gain in popularity despite its unattractive exterior and earthy, bitter taste. Although grown in labs, its introduction into superfood status came mainly via traditional herbal knowledge combined with modern biomedicine; websites promoting it boast its ability to boost immune systems, cure cancer, reduce inflammation and even alter moods.
Chaga stands out due to its unique combination of beneficial compounds and its ability to thrive in harsh environments, making it an exceptional source of nutrients, such as vitamin C and polyphenols. Furthermore, beta-D-glucans found in Chaga are known to stimulate production of white blood cells that fight viruses and bacteria2.2
Chaga is not technically considered a mushroom; rather it’s classified as a sclerotium rather than an actual fruiting body. Because these mushrooms must be wild-harvested for harvesting purposes and prepared using simmering blocklike pieces in water for up to 35% of their water-soluble constituents to be extracted; grating then follows or teas or tinctures may be produced using this preparation.
Sevenhills Wholefoods’ organic chaga mushroom powder is carefully handpicked from mature birch trees and hand dried before being milled to a fine powder and steam distilled to produce high-grade extract. This powerful and natural product can then be used as tea or added into food recipes and baked goods; capsules or tea bags may be purchased online retailers and health food stores for easy consumption – for optimal results take in small doses over an ongoing basis for best results.
3. Lion’s Mane Mushroom Blend
Lion’s mane, commonly referred to by its Latin name Hericium erinaceus, is an edible mushroom found on tree bark that resembles the beard or mane of a lion. Its long spine-like branches or “fronds” cascade down from a tough fibrous base giving this edible mushroom its name. Lion’s mane has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine as an immune-supporting agent and may help improve cognitive health as studies suggest it boosts brain function while protecting against degenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
Lion’s mane contains hericenone A, which has been proven to promote neuronal cell health by stimulating production of nerve growth factor (NGF). Therefore, its inclusion is widely studied as part of research into brain health and cognitive performance.
Researchers are exploring lion’s mane supplements’ potential ability to aid those struggling with depression. A study published by Psychotherapy Research discovered that people taking these supplements experienced an improvement in symptoms such as fatigue and sadness, although more research must be conducted.
Lion’s mane fungus offers many other health benefits besides nootropic properties, including abundant vitamins and minerals like potassium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc iron vitamin D beta-glucan polysaccharides beta glucan polysaccharides beta glucan polysaccharides beta glucan polysaccharides amino acids phenolic compounds.
Lion’s mane mushrooms offer tremendous nutritional benefits that make them an effective addition to the diets of those suffering from mild depression or chronic fatigue. You can take them as supplements or add them to foods such as tea and smoothies; capsules, tablets and liquid extract forms are available; however, eating them directly is the most efficient method as their nutrients will be readily absorbed through digestion.
We’ve combined the mycelial biomass and fruit body of lion’s mane with organic whole oats for optimal growth to create this vegan superfood powder for wellness teas and beyond. You can easily add nootropic umami into your daily routine – simply stir into warm cups of tea, smoothies or milkshakes or even stirred into soups and stews! It is truly a tasty way to bring nootropic umami into the mix!
4. Turkey Tail Mushroom Blend
Turkey tail mushrooms (Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor) have long been recognized for their many medicinal applications, including providing antioxidant benefits that boost immune health while improving digestion and detoxification processes. Yun Zhi and Kawaratake mushrooms have traditionally been utilized as traditional medicines throughout China and Japan respectively. It’s thought these potent mushrooms are capable of supporting digestion processes as well as supporting detoxification pathways naturally.
They can also help protect against cancer, improve liver function, prevent HPV transmission and promote gut health through increasing microbiota populations. PSP and PSK extracts have proven successful against some forms of cancer including gastric cancer and are being explored as possible supplements for chemotherapy patients who experience immunosuppression due to chemotherapy treatment.
As with other mushrooms, turkey tails are generally safe to consume as whole food, with minimal side effects. Due to their potent compounds and high levels of active ingredients, however, turkey tails are most often sold in capsule or powder form for better absorption by consumers without experiencing discomfort from digesting whole mushrooms such as darkening stool and fingernail discoloration.
When purchasing medicinal mushrooms, it is vital that you choose only high-quality products. Conduct research to locate companies who produce their own mushrooms or provide independent testing by third-party labs – otherwise seek another provider. If one cannot provide this information then take your business elsewhere.
Far West Fungi uses a special drying process to ensure our mushroom powder has only the highest quality and nutritional value, free from sodium, preservatives or additives – simply pure mushroom essence! Perfect for adding an earthy and rich taste to tea, entrees, soups, smoothies yogurt or salads this powder has an indefinite shelf life!