Blog
Mushroom Tea – Is Mushroom Tea Less Potent?
Mushroom tea’s rising popularity could propel it into the medicinal and healing categories of health food trends, with potential to make waves beyond trendyness. And it is easy to see why: these superfood fungi contain immune-enhancing adaptogens as well as free radical fighting antioxidants – not to mention immune modulators which adapt specifically to our individual immune needs!
Mushrooms offer many health benefits, not the least being their earthy flavor and subtle grounding energy. Mushroom tea can be enjoyed alone or combined with other mushrooms and herbs; popular varieties include chaga and reishi for those seeking natural energy-boosters without caffeine’s stress and crash, cordyceps lion’s mane turkey tail maitake (reishi has even been called the “mushroom of immortality”).
A medicinal mushroom tea can be prepared by steeping dried or fresh mushrooms in hot water for 10-15 minutes, creating a drink rich in antioxidants, polyphenols and other phytochemicals that reduce inflammation and support gut health. They may also improve cardiovascular and brain health by lowering cholesterol, balancing blood sugar, decreasing oxidative stress levels and helping detoxification efforts, as well as offering cardiovascular protection and improving brain performance.
Before making mushroom tea on your own, it’s important to remember that these superfoods work best when taken on a consistent basis. Finding one you enjoy and sticking with it is key if you want maximum effectiveness from these supplements. As with all supplements and medications, consult your healthcare provider in advance in order to ensure these teas are suitable for you.
Most people can safely consume mushroom tea. However, it should be noted that certain mushrooms such as chaga and reishi may interact with certain medications like aspirin and blood thinners; furthermore, since these mushrooms activate your immune system they should be avoided by those suffering from an autoimmune condition like Lupus or Multiple Sclerosis.
When buying mushroom tea, opt for organic ingredients. Since medicinal mushrooms contain high concentrations of heavy metals and pesticides in their cell walls, it’s crucial that you purchase from a reputable brand that commits to only using organically grown mushrooms. Finally, don’t forget to customize your experience by adding milk of your choice (coconut, oat or almond are among our favorites!) or spices such as cinnamon, ginger, star anise, juniper berries cardamom or pepper (grated fresh or powdered when dried) that add depth of flavorful and therapeutic experiences! Enjoy!