Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is an ancient medicinal mushroom believed to possess anti-tumor properties and stimulate white blood cells that fight abnormal cells.

Reishi tea is an easy and delicious way to reap the many health benefits of Reishi mushrooms. Plus, its beneficial qualities will last in your fridge for several days!

1. Soak the Mushrooms

Reishi mushroom tea is an easy and nutritous way to incorporate medicinal mushrooms into your daily regimen. This recipe uses Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms as the basis for an herbal infusion packed with antioxidants and other health-promoting compounds – perfect as either an immunity boosting morning drink, or evening tonic to help ease nerves and promote sleep.

Herbalists and mycologists have long relied upon Reishi for treating cancer, heart disease, viral infections, and to strengthen immunity through its natural protective functions. Reishi can even help support your immunity to better fight viral attacks! This recipe adapts traditional herbal medicine from multiple traditions for maximum benefits with ease of use in mind.

Step one in creating Reishi mushroom tea involves soaking the mushrooms. For best results, soak your mushrooms for around an hour in water to soften them as fresh mushrooms can be quite tough when first harvested. As more time is spent soaking the mushroom, the more concentrated your tea will become.

Reishi mushrooms can be purchased at most herbal stores and foraged yourself; their appearance is widespread throughout Appalachia. One popular variety found here is known as Hemlock varnish shelf mushroom (Ganoderma tsugae); you may also discover less-common varieties like yellow reishi (Ganoderma oregensis) on hardwood trees, orange Lion’s Manes (Ganoderma ferox) growing among conifers or even rarer golden Reishis (Ganoderma purpurascens).

This herbal tea blends reishi mushrooms with other medicinal herbs for an immune-boosting combination, perfect for daily warm drinks or soothing elixirs to aid in relaxation and help sleep. Reishi mushroom has also proven powerful antivirals; taking this herbal blend while fighting illness or stress helps strengthen your body. Bitter kola nuts provide compounds that increase bioavailability of mushrooms while licorice root soothes digestive issues.

2. Bring Water to a Boil

Mushroom tea is an easy and tasty way to unlock the functional benefits of mushrooms like Reishi, Chaga, Lion’s Mane and Turkey Tail mushrooms. Reishi, Chaga, Lion’s Mane and Turkey Tail mushrooms have long been used for supporting immunity, reducing stress, improving focus and overall health benefits – when brewed into tea their tough cell walls become more digestible making their beneficial compounds more readily absorbable by your body.

Reishi mushroom tea, when prepared correctly, can be both smooth and flavorful. Crafted by steeping decocted reishi slices in hot water for 20 minutes to produce a mild sweetness and earthiness similar to green tea but less bitter, reishi mushroom tea can be enjoyed either warm or cold for maximum satisfaction!

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is one of the world’s most potent medicinal mushrooms, often referred to as the “mushroom of spiritual potency.” Studies have demonstrated its ability to boost immune function, lower blood pressure, and inhibit tumor growth; herbalists and medical practitioners commonly use it to treat conditions like high cholesterol, hepatitis, and nervous disorders.

To make Reishi Mushroom Tea, start by heating two to three cups of water to a boil in a small pot or kettle – stainless steel is preferable as aluminum does not boil well. Add dried or powdered Reishi and simmer for 20 minutes – the longer you simmer, the stronger your tea will become!

If you plan on harvesting fresh reishi mushrooms for consumption, it’s essential that they be collected responsibly. If this is your first experience foraging mushrooms, join a mushroom club or sign up for a guided mycologist hunt; otherwise you can purchase supplements at natural health food stores.

If you’re creating your own reishi, be on the lookout for Ganoderma tsugae (hemlock varnish shelf mushroom). It grows on stumps and logs of eastern hemlock trees and can be identified by its dark brown hue which fades to maroon in the center. When harvesting these mushrooms it’s best to do so when their white edge has disappeared completely and their cap has achieved an attractive reddish-brown tone.

3. Steep the Mushrooms

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) mushroom has long been considered the “Mushroom of Immortality,” due to its spiritual potency, immune-enhancing benefits, and longevity-promoting attributes. Reishi has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for its myriad benefits for treating everything from high blood pressure and liver cancer to viral infections and anxiety for millennia.

Reishi contains polysaccharides known as beta-glucans that stimulate immune systems and reduce inflammation within the body. Our Reishi Tea Blend blend combines this ancient tonic with cinnamon and rooibos to produce an irresistibly sweet herbal remedy to leave you feeling balanced and nurtured.

Reishi mushrooms can be consumed raw, added to juices or baked goods as an ingredient, or powdered for smoothies and drinks. Reishi is one of many adaptogens–herbs which help the body cope with stress and promote overall wellbeing–including maitake (Grifla frondosa) and chaga (Ganoderma tsugae).

When making tea with mushrooms, it’s essential that the correct amounts and temperatures are used in order to maximize their beneficial compounds. Too much water or too high a temperature could degrade some of these beneficial components; so simmering at lower heat temperatures would be ideal.

As cut or whole pieces of mushrooms provide greater surface area contact with water, this will ensure that their beneficial compounds are fully absorbed by your beverage rather than being lost during the cooking process.

For optimal results, steep your tea for at least 15 minutes before removing the mushrooms and straining the tea. Refrigerated versions can keep up to several days in the fridge before being reheated as needed.

Start small when first beginning to consume mushrooms: start with one teaspoon of dried reishi mushrooms in two cups of water, increasing gradually as needed. You may also wish to include some ginger for flavor and added health benefits.

4. Strain the Mushrooms

Reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum) are an nutrient-rich superfood with numerous health advantages, including improving immunity and supporting brain function. Reishi is considered an ancient healing herb in traditional Chinese medicine and has long been utilized as a health tonic.

Reishi fungus is known to assist your body in adapting to stress and maintaining balance, by soothing nerves, reducing cortisol levels, and improving sleep. Reishi has anti-inflammatory properties which may help lower high blood pressure as well as promote heart health by lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

Mushroom tea can be made using any variety of ingredients, but for optimal results use quality reishi extract or powder. Aim for organic, pesticide-free supplements double extracted using water and alcohol extraction methods in order to maximize beneficial compounds. You can find both options online or at most health food stores.

When making Reishi mushroom tea, it is crucial that the mushrooms be carefully strained after their steeping has ended. Otherwise, any of the fungus could enter your cup and lead to an unpleasant bitter taste in your beverage.

Strainers are often the easiest and best method of straining reishi, though cheesecloth or fine mesh sieves may also work. Once strained, place in an airtight jar before refrigerating for storage.

Reishi mushroom tea is an irresistibly refreshing beverage to enjoy throughout the day, both hot and cold. Perfect for starting off your morning right, or adding to other drinks like green tea or coffee for maximum benefit, reishi should be consumed several times each day for optimal results; it should always be discussed with a healthcare provider first as Reishi may interact with certain medications (antidepressants and blood thinners in particular) which should be monitored closely, especially those taking blood pressure medicines and having heart conditions.