The Amazing Health Benefits of Mushroom Tea

And how to start brewing your own medicinal mushroom tea at home

‍

What is Mushroom Tea?

Mushroom tea, as it sounds, is tea made from one (or more) edible mushroom varieties.

As the mushroom of choice simmers in hot water, a delicate infusion of flavor is created, and what you're left with is a complex, layered drink experience that not only tastes good but supports your health. 

While the earthy flavors of the mushroom are released during the tea-brewing process, a wide array of the mushrooms’ medicinal and nutritional properties also seep out into the boiling water. 

Much like when you cook ground spices in oil, their aromas and healing properties are released from their dormant, shelf-life state. 

This elevates mushroom tea out of the ‘trendy’ category of health food trends into the medicinal and healing categories. A solid example of a “both-and” case - where mushroom tea is seen as trendy and cool while simultaneously being a potent nutritional beverage to be reckoned with. 

The Benefits of Mushroom Teas & Why You Should Get Brewing Up a Cup 

This infusion process - also known as "steeping", will fill the tea with health-supportive components that have been shown to not only boost your immunity, but also reduce inflammation, regulate stress, reduce blood pressure, support gut health, aid the detoxification processes of the body, and support cardiovascular health. 

Edible mushrooms are high in antioxidants and therefore play an important role in combating free radical damage in the body (which is partly responsible for accelerated aging), thus supporting overall health and vitality as inflammation is often the root cause of many of the common illnesses of this day and age. 

The Taste & Qualities of Mushroom Tea

The taste of mushroom tea is generally earthy with a subtle, grounding quality. 

The particular taste of mushroom tea will vary according to which type of mushroom (or mushrooms, if you’re using a blend) you are using when brewing your tea. 

In some cases, the tea will subtly energize you (as in the case of cordyceps tea). 

In other cases, the mushroom tea will calm you down, support the restoration of your nervous system, and be of great service in regulating anxiety (as in the case of reishi mushrooms). 

Studies have shown certain mushroom extracts to sharpen cognition and focus, while others are believed to support skin and gut health. 

In the same way that different foods affect us in different ways, there is also a wide diversity of compounds that each mushroom delivers us. 

For example, when we eat fruit - it energizes us.

When we eat meat or legumes - we are grounded and stabilized.

When we drink coffee - we get buzzed and energized.

When we drink chamomile tea - we feel increasingly calm. 

Each mushroom, just like each different nutritional choice we make – has a different effect on us. 

Lions Mane Tea

Mild, sweet flavor.

Lion’s mane has been used in ancient healing modalities for thousands of years. It is known to be deeply nourishing to the organs, particularly the liver and heart.

Largely used for its ability to support cognitive function, focus, and mental clarity.

It is also used to boost immunity and reduce inflammation while also supporting physical and mental relaxation. It's typically considered to be one of the most commonly used adaptogens.  

Cordyceps Tea

Nutty, rich, umami flavor.

Cordyceps are rich in anti-inflammatory properties. It supports the body’s ability to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which is the body’s energy production mechanism, hence why cordyceps are often used as an energy booster.

Their magic lies in providing natural energy without overburdening the adrenals in the way that caffeine does.

Known to boost physical stamina, performance, and overall productivity. 

Reishi Mushroom Tea

Also referred to as the “mushroom of immortality”.

Reishi has an earthy, slightly bitter taste with a hint of woodiness. It has been used extensively in Chinese medicine as well as other ancient healing modalities for the wide array of beneficial micronutrients and antioxidants it contains.

Most commonly used to reduce anxiety, calm the nervous system, boost circulation, and magnify one’s overall sense of well-being.

It is also commonly used to support sleep and is one of the most commonly used adaptogens.  

Mushroom Tea Blends

This is when a blend of certain mushroom varieties is used in combination to create a beautiful synergistic effect on the body-mind. 

Some may combine Reishi and Cordyceps to create a tea that provides a boost of energy but the calming quality of reishi keeps the energy clear and calm.

This blend might elevate mood while giving good durability and a sense of steadiness to the mind. 

Others combine Lions Mane and Cordyceps to create the perfect blend for productive work mornings during which mental clarity, focus, and energy are desired. 

There are infinite variations of mushroom tea blends.

The beauty and power of mushroom tea blends are that you get a host of varying benefits from the different mushrooms therein; none of which contraindicate.

Creativity with Mushroom Tea 

One thing we love about mushroom tea is your ability to get creative with it.

The sky is the limit! 

Not only can you get creative with the mushrooms you combine to create your own unique blends – but you can make different kinds of beverages depending on your mood, desired effects, or time of year.

For example, you can make mushroom iced tea beverages in the summer, or warm and creamy mushroom chai drinks for cold winter evenings.

You might have a Reishi and Ashwagandha tea in the evening while you wind down for the night or settle your nerves before a work meeting.

On the other hand, you can employ the use of cordyceps and lion's mane tea to boost your energy.

You can even infuse a range of medicinal herbs and spices into your teas to elevate them to the next level – both nutritionally and taste-wise. 

Making Mushroom Tea:

Making mushroom tea is a simple process.

You can do it easily at home with a kettle and mug or by using a pot to make a bigger brew.

With ‘tea bag’ mushroom tea, simply add a tea bag to a cup, add boiled water, and let it brew for a few minutes to get the full benefits of your tea. 

To make mushroom tea that is not in tea bag form, cut up your dried mushroom into small chunks – or if you have it in powder form, add some powder - then add to a pot on your stove with about 1 liter of hot water.

Bring the mixture to a boil and let simmer for a few minutes.

To optimize the flavor and health benefits of your brew, let soak for a few hours. 

It’s important to remember that we aren’t brewing magic mushroom tea, so you don’t have to worry about being too particular or concerned with “correct amounts”. 

The aforementioned mushrooms we're working with are rich in a host of medicinal and healing properties, but none of them are psychoactive.

So, go with what tastes and feels good to you - you are the chef in this experiment. 

Taste, and adjust as needed.

If the taste is too strong – add a little hot water or milk of choice.

Coconut milk, almond, or oat milk are fan favorites.

If its taste is not strong enough – bring the pot to a boil again and add some more dried mushrooms. 

After this, you can start experimenting with spices such as cinnamon (ground or whole quills), star anise, cardamom, pepper, juniper berries, turmeric, and ginger (grated if fresh, or added in a powder form if dried). 

You can also experiment by adding fresh or dried herbs to your tea brew before straining and drinking.

Herbs like rosemary, thyme, marjoram, or oregano are great options. 

If you’d like to sweeten the mushroom tea up, use sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, brown rice syrup, malt, date syrup, coconut sugar, or brown sugar.

If you want a fruity, softer sweetness you can add in freeze-dried berries or dried fruit chunks. 

Where to Buy Mushroom Teas:  

We are excited to announce that we offer a range of mushroom teas at Etum Organics.

These include Reishi tea, Lions Mane tea, and Cordyceps tea. If interested, head over to our shop to order our mushroom teas straight to your door. 

Alternatively, your local health food store may offer an array of mushroom teas, too. 

Important to Note:

Unlike traditional tablets that provide immediate symptom relief, mushroom tea must be consumed regularly to achieve optimal benefits from the mushrooms (in any form: whether it be in a capsule, tincture, tea, or superfood powder).

Their benefits are fully reaped from cumulative, routine-based intake. While consuming these mushrooms once off may still give you a boost, continuous use to optimize benefits is preferred.

Pro Tip: to facilitate regular mushroom tea consumption, create a ritual around it.

If you are consuming mushrooms in the form of tea, set aside time every morning to have your daily cup. This way, you won’t be at the mercy of the daily changes in life that might trump your desire to be consistent with your mushroom intake. 

‍