- Lion’s Mane mushrooms may encourage nerve growth factor, possibly helping memory and cognitive health.
- Reishi mushrooms have polysaccharides that assist with immune system responses.
- Chaga mushrooms are very high on the ORAC scale, showing strong antioxidant effects.
- Cordyceps mushrooms make oxygen use better, making them liked for natural energy.
- Mushroom tea gives adaptogenic effects, which aids the body in handling stress naturally.
If you want to improve your daily wellness habits with a calming, natural option, mushroom tea could be a good choice. This earthy, rich drink has been important in old medicine systems for a long time and is now becoming popular in current wellness for its ability to aid immunity, sharpen the mind, and energize the body. Here’s information you should know about how to prepare mushroom tea, which mushrooms to select, and how this old drink can be good for your health now.
What is Mushroom Tea?
Mushroom tea is a herbal drink created by boiling or soaking medicinal mushrooms in water to get out their helpful qualities. Different from teas made from leaves (like green or black tea), mushrooms often have hard cell walls made of chitin, which makes longer simmering needed to fully get to their immune-boosting beta-glucans, anti-inflammatory triterpenes, and brain-supporting substances.
While current cafes and wellness promoters may have made mushroom tea popular again, the practice is actually old. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has used mushrooms like reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) for over 2,000 years to help with long life and balance qi (life energy). Indigenous Siberian groups drank chaga (Inonotus obliquus) to strengthen the body during cold times, while old Japanese writings mention lion’s mane as a "spirit tonic" that helps the brain and nervous system. Today, with more scientific study confirming old claims, mushroom tea is being accepted as a functional drink with important health uses.
Health Benefits of Mushroom Tea Supported by Scientific Research
Mushroom tea gives a variety of helpful advantages, based on the kind of mushroom used. Below are some of the most known benefits that are supported by studies in clinics and labs.
1. Immune System Support
Mushroom tea—especially when made from reishi or turkey tail—can improve immune activity. The polysaccharides in reishi mushrooms, mainly beta-glucans, have been displayed to start macrophages, T-cells, and other immune cells (Meng et al., 2012). These complex sugars help your defense system by adjusting both natural and learned immunity.
2. Mental Clarity and Neuroprotection
One of the most interesting medicinal mushrooms is lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus), known for its effect on brain health. Substances from lion's mane, such as hericenones and erinacines, encourage the making of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF)—a key protein for keeping and rebuilding neurons (Kawagishi et al., 1994). Drinking lion’s mane tea on a regular basis may make memory, focus, and emotional well-being better.
3. Antioxidant Activity for Cellular Protection
Chaga tea is a strong antioxidant source. It gets very high scores on the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) scale, showing its strong ability to stop harmful free radicals. By reducing oxidative stress, chaga may help lower swelling, slow aging, and improve cellular repair (Park et al., 2004).
4. Endurance and Natural Energy
Cordyceps has been known for a long time in Tibetan and Chinese medicine for its stamina-boosting qualities. This mushroom makes oxygen use better when exercising and supports ATP (cellular energy) making. Today, it’s often put into teas meant to improve athletic performance, overcome tiredness, and help respiratory health.
5. Stress Relief and Adaptogenic Effects
Adaptogens are herbal things that help balance the body's stress response. Many medicinal mushrooms, including reishi, deer antler fungus, and cordyceps, are seen as adaptogenic. Instead of a quick energy increase followed by a drop (like caffeine), mushroom tea gives a smoother, lasting energy that supports physical and mental strength.
Popular Medicinal Mushrooms Used in Tea
Picking the correct mushroom for your wellness goal is needed when preparing mushroom tea. Here’s a description of the most often used medicinal mushrooms:
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
Often called the “mushroom of immortality,” reishi helps immune function, lowers stress, makes sleep better, and may have anti-tumor ability. It has a bitter, earthy taste, making it great for evening teas or mixes with warm spices like cinnamon or anise.
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)
This mushroom grows on birch trees and is full of antioxidants, melanin, betulinic acid, and polyphenols. Chaga tea is valued for helping immune health, skin glow, and fighting oxidative aging signs. Its vanilla-like taste with earthy hints makes it a surprisingly nice drink.
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)
Known for its white, shaggy look, lion’s mane is best known for helping thinking function and nerve regrowth. It’s often used in teas to improve creativity, focus, and emotional balance, often together with adaptogens like ashwagandha or rhodiola.
Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)
Turkey tail is full of polysaccharide-K (PSK), a substance studied for its immune-adjusting effects. It’s especially good for gut health and has prebiotic fibers that feed good bacteria. It has a mild flavor and goes well with peppermint and lemon balm.
Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris or C. sinensis)
This parasitic fungus makes ATP energy higher, helps breathing function, and improves stamina. With a mild, sweetish taste, cordyceps tea is good as a mid-morning or pre-workout drink.
How to Make Mushroom Tea: A Complete Guide
Making your own mushroom tea at home helps you get all the benefits of functional fungi. Here’s a detailed guide on how to prepare mushroom tea that’s strong, tasty, and easy to add into your routine.
Ingredients and Tools:
- Dried mushroom slices, powder, or extract
- Filtered water
- A pot or kettle
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- Optional: spices (ginger, cinnamon), sweeteners (honey, stevia), other herbs (mint, lemon balm)
Brewing Methods:
Decoction (Best for Tough Mushrooms like Reishi and Chaga):
- Add 3–5 grams (about 1 tablespoon) of dried mushroom pieces or slices to 16 oz (2 cups) of water.
- Bring to a low boil, then lower heat and simmer for 30–60 minutes.
- Strain with cheesecloth or a fine mesh.
- Add optional sweeteners or herbs.
- Serve hot or cold. Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Steeping (Ideal for Powders or Soft Mushrooms like Lion’s Mane):
- Put 1–2 teaspoons of mushroom extract powder in a tea infuser or right into a cup.
- Pour hot (but not boiling) water—around 90–95°C.
- Steep for 7–15 minutes. Stir sometimes.
- Strain or sip carefully if not using an infuser.
Pro Tip: Mix different mushrooms for a combined effect (e.g., lion’s mane + cordyceps for brain and energy support).
Tasty Mushroom Tea Recipe Combinations
Be creative when cooking with these tested mushroom tea recipes that make functionality taste good.
Reishi + Cinnamon + Honey Sleep Tonic
- Simmer reishi slices with a cinnamon stick for 45 minutes.
- Strain and add raw honey just before drinking.
- Good for a wind-down bedtime habit.
Chaga + Ginger Immunity Brew
- Simmer chaga chunks with fresh sliced ginger.
- Optional: Add turmeric for an anti-inflammatory increase.
- A warm option for cold or flu season.
Lion’s Mane + Ginseng Morning Focus Tea
- Steep lion’s mane powder with dried ginseng root.
- Add a bit of plant-based milk and a pinch of vanilla.
- Great replacement for caffeine in the morning.
Turkey Tail + Peppermint Gut-Soother
- Steep turkey tail dried slices with peppermint tea leaves.
- Sweeten with licorice root or stevia if wanted.
- Helps healthy digestion and gut balance.
Pro Tips for Brewing the Perfect Mushroom Tea
Here’s how you can make your mushroom tea habit better:
- Temperature Matters: Keep water just under boiling to keep delicate substances.
- Time Your Simmer: Hard mushrooms like chaga need 60+ minutes. Powders are ready in less than 15 minutes.
- Flavor Enhancers: Honey, lemon, ginger, licorice root, or plant milk can soften bitter flavors.
- Batch Brew: Prepare large amounts to keep and sip all week.
- Double Extraction: Simmer mushrooms, then save and tincture them in alcohol for wider extract benefits.
Integrating Mushroom Tea into Daily Wellness
A little planning is very helpful. Here’s how to make medicinal mushroom tea a part of your everyday health plan:
- Morning Boost: Try lion’s mane with maca or cacao for focus and drive.
- Midday Energy: Sip cordyceps or chaga to lower afternoon slumps.
- Evening Calm: Drink reishi or ashwagandha-mixed tea to relax.
- Workout Support: Use cordyceps before and reishi after workouts for energy and recovery.
- Seasonal Smartness: Reishi in allergy season, chaga in winter, turkey tail after holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drink different mushroom types in one tea?
Yes! Many advantages are increased when mixing mushrooms with similar effects.
Will it get me high?
No. Medicinal mushrooms like reishi, lion’s mane, and chaga are not psychoactive or psychedelic.
Are mushroom grow kits safe for tea?
Yes, for sure. Just ensure you’re using well-identified kinds grown in clean areas.
Is mushroom tea gluten-free and vegan?
Yes, mushroom tea is naturally without gluten, dairy, and animal things.
What’s better—powder, extract, or whole mushrooms?
All have advantages. Powders are easy to use, while whole mushrooms are more old-style and often less processed.
Supporting Mycology at Home
Begin your own mushroom-growing fun with at-home growing sets. Brands like Zombie Mushrooms give grow kits for lion’s mane, reishi, and turkey tail that are great for brewing into your own newly harvested tea.
Harvested mushrooms can be dried and kept for months, making sure you have a steady supply of health-boosting teas. Making tea from your own mushrooms also adds a level of sustainability and care to your wellness practice.
Final Thoughts: Is Mushroom Tea Right For You?
Mushroom tea uniquely combines earthy taste with functional health advantages, if you're wanting mental support, immunity, energy, or stress relief. By using good medicinal mushrooms and following correct brewing methods, you can enjoy an old option that fits well into current life. Start with one recipe, try mixed brews, and see how this simple habit can help your healthy well-being.
Wanting the freshest things? Discover our premium grow kits for lion’s mane, turkey tail, and reishi mushrooms—great for brewing your own strong mushroom tea from home.
Disclaimer
This article is only for information. Please ask a healthcare provider before starting any new herbal supplement or medicinal mushroom plan, especially if you’re dealing with a health problem or taking medicines.
Citations
Kawagishi, H., Ando, M., Sakamoto, H., Yoshida, S., Ojima, F., Suganuma, H., ... & Fukuda, T. (1994). Hericenones and erinacines: stimulators of nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis in Hericium erinaceum. Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, 58(3), 571–572.
Meng, Q. Y., Li, Y. H., Liu, H. S., Zhang, F., Wang, Y. Q., & Hu, Y. H. (2012). Immunomodulatory effects of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides on immune cells. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 18(7), 539–545. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-012-1179-8
Park, Y. K., Kim, M. G., & Hwang, J. K. (2004). Antioxidant activity and protective effects of Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) extract against oxidative stress-induced cellular damage. Journal of Medicinal Food, 7(4), 425–431. https://doi.org/10.1089/1096620042634522
