Sarah Brown
Mushroom tea is an infusion of mushrooms in water, made using edible or medicinal mushrooms, or psychedelic mushrooms. The process of making mushroom tea involves placing mushrooms in hot water for a steeping time of 5 to 20 minutes. The steeping time can be as long as 60 minutes to allow the water to extract the medicinal properties of the mushrooms. The mushrooms can be blended or ground into a fine powder before being added to the water, and other ingredients such as honey, ginger, and coconut milk are often added to enhance the flavor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of mushrooms | Medicinal (e.g. Maitake, Reishi, Lion's Mane, Lingzhi) or Psychedelic (e.g. Psilocybe cubensis, Magic Mushrooms) |
| Preparation | Mushrooms are dried and ground into a fine powder, or sliced into small pieces |
| Water temperature | Boiling or very hot water |
| Steep time | 5-10 minutes, up to 60 minutes for medicinal mushrooms |
| Additional ingredients | Sweeteners (e.g. honey), spices (e.g. chai spices), milk, lemon |
| Consumption | Drink the steeped mushroom tea |
| Effects | Medicinal mushrooms are used to treat digestive problems, heart disease, and cancer. Psychedelic mushrooms create psychedelic or hallucinogenic effects, including increased creativity, euphoria, and happy feelings. |
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What You'll Learn
The benefits of mushroom tea
Mushroom tea is a beverage of hot water infused (or steeped) with functional, adaptogenic mushrooms, which have healing health properties beyond their nutritional value. The hot water extraction method is the only clinically validated way to prepare mushroom tea, as it dissolves the indigestible chitin and allows the water-soluble health benefits to be absorbed.
The benefits of drinking mushroom tea are wide-ranging, and although many of these benefits are questionable and not fully backed by science, mushrooms are certainly a healthy addition to most diets. Here are some of the biggest benefits of mushroom tea:
Adaptogens
Adaptogens are a group of compounds found mostly in plant-based foods, although some synthetic types are available. Adaptogens help the body manage stress by calming the central nervous system and moderating its response to the common stress hormone, cortisol. Through this process, adaptogens can help us avoid the illnesses and diseases that can come with chronically high-stress environments.
Immune-boosting effects
A review published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in 2016 found that reishi mushrooms have immune-boosting effects. Similarly, substances present in chaga mushrooms have been found to effectively prevent cancer and slow tumour growth. One study showed that a hot water extract of chaga mushroom inhibited the growth and promoted the death of colon cancer cells.
Mood and cognitive function
Some studies have shown that lion's mane mushrooms can enhance the mood and cognitive function of middle-aged and older adults.
Energy-boosting effects
Mushroom tea is said to have energy-boosting effects, although this could be due to the caffeine in the supplement powder.
It is important to note that the potential health benefits of mushroom tea are not fully understood, and there may be negative repercussions. Therefore, it is recommended that you consult your doctor before adding mushroom tea to your routine, especially if you are on medication.
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How to make mushroom tea
Mushroom tea is an infusion of mushrooms in water, made using edible or medicinal mushrooms, or psychedelic mushrooms. In Korea, mushroom teas are made from edible mushrooms such as black hoof mushroom, lingzhi mushroom, oyster mushroom, scaly hedgehog, and shiitake mushroom. Medicinal mushrooms are often used in tea to increase its health benefits.
- Bring two cups of water to a boil in a tea kettle.
- Grind the mushrooms into a fine powder.
- Add the mushroom powder to the boiling water and let it boil for about 20 minutes.
- Strain the tea through a coffee filter to remove any extra mushroom particles.
- Add other ingredients to enhance the taste, such as honey, ginger, or lemon.
The tea can be served hot or cold, depending on your preference. It is important to note that the potency of mushroom tea can vary depending on the type of mushroom, the amount used, and the boiling time. Additionally, the long-term effects of magic mushroom tea can cause issues for your mind and body, including flashbacks, visual distortion, and a "bad trip." Therefore, it is essential to consume mushroom tea responsibly and be aware of its potential risks.
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The medicinal properties of mushrooms
Mushrooms are a fungus that has been eaten and used as medicine for thousands of years. They are naturally low in sodium and contain polysaccharides that act as prebiotics, stimulating the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. They are also a source of vitamin D, ergothioneine, and antioxidants.
A review of 17 cancer studies from 1966 to 2020 showed that eating just 18 grams of mushrooms a day may lower your risk of cancer by up to 45%. Mushrooms are also believed to have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anticancer, antidepressant, and neuroprotective properties.
Shiitake mushrooms, in particular, help to keep cholesterol levels low, while maitake mushrooms have antitumor effects. To get your recommended daily amount of vitamin D, slice three mushrooms (or one portabella), expose them to sunlight for at least 15 minutes, and enjoy.
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The extraction process
To begin the extraction process, you will need to prepare your mushrooms. For this example, we will use Reishi mushrooms, which are known for their medicinal properties. Finely slice 10 small Reishi mushrooms. You can also choose to grind the mushrooms into a fine powder, which is a common method when preparing magic mushroom tea.
Next, add the mushrooms to a pot of boiling water. Make sure the water level is high enough to cover the mushrooms. Let the mushrooms steep in the hot water for at least 20 minutes. Some sources recommend a longer steeping time of 60 minutes to ensure that all the medicinal properties are fully extracted. During this time, the hot water will transform the mushrooms on a cellular level, unlocking their healing potential.
After steeping, strain the mushroom tea through a coffee filter or a fine-mesh strainer to remove any remaining mushroom particles. This step is especially important if you are consuming magic mushroom tea, as it helps to remove any unwanted psilocybin or psilocin compounds, which can cause negative side effects.
Finally, your mushroom tea is ready to serve. You can add sweeteners such as honey or marjoram to enhance the flavour, as some mushrooms like Reishi can have a slightly bitter taste. It is recommended to taste the tea every 30 seconds after the initial 5 minutes of steeping to find the perfect flavour for your palate.
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The risks of mushroom tea
To steep mushrooms, they must be exposed to hot water for a minimum of 15 minutes, with 60 minutes being the ideal steeping time. This is because the polysaccharides in medicinal mushrooms that contain immune-support are held up within the cell walls, which are made of an indigestible fibre called chitin. Hot water extraction is the only clinically validated method for breaking down these cell walls and making the polysaccharides available to the body.
Mushroom tea is typically made from dried mushrooms that contain the psychedelic compounds psilocybin and psilocin. The tea transmits the effects of these compounds due to their water-solubility. The risks and side effects of consuming mushroom tea are similar to those of other psychedelic drugs. These risks include:
- Flashbacks
- Visual distortion
- A "bad trip"
The potency of magic mushroom tea depends on several factors, including the type of mushroom, the amount used, and the length of time it is boiled. It is difficult to tell how much psilocybin is in each mushroom, and each of the over 200 types of mushrooms contains different levels of the active ingredient. This makes it challenging to know how much of the psychedelic substance is being consumed.
Additionally, the way the body metabolises the tea will impact the effects felt. Individual factors such as weight, size, health, and familiarity with consuming the substance will play a role in how the tea affects each person. It is important to note that every type of hallucinogen carries the risk of physical and psychological problems.
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Frequently asked questions
Most sources recommend steeping mushrooms for around 20 minutes. However, some suggest steeping for 5 to 10 minutes, while others recommend a 60-minute steep to fully extract the medicinal properties.
First, grind the mushrooms into a fine powder. Then, add the powder to a pot of boiling water and let it steep for your desired time. Finally, strain the tea through a coffee filter or fine mesh strainer to remove any extra mushroom particles.
Medicinal mushrooms are believed to have various health benefits, including treating digestive problems, heart disease, and cancer. They are also thought to increase alertness and provide mental relaxation. However, it's important to note that magic mushrooms containing psilocybin can have negative side effects, including flashbacks, visual distortion, and "bad trips."
