Emily Johnson
Mushroom tea is a beverage made by infusing hot water with mushrooms. It has been consumed for its health benefits for centuries, especially in China and Siberia. The tea is usually made from functional mushrooms with adaptogenic and healing properties, such as reishi, chaga, and lion's mane, rather than culinary mushrooms. Chaga tea, for example, is believed to support intestinal health, lower cholesterol, and regulate blood sugar and blood pressure. However, it is high in oxalates, which can interfere with nutrient absorption and medication, so it is important to consult a doctor before consuming mushroom tea. While some studies suggest that mushrooms may have anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties, human trials are still needed to confirm these health benefits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is mushroom tea? | A beverage of hot water infused or steeped with mushrooms. |
| Types of mushrooms used | Reishi, Chaga, Lion's Mane, Cordyceps, Turkey Tail, Shiitake, King Trumpet, etc. |
| Taste | Earthy, nutty, bitter, woody, umami, or slightly sweet. |
| Benefits | Anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting, cancer-fighting potential, improved sleep, better heart health, improved cognitive abilities, reduced cholesterol, etc. |
| Risks and side effects | High in oxalates, which can reduce nutrient absorption and form kidney stones; may have blood-thinning effects and interact with certain medications; insufficient human studies to confirm benefits. |
| Preparation | Brew dried mushrooms or mushroom powder in hot water; some blends include tea leaves, black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Potential health benefits
Mushroom tea is a beverage made by infusing hot water with mushrooms. While there is limited scientific evidence of their effects on humans, some potential health benefits of drinking mushroom tea may include:
Cancer prevention
Research published in 2016 in Heliyon suggests that mushroom extracts may have cancer-fighting potential. However, these studies were conducted on animals and in laboratories, not on humans. Another study showed that a hot water extract of chaga mushrooms inhibited the growth of and promoted the death of colon cancer cells. Chaga mushrooms also contain betulin and betulinic acid, which researchers are studying to fight cancer.
Immune-boosting effects
A review published in 2016 in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews found that reishi mushrooms have immune-boosting effects.
Stress reduction
Adaptogens are a group of compounds found in plant-based foods that help the body manage stress by calming the central nervous system and moderating its response to cortisol, a stress hormone. Mushrooms often used in tea, such as reishi and chaga, are adaptogens and may help the body adapt to stress and promote balance.
Improved mood and cognitive function
Some studies have shown that lion's mane mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus) enhance the mood and cognitive function of middle-aged and older adults.
Better sleep
Mushrooms have been shown to help improve sleep. For example, lion's mane mushrooms have been proven to improve sleep disturbance and overall well-being.
It is important to note that the potential health benefits of mushroom tea are still being studied, and more research is needed to confirm these effects. As with any supplement, it is always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional before consuming mushroom tea, especially if you are taking medication or have any health concerns.
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Lack of human studies
While mushroom tea has been around for centuries, particularly in China and Siberia, there is a lack of human studies to support its health benefits. Mushroom tea is made by infusing hot water with functional, adaptogenic mushrooms, which are believed to have healing properties beyond their nutritional content. The most common varieties used in these teas include reishi, chaga, and lion's mane.
Chaga mushroom tea, for example, has been consumed in Eastern Europe for centuries for its health benefits. Chaga mushrooms are high in oxalates, which can reduce nutrient absorption when consumed in high doses. Studies have found that chaga may help prevent cancer and slow tumour growth, reduce "bad" cholesterol, lower blood sugar, regulate the immune system, and lower blood pressure. However, these studies have primarily been conducted in test tubes or on animals, and more human studies are needed to confirm these benefits.
Reishi mushroom tea is believed to aid in heart health, support blood sugar reduction, and provide support for those suffering from depression and fatigue. Lion's mane mushroom tea is thought to enhance cognitive abilities, improve sleep, and boost mood. It contains bioactive compounds such as erinacines and hericenones, which may contribute to its cognitive-enhancing effects by promoting nerve growth.
While there is some preliminary research suggesting that mushroom extracts may have cancer-fighting potential, these studies have been conducted in laboratories and on animals, not humans. As a result, it is challenging to draw conclusions about the effects of mushroom tea on human health. More human trials and studies are necessary to substantiate the claimed health benefits of mushroom tea.
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Side effects and drug interactions
While mushroom tea has been used in traditional medicine in China and Siberia for centuries, it is important to note that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate supplements in the same way it regulates conventional medications.
Although most people can consume mushroom tea without adverse side effects, there have been no clinical trials to assess its safety. Chaga mushrooms, in particular, may negatively interact with blood-thinning medications (e.g. aspirin) and insulin. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also avoid chaga mushrooms as they may interact with breast milk. Additionally, those with autoimmune diseases like lupus, multiple sclerosis, or rheumatoid arthritis should refrain from consuming chaga and reishi mushrooms in all forms as they activate the immune system.
Reishi mushrooms may interfere with immunosuppressants or chemotherapy drugs, according to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. It is imperative to consult your doctor before consuming mushroom tea, especially if you are on medication or have a specific health condition.
The side effects of mushroom tea vary depending on the type of mushroom and individual factors. Magic mushroom tea, for example, can induce panic attacks, disorientation, anxiety, confusion, paranoia, vomiting, increased heart rate, urinary incontinence, nausea, and high blood pressure. The long-term effects may include flashbacks, visual distortion, and perceptual disturbances.
On the other hand, Chaga and Lion's Mane mushroom teas are believed to have immune-boosting and cognitive-enhancing effects, respectively. However, Chaga mushrooms are high in oxalates, which can reduce nutrient absorption and potentially damage the kidneys in large amounts. While Lion's Mane mushroom tea has been shown to improve mental functioning in a small double-blind study, more research is needed to confirm these findings.
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Taste and preparation
Mushroom tea is a beverage of hot water infused or steeped with mushrooms. The mushrooms used in mushroom tea are functional, adaptogenic mushrooms with healing health properties. The most common medicinal mushroom varieties used in these beverages include reishi, chaga, and lion's mane. Mushroom tea can be made by adding whole, ground mushrooms to hot water, or by steeping tea leaves with mushroom powder. Some blends include additional ingredients like black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, turmeric, cardamom, dandelion, and ashwagandha.
Mushroom tea has an earthy, umami flavor, and can sometimes be slightly bitter. The taste varies depending on the type of mushroom used. For example, reishi mushroom tea is more bitter and woody, while chaga mushroom tea has a milder and slightly sweeter flavor. Other ingredients like ginger, lemon, and honey can be added to change the flavor of the tea. Honey, for instance, can be added to sweeten an otherwise bitter tea.
Chaga tea is made from the chaga mushroom, which typically grows on the trunks of birch trees in the Northern Hemisphere. People in Eastern Europe have been drinking chaga tea for its health benefits for centuries. Chaga tea has been found to have antioxidant properties, and substances present in chaga may effectively prevent cancer and slow tumor growth. Chaga tea may also help regulate blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol. However, it is high in oxalates, which can reduce nutrient absorption, and may interact with blood thinners.
Reishi mushroom tea is used to aid heart health and support blood sugar reduction. It can also be used to support those suffering from depression and fatigue. Lion's mane mushroom tea is believed to enhance cognitive abilities, boost mood, and support the protection of the digestive tract. It has also been shown to improve sleep disturbance and overall well-being.
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History and popularity
Mushroom tea is an infusion of mushrooms in water, made using edible or medicinal mushrooms, such as lingzhi and black hoof mushrooms, or psychedelic mushrooms, such as Psilocybe cubensis. The active ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms is psilocybin, while the active ingredients in medicinal mushrooms are thought to be beta-glucans. In Korea, mushroom teas, known as beoseot-cha, are made from edible mushrooms.
Mushrooms have been consumed by humans for thousands of years, and they have long been known for their medicinal properties in Eastern medicine, particularly in Chinese medicine. The mushrooms often used in tea have been used to treat various health problems worldwide.
In recent times, mushroom tea has become a popular health beverage, particularly among celebrities and health influencers. It is often promoted for its potential health benefits, such as its ability to help with blood sugar control and liver health, as well as its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Some studies have also suggested that mushrooms may have cancer-fighting potential, although much of the research has been conducted on animals or in laboratory settings, and more human trials are needed.
The taste of mushroom tea can vary depending on the type of mushrooms used. For example, reishi mushroom tea tends to be more bitter and woody, while chaga mushroom tea has a milder and slightly sweeter flavour. Other ingredients, such as ginger, lemon, and honey, can also be added to change the flavour of the tea.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushroom tea is believed to have several health benefits, including adaptogenic properties that help the body adapt to stress and promote balance. Chaga mushroom tea, for instance, is used to support intestinal health, boost the immune system, regulate blood sugar, and lower cholesterol. Reishi mushroom tea aids heart health, supports blood sugar reduction, and can help with depression and fatigue. Lion's Mane mushroom tea boosts mood, supports the protection of the digestive tract, and helps manage the risk of heart disease and blood sugar.
The side effects of drinking mushroom tea are uncertain. Chaga, for instance, is high in oxalates, which can reduce nutrient absorption and form kidney stones if consumed in high doses. Some mushrooms also have blood-thinning effects and may interfere with certain medications. It is important to consult a doctor or healthcare professional before consuming mushroom tea, especially if you are on medication.
Mushroom tea is typically made by infusing or steeping functional mushrooms, such as Chaga, Reishi, or Lion's Mane, in hot water. Some varieties include tea leaves or additional ingredients such as black pepper, cinnamon, or turmeric. Mushroom tea can be made using whole, ground, or powdered mushrooms, and it may be consumed with or without ingesting the mushrooms themselves.
