The Power of Adaptogenic Mushrooms and Tea
Adaptogenic mushrooms have been popular since ancient times. They've been extensively used in Ayurvedic practices and traditional Chinese medicine and are known as exceptional supports for various ailments. These nutritional powerhouses offer a wealth of health benefits. They can improve brain health and energy, reduce anxiety, help give your immune system a boost, and so much more!
Let's explore the health benefits of adaptogenic mushrooms and how they can be combined with the nutritional power of tea, helping your body adapt and respond to stress as supplements alongside your favorite teas.
What Are Adaptogens?
Adaptogens are phytonutrients that stimulate the central nervous system. They can help your body and mind cope with everyday life and health challenges and to become more resilient. Adaptogens are found in mushrooms, roots, and herbs and are extensively used in Ayurvedic practices and traditional Chinese medicine.
Different adaptogens include ashwagandha, astralagus, Rhodiola rosea root, Siberian ginseng, Schisandra, Holy Basil, Turmeric, and elderflower. The adaptogenic mushrooms include chaga, lion's mane, shiitake, turkey tail, cordyceps, and reishi mushrooms.
Don't confuse adaptogenic mushrooms with psychoactive mushrooms like psilocybin. Although they may be considered medicinal mushrooms, they will have a much different effect than the functional mushrooms listed above.
Adaptogens have useful health benefits. For example, if you're anxious and your cortisol levels elevate, adaptogens will help reduce these levels. Or, if you struggle with low levels, adaptogens will help raise them to meet your body's needs. And that is just one beneficial effect adaptogens have.
Let's look at some of the other excellent benefits of adaptogenic mushrooms.
The Health Benefits of Adaptogens in Mushroom Tea
Medicinal mushroom tea is tea infused with adaptogenic mushrooms like cordyceps, chaga, and reishi mushrooms. Here we will explore how these foods can help your body from morning until night. We will also recommend the best teas to enjoy your functional mushrooms with. In no time, you'll be an expert at turning tea blends into herbal medicine to be incorporated into your daily diet.
Good Morning!
Instead of reaching for the coffee pot, try some adaptogenic mushrooms in your morning cup of tea. It can give you an instant energy boost along with other health benefits. Adding Chaga to a cup of green tea will give you an excellent early-morning boost - the perfect way to begin a fun and productive day!
All-Day Energy
As more people look at healthier alternatives like herbs, roots, and other natural remedies for sustained energy, healthy teas and adaptogenic mushrooms are becoming obvious choices. Mushrooms like lion's mane can help keep you calm throughout the day, while chaga mushroom tea can help regulate your blood sugar and blood pressure.
Instead of reaching over for coffee or a glass of wine in the afternoon, beat the energy slump with a lovely cup of tea infused with some adaptogenic mushrooms for an extra boost.
A Soothing Supplement for Sleep Time
Getting enough, good quality sleep is essential to help the body cope with everyday stresses. There are so many delicious teas that can help with this. Adding adaptogens like reishi mushrooms to them can help you fall asleep quickly, stay asleep, and wake up refreshed and ready for the day.
The Top 6 Adaptogenic Mushroom and Tea Pairings
If you want to get all the nutrients and benefits of adaptogenic mushrooms, having it with your favorite tea is a simple and effective way. Both foods pack a healthy punch, and including them in your daily diet is an excellent idea. Here are some tips and tricks to get the most out of your mushroom tea adventures.
#1. Chaga Mushrooms for Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar
Chaga is an adaptogenic mushroom packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Besides being excellent for reducing blood sugar and blood pressure, it also regulates the immune system, alleviates arthritis, and there is promising research indicating that it can slow the progression of breast cancer and can help prevent brain, liver, and lung cancer.
Tea tip: Enjoy chaga with Firebelly Tea's Green Means Go selection for maximum antioxidant effect. Green tea and chaga mushrooms are great for blood sugar levels and have many other excellent health benefits, including cancer prevention. Why not get the best of both mushrooms and teas?
#2. Reishi Mushrooms for Immune Health, Anxiety, and Insomnia
Reishi mushrooms are widely known in the wellness industry for their incredible healing power. They boost the immune system, and research has shown they can help you to get a good night's sleep. Reishi mushrooms also contain beta-glucans that help reduce cholesterol, especially LDL (which is the bad one!)
People who regularly take reishi mushrooms as supplements say they sleep deeper and wake up energized. It tackles mental and physical stress, leaving you calm but focused.
Tea tip: Double up the immune-boosting power by making herb and mushroom tea with Firebelly Tea's Paradise blend. The chamomile and lavender flowers in this calming tea may be just what you need to make your reishi mushroom tea the perfect drink before bedtime.
#3. Cordyceps for Increased Energy and Stamina
If you've heard of mushroom coffee as a pre-workout, it probably contained cordyceps mushrooms. Cordyceps increases ATP, which makes it easier for your cells to absorb oxygen, especially during exercise. It makes it easier for you to keep going energetically.
This adaptogenic mushroom also supports your adrenal glands, which means it can help regulate cortisol. In Eastern medicine, cordyceps have also been used to boost sex drive and reduce fatigue.
Tea tip: You don't have to have mushroom coffee to boost your energy and stamina for a workout. You can enjoy the benefits of cordyceps with mushroom tea instead! Try Firebelly Tea's energy-boosting blends - there's at least one for every taste! Add some cordyceps powder to your favorite blend, and have an excellent workout!
#4. Shiitake for Heart and Liver Health
If you're concerned with liver health, cholesterol, or aging, shiitake mushroom tea is an excellent supplement. These mushrooms contain vitamin D and B vitamins and compounds that help lower cholesterol. Research has shown that shiitake can help prevent the age-related decline of the immune system.
Tea tip: Add Shiitake mushroom powder to Firebelly Tea's Flower Power blend. It contains jasmine, an excellent supplement for your liver, so you can double up on its healing power.
#5. Lion's Mane for Cognitive Health and Anxiety
Research has shown the brain health benefits of lion's mane extract used as a supplement. It can help treat depression and anxiety and improve memory and mental clarity. More research into the health properties of this mushroom showed that this fantastic mushroom stimulates Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) production - meaning that Lion's mane effectively improves mild cognitive impairment and may even help prevent Alzheimer's and other degenerative brain diseases.
Tea tip: Try Firebelly Tea's delicious, exotic (and spicy!) Zest For Life blend with lion's mane mushroom. The chili is packed with antioxidants, and the ginger boosts serotonin and dopamine levels - just what you need if you are struggling with anxiety or depression.
#6. Turkey Tail for Digestive Health and Cellular Regeneration
Turkey tail mushrooms help boost cellular regeneration and are excellent for promoting digestive health by nourishing good bacteria in the microbiome. This wonderful mushroom is also known for its positive effects when combined with chemotherapy drugs. Like the reishi mushroom, turkey tail mushrooms may improve immune health and help prevent colds and flu.
The antioxidants in these potent adaptogens can help reduce oxidative stress, which may help prevent heart disease and certain cancers.
Tea tip: Since turkey tail is an immune-boosting powerhouse, including it in your diet is excellent to help prevent seasonal colds and flu. To further boost your body's cold and flu-fighting abilities, try one of these delicious Firebelly Tea options. They will give you a vitamin C boost and a host of other benefits.
The Risks
It's important to note that any health supplement can have associated risks, especially if you are on chronic medication. If you have health concerns, it's always best to check with your health practitioner before you add new food, herbs, or other alternative medicines to your diet. Although adaptogenic mushrooms are generally considered safe, there may be some risks.
Chaga mushrooms are high in oxalates, which are compounds that reduce nutrient absorption, so those with kidney problems should avoid taking these mushrooms in large quantities. People with liver disease should avoid reishi, also known as Ganoderma lucidum. It can also interact with blood clotting, diabetes, and blood pressure medications.
Food as Medicine
Adaptogenic mushroom tea has benefits including stress management, reducing fatigue, regulating cortisol levels, and improving mental clarity. If you focus on maintaining optimal wellness and health, tea and medicinal mushrooms are safe, natural supplements you can enjoy daily.
By making healthy choices, you can fine-tune your lifestyle in addition to getting enough exercise and enjoying a healthy diet of organic food and supplements. Including healthy teas and mushrooms in your daily diet can help equip your body to defend against viruses and bacteria. It can also help prevent some of the inflammatory and metabolic disorders that come with the stress of modern living.