6 Amazing Benefits of Reishi Mushroom Tea

by John Staughton (BASc, BFA) last updated -

If you have never had reishi mushroom tea, you are missing out on an ancient and powerful brew that can deliver a myriad of health benefits.

What is Reishi Mushroom Tea?

Reishi mushroom is a specialty tea brewed from dried or powdered reishi mushrooms, which bear the scientific name Ganoderma lucidum. These mushrooms grow in the wild on fallen hardwood trees, primarily in China, but they are cultivated in many other places in the world for their nutritional qualities and various medicinal applications. Due to the bitterness of this mushroom, it is not very popular as an ingredient in recipes, but it is often made into a tea or infusion. If you want to brew reishi mushroom tea, it is best to choose red reishi mushrooms, as they are the densest in terms of active ingredients. This mushroom tea will provide a high level of beta glucans, water-soluble polysaccharides, as well as certain triterpenes, all of which have antioxidant and health-stimulating properties. [10]

Reishi Mushroom Tea Benefits

Reishi mushrooms next to a black teapot against a brown background

Reishi mushroom tea Photo Credit: Shutterstock

The top benefits of reishi mushroom tea include its ability to boost the immune system, lower blood pressure, and aid in weight loss, among others.

Immune System

With antiviral and antibacterial properties, this tea is known to stimulate the immune system and prevent a number of infections and foreign pathogens from taking hold, particularly in the gut. [11] [12]

Improve Cardiovascular Health

Studies have found that active ingredients in reishi mushrooms might be able to improve cardiovascular risk factors such as blood glucose, blood pressure, triglycerides and cholesterol profiles. [13]

Anticancer Potential

Reishi mushrooms are valued for their medicinal properties in several regions of Asia. The National Cancer Institute acknowledges the findings of some Asian studies which suggest that forms of this mushroom might offer protection against lung and colorectal cancer. While it is not a treatment for this disease, it certainly has the potential to be developed as complementary and alternative medicine. Further studies are required to fully understand its potential and side effects. [14] [15]

Weight Loss

This tea can improve the metabolism, and also stimulate digestion to improve nutrient uptake, thereby requiring less food and helping you stick to your diet. [16]

Detoxification

Traditionally used to flush out the toxins from the blood and liver, this mushroom tea is an excellent way to detoxify the body, increase urination, and prevent the buildup of unwanted substances in your system. [17]

Allergies

The immunomodulatory effects of reishi mushroom tea can help prevent or mitigate allergic reactions in the body, further reducing strain on the immune system. [18]

Reishi Mushroom Tea Side Effects

There are some allergic reactions associated with drinking this tea, including dryness of the mouth, throat, and sinuses, along with inflammation, stomach upset, and blood in your stool. When consumed in large quantities, the use of powdered reishi mushroom is more often associated with toxicity of the liver. Due to the powerful nature of this tea, do not consume more than 3 cups of this tea per day. As with any healthy beverage or medicinal plant, moderation is key, as is a conversation with your doctor before making major changes to your health routine.

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About the Author

John Staughton is a traveling writer, editor, publisher and photographer with English and Integrative Biology degrees from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana (USA). He co-founded the literary journal, Sheriff Nottingham, and now serves as the Content Director for Stain’d Arts, a non-profit based in Denver, Colorado. On a perpetual journey towards the idea of home, he uses words to educate, inspire, uplift and evolve.

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