Are you feeling stressed out and anxious lately? Do you wish you could find a natural way to calm your mind and boost your mood? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you might want to try reishi mushroom herbal tea.
What are reishi mushrooms?
Reishi mushrooms, also known as Ganoderma lucidum or lingzhi, are large, shiny-looking mushrooms that grow in hot and humid regions of Asia. They have a bitter taste and a woody texture, so they are not usually eaten fresh. Instead, they are dried and powdered, or extracted into liquid or capsules. You can also find them as tea bags or loose leaf tea.
Reishi mushrooms have more than 400 different nutrients, including beta-glucans and triterpenoids. These are compounds that can lower blood sugar and blood pressure levels, reducing your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Reishi mushrooms also have high antioxidant activity, which protects your cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can harm your DNA, proteins, and membranes, leading to chronic diseases and aging.
A Little History and Culture
Reishi mushrooms are a type of medicinal fungi that have been used for thousands of years in various Asian cultures, especially China, Japan, Korea and India. Reishi mushrooms are also known as Ling Zhi in Chinese, which means "herb of spiritual potency" or "mushroom of immortality". Reishi mushrooms have a long history of being associated with longevity, health and wisdom.
According to some sources, the first recorded use of reishi mushrooms dates back to the Han dynasty of China (206 BC - 220 AD), when they were considered a symbol of immortality and reserved only for the emperor and his closest advisors. Reishi mushrooms were also revered by Taoist sages and Buddhist monks, who believed that consuming them would enhance their spiritual practice and enlightenment. Reishi mushrooms were often depicted in ancient Chinese and Japanese art, literature and mythology as a gift from the gods or a divine herb.
How can reishi mushroom tea benefit your health?
Reishi mushroom tea can offer you many health benefits. Honestly, the research was so fascinating and extensive it was hard to determine what to focus this section on. Here is a breakdown of what most findings indicated.
Boosting your immune system
Reishi mushrooms can increase the number and function of your white blood cells, which are essential for fighting infections and diseases. Reishi mushrooms can also stimulate natural killer cells, which are a type of white blood cell that targets abnormal cells, such as cancer cells.
Fighting cancer
Reishi mushrooms contain beta-glucans, which are complex sugars that can slow down or stop tumor growth. Some studies have shown that reishi mushrooms can enhance the effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, as well as improve the quality of life of cancer patients.
Reducing stress and anxiety
Reishi mushrooms can help you relax and cope with stress better. They can also improve your mood and mental well-being by reducing depression and fatigue. Reishi mushrooms may work by balancing your hormones and soothing your nervous system.
Slowing down aging
Reishi mushrooms can help you look and feel younger by protecting your cells from oxidative stress and inflammation. They can also boost your energy levels and prevent age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and osteoporosis.
How to make reishi mushroom tea?
Making reishi mushroom tea is easy and enjoyable. You can use either tea bags or loose leaf tea, depending on your preference. Here are some simple steps to follow:
- Boil some water in a kettle or pot.
- Place one teaspoon of reishi mushroom tea (or one tea bag) in a cup or mug.
- Pour the hot water over the tea and let it steep for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Enjoy your reishi mushroom tea plain or with some honey, lemon, ginger, or cinnamon for extra flavor.
You can drink reishi mushroom tea anytime of the day, but it may be especially beneficial before bedtime, as it can help you relax and sleep better.
Reishi mushroom tea is a great way to incorporate this superfood into your daily routine. It can help you improve your health and wellness in many ways, from boosting your immunity to fighting cancer to reducing stress.
Options
When it comes to picking the right tea for the right moment, it is really up to your preferences.
Our favorite blend of tea takes us into a deeply calm moment. Reishi Realms is our way to help others connect to this world and its dynamic dimensions.
Protect Your Health
When it comes to your health, there is nothing more important. Reach out to your health care provider before taking any herbs. The information provided here is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure anything. We wish you the best in your journey to health.
Citations
- Link - Ganoderma lucidum Effects on Mood and Health-Related Quality of Life in Women with Fibromyalgia
- Link - Ooi VE, Liu F. Immunomodulation and anti-cancer activity of polysaccharide-protein complexes. Curr Med Chem. 2000 Jul;7(7):715-29.
- Link - Lee JM et al. Inhibition of lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage by Ganoderma lucidum. Phytother Res. 2001 May;15(3):245-9.
- Link - Shi YL et al. Mushroom-derived preparations in the prevention of H2O2-induced oxidative damage to cellular DNA. Teratog Carcinog Mutagen. 2002;22(2):103-11.
- Link - Mau JL et al. Antioxidant properties of several medicinal mushrooms. J Agric Food Chem. 2002 Oct 9;50(21):6072-7.
- Link - Matsuzaki H et al. Antidepressant-like effects of a water-soluble extract from the culture medium of Ganoderma lucidum mycelia in rats. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2013 Dec 26;13:370.
- Link - Singh R, et al. Evaluation of Antianxiety Potential of Four Ganoderma (Agaricomycetes) Species from India in Mice. Int J Med Mushrooms.2016;18(11):991-998.