Written by: Emilyn Gil 

I know what you’re thinking. Mushroom tea may not be a phrase that excites your taste buds or makes your mouth water. But hear me out! This is no ordinary fungus.

Hmm. Using the word fungus probably made matters worse.

Regardless of what you choose to call it, this ancient medicinal mushroom will win you over with its incredible benefits.

Reishi mushrooms have been used for over 2,500 years in Asia and other areas of the world. It was even reserved in China exclusively for royalty. Reishi has become famous for its incredible healing properties and was referred to as the mushroom of immortality.

What Can Reishi Mushrooms Do For Me?

All types and colors of reishi mushrooms have amazing benefits. However, the red reishi has the highest concentration of nutrients out of all of them and therefore, can do you the most good.

Red reishi mushrooms can provide relief from respiratory conditions and allergies, strengthen the immune system, assist in liver function and support the digestive system. They can reduce the risk of cognitive disorders and boost cognitive function.

Reishi can also increase energy, protect your heart and blood vessels and they have additional anti-aging properties. And that is just a taste of everything that reishi mushrooms can do for you!

Reishi Mushroom Tea

Now that we’ve established the power within the reishi mushroom, let’s move on to how you can put this little guy to good use.

You can find reishi mushrooms in many forms, including raw, dried whole, dried strips, powdered, or as an extract. The powder is best for reishi tea since most recipes will have you cut or grind them into smaller pieces anyway.

Once you have your reishi mushroom powder, it’s tea time! I’ve put together three of my favorite reishi mushroom tea recipes for you to try. Check them out!

Hot Reishi Lemonade

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups water
• 1 tsp reishi mushroom powder
• 1-2 tbsp lemon juice
• A dash of cinnamon
• Honey to taste (or sweetener of choice)

Instructions: add all ingredients to a pot and bring to a simmer. Pour into your favorite mug to drink hot, or chill over ice to drink cold. Enjoy!

Superfood Reishi Tea

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups almond milk
• 1 tbsp reishi mushroom powder
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tbsp ground flax seed
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 tbsp honey (or sweetener of choice)
• 1-2 pitted dates
• Pinch of sea salt

Instructions: combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a saucepan to bring to a simmer. Pour into your favorite mug and enjoy!

Chocolate Reishi Delight

Ingredients:

• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 tbsp cacao powder
• 1 tsp reishi mushroom powder
• 2 tsp coconut oil
• Dash of cinnamon
• Pinch of sea salt
• 1 1/2 tbsp maple syrup (or sweetener of choice)

Instructions: combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Mixture should be creamy and frothy. Pour into your favorite mug and enjoy!

Once You Go Reishi, You Never Go Back!

There is a reason this little fungus has been around for so long. Reishi mushrooms are strengthening, healing and energizing like no other superfood. Don’t take my word for it, see for yourself! Try out some of these recipes and let us know in the comments below what you think!

And remember, we're in this together.

Emilyn Gil is a 22 year old English Major at UVU. She started writing at age 6, and since then has won several awards including the Scholastic Art and Writing Gold Key and was featured in the Kolob Canyon Review in Cedar City. Aside from the written word, her other passions include performing in the occasional musical theater production, and playing piano, guitar, and ukulele. Emilyn currently resides in Orem, Utah with her husband Jorge. You can find more of her work online at emilyaddn.blogspot.com or on Instagram at @emilyncan.