Mushroom Tea Benefits: Ritual, Research, and Recipes for Everyday Resilience
Across cultures, people have long steeped fungi like Reishi, Chaga, and Lion’s Mane for their supportive properties. Today, with growing research on adaptogens and neuroprotective compounds, mushroom tea is finding new relevance in modern routines.
This article explores the science-backed benefits, the nuances of extraction, and how to bring functional fungi into your daily rhythm.
Mushroom Tea Traditions Around the World
Mushroom tea was woven into the fabric of traditional cultures around the world. In Siberia and Nordic regions, Chaga was brewed as a bitter, coffee-like tea to build immunity and endure long winters. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Reishi tea has been used for over 2,000 years to calm the spirit and restore balance. In Japan, Maitake and Shiitake broths were staples for vitality and strength.
Functional Mushroom Tea Benefits
Immune Support
Beta-glucans, abundant in mushrooms like Reishi and Chaga, help modulate immune activity. They support your body’s defense systems—without overstimulation. Studies have shown they enhance the function of natural killer cells and other immune responders while promoting balance in inflammatory pathways.
Cognitive Clarity
Lion’s Mane contains hericenones and erinacines—compounds shown to stimulate Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), which plays a key role in the health of neurons. Emerging research suggests these compounds support neuroplasticity, memory, and focus. It’s a natural support for cognitive resilience in a world that demands mental flexibility.
Nervous System Recovery
Reishi and Poria are traditionally used to calm the heart-mind connection. Their triterpenes and polysaccharides have been linked to modulation of the stress response, anxiety reduction and support for restful sleep.
Gut and Skin Axis
Tremella and Turkey Tail deliver prebiotic fibers and polysaccharides, especially beta-glucans, that nourish beneficial gut bacteria and support digestive and immune health. One study shows Tremella polysaccharides can ease atopic dermatitis in mice by improving gut microbiota and metabolite profiles, linking gut health to skin clarity. A balanced gut also supports mood and skin through the gut-brain-skin axis.
Why Extraction Makes All the Difference
The benefits of mushroom tea depend entirely on how the mushrooms are prepared. Simple infusions or dried mushrooms often miss key bioactive compounds and cannot break down the thick cell walls to deliver the full spectrum of benefits—especially triterpenes, antioxidants, and other alcohol-soluble compounds.
The optimal method depends on the type of mushroom and its key active compounds. Water excels at extracting beta-glucans and polysaccharides, while alcohol extracts potent triterpenoids, sterols, and phenolics, which are not very water-soluble.
For those seeking true efficacy, both the extraction method and the source material matter deeply. Using fruiting body extracts—rather than mycelium grown on grain—ensures higher levels of active compounds while avoiding excess starch and insoluble material.
While homemade mushroom teas made from dried mushrooms or self-ground powders can offer a beautiful, patience-driven experience, they often fall short in delivering measurable benefits. Simple brews can't match the precision of pure extracts, carefully distilled by reputable producers to concentrate and preserve the most potent bioactive compounds.
Recipes: Bringing Mushroom Tea into Your Day
Reishi Wind-Down Tea
Best for: Evenings
How: Simmer 1–2 slices of dried Reishi in water for 30–40 minutes at low heat (never on high heat as it can degrade some of the delicate antioxidants). Strain and sip warm before bed. Add cinnamon or orange peel for depth.
Chaga Winter Chai
Best for: Immune support and antioxidant boost
How: Steep 1 tbsp Chaga chunks with ginger, clove, and cardamom for 30 minutes, ideally 1-2 hours for best extraction. Finish with a splash of plant milk and a pinch of black tea.
Turkey Tail Immune Brew
Best for: Gut health and immune support
How: Simmer 1–2 grams of dried Turkey Tail slices (or 1 tsp extract powder) in 2–3 cups of water over low heat for 45–60 minutes. Strain and sip warm. Add a slice of ginger or a squeeze of lemon for extra warmth and flavor.
Phellinus Calm Tonic
Best for: Stress resilience and inflammation support
How: Simmer 1–2 grams of dried Phellinus bark (or 1 tsp extract powder) gently in 2–3 cups of water for 1–2 hours. Strain and enjoy. Add cinnamon or a dash of raw honey to complement its naturally earthy, slightly bitter taste.
Other mushrooms to explore in tea: Cordyceps (for energy and endurance), Poria (for deep sleep and fluid balance), and Lion’s Mane (focus and clarity).
Tips for Taste and Effectiveness
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Add a fat like coconut milk or MCT oil for a touch of creamy richness.
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Sweeten naturally with honey or maple syrup to soften earthy notes.
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Pair with calming herbs like lavender or tulsi to deepen evening rituals.
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Choose high-quality pure extracts with transparent sourcing and labelling for the best results.
Final Thoughts: A Daily Ritual of Resilience
Mushroom tea invites a different kind of moment—functional, not just flavorful. It supports the nervous system and builds grounded energy.
What matters is the quality of ingredients, the precision of extraction, and the small shifts that build over time.
FAQs: Your Mushroom Tea Questions, Answered
What is mushroom tea good for?
Mushroom tea is often consumed for its adaptogenic and nootropic benefits. Depending on the variety, it may support immune function, cognitive clarity, stress resilience, gut health, and skin hydration. Reishi is commonly used for sleep and relaxation, while Lion’s Mane supports focus and memory.
For a deeper dive into the science behind these mushrooms, don’t miss our in-depth Lion’s Mane guide and Chaga guide from a mycologist’s perspective.
Can I drink mushroom tea every day?
Yes, many people use mushroom tea daily as part of a natural health routine. Because mushrooms tend to work cumulatively, consistent use over weeks or months often yields better results. Always start with a small amount and increase gradually, especially if you’re new to functional mushrooms.
Is mushroom tea safe to drink?
When sourced from reputable brands and taken in recommended amounts, mushroom tea is generally safe for most people. However, if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medication, check with your healthcare provider. Always look for organic, dual-extracted, fruiting-body-based options for best quality.
What does mushroom tea taste like?
Taste varies by mushroom. Chaga has a mild, earthy flavour with notes of vanilla. Reishi is bitter and woodsy. Lion’s Mane is neutral and blends well with creamy bases like oat or almond milk. You can improve flavour by adding herbs, spices, or natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey.
MOGU Mushroom Matcha Tea is a smooth lift wrapped in calm. It begins with the umami of ceremonial-grade matcha, grounded by subtle notes of Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps and Chaga—like stepping into a green forest just after the rain. The finish is clean and balanced, leaving you focused yet steady, like a quiet morning before the world stirs.
MOGU Mushroom Cacao offers a rich, velvety exhale at the end of the day. Deep cacao mingles with a whisper of Tremella, Poria and Reishi, unfolding like a warm hug by firelight. There’s a gentle sweetness—not from sugar, but from the roundness of the mushrooms—and a grounding chocolatey richness that melts into calm. It’s comfort and ritual in a single sip.
Where can I buy mushroom tea in the UK?
You can find mushroom tea—including mushroom blends like mushroom matcha and mushroom cacao—on the MOGU product pages (launching in June!). You’ll also find a range of mushroom teas and functional mushroom extracts online or at UK health retailers such as Planet Organic, Holland & Barrett, or local wellness stores. For the best results, search terms like "mushroom tea UK", "Reishi tea UK", or "Lion’s Mane tea UK" to locate trusted options near you.
What’s better: mushroom tea or mushroom powder?
It depends on the form and quality. Mushroom teas made from dual-extracted extracts are far more concentrated than teas made with standard dry powder. Extraction breaks down chitin (the indigestible cell wall), unlocking the active compounds like beta-glucans and triterpenes for better absorption.
Powders, especially unextracted ones, can leave a gritty residue and offer lower bioavailability. In contrast, mushroom teas made from pure, multi-extracted concentrates deliver a smoother experience and more potent benefits per serving.
Does mushroom tea have caffeine?
Pure mushroom teas are naturally caffeine-free, making them ideal for people reducing coffee intake. In the UK, many use blends with Chaga, Reishi, or Cordyceps as natural alternatives to traditional tea or coffee. Chaga was famously used in Nordic countries during WWII as a coffee substitute. Whether you want a calm morning ritual or an afternoon reset, mushroom teas can offer focused energy—without the jitters or crash.
MOGU Mushroom Cacao blend—featuring cacao, Reishi, Tremella, and Poria—contains zero caffeine. Our Mushroom Matcha, made with Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, and Chaga, delivers 30mg of caffeine per serving—lower than our Mushroom Coffee blend (low-acidity coffee with Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, and Chaga), which contains 40mg per serving.
About MOGU
At MOGU, we believe nature’s intelligence doesn’t need to be reinvented — just reconnected with. We explore the intersection of fungi, function, and modern living through thoughtful design, the latest science, and a deep respect for nature.
What you take in shapes how you think, feel, and move through the world. We’re here to build a deeper connection between the everyday and the elemental — starting with mushrooms.
This is just the beginning.
The studies referenced in this article relate to the individual ingredients discussed and are provided for informational purposes only. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary. Always consult a healthcare professional before introducing any new supplement into your routine.
