Whether you’re new to the world of medicinal mushroom tea or an experienced ‘shroom sipper, you’re in the right place. These tips will help you better understand the science-backed benefits of our medicinal blends, the best place to buy, and our favorite ways to spice up your cup.

WHAT even is mushroom tea?

Medicinal mushroom tea is just what it sounds like, a delicious and earthy loose tea blend made from mushrooms, herbs, and dried fruit. This infusion is made by steeping the tea blend in hot or cold water. Most mushroom teas require a 45-60min steeping time, perfect for a sweaty yoga session, grounding meditation, or a nap.

WHY drink mushroom tea?

Mushroom teas, especially the ones we make at Zoom Out Mycology, aren’t just a tasty way to warm up or cool off -- they’re a natural form of medicine that’s been used to treat and said to prevent illness for generations. The most common health benefits related to medicinal mushrooms include reported immune system boost, improved mental health (including age-related diseases and relieving stress and anxiety), as well as digestion ease.

As with any natural medicine, the type of mushroom you’re sipping on will impact the health benefits you may see. For example, Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) has been used in ancient medicine for more than 2,000 years and is most commonly found in Asian medicinal practices. The Chinese belief is that reishi has immortal properties and symbolizes longevity. Reportedly, Reishi has amazing stress-relieving properties and is known as an adaptogen, which means it shields your body from potential disease and infection. Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus), on the other hand, has a growing mound of scientific evidence to support claims that it can enhance brain function and serve as an anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial to improve wound healing and ward off disease and infection. The neurotrophic effects of lion’s mane are also being used to study Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease and some are finding that its anti-inflammatory properties do indeed impact memory recognition. Multiple studies have shown maitake to be a useful treatment against cancer. A 2013 study on mice found that taken orally, maitake inhibited tumor growth and suppressed T-cell count.  Additional studies have shown us that maitake can lower cholesterol and help fight diabetes. 

Mushrooms are still in the early stages of scientific exploration for Western medicine, but we can see the health benefits these fungi have to offer by looking at generations of Eastern medicine.

WHERE can I find mushroom tea?

Now that you’ve learned about some of the magic that is medicinal mushroom tea, you might be eager to know where you can get some! If you’re our neighbor in the Oregon area, you can head to your local Market of Choice and toss a tin of our tea in with your regular grocery trip. There’s also nothing better than giving the gift of health so consider picking up some tea next time you need a present in a pinch.

HOW do I enjoy mushroom tea?

Our blends are flavored with floral, fruity, and earthy notes which make them delicious all on your own but you may find yourself wanting to spice up your beverage for the summer. A special tip to keep in mind for maximizing your mushroom tea is to steep it for ~60 minutes. Our team Marketing Creative, Mallory, loves to mix our Reishi Rose with a homemade violet simple syrup and some lemon juice for a floral lemonade beverage. You may also enjoy our Berry Brain blend with ice and coconut milk for a medicinal twist on the popular new summer coconut beverages at Starbucks and Dunkin’. You can also muddle some fresh fruit from Market of Choice’s local produce section for little added sweetness. Medicinal mushroom tea is as versatile as it is healing so whether it’s a scone or a salad, feel free to pair and partner your tea with whatever feels right!

The creativity doesn’t end there! We would love to see what you’re cooking up this spring and summer. How do you take your tea?