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How to use reishi mushroom powder

How to use reishi mushroom powder

Team ErbologyErbology

Interested in harnessing the benefits of reishi but not sure how to get started? In this article we discuss the ins and outs of how to use reishi mushroom powder, from making traditional tea to indulging in a health-boosting hot chocolate. Hopefully this will help you figure out the best way to include this revered fungus in your diet.

November 09, 2023 9:42 pm

An introduction to reishi mushrooms

Mushrooms have been a cornerstone of traditional medicine systems for centuries, and reishi is among the most highly prized fungi. Known in Chinese as lingzhi, reishi earned the nickname ‘the mushroom of immortality’ thanks to its many health-boosting properties. According to legend, reishi only grew on three islands off the coast of China – islands that were home to the immortals. As such, it was very expensive and only readily available to the wealthy.

While this folklore may be an exaggeration, wild reishi is rare. It natively grows at the base of deciduous trees in hot and humid locations across Asia. However, because of its increased popularity, people now cultivate the fungus around the world. So, luckily for those of us interested in how to use reishi mushroom powder, you no longer need to be a member of the aristocracy to take it!

Reishi mushrooms are large and dark orangey-red in colour, with glossy, flat caps shaped like fans. Practitioners of traditional medicine have long used reishi to help enhance Qi (your vital life force). They also believed the fungus could work to strengthen the heart, improve memory, and even have anti-ageing effects.(1)

While modern research into this esteemed mushroom is still in its infancy, early results regarding its health benefits are promising. So before talking about how to use reishi mushroom powder, let’s look at the potential rewards of doing so.

The health benefits of reishi mushrooms

There’s not much point in knowing how to use reishi mushroom powder if you don’t know why it’s worth taking! Therefore, it will be useful to first go through a quick overview of its possible advantages. If you want more details, have a read of our in-depth article on the benefits of reishi mushroom.

One of the most valuable uses of reishi is as a boost for your immune system.(2) Studies indicate that the mushroom could increase the activity of certain types of immune cells and help reduce inflammation. This is thanks to its high levels of potent triterpenes and polysaccharides. In particular, reishi may have anti-cancer properties, although further research is required to clarify this.(3)

Interestingly, reishi could also have a positive impact on our mental health. For example, as an adaptogen, the mushroom may enable us to cope with stress more effectively. Research additionally shows that reishi can assist in reducing fatigue and feelings of depression.(4)

Scientists are also investigating whether reishi could be helpful in supporting cardiovascular health and blood sugar management. There is some evidence that the mushroom may improve cholesterol levels and decrease blood sugar. However, more study is necessary to confirm these reishi mushroom powder benefits.

So now that you have a better idea what it’s good for, let’s get into the details of how to use reishi mushroom powder.

organic reishi mushroom powder

Ways to take reishi

While the focus of this article is on how to use reishi mushroom powder, it’s worth mentioning that there are other ways you can consume the fungus.

Firstly, you can eat the mushrooms fresh. However, they have a rather tough texture and bitter flavour, which means they’re not especially tasty! Likewise, depending on where you live, you might find it tricky to source them.

Another option is to take a reishi supplement. Although these are convenient, they too have their downsides. For example, it’s not always clear exactly what’s in them, and some suppliers use bulking agents that reduce their potency. In addition, companies often make the capsules themselves with animal-derived ingredients like gelatine. That means they’re not suitable for those on a plant-based diet.

For these reasons, we recommend reishi powder as a convenient and versatile method to enjoy the potential benefits of this potent fungus. Not only is it easy to source, but there are also plenty of ways to include it in your diet. As such, you’re sure to find an option that suits your daily routine and taste preferences. So, without further ado, it’s time to take a closer look at how to use reishi mushroom powder.

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“Whether you’d prefer a traditional tea, luxurious hot chocolate, or immune-boosting soup, there are plenty of delicious options for how to use reishi mushroom powder.”

How to use reishi mushroom powder

We create our organic reishi mushroom powder by drying the mushrooms and then grinding them into a fine powder. We don’t include any additives, so what you get is 100% reishi mushroom. This ensures that you can receive the maximum possible health benefits from using it. In addition, we also offer a dual extract reishi powder. This uses water and ethanol to draw out the mushroom’s active compounds, and ensures you get the full spectrum of beneficial nutrients.

Reishi powder has a fairly bitter mushroom taste. As such, the majority of people prefer to mask the flavour by mixing it with other ingredients. Like many medicinal mushrooms, the most effective way to extract the nutrients from reishi powder is with hot water. All of which means that the best option for how to use reishi mushroom powder is to make a hot drink with it.

With reishi mushroom powder how to use it is only one part of the question. It’s also vital to consider how much to take. We advise using half a teaspoon at a time, and doing this up to twice a day. In terms of timing, there’s no evidence to suggest taking it at a particular time of day is more effective. Consistency is more important, so opt for whatever method fits best with your daily routine.

The great thing about all this is that it offers you plenty of choice. Below we’ll go through a few delicious and wellness-boosting possibilities to give you some inspiration for how to use reishi mushroom powder.

immunity mushroom blend

How to use reishi mushroom powder the traditional way: mushroom tea

People have been drinking mushroom tea for hundreds of years as a way to boost health. It’s a simple yet effective method to extract the nutrients from different types of fungus. And the best part is that using a powder makes things even easier.

Because reishi mushrooms are quite tough, you need to steep them for a long time when making tea. However, with reishi powder you’re able to brew mushroom tea in only a few minutes. Plus, the powder mostly dissolves into the tea and the water absorbs its nutrients. This means that when you drink it, you’re consuming the whole mushroom – not just the water you’ve steeped it in.

There are two basic methods for how to use reishi mushroom powder to make tea. Firstly, you can simply stir half a teaspoon into hot water. Alternatively, pop the powder into a teabag to make sure that you don’t get any undissolved powder in your drink. Either way, leave the water to cool for about 30 seconds after boiling before you add the reishi. This is because very high temperatures may damage some of its nutrients.

To enjoy reishi mushroom powder benefits the traditional way, simply drink the tea as it is. However, if you find the taste too bitter or earthy, try adding some extra ingredients to enhance the flavour. Some great natural options include ginger, lemon, vanilla, and cinnamon. You can also add honey or agave nectar for sweetness. Feel free to experiment with different recipes until you discover a few that you love!

How to use reishi mushroom powder the modern way: boost your beverages

Mushroom tea is a tasty and wholesome way to enjoy the benefits of this fabulous fungus. However, we’ve also got some more contemporary ideas for how to use reishi mushroom powder to keep things interesting.

To begin with, you can level up your morning coffee by stirring in half a teaspoon of reishi powder. The strong flavour of coffee pairs perfectly with the mushroom and helps to mask its astringency. Alternatively, try it in a cup of black or green tea.

Fancy something a little more indulgent? One of our favourite options for how to use reishi mushroom powder is to add it to hot chocolate. Cocoa is another flavour that works beautifully to temper the bitterness of reishi, and this is a wonderfully soothing way to enjoy the mushroom in the afternoon or evening. Plus, making mushroom hot chocolate offers plenty of possibilities for customising your drink. You can keep it simple, or enhance the flavour with extras like vanilla, cinnamon, and chilli.

Even better, both coffee and cacao have health benefits of their own. That makes choosing these as options for how to use reishi powder especially advantageous.

In addition to adding reishi powder to hot drinks, you can also use it in your cooking. The bitter, earthy flavour goes particularly well in savoury dishes like soups, stews and risottos. And because you make these with hot liquid too, you’ll still be drawing out the key nutrients from the powder.

So next time you’re whipping up a broth, try including half a teaspoon of wellness-boosting reishi powder. Your immune system will thank you!

mushroom risotto recipe

The importance of quality in reishi mushrooms

Like with all medicinal mushrooms, you need to be sure that your reishi is of high quality. This is true regardless of the decision you make about how to use reishi mushroom powder.

What does that mean specifically? First, you want to choose a powder that is 100% reishi mushroom – not bulked out with filler ingredients. Similarly, we recommend choosing an organic product. That way, you can rest assured there were no pesticides or other chemicals used to cultivate the fungus.

One of the key considerations is to pick a reishi powder that’s high in beta-glucans. Experts prize these polysaccharides for their immunity-boosting effects, and they’re responsible for many of reishi’s health benefits. This is why it’s important to think about the substrate that suppliers grow their mushrooms on. It must be of high quality to ensure that the reishi is rich in both beta-glucans and other precious secondary metabolites.

Our team combines over 20 years of mushroom-growing experience with the latest scientific research to cultivate top quality reishi. We grow the fungus in small batches on organic lignocellulosic substrate, under carefully controlled conditions. It’s then tested by independent, accredited quality checkers to confirm that the levels of beta-glucans are exceptionally high.

That means you can feel secure in the knowledge that you’ll be enjoying the fungus’s maximum potential health benefits. And all you need to do is focus on choosing how to use reishi mushroom powder.

organic ganoderma lucidum

A note on taking reishi safely

Quality is not the only factor to consider when thinking about how to use reishi mushroom powder wisely. While experts generally deem the fungus to be safe for human consumption, there are certain people who shouldn’t take it. That includes those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and children. This is because so far there hasn’t been sufficient research into the potential risks for people in these groups.

Likewise, if you’re on any medication or suffering from an existing health condition, speak to a doctor before taking reishi. The reason for this is to ensure you avoid any interactions or unwanted side effects. As an example, reishi’s immunity-stimulating properties may counteract the influence of immunosuppressants.

Finally, be sure to always follow the usage guidelines on the product you buy. For instance, when it comes to how to use whole reishi mushroom powder, we recommend taking half a teaspoon up to twice a day. You should then have a break after 6-8 weeks of use. That’s because the fungus activates your immune cells, and it’s best to give your body time to rest and rebalance. Healthy individuals can do 3-4 of these cycles per year.

Final thoughts on how to use reishi mushroom powder

Reishi powder is an easy and versatile way to harness the benefits of this fantastic fungus. Whether you’d prefer a traditional tea, luxurious hot chocolate, or immune-boosting soup, there are plenty of great options for how to use reishi mushroom powder. The key factor is to find a method that works for you and to be consistent with it. Whichever you opt for, you can feel confident that you’ll enjoy the same health-enhancing benefits!

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