6 Adaptogenic Mushrooms & How To Use Them—Plus A Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to consume adaptogenic mushrooms? ›

Beverages: Many mushroom elixirs come in powder or liquid form and can be mixed with hot water to make a soothing tea. You can also add them to coffee or herbal teas.

Some of the most common adaptogenic mushrooms include reishi, cordyceps, and Lion's mane. There are records of the use of mushrooms going back thousands of years for various medicinal purposes, including reducing inflammation, caring for wounds, antitumor properties, and immune support, amongst others.

There are many herbs and mushrooms that qualify as adaptogens, and what experts know about most of them is still limited. But growing research shows that adaptogens help the body regulate in many ways, including improving mood, balancing hormones, fighting fatigue and boosting the immune system.

People who shouldn't use it include those with bleeding disorders, people taking blood-pressure-lowering medication, and those who are pregnant or breastfeeding (26). Additionally, there have been two documented cases of liver toxicity related to the consumption of reishi powder ( 27 ).

Certain populations that should avoid adaptogen use include: Pregnant and breastfeeding women. Diabetics. People with high or low blood pressure.

Some of the mushrooms considered best for human health include chaga, lion's mane, reishi, turkey tail, shiitake, cordyceps and maitake.

Yes, some adaptogens can give you a buzz. These include green tea, holy basil, ginseng, cordyceps mushrooms, Schisandra berries and maca root. Medicinal mushrooms and maca root are well known for giving you an energy buzz without the anxiety or accelerated heart rate that caffeine often entails.

Adaptogenic substances must affect the liver because of this organ's central role in metabolic and detoxification reactions. Ginseng affects the liver in several ways.

Other research has shown mushrooms may also be protective against cancers of the liver, uterus, pancreas, and stomach, as well as acute leukemia. 23 However, more research is needed to understand if and how much mushrooms may reduce cancer risk.

The Susan G. Komen Foundation note that reishi mushroom extract is possibly safe for up to 1 year when a person takes it orally. However, they also note that taking powdered reishi mushroom for longer than 1 month may be toxic to the liver.

What are the disadvantages of eating mushroom? ›

Mushrooms can cause stomach problems (Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting): As Mushrooms are fungi, in some people, diarrhea can get triggered right after eating mushrooms. They do not go well with everyone's body. Mushrooms can cause skin allergies: One of the side effects of Mushrooms are that they cause skin allergies.

How should you take your extracts? We recommend taking your tinctures directly under the tongue for the most effective and quickest absorption. Sublingual absorption is more effective because the mushrooms do not have to go through your stomach and digestive system before being absorbed into the bloodstream.

We recommend using your powder or elixir to make tea, by placing your chosen dosage of reishi into a mug, and adding hot water. Leave to simmer for 5 minutes, perhaps adding a teabag, or herbal tea of choice.

While some adaptogens are more stimulating and most appropriate to take in the morning or early afternoon, others have a more calming effect and are best taken later in the day or evening when you want to wind down.

Usually, adaptogens take two to three weeks to have a noticeable effect on the body, and some of the resilience which is built up by adaptogens over time can take even longer. For example, certain studies have shown that taking ashwagandha consistently for 8 weeks improves cognitive function and working memory recall.