What Are Medicinal Mushrooms?

Medicinal or functional mushrooms are those revered for their “deep reservoirs of powerful medicines”[1] in addition to or even instead of (in the case of the non-culinary Reishi and Chaga) their delicious flavors. 

In this article, we will share our insights on the current understanding of medicinal mushrooms and where we believe these helpful fungi will be in the future! 

Medicinal Mushrooms - Spreading the Word

At Tamim Teas, we love mushrooms; that should not come as a surprise to anyone! Nature has a way of providing us with incredible nutrient-packed vegetation of elegant design and amazing tastes - mushrooms are a prime example of this. While many of us enjoy mushrooms in different prepared dishes (Hungarian mushroom soup, anyone!?) The medicinal uses of mushrooms date back centuries with ancient Greek and Chinese cultures [1] and have continued to develop to this day.

Modern western science has begun to examine and confirm the bioactive compounds that make certain mushrooms so beneficial for the respiratory, nervous, and immune systems. Thankfully, progress has been made, and there is more recognition by the scientific community today than ever before of how beneficial medicinal mushrooms are for the body [2] and their anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects.

The holistic health community and practitioners of eastern medicine now have a growing body of scientific data regarding the bioactive components of medicinal mushrooms and their effects, which is helping to popularize their use. 

Published and ongoing studies on medicinal mushrooms have helped confirm the beliefs of longstanding traditional medicine. For instance, there are published studies on the common occurring nutrients and vitamins found in almost all types of medicinal mushrooms including potassium, riboflavin, selenium, vitamin D, niacin, and fiber [3]. Medicinal mushrooms are full of antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation and have even been seen to help neurological disorders like dementia [4]. 

Medicinal Mushrooms - A Complementary Treatment

In some Asian countries today, medicinal mushrooms are used as a supplementary or standalone treatment for different types of cancer [5]. In the West, the use of medicinal mushrooms is still not as widespread as in Asia. 

While it’s not recommended that medicinal mushrooms replace prescribed medical treatments, we anticipate that the US medical community will gradually introduce them in practical use and treatment as more studies are published. 

Common Medicinal Mushrooms and Their Health Benefits 

Here are some of the most common medicinal mushrooms and their potential benefits!

Lion’s Mane

We are big enthusiasts of the lion’s mane mushroom. First used in traditional Chinese medicine, scientific research has unveiled numerous benefits of lion’s mane. Researchers have identified about 70 different active compounds that treat human chronic, cognitive, and neurological diseases. [6]. Mostly known for boosting brain health, lion’s mane also helps with GI health, heart care, and dementia prevention. 

If you’d like to try lion’s mane mushroom for yourself, pick up some Lion’s Spice mushroom tea from our shop! The subtle blend of lion’s mane, turmeric, and spices is sure to please mushroom tea drinkers and novices alike! 

Reishi

Reishi mushrooms (ganoderma lucidum) have been used for the general promotion of health and longevity in Asia for many centuries[7].

They are one of the most studied medicinal mushrooms globally. Its name derives from the East Asian word “lingzhi” which roughly translates to “mushroom of immortality” [8].

We offer two reishi-based mushroom teas. Our Reishi Delight is a delicious blend of warming cinnamon, bright orange peel, and premium organically grown reishi. Our Reishi-Chaga Boost is a blend of roasted carob, rich elderberry, and soothing red rooibos - not to mention chaga mushroom as well! Both are tasty ways to introduce yourself to the benefits of reishi! Visit our shop to sample some Reishi Delight and ​​Reishi-Chaga Boost today!

Chaga

The antioxidant-packed chaga mushroom is full of nutrients, minerals, and vitamins. Chaga demonstrated antitumor [9] antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving [9] effects. Chaga is also enjoyed for boosting immunity and relieving stress.

If you’re a chai lover, then you’ve got to try our Chaga Chai mushroom tea - it’s an invigorating blend of chai spices, turmeric, and chaga mushroom that’s pleasing to the senses with invigorating benefits! 

Maitake

Maitake translates to “dancing mushroom” in Japanese. Used as a medicinal mushroom in China and Japan for thousands of years, it’s known for being an adaptogen; this means that it’s capable of fighting against many types of ailments and supporting overall immunity. For these reasons, maitake has been widely researched for cancer treatment. Studies have proven that it can reduce cancer cell growth and increase immune cells [10]. 

Lion-Maitake Clarity is our maitake and lion’s mane mushroom tea blend. With tulsi, ginger, and cinnamon notes, this tea is nourishing (and delicious!) any time of day.   

Will the World Drink More Medicinal Mushrooms?

We love our mushroom teas for their holistic health properties and wonderful flavors.

We feel that as more data, research, and positive results are shared regarding the effectiveness of medicinal mushrooms, more people will be open to exploring them as alternative and supplementary options for treatment. 

Medicinal Mushroom Education

At Tamim Teas, we take every opportunity to educate the public about the benefits of medicinal mushrooms and mushroom tea. Since 2015, we have specialized in sourcing, blending, and offering high-quality loose leaf mushroom teas while providing ongoing comprehensive training to our enthusiastic customers. 

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