Reishi Mushroom Tea vs Reishi Gummies
There’s nothing better than adding a handful of mushrooms to your favorite omelet or Sunday bacon and eggs. And if you are vegan or vegetarian, you’ll understand first-hand the benefits of tasty shroom-power.
The truth is that mushrooms weren’t only made for eating. Chinese medicine has traditionally used several medicinal mushrooms to treat illness and disease for over thirty years. One such mushroom is the Reishi Mushroom.
Steeped in teas or dried and ground into powder form, the Reishi Mushroom is a potent health-boosting fungus that packs a powerful punch.
Most fungi-loving people are familiar with Reishi tea and its amazing benefits. However, few are aware of the ReishiGummie or how it compares to gulping down a bitter brew.
This article will explore Reishi mushrooms’ benefits and side by side compare tea and gummy ingestion.
What Are Reishi Mushrooms?
Typically used in Asian medicine to treat infections, the Reishi mushroom has some serious power. They are native to Asia but can also be found in North America and grow well in warm, humid locations. Usually found growing on dead or dying trees, the Reishi mushroom is traditionally known as the divine mushroom or the mushroom of immortality.
Many people take Reishi mushrooms to help boost the immune system, reduce fatigue, enhance sleep, and reduce stress.
When taken as a health supplement, the Reishi mushroom is usually consumed as a liquid (Reishi mushroom tea recipe), powder, or capsule. While it can also be eaten as food, the bitter taste and chewy texture of the Reishi mushroom means it’s not the best ingredient for that omelet we mentioned earlier.
Benefits Of Reishi Mushrooms
A morning cuppa infused with mushroom goodness provides the body with high levels of beta-glucans (a healthy sugar found in the cell walls of fungi). Beta-glucans have been linked to improved heart health and lower cholesterol levels.
In addition, Reishi tea is packed with antioxidants, has excellent health-boosting and medicinal properties. Take a look at some of the Reishi mushroom tea benefits you can enjoy when drinking a cup.
- Antibacterial and antiviral properties
It stimulates the immune system and prevents infection.
- Aids with weight loss
It improves metabolism, digestion, and nutrient absorption.
- Excellent detox properties
It helps to detox the body by flushing toxins from the liver and blood. The adaptogens in Reishi mushroom tea benefit liver function and prevent liver disease.
- Anti-aging
Imbued with antioxidant and anti-aging properties, the Reishi mushroom is excellent for the skin and the body’s natural processes.
- Supports the immune system and mitigates the effects of allergens
The moderating effects of Reishi mushroom tea benefit the immune system and help to prevent allergic reactions, reducing strain on the immune system.
- Calms anxiety and relaxes
It increases the production of cortisol and epinephrine in the brain, producing a calming effect for those suffering from stress, anxiety, or depression.
Further benefits include improving heart health, regulating blood sugar, and lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. Furthermore, research in several Asian countries has indicated that the Reishi mushroom may have the ability to protect against cancers such as colorectal and lung cancer. However, further studies are required to understand this better.
What Is Reishi Mushroom Tea?
Reishi mushroom tea is made from cultivated Ganodermalucidum, which is just the scientific name for these health-infusing fungi. The mushrooms are dried or ground into a powder form, which is then made into infusions or teas. Whole dried mushrooms are sliced or chunked and then steeped in hot water for between 30 minutes and two hours, depending on the potency you require.
Those looking for a less intense flavor can shorten their Reishi mushroom tea recipe brew time to 5 – 10 minutes.
Advantages:
- Excellent for those who love the tradition of tea brewing.
- A good way to de-stress and relax.
- Great medicinal properties.
- A pure form of reishi mushroom.
Disadvantages:
- Bitter taste.
- Hot water alone does not release all the active compounds found in Reishi mushrooms.
- Time-consuming preparation.
- It may contain grains or fillers depending on the brand.
You can find a Reishi Mushroom Tea Recipe here.
If slicing and dicing your way to fungi power seems like too much hard work, you can purchase your Reishi mushroom in gummy form.
What Are Reishi Mushroom Gummies?
Reishi gummies are fruity-tasting drops made from Reishi mushroom extracts. These yummy gummies are vegan and free of additives such as gluten, soy, chemicals, and fillers.
This makes them easy on the digestive tract, so the nutrients they contain are easily absorbed by the body. They’re also free of psilocybin, which means they won’t make you “high.”
Benefits Of Reishi Mushroom Gummies
The main benefit of the reishi gummy is, like the tea, it soothes anxiety while providing fantastic health benefits, which include:
- Protection against bacteria and viruses
- Reduces stress and fatigue
- Promotes sleep
- Improved cognitive function/boosts mood
- Supports the heart and digestive system
- Detox properties
Each Reishi mushroom supplement is packed with beta-glucans and 368mg of Ganodermalucidum (Reishi mushroom fruiting body).
Advantages:
- No preparation is required; simply pop a delicious gummy in your mouth – job done!
- Better taste, sweet or fruity flavors.
- Take the guesswork out of measuring quantities to get the right serving size.
- Packed with bioavailable compounds.
- Natural colors, flavorants, and pectin-based
- Vegan-friendly
- Great way to take a supplement if you struggle to swallow pills
Disadvantages:
- May contain low levels of added sugar
Gummies vs. Tea: Which is Better?
Reishi tea making involves a certain element of guesswork.
Many Reishi teas on the market contain grains and fillers, which can reduce the concentration of mushroom extract. Therefore, when making the tea, you may weigh out a single serving size of approximately 1-2 grams, but it would be difficult to assess the exact concentration of Reishi mushroom within that serving.
However, when it comes to our range of high-quality Reishi gummies, the concentration of Ganodermalucidum and nutritional information is precise. This means you know exactly how much you are taking.
This, added to the convenience of popping a tasty gummy as against the lengthy brewing process of a bitter cup of Reishi tea, may sway your overall decision.
Another factor to consider is that while hot water does release some active compounds from the dried mushrooms, it doesn’t release all of them. Some compounds are not water-soluble and require an extraction process using alcohol to release them. This means your cuppa might not contain all the goodness you were hoping for.
In terms of which is better, Reishi gummies or tea, it literally boils down to personal preference.
If you love the art of traditional tea making, have an acquired taste for Reishi mushrooms, and have the time to enjoy the peace that comes with drinking a relaxing cup of tea, then Reishi tea is for you.
However, if you want to know precisely how much Reishi mushroom supplement you are taking, prefer convenience, and want to avoid the unpleasant taste, then pop a Reishi gummy and get on with your day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Reishi mushrooms help with sleep?
Reishi mushrooms are known for their relaxing properties. They boost cortisol and epinephrine production in the brain, which has an overall calming effect on the human body.
Are Reishi mushrooms bitter?
Unfortunately, Reishi mushrooms are bitter and can be pretty tough to chew. However, you can use honey or a sugar substitute to reduce the sharpness when made into tea.
