Mushrooms in Your “Cuppa” by Cathy Scott I


n Asia and Eastern Europe, mushroom teas have been used for centuries as remedies for almost every ailment known to man. Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) and reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) are a couple of the most widely used and well-studied medicinal mushroom teas. Not only might these teas have healing properties, but many generations of use have demonstrated that the teas have few or no adverse side effects when used in moderation. “Lingering over a warm cup


Jessica Hammonds of Organicism Farms and Foods. “My favorite way so far is chaga ice cream.”


Reishi Tea “Lingering over a warm cup of


of chaga or reishi tea can help in- fuse an anxious body with a sense of calm and renewed purpose,” says Maria Kateri McGuire, heal- ing artist at Everything Mush- rooms. “It allows you to replenish your vital force and is good for your chi. You can learn to allow the tea to carry you away from your preoccupations.”


Chaga Tea


Long recognized for its anti-tumor properties, chaga was made popular in the Western world by the Russian Nobel laureate Alexander Solzhenitsyn in his 1969 book The Can- cer Ward. Recent studies have shown that chaga can inhibit tumor growth in breast, ovarian, testicular and colon cancers. Other research suggests that it is a strong antioxidant and immunostimulant and can be effective for treating viruses. Chaga is also being explored as a possible treatment for a wide variety of diseases, including chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, gastritis, ulcers and cardiovascular and liver dis- ease.


Chaga mushrooms grow exclusively on birch trees,


which give the tea a hint of delicate birch flavor. Chunks of chaga can be steeped in a crockpot on low for days to provide a ready supply of tea. “At Everything Mushrooms we keep our chaga tea brewing continually,” says owner Bob Hess. “Everyone is welcome to come have a leisurely talk while enjoying some chaga tea—in fact, we run out of cups all the time. So it’s a good idea to bring your own.” Tea can also be prepared from ground chaga in short order by steep- ing it in hot water in a French press or tea ball. Chaga tea can be served hot or cold, plain or enhanced with honey or lime. “I love the way chaga tastes, and I love to drink it, but I also like to see how else I can use it,” says


chaga or reishi tea can help infuse an anxious body with a sense of calm and renewed purpose.”


In China, reishi is known as the mushroom of immortality; it’s believed to improve the mind and memory and preserve youth. Recent studies have reported that reishi is an anti-inflammatory and can be used to treat a plethora of diseases that have inflammation at their root, including osteoar- thritus, gout, rheumatism, aller- gies, asthma and cardiovascular disease. Other studies support its use for various conditions includ- ing hypertension and hypothy- roidism, migraines, cholesterol reduction, and regulation of the immune system.


Reishi mushrooms can be broken into pieces or ground in a coffee grinder and then steeped in hot water using a French press or tea ball. The taste of reishi is somewhat bit- ter, so it usually is made more palatable by steeping it with another tea. Many teas work well for that purpose, but some favorite options are peppermint or black tea with a little milk and honey.


While not everyone agrees that mushroom teas have healing effects, most experts acknowledge that drinking tea in lieu of a snack or soft drink can have numerous health benefits, including weight loss.


Side effects to the teas have been found only recently,


when they are used in combination with certain drugs. For example, constituents of chaga and reishi mushroom extract may magnify the effects of blood thinners, and because chaga can lower blood sugar, it could interact with diabetic medicines like insulin. Therefore, before drinking these teas, people taking anticoagulant or anti-diabetic drugs should ask a doctor about possible reactions.


Cathy Scott is chief scientific officer at Everything Mush- rooms, 1004 Sevier Ave., Knoxville. For more information call the store at 865-329-7566 or visit EverythingMushrooms.com. See ad, page 15.


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