As I’m sure you’ve noticed, we have a thing for adaptogens. They can help increase energy, manage stress, balance hormones, and are easy to incorporate into our diets. Medicinal mushrooms like reishi, fall into the adaptogen category as they help the body find balance and adapt to stress. Which is native to parts of Asia like China, Korea, and Japan, is technically edible; however, it can taste very bitter and has a strange texture, so you can usually find it in supplement, powder, or tincture form.
WHAT IS REISHI?
There are six different types of reishi – red, purple, green, white, yellow, and black. The most studied type is red, it also has the strongest healing properties. While you could originally find it growing in certain parts of Asia, it now grows on hardwoods throughout the world and is widely grown commercially. Typically reishi will have a red or brown cap, and usually an oval or kidney shape. Like most adaptogens, it is very safe, with no known side effects.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
Reishi is often referred to as the “mushroom of immortality”, perhaps because of its ability to neutralize free radicals, which can lead to chronic disease and premature aging. One of the reasons it’s able to do this is because of its high antioxidant levels, which help the body protect itself against diseases like cancer, autoimmune and heart disease, as well as allergies and infections. It also works as an “immune modulator”, helping the body restore balance and regulate the activity of the immune system. Additionally, it helps to lower blood pressure and support liver detoxification while encouraging faster regeneration of healthy liver cells. And though much more human research and trials need to be done, certain components found have demonstrated the ability to reduce the metastasis of cancerous cells and prevent tumour growth (interesting fact: the Japanese government officially lists it as cancer treatment).
HOW TO — USE IT?
Reishi is available in tincture, supplement, and powder forms. Two of our favourite ways to consume reishi are to use Four Sigmatic Mushroom Hot Cacao with Reishi or Botanica Reishi Hot Chocolate. We suggest taking these at night for their calming properties and ability to help with a better night’s sleep. It does this by regulating the hormonal system and reducing cortisol levels. These products have also been “dual extracted”. It means that the water and fat-soluble components have been made bioavailable with boiling and alcohol (for the fat-soluble constituents). After removing the alcohol and concentrating the extract it is spray-dried back to powder, which is what we consume.
BLEND YOUR OWN REISHI AND ROSE LATTE
WITH THIS RECIPE BELOW:
The phytochemicals of Plants increase when taken together, and this dynamic duo has been helping keep me calm and collected. One of Reishi’s names in Chinese Medicine is ‘Mushroom of Spiritual Potency’. It has been used for thousands of years by spiritual seekers, Daoist Monks, hermits, meditators, and those seeking to relieve the stresses of everyday life.
REISHI AND ROSE LATTE
Both Reishi and Rose help lift the darkness, calm the nervous system and help with insomnia.
Course: beverages, hot drinks
Servings: 1
:
Ingredients
- 12 ounces coconut oil
- 2 tsp rose water
- 1/4 tsp @rootandbones Reishi
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp raw honey
- 1 piece cacao butter
Method
- Warm milk on stove.
- Add milk and all other ingredients to a blender until frothy.