Mushroom Drinks and Elixirs: What Are They and Their Benefits

Key Takeaways:

• Mushroom drinks and elixirs combine the health benefits of medicinal mushrooms with beverages.
• Types include mushroom coffee, tea, smoothies, and elixirs, each offering different health advantages.
• Mushroom ingredients can improve immune function, mental clarity, and stress reduction.
• Mushroom elixirs target specific health issues, whereas drinks promote general wellness.
• Mushrooms provide essential nutrients, antioxidants, and Vitamin D, supporting overall health.
• Beta-glucans in mushrooms benefit heart health and diabetes management.
• Prebiotics in mushrooms improve gut health and digestion.
• Some mushrooms may support brain and heart health, fight cancer, and lower cholesterol.
• Psychedelic mushrooms, though potentially helpful for treatment-resistant depression, are often illegal.
• Mushroom coffee and tea offer a lower-caffeine alternative to traditional beverages.
• Mushroom smoothies are a versatile way to incorporate mushrooms into your diet.
• DIY mushroom drinks allow for personalized health and flavour preferences.
• The quality and extraction process of mushrooms in drinks and elixirs significantly impact their health benefits.

Mushroom drinks and elixirs have emerged as the next big thing in the world of holistic wellness, and with good reason! These magical-sounding concoctions harness the powerful adaptogenic, immune-boosting, and cognitive-enhancing benefits of medicinal and functional mushrooms to improve health and wellness.

From the orientally-revered Reishi mushroom, celebrated for its calming effects and stress-relief properties, to the energy-boosting Cordyceps, believed to enhance stamina and endurance, mushroom-based drinks and elixirs represent a fusion of ancient wisdom and modern science.

But if you thought mushroom coffee was all there is to mushroom drinks, think again. You've only scratched the surface. Up next, we're going to explore the other different types of mushroom drinks and elixirs - what they are and how they're good for you!

What Are Mushroom Drinks? How Are They Different From Mushroom Elixirs?

Mushroom drinks are all types of beverages that contain mushrooms, usually ground down. The most popular and well-known mushroom drinks are mushroom coffee and mushroom tea. Based on the specific mushroom type included in the drink, you can expect different health benefits. So, chaga mushrooms, for example, have several benefits on account of:

• Anti-inflammatory properties possibly helpful in improving digestion
• Antioxidants beneficial in the treatment of high blood pressure
• Anti-cancer properties which may be helpful in the treatment of lung cancer, and so much more!

Elixirs are sweet, pleasant-tasting liquid substances, hydroalcoholic in nature, consumed orally for medicinal benefits. Mushroom elixirs, specifically, are composed of extracts of various types of adaptogenic mushrooms popularly used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine as well as traditional Indian medicine. They are also not as viscous as syrups

Essentially, you consume mushroom drinks to maintain or boost overall health and wellness. Mushroom elixirs, on the other hand, address specific illnesses or states of imbalance in the body. Elixirs are rather said to be "healing remedies."

Click Here To Check The Latest Prices On Teelixir Mushroom Drinks

Potential Health Benefits of Mushroom Drinks and Elixirs

It's important to note that the health claims related to mushroom drinks and elixirs are entirely dependent on the quality and extraction process of the mushroom ingredients. The benefits can also vary from mushroom to mushroom.

Mushrooms are first and foremost a great source of vital nutrients in the form of vitamins (especially B vitamins and Vitamin D), minerals (selenium, potassium, zinc, and copper), and protein. Aside from its nutritional component, mushrooms also contain antioxidants which may help protect your body from free radicals, which can cause cell damage and early disease. In other words, the antioxidants may help protect your body from early ageing and chronic medical conditions.

Interestingly, when exposed to UV radiation, mushrooms produce Vitamin D, which is claimed to play a role in a healthy immune system and bone health.

Mushrooms contain beta-glucans, a type of fibre. Clinical studies associate beta-glucans with improved heart health and more effective management of Type II Diabetes

Research indicates that mushrooms also contain prebiotics, live microorganisms that may help to improve or maintain gut health and digestion.

Aside from these, mushrooms may have shown benefits in protecting brain health and heart health over time, possibly helping the body fight cancer, plus lowering cholesterol and blood pressure.

Some early research suggests that psychedelic mushrooms could benefit treatment-resistant depression, but more studies are needed to firmly establish these possibilities. NOTE: Depending on where you live, it may be illegal to consume psychedelic mushrooms.

Examples of Mushroom Drinks and Elixirs

Let's look at examples of popular mushroom drinks and elixirs:

1. Mushroom Coffee

Mushroom coffee is a great energizer for people who love the kick they get out of their cup of joe but don't want the jitters that come with it. Typically, mushroom coffee contains less caffeine than regular coffee, so they're a healthier alternative. Some mushroom coffees taste incredibly similar to the real thing, too. Chaga has the closest coffee-flavour match, which is why it’s one of the most popular.

Mushroom coffee is made by combining mushrooms and coffee beans. The mushrooms go through an extraction process after they've been dried and then they're added to the coffee beans. The resultant powder can be blended with water for black coffee or blended with your favourite dairy product (or non-dairy for that matter) for a creamy version. You can also make your own mushroom coffee by mixing a spoonful of mushroom powder into a cup of freshly brewed coffee, or by dissolving it in boiling water and using that to brew your coffee.

Unless you use decaffeinated coffee, mushroom coffee will still give you the caffeine boost you need to get going in the morning. However, it contains much less caffeine than regular coffee.

Believe it or not, mushroom coffee could also have loads of health benefits. These include reduced stress levels, better sleep, more non-caffeine-dependent energy, and a supercharged immune system. Depending on the type of mushrooms used, it could even help to support cognitive function and improve your memory!

Some of the most common varieties of mushrooms incorporated into coffees include Reishi mushroom, Chaga mushroom, Cordyceps mushroom, Lion's Mane mushroom, and Turkey Tail mushrooms.

Chaga as Coffee

Many people use Chaga as a replacement for their morning coffee as it delivers a similar energy-boosting effect, despite containing no caffeine. Chaga is said to have a variety of health benefits, one being that it delivers a gradual release of energy, rather than an immediate spike followed by a caffeine crash.

However, if you’d like to start incorporating Chaga into your daily routine, but you simply can’t live without that caffeine hit, it is possible to mix Chaga with coffee. In fact, there are even a few benefits to doing this. To begin with, you’ll get a great-tasting cup of coffee by combining two flavours that complement each other perfectly.

Mixing Chaga with coffee is believed to help take the edge of that inevitable caffeine crash thanks to its calming, antioxidant properties. It also works alongside the caffeine in your coffee to increase alertness by reducing your oxidative stress levels.

Drinking Chaga coffee will not only feed your body with numerous potent antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, but it also offers a multitude of medicinal benefits that have been recognized for thousands of years.

Beyond its rich nutrient profile, Chaga's beta-glucans may help regulate cholesterol, contributing to heart health. The polysaccharides in Chaga may also support digestion and gut health by acting as a prebiotic.

A study conducted by Japanese researchers in 2016 even found that Chaga suppressed tumours in mice, meaning it could potentially reduce the risk of developing cancer.

2. Mushroom Tea

If tea is your beverage of choice, you won't be disappointed. There are more than enough mushroom teas to put coffee drinkers to shame.

Fun fact: Mushroom teas are considered more of a supplement than a beverage, because of the effects of their beneficial compounds on the human body.

Typically, mushroom teas are made by infusing mushrooms in hot water. The mushrooms that are used are either medicinal, like Reishi mushrooms for example, or psychedelic like Psilocybe cubensis. Psychedelic mushrooms are known for producing hallucinogenic effects, commonly referred to as "trips." Commercially, you can find ready-to-use mushroom teas in the form of powdered mushroom-tea blends.

The most popular varieties of mushrooms found in tea include Reishi mushrooms, Chaga mushrooms, and Lion's Mane mushrooms.

3. Mushroom Smoothies

Mushroom smoothies are as simple as blending mushroom powder with your favourite smoothie blend (think fruit juice, yogurt, milk, ice cream or other non-dairy liquid alternatives). They're great for people who don't drink either tea or coffee but still want a way to incorporate mushrooms into their daily diet. They're also a great way to stay hydrated.

Opt for whole foods in the form of fresh fruits, vegetables, leaves, herbs, and nuts for more nutrition. You can even add your favourite greens powder to pack an even bigger nutritious punch. Try different types of medicinal/functional mushrooms to see which ones you enjoy the best.

4. Mushroom Elixirs

We talked earlier about mushroom elixirs being herbal remedies meant to alleviate and treat specific states of imbalance in the body. To make an elixir, mushrooms are usually boiled for hours before having their beneficial compounds extracted and dried.

You can expect different health benefits depending on the type of 'medical' mushroom.

Click Here To Check The Latest Prices On Teelixir Mushroom Drinks

What Are The Health Benefits Of Mushroom Coffee?

Mushroom coffee isn’t only lower in caffeine than regular coffee, but it’s believed to provide loads of different health benefits too. Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of mushroom coffee below.

Less Acidic

Regular coffee contains many natural acids that can create heartburn or stomach issues. Since mushroom powder makes up around half the formula in mushroom coffee, it contains less acid and, therefore, you have less chance of suffering from these problems.

Improves The Immune System

The combination of coffee and medicinal mushrooms should give your body an influx of antioxidants that help to strengthen the immune system. In turn, you may be less likely to catch an infectious disease. Even if you do, you’ll find your body may be able to fight it off much quicker. Some mushroom coffees, such as Chaga, may help reduce the risk of developing cancer.

Reduces Oxidative Stress

The antioxidants found in coffee beans and medicinal mushrooms are believed to work together to protect against the free radicals we’re all exposed to on a daily basis. This includes such things as air pollution and UV light.

These free radicals cause oxidative stress which creates cellular damage to our bodies. This can manifest as diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. However, some mushrooms (Chaga, in particular) are thought to have free radical-fighting properties.

Prevents Cholesterol Build-Up

It’s believed that mushroom coffee can help to prevent cholesterol from building up. Again, Chaga is the superstar mushroom coffee here, and one study found that it reduced LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides while increasing antioxidant levels. The lower our cholesterol is, the more efficiently the cardiovascular system works, so it’s great for keeping your heart healthy too!

Other Potential Health Benefits

There are some other benefits to drinking mushroom coffee, too. However, these are fairly unique to the type of mushroom used to make the coffee. If you’re looking for high antioxidant levels and a way of improving your digestive health, Chaga is the best option to go for.

However, if you want to support your mental health by reducing stress and anxiety, while aiding your memory and concentration, choose Lion’s Mane mushroom coffee.

If you want to improve your sleep, reduce your stress levels, and boost your immune system, go for Reishi mushroom coffee. And, finally, if you want to increase your energy levels without getting the crash that comes from regular coffee, Cordyceps is the best mushroom coffee for your needs.

Want to know more about medicinal mushrooms? Read our ultimate guide on the types of mushrooms, their benefits, and where you can buy them!

Here’s a Great Mushroom Drink Recipe

Absolutely! Try this delicious Mushroom Latte for a great morning pick-me-up! Feel free to mix and match ingredients and develop your favourite recipe!

• Milk - 1 cup (choose from  regular cow milk or plant-based milk like almond, cashew, coconut, soya, etc.)
• Good quality mushroom powder - As per taste, or start with 1 tsp.
• Sweetener - 1 tsp to 1 tbsp (choose from maple syrup, sugar, jaggery, etc)
• Salt - a dash to balance the sweetness
• Flavourings - choose from coffee powder, cocoa powder, cinnamon powder, vanilla extract, etc.

Heat your preferred milk choice. Bring to a boil. Mix in the remaining ingredients, adjust the quantity of flavourings, and voila! Your delicious mushroom latte is ready!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can you put mushroom powder in coffee?

Yes, you can put mushroom powder in coffee. In fact, it’s one of the best ways to take this superfood supplement. It’s easy to do as well, and there are a few methods you can use to add mushroom powder to coffee.

What are the benefits of mushroom coffee?

Given the long list of benefits associated with mushrooms, you can typically expect the following from regular consumption of mushroom coffee:

• Improvement in mental alertness, concentration, and focus
• Reduction in stress and anxiety, and better sleep
• Decreased risk of cancer
• Reduction in high blood pressure
• Improved digestion
• Improved functioning of the immune system
• Reduced inflammation

Also, check out our Bircher Bar blog where we cover the specific health benefits of all the most common and popular mushroom varieties.  Mushroom coffee makes for a great alternative to regular coffee because it contains a much lower amount of caffeine.

What should I look for in a good mushroom coffee?

When choosing a good mushroom coffee, focus on the type and quality of mushrooms used, such as lion's mane or chaga, known for their health benefits. Also, pay attention to the coffee's origin and processing methods to ensure you're getting a high-quality blend. The balance between mushroom and coffee flavours is key, so select a brand that aligns with your taste preferences.

Does mushroom coffee make you high?

The mushroom coffees you typically purchase from your local grocery, food store, or online won't make you high. That's because they usually contain mushrooms known for their therapeutic, medicinal, or health benefits. There is a type of mushroom that can make you "high" and that's called a psychedelic mushroom, also known as a "magic mushroom."

Does mushroom coffee help you lose weight?

Since mushroom coffee doesn’t contain any fat or cholesterol, it’s becoming a popular choice for anybody trying to lose weight. However, there is another reason why mushroom coffee may help you lose weight.

Certain types of mushroom powders may help boost your body’s metabolism. The faster your metabolism is, the more calories you burn throughout your day. Chaga is potentially the best mushroom coffee for weight loss, as a study conducted in 2018 found that it could help to promote lipid (fat) metabolism.

However, it’s important to note here that, if you are looking to lose weight, you shouldn’t rely on mushroom coffee alone. Use it as part of a health and fitness routine that includes eating healthier foods and becoming more active. Drinking mushroom coffee and not changing anything else won’t give you the results you’re aiming for.

Does mushroom coffee taste good?

When you hear the term “mushroom coffee”, it’s easy to believe that it’s a drink that tastes exactly like mushrooms. But, this isn’t entirely true. Since mushroom coffee contains coffee, it still has that unmistakable coffee flavour. This is true for all mushroom coffees, however, the flavour can be altered depending on which mushrooms are in it.

To put it simply, as most medicinal mushrooms have a distinct flavour, the taste of the coffee depends on the mushrooms used to make it.

Chaga is the closest match in terms of flavour. It has an earthy taste that is similar to coffee. This is one of the reasons why it’s such a popular choice. However, Lion’s Mane has an acquired taste which it owes to its slightly fishy flavour. As you can imagine, this isn’t to everyone's liking.

So, when we’re asking if mushroom coffee tastes good, the answer isn’t an easy one. It’s really a matter of personal preference. For the most part, the flavour of the coffee beans shines through. But if you're unsure, you really can’t go wrong with Chaga in terms of flavour.

Is mushroom coffee caffeine-free?

Premixed mushroom coffee isn’t caffeine-free, but it is lower in caffeine than regular coffee. Because mushroom powder doesn’t contain any caffeine and it makes up half of the mushroom coffee formula, the caffeine content is dramatically reduced.

The total amount of caffeine you can usually expect to find in a cup of mushroom coffee is around 9mg. This is significantly lower than the 150mg-200mg contained within a cup of regular coffee.

It’s important to note, though, that this isn’t necessarily the case for every brand of mushroom coffee. It’s also not the case if you're simply mixing a spoonful of mushroom powder into a cup of coffee yourself.

Another important thing to note here is that, while mushroom coffee is significantly lower in caffeine than regular coffee, it isn’t a suitable substitute for anybody who has been advised to avoid caffeine intake altogether. If you’re trying to wean yourself off caffeine, however, it is a great choice.

Is mushroom coffee better than regular coffee?

Mushroom coffee offers potential health benefits with less caffeine and acidity, but it may not be inherently better than regular coffee depending on your priorities.

Is mushroom coffee safe for the liver?

Generally, mushroom coffee is considered safe for the liver. However, if you have any liver concerns, consult your doctor before consuming it.

Does mushroom coffee spike blood sugar?

Mushroom coffee itself is unlikely to spike blood sugar. However, some pre-made blends may contain added sugars, so check the ingredients list.

Does mushroom coffee have any downsides?

Potential downsides include taste (some varieties like Lion's Mane have earthy or fishy notes) and limited research on long-term effects. Additionally, different mushrooms may have their own side effects, so consult your doctor before consuming it, especially if you take medications.

Can You Put Lion's Mane In Coffee?

As with Chaga, you can also mix other adaptogenic mushrooms in coffee. For example, you can add Lion's Mane in coffee or reishi to make ganoderma coffee.

Lion's Mane is believed to help support the immune system and protect the body against bacteria and viruses that find their way into the gut through the mouth or nose.

Lion's Mane has been shown to reduce symptoms of memory loss in mice, showing potential to enhance wellness and cognitive functions.

Lion’s Mane’s anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Is it safe to take chaga every day?

While many people consume chaga daily without reported issues, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional before adding it to your routine, especially if you have a pre-existing condition or are taking medication, as chaga may interact with certain drugs.

Who should not drink mushroom coffee?

Individuals with mushroom allergies, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or anyone with a pre-existing medical condition should consult with a healthcare provider before consuming mushroom coffee. Additionally, those taking medications, especially for diabetes or blood clotting, should be cautious due to potential interactions.

What happens if you take too much Chaga mushroom?

Though rare, taking too much Chaga mushroom may lead to potential side effects such as kidney damage or issues with blood sugar regulation. It's important to adhere to recommended dosages and consult a healthcare professional, particularly if you have kidney issues or are taking blood-thinning or diabetic medication.

What type of coffee is best with chaga?

When pairing chaga with coffee, it's best to choose a coffee bean that complements its earthy flavour. A medium to dark roast coffee bean tends to blend well with chaga, creating a rich and smooth beverage. Opt for a blend that suits your taste preference, as chaga can harmonize with a variety of coffee types, enhancing the overall flavour profile.

Click Here To Check The Latest Prices On Teelixir Mushroom Drinks

Final Thoughts

If you've just started your journey of mushroom-fortified drinks, give this list a try. Also, get creative by adding your flavour twists with spices, condiments, and other ingredients to create delicious new beverages!